Aw, Shucks!

I got an award! Thanks Suz, you're awesome!! I'm flattered!

I've mentioned Suz's blog here before, and if you haven't checked her out, seriously, do so! Be sure to read all about her recent mission trip to Dubai, check out her book reviews, and read all about her other adventures in being a {gulp} new 30-year-old!

So now, I'm supposed to accept this award: Thank you, I accept. :-) Check.
Link back to the person who awarded it: Suz. Check.
Tell you 7 things about myself (see below) and tag 15 other lovely bloggers (hmm..).

Without further ado, seven things about me:

1. I have a freakishly good memory. Seriously, it sometimes irritates people. Or impresses them when it's handy. K-Dog loves when I can tell him where I last saw something on the disaster area that is his desk. True story, I'll say something like, "That book is on the left side of your desk, under the stack of papers, about 2/3 the way down." And I'll be sitting in my office.

2. It takes me forever to make certain decisions. For instance, I still haven't decided on paint colors for my kitchen and dining rooms, bedroom, or bathroom. Not that I'm in a rush, but seriously. I think this indecision is actually a family trait.

3. I might get to teach Human Sexuality next summer! I am excited and terrified about this. I was the TA for the class while in graduate school and I did some guest lecturing. But teaching it all by myself? Yikes.

4. When someone suggests that I "just ask The Crush out" I simultaneously want to laugh, cry, and throw up.

5. I just joined Facebook at the end of last April. Yup. As in, about five months ago. I hate Facebook drama, and working with college students, I see a lot of it. Since I've joined, there are times I think it's fun and times I think about closing my account. I still hate Facebook drama. And I'd rather blog.

6. I've recently been watching all the seasons of 24 on Netflix Instant online. I get sucked in each time, even though the show is entirely too predictable. Seriously. Yet, I'm addicted. It may be that I have a crush on Jack Bauer and think he gets cuter every season. Except when he cries. I hate when he cries...he looks fake and kinda scary. I should know, I see people cry every day at work.

7. Looking back, I think the research I am most proud of is my Master's thesis. I was thinking about it again the other day and I really feel as though it is my baby. All mine. And I'm proud of it. Yet, it's not published and likely never will be. That's a story for another time... But I kind of miss doing research like that. If only there were more hours in the day.

OK, now... onto the bloggers... Hmm. I don't think I even read 15 blogs that I could tag, but here's what I've got:

EKN at Tales of Our Journey
Kim at Kim's Spot
N at N's Wonderful World
Amber at A little bit of everything

Um... I think that's all I've got. I mean, I read a bunch of other blogs, but they're not really those kinds of blogs. So here's to the four I chose!!! Woohoo! Cheers ya'll! Enjoy!

Saturday Morning Surprise

Instead of sleeping away the beautiful, sunny morning I got up and washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put my contacts in so I could take the dogs out for a walk. At 8:25. On a Saturday. I know, not my typical Saturday routine. But we'd had so many days of dreary, wet weather I just couldn't pass this up.

Well, that and I spent my whole Friday night walking, brushing, and bathing my mutts. They hate baths. Lilly stays as far from me as possible and glares at me for hours after the horrific indignity I force her through. Montey actually loves the part after the bath, when I rub him dry with towels. Seriously, he will sit in my lap for hours letting me rub him down all while covering me with kisses. (OK, just realized that sentence could come across in a very dirty way. Ooops.)

Anyway, since my yard is dirty and the mutts are clean, we walked this morning. I had a simple breakfast and enjoyed my coffee while finishing my book and then decided to go thrifting to see what I could find.

And then I checked work email and read this subject line: "You've won an OTM award! Congratulations!"

Huh? A what?

After a little research, I found out that someone (I don't know who) nominated me for an Of The Month (OTM) award for March for a presentation I did in a residence hall. The OTM is given by the National Residence Hall Honorary, which I just learned is the "recognition branch of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH), Inc." So apparently, since I won at the campus level, it will now go on to compete with other OTMs written by students on a state-wide level. If it wins there, then it could go on to compete for national awards.

Honestly, at first I thought it was some kind of mistake or fake award. Yes, I'm that cynical. But it appears to be legit. I have no idea how many nominations are submitted per month, or who else I was "competing" with on my campus to be deemed the winner. I'm sure it's really no big deal in the grand scheme of things. We'll see what happens, I suppose.

I guess I'm just kind of shocked. I mean, I was really just doing a part of my job. Granted, the topic is one I'm pretty passionate about, but still. An award? Really? Me?

Really?

Anyway, just thought I'd share my surprising news. Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

An Award? Me?!

Oh my gosh! I got an award for my blog! Wow! I'm touched and honored! Susan, at 30 Before 30 List, gave me this, my very first award! Susan's blog is one of my very favorites and yes, I did steal the 30 before 30 idea from her! If you haven't already done so, check out her blog!! She also has a side blog about books, which I also love to check out for her thoughts on recent reads. Thank you Susan!

I feel like I've won and Oscar and should give a speech... I'd like to thank my parents for being awesome, Canadian friend Steve for telling me to start a blog, my devoted readers, and I'd like to thank the people at Blogger, for making this all possible!

So, I'm supposed to name 7 things I love and then pass this list on to 7 other creative bloggers out there! I'm going to try to list a few things that you might not already know (for instance, it's obvious that I love my puppies but that's not going to be on my list), so here goes:

1. The Office (the TV show). I am basically obsessed with this show! I didn't really understand the humor until I started working in an office setting and I forced myself to sit down and watch a few shows. We've been together ever since! One thing I miss about my last job is finding and showing a clip at the beginning of our big meetings.... love that show.

2. My dream sheets. I have these amazing 500ish-thread count sheets for my bed that I absolutely love... and I got them for a great deal at an after Thanksgiving sale, which I think makes them even better! I wish I could find more of them at the same price because I wouldn't use anything else.

3. Sleeping in ... on a Saturday morning... in my dream sheets. Even better when I think it's a weekday for a split second and then realize it's a weekend!! Nuff said.

4. Jack Johnson music. He is on my "happy list"- the music I like to listen to when I'm in need of a pick-me-up. I just can't help but feel a little bit better when I'm listening to some Jack. Apparently I'm not the only one- Little Miss Maddie also loves Jack and her parents have often played a Jack Johnson CD to help soothe and comfort her. Way to go Jack!

5. Vanity Fair magazine. OK, sometimes I don't like the cover art (it's a little too revealing sometimes), but I do love the magazine. I think there is some very smart writing in there on a variety of topics and issues. I also love that the editor can be quite sassy at times!

6. NPR my primary source for news. I used to listen to NPR on the way to and from work every single day, but now my drive to work is so quick I really don't get a chance to listen to much! I need to start listening online, I think.

7. Cheese. I love cheese! Maybe this isn't a surprise (especially for those of you that know me well), but I love it so much it deserves to make this list! I am happy to be back in Wisconsin for easy access to really amazing cheese and, of course, cheese curds. YUM!

So now... I am passing this award for creativity to the following peeps:

Mogley G. Retriever at A Dog's Life, The Real Story

Farmgirl Susan at Farmgirl Fare

Mo at Fresh Eyes on London I love the photos on this site! It makes me want to go back to London sooo bad!

Jennifer Hess at Last Night's Dinner When I look at this blog, my mouth waters... even when I am not hungry at all.

Anna Kuperberg at SlobberSpace

Deb at Smitten Kitchen Again, yum.

And finally....

Kim at The Olson Occasional

Congratulations everyone!!