THE END!

WOW! I have finally made it to my 25th blog post! I'm kind of excited to be honest. I know I had to start this blog for a class and I was baffled on how on earth I would get 25 post but I did it :).

My junior year at MSJ has ended and to me it went fast. Its exciting to be entering my senior year in the fall :) Lots of work still has to be done. I need to start thinking ahead on what I might want to do because I need to find and internship for the spring.....OK enough about school for right now!

I wanted to tell you guys about Ian. He has been such a trooper with me through being sick and all of my craziness :)(Im not a good patient) He really is the sweetest guy I know, and even though we are the most stubborn people we still can most of the time find a way to compromise on thing :p lol. In all seriousness I dont know many people that would have did what he did when I was in the hospital-stay with me and hold my hand after being up from ten in the morning till eleven in the morning the next day until my parents made him go go and rest and then he was calling and checking up. Im very happy to have found someone like that and I wanted to share it with everyone. :) Hes a good guy and makes me very happy :D

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT SUMMER GOOD LUCK!

Guiding Light News

Recently, I have read and heard that CBS is canceling the soap that I watch Guiding Light. This soap is one of the longest running soaps that started on the radio in 1937. I have watched this soap as long as I can remember..as well and most of my aunts and my grandpa did. The writing I believe has gotten sloppy but I don't think that the plug needs to be pulled yet. Guiding Light (CBS) needs new writers that will give their actors and actresses good story lines that capture the hearts of their views like they have in the past. Maybe if this was the case we wouldn't be losing some of our good actors and actresses to ABC. CBS needs to listen to the views and get rid of Ellen Wheeler! She has not brought anything to the show and has left the fans angered and upset. CBS needs to know that there is a very strong fan loyalty to the show even if the ratings aren't showing it.

I attached a link if anyones interested in learning more about the show :)

Oh and..... JOSH and REVA forever :)

Maddie!

How cute is this face!?

Maddie is almost 6 months already and out of my 3 dogs she is the funniest to watch. My other 2 dogs are Golden Retrievers (Toby and Sophie) they each weigh 100+ pounds so little 4 pound Maddie has to keep up with the big pups and boy does she do a good job at it.

One of the funniest things however that she does is when im laying on the couch and she wants attention she trys to fight with me by jumping up hitting the couch with her paws and when that doesnt work then the little witch tries and grabs my hair its pretty funny to watch.

Maddie however, is the only one of my dogs that like to chew shoes this week she has made it threw 2 pairs of flip flops...black and brown probably the most worn of my flip flops. I dont understand why she couldnt just go for color. :p

Im sure all be updating you more on the pups as the weather breaks and I will be able to take more pictures outside.

Thur Recap

Grey's Anatomy one of my Thur shows lol no joke I used to take Thurs off just because it was my "show night" lol anyways Tonight I was all pumped up for it because Mer and McDreamy were getting married FINALLY! but did it happen!? NO...i was let down. I understand the blonde is leaving the show might as well give her cancer to kill her off but why does she get the spot light of the wedding!? lol I sound heartless I know but Ive been waiting for this wedding for 2 weeks lol well really 2 seasons.

Next week is the 2 hour season finally!! im kinda pumped to see what happens, and if Izzy really dies. and if the couple that was supposed to get married this week gets married next :p

Thurs Sports Recap:
Still waiting for the red wings hockey game to get over...last I checked they were up 4-2.
The reds didnt do so hot wed but tonight (singles night) they won 6-5 :).
Devil Dogs(brothers soccer team) Lost 2-1 :( they need to get there act together.

If I missed anything..well I would have to say look it up yourself :)

NIGHT!

Shanghai

Shanghai-no I don't mean China...this is a card game that my family has played forever. When my mom was growing up the ladies use to do a card club and play this. Recently, I find myself really enjoying it, even though sometimes it can take 2 hours just to finish. You can play with as many people as you want usually we play with 7 to 10. For 2 people that equals 1 full deck of cards including jokers, each hand you play is different and you play sets and runs>now in this game you can buy cards to help make your set or run and you get 3 a hand except for the last you get an extra. You put in $1.25 and then each hand pays .10cents per person and then lowest score gets the rest of the pot. Cards value you with jokers=50pts, facecards and 10=10pts, A's and 2's=20pts, the rest=5pts. The objective is to go down because you only count the cards left in your hand and you dont really want them to be high cards because your score addes up very quickly. I could compare this game to GIN or500 (Rummy).

My family, cousins, and Ian can get very competive over this game. We laugh and always say "Jesus its just X amount of cents, dont be a score loser" but its not the point were in it to win it :)

Have a great night! Im finally feeling better, I cant wait to I get back to my normal routine.

B. Research

Business Research=Thank God its over :)



Overall I think that it was a good class. I just however waited till the last minute on my last 2 projects so for the lats 2 weeks of school it was crunch time to the max! My first project was just to interview someone tape the interview and then put together a report. This one was very simple and I did well on it. For project 2 we had to pick a publicly traded company and then write a report on it with the information Dr. B wanted. I of course started late on this so I decided to spend a whole day in the library-this was an experience because I had to make copies of everything and when I noticed other people working on it I just started talking to them and getting him (really got me out of my keep to myself mode) The day was long and I ran out of change so Ian came to my rescue and brought me change and gummie worms :) now that's love. For project 3 we were given a whole bunch of numbers we had to configure the data and then present our outcomes to Dr.B in a role playing type gig. This was the hardest for me because I get nervous when I'm one on one AND when I don't know what the heck I'm even talking about. BUT Ian helped me along with some other people like Seth who I thought was going to ring my neck at the end of the week and I did a fantastic job. I went in shaking sat down, "my boss" said tell me what you found in a minute or less. So i went to town I made it seem like I really knew what I was talking about. He was actually impress with my overall performance and said I shouldn't have a problem with being interviewed! I was so excited! I wanted to jump up and down!! Plus not to mention I got an A :).

Another thing that I liked about the class was that test didn't mean everything. I am a horrible test taker-always have and always will. In this class test dont count for everything because your three projects are worth so much more.

THANK GOD ITS SUMMER :)

Bed Rest :(

bed rest...Ugh the worst words. For the past 2 days that what I have been on and it sucks! I like to stay active :( anyways schools over I have to take 2 exams but other than that Thank God for summer!! As for summer plans I'm not exactly sure...IN JUNE Chase turns the BIG 1! which is exciting hes getting sooooo big. We will probably be going to alot of reds games.

In other news Justin got his prom pics developed they are very very cute. I loved his dates dress Ill post a picture. I did however have to report that I couldnt believe some of the dresses the other girls were wearing WOW they needed more material that all I have to say-I was shocked! There were of course the guys that wanted to be goofy and wear crazy color tuxes like a red one.
Erin and Justin-Prom 2009

Now time for some much needed rest. I hate not being able to sleep on my side or stomach :(

Hospital

So Friday was a rather crazy day went to school...came home and ran some prom errands for my little brother (the florist messed up his dates flowers) any who the whole week I have had a pain in my right side well really for almost two weeks. Well that night around 10 it got so bad I made Ian take me to the hospital. I hate hospitals so I really didnt want to go i just wanted something to make the pain go away so I went to Mercy-everyone in my family told me NOT to go there that they wouldnt even take their dogs there. yeah so thats where we ended up. I got to the ER at 11:04 now when you check in you dont talk to anyone you fill out a paper with your name birthday and what brings you in. Well if i knew what was good for me i should have made my pain sound serious since the guy calling people back was taking EVERYONE in front of me. So I waited in the waiting room for 2 hours before I even got to talk with someone. Well once I did the guy finally gave me a bed. Getting a bed let me tell you doesnt mean much. anyways I layed there forever then a cartoon looking doc came in to check me over he suspected my gallbladder, appendix,or ovaries. So needless to say I had to get a CT scan. Well after he said that about a half hour later (2:45AM) the nurse brings this huge cup of white drink in that I have to finish then wait an hour before I can get the scan I'm like well this is hell. So i do it all around 4:45 I get my scan and I'm thinking this couldn't get worse. Well it did!!! the doc comes in around 5:30 and goes your appendix is swollen you will need to get that out today and the surgeon well be here around 7 and then you will get surgery we have to find you a room. So the nurse comes in starts an IV and antibiotic gets me all prepped. They finally got me a room on the 4th floor and for those who don't know that is the "adults with behavioral problems (aka psych floor) but it was the only place with a bed. So the nurse gives me the agenda and tells me that my surgeon just left at 2am so she probably wouldn't be back till 9 or 10 I'm thinking this is not what the ER doc said. so I waited there mind you I couldn't sleep at all and poor Ian hadn't been to bed either.

The surgeon finally comes in around 10:30 she was nice but says plans change your not getting a surgery we think a cyst on your ovary broke so we need you to get another blood test to see if the white count went down and get an ultrasound and then monday you have to see another doc . NOW i was happy and mad at the same time. I hadnt ate since 8 last night and since i was getting surgery they werent letting me eat anything or have ice chips and I was starving. 2nd they said my appendix was enlarged sooo what about my appendix now? I just wanted to get out of the hospital so they keep me there forever till I finally said since you guys arent doing anything for me and im still in pain can I just leave. and so the nurse cleared me and I left.

Moral of the story dont go to Mercy hospital! and now im still in pain and dont know which one is the right diagnosis.

Work

So as I promised this next blog will be about me venting about my job. Would I suggest people working there NO! The people there are great-the ones that actually talk. Theres alot of 2 faced drama lovin people-my advice if you work with this kind of atmosphere is to sit be quiet and just take it all in DO NOT OPEN YOUR MOUTH-thats what I do and it seems to be working. I get nervous when Im not sure what Im doing. The place doesnt really teach teach you anything so when It comes to running the registers and all of there promotions I have not a clue what im doing but they make "EVERYONE" do it. Im not a complete moron its a retail store-I can fold clothes, deal with people no problem its just the little things. But its a paying job and I need it to continue paying my bills. Hopefully if I keep looking I will find that perfect job :) lol yes Im trying to stay positive. Although for my 30 day update with the manager I was asked "how do you describe your job to friends and family" my response is "its a job" she didnt really like that but I couldnt say I tell them I want to quit everytime I go in.

Alot of the ladies I work with ask what I want to do when i graduate........This has made me think alot. I have not a clue :( I have to keep thinking.

I have to catch up on my blogging so look for my next post soon!

END OF THE YEAR!

School is quickly coming to and end and with that comes alot of pressure and stress. I think a large part of that comes from Business Research. I have 2 projects left, and Im trying to crunch them in to get them down but do well on them. Im freaking out just alittle because project 3 i have to present in role play-so I have to know what im talking about. :0 Ill update as soon as I find out.
Accounting is my next big fear although im pretty sure im doing ok to pass. I HATE math and no matter how you put it dealing with numbers=math to me.
My other classes im feeling alright with them I just cant slack and I need to just control this stress and everything will be peachy!!

Reds game tonight with Steph Derek and Chase hopefully they win! Im so pumped for baseball starting, and of course cotton candy and Nachos! :)

I have to start thinking of summer plans BESIDE work which at the moment is controlling my life and I HATE it! will update with a blog on that soon.

EASTER!

SUMMER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

The weather is warming up and the tulips are in full spring. Easter my family went to Aston Oaks for a brunch which was fun, but the food wasnt so good. Its our second year going there and I think its time for us to switch back. After brunch and church Ian and I went and got Easter lilies for my mom and aunts-Whats Easter without an Easter lily RIGHT!? After brunch we went back to my Aunts for dinner and of course the famous Easter egg hunt. Now the youngest participant in this hunt is 15 soooooooo were over the candy so my aunts put money in the eggs USUALLY. This year they switched it up so when people would "shake" them they wouldnt hear change so they thought they were getting the paper money...OH NO! they werent my aunts and mom tried to be clever by putting in half the eggs paper that said "Loser" "Sorry" "try again" and "NEXT" none of us had any idea but they blamed it on the tuff economic times. :p

After dinner we went to Ian's family. His neice was in the cutest bunny outfit :) we vistited watched golf :p and overall Easter went really well and everyone ate WAYYYY too much. Oh and Ian was the Easter card champ. :)

Update

So ladies and Gents....

What has been going on with me lately?! Well I started my job, which is alright nothing tooo much to say about it :/ Some good news though Ian's sister and brother-in-law welcomed their new baby girl! Adriana Marie Harrison! she was 9lbs 9oz! she has the biggest cheeks! Its so exciting! We have to seen how Chase (Ian's nephew) responds to her :) hes use to getting all of the attention! Ian and I are so excited for Kendall and Chris..Ha I'm sure their still waiting for us to make them dinner :o who knows how that will go :/

In other news spring is just around the corner THANK GOD I'm so sick of this crazy weather! I keep getting sick :( which isn't fun in the least.

On the sports front...The Reds have started I must say not off to the greatest start. My brother Justin's spring soccer team started! I do have a funny story about it. They were at a tournament a few weekends ago and they ended up taking first place...Well heading over to the tent to get their trophy's the second place team Kolping decided to STEAL the first place ones and take off and run away...Now these are 18-19 year olds WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!!!!

Bachelor!

Sooooo Monday night was the end of the Bachelor...never a huge fan of this show, but this season I really got into it. Well it was going great and he picked the girl I was hoping for BUT! in one short hour he breaks up with the girl he got engaged AND then asks the girl he DUMPED out. Whats with this insensitive jerk. OK if he fell out of love with her, then fine don't humiliate her on national TV and still think your going to look like this innocent single dad. It was a very poor showing if what people would do for ratings and publicity. Then the next night he comes out with his Molly and then they are so happy and in love. Well thats just dandy right? NOT the whole show is a joke anyways they have really had only two sucessful cases where people found true happiness. As far as im concerned that was the last time I watch it. That was my little venting time :)

Job?!

Getting a job...

Easy said then done. I'm not really use to being off work, and it gets very old very fast. Believe you me I'm the first to say I would never miss not working but I do. The money isn't the only reason why I miss it, I enjoy being productive and on the move. Its been now a month since my store closed, and things are finally looking up! My old store director called and told me at the place he is working now they are looking for someone in visuals. I was so excited that he thought me and passed my name to this lady. The job description was working on the floor with plant-a-grams and things. I really do enjoy the high energy atmosphere that retail gives off because there is never really a dull moment and theres always something to do!

This has also taught me something as well, networking. Over my two years of working with my director, he was very impressed with my work. So I was shocked that he mentioned me at his new job and thought of me as a great asset.

So lets keep our fingures crossed! Im ready to go back to work!!!!

UC vs West Virginia

On Thursday, I went to see the Bearcats play host to the West Virginia Mountaineers at US Bank Arena. It was an important game for two reasons: UC needed a victory to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive, and Bob Huggins was returning to Cincinnati for the first time since being bought out in 2005. I sat in the students section. The crowd was extremely loud and full of energy. Before the game, Bob Huggins received a standing ovation; along with several other moments of appreciation for all that he did for the University during his tenure. It was a great moment to see Bob Huggins get emotional, and to see first hand just how much he meant to Cincinnati and how much Cincinnati meant to him.
The game started out with a bang. UC came firing out of the gates. At one point they hit eight straight shots, as they took an early lead. Huggins made a great adjustment moving to a 1-3-1 zone. UC has had trouble with the zone all season long, and tonight would be no different. West Virginia went on a 15-0 run that silenced the crowd. However, UC clawed their way back into it by the play of Yancey Gates, the talented freshman. At halftime West Virginia led by 1. At that point, everyone knew it was going to be a tight game right down to the end.
The second half was filled with UC technical fouls. They had 3 of them altogether. However, Yancey Gates and helped lead the Bearcats to a late lead. They needed only a free throw to seal it. Cincinnati got 6 shots from the free throw line in the last half minute of the game, and only converted 2 of them. Fortunately it was enough for UC to win, as West Virginia failed to convert late on their end. It was a huge win, a fun atmosphere, and a memorable moment with a Cincinnati legend, Bob Huggins.

Weekend Recap...

So this weekend went by fast. Friday was my friend Betsy's 21st birthday party we went to Bobby Mackeys. First off when I told my cousins that's where we were going they were all like "you know that place its haunted right?!" I had not a clue what they were talking about, but the more and more people I talked to all seemed to say the same thing. My impression of the bar was ok. There was a country band playing, karaoke going on, a bull, and tables and chairs that weren't very sturdy. Overall Betsy really had a good time, so everything was peachy!
Saturday started off as a lazy day until 6 when i had to babysit. Being jobless sucks, so I had to return to the babysitting world which isn't that bad (easy money in most cases). So my night was full of playing the Wii and watching movies not bad at all. Found things out #1 I'm horrible at the Wii on some games,and #2 at midnight I was wishing the kids were still up because I was bored.
Sunday (Today) went by really fast. Woke up late then had Family dinner night at Ian's.
Now getting back to homework and studying :(
Hope this week goes FAST!

Cyclones Game Friday :)

Keno!

On Friday night a group of us decided to go to alittle sports bar and grill called JTapps. Keno is actually pretty fun, but the odds are terrible The game is set up kind of like a Bingo there are eighty numbers (1-80) and then the drawer calls 20 of them. you can pick anywhere from 1 number to ten. Depending on the odds thats what determines how much you win. For example Ian and I went to pick four numbers because the odds were the best you only needed to get at least two numbers to win something. My brother was there and he was playing like 5 cards at a time which was funny to watch.

As the night when on I decided I wanted to go for the picking ten numbers. I was feeling lucky and thought why not, so i picked my numbers went up and placed a dollar bet. The numbers were drwn and I got ZERO. haha but guess what I still won $5.

The night was fun and I ended up walking away with $8.00 which is always nice!

Blogging...

Blogging...not a huge fan of it. I don't think that I'm very interesting, therefore its hard to keep up with. My views of Twitter is sort of the same..I don't even use my status on facebook, so having twitter I forget about it more often to none.

Back to the blog. So far I have 7 post, and to me that is alot. I feel like I'm running out of things to talk about. As this blog goes on maybe you will find out alittle more about me, which is the goal. One thing you might have already noticed is I love to take pictures, and you will see more as I continue to blog.

HoMeMaDe PiZzA

MY PIZZA

Whats better then a good movie, popcorn, and Pepsi...I will tell you homemade pizza (made with a little competition). Ian and I decided we wanted to stay in for dinner. So choose to make homemade pizza's. Ha well it was an adventure we went to Meier to find our toppings, and get the ingredients for our crust (that's right truly homemade EVERYTHING). Ian loves his meat-so that included sausage,ham,peperoni. I love green olives, so needless to say that's what was on mine and peperoni.
So we made the dough and waited for it to rise so we could roll it out. Well needless to say we didn't have a rolling pin so we used a can of cool whip :) after that was the fun part putting on toppings :D I personally thought mine looked the best... But in the end Ian's was all gone. Ian's Pizza.

In Shape?

Recently, Ive decided that it is time to get back into shape.(A LITTLE BACKGROUND) I Have been a soccer player since the first grade-and i played year round. Well about 3 years ago, I was playing indoor soccer and took a hard fall which torn my ACL and meniscus. I was out of commission for almost six months and missed half of my senior year. Since then I have had 2 more knee surgery's. I finally had to give up soccer which means I AM OUT OF SHAPE. :(

So I have started a routine, and trying to stick with it. Starting off slow and hopefully building myself up to what I was. Its a lot harder than what I remember to say the least and in a way its a bit embarrassing. Now time will tell, and hopefully i'll have the motivation to say with it.

The Itailian Mother...

As I sit here looking out the window at yet ANOTHER snowy day, I decided it was time to clean out the inbox on my email. As I was deleting I came across this one FWD from my mom...It made me laugh so hard because I'm from an Italian family my moms whole side is. As I think about all of my aunts I can actually see them doing this!

Well that was my tid bit for the evening. Hey it gives you something to read since you can go out. :) Stay WARM!


"Mrs. Ravioli comes to visit her son Anthony for dinner... who lives with a female roommate Maria...During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but notice how pretty Anthony's roommate was.She had long been suspicious of a relationship between the two, and this had only made her more curious.Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between Anthony and roommate than met the eye.Reading his mom's thoughts, Anthony volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you,Maria and I are just roommates."
About a week later, Maria came to Anthony saying, "Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the silver sugar bowl.You don't suppose she took it, do you?"Well, I doubt it, but I'll email her, just to be sure." So he sat down and wrote:

Dear Momma,I'm not saying that you 'did' take the sugar bowl from my house; I'm not saying that you 'did not' take it. But the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.
Love, Anthony

Several days later, Anthony received a response email from his Momma which read:
Dear Son,I'm not saying that you 'do' sleep with Maria, and I'm not saying that you 'do not' sleep with her. But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the sugar bowl by now.
Love Momma

Lesson: Never lie to your Momma... especially, if she's Italian

Turfway!

So friday night...We went to turfway it was rather enjoyable. Dollar hot dogs and dollar beer night at the track. It was rather packed and we had about ten people in our group. So we get there and the first we see is a mad laying on his side with four cops surrounding him. I was like "wow what happen to him", and everyone was like really sara, with that the ambulance pulled up and apparently the guy fell and broke his hip.

We get inside and take our seats. They were already on race #5...Ian and I were doing box bets which is you pick two horses and hope either get in first or second doesnt matter the order...Well that didnt go over very well we kept getting first and third. We did this till i got to the race and I saw Blue Cherries (somthing) I had a GREAT feeling about this horse but the odds were like 8-1 not so hot. Well we placed our bets and what do you know he WON! :) I was so exciting ha even jumped up and down...But heres the thing the owner off the horse placed a LARGE bet ($10,000) down and the odds became like 1-5 which ment I only won $1.80 hahaha

Over all good experience!

SnOw DaYs...

So two snow days in a row is exciting let me tell you-but at the same time shoveling the snow..and ICE no thank you. It feels like the past two days that's all we've been doing shoveling and salting.

The best is taking pictures of the snow its beautiful :) my favorite part. Next to that is watching my dogs play in it. I do have disappointing news my new puppy Maddie (this is her first snow) she HATES it, all she cries and cries-I think her feet gets cold. Shes still very cute in it!

Now for the downfall in this weather. DRIVING!
I am scared to drive in the snow. Living on a hill that feels like one of the last places to get plowed Ive seen many accidents because stupid people think they can drive in anything! So when it comes to this weather sometimes i feel you either love or you hate it.

Till Next Time Folks :-)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, If I could use one word to describe it would have to be thrilling! The music was GREAT and the lights were spectacular!! I had never been to this show before, let alone really heard of it. I had received the tickets back in September for my birthday so the suspense leading up to it was kind of neat.

At the start of the show they tell a story and have Christmas music to go along with it. It was so neat in the middle all of a sudden they had snow going on the audience. It was quite beautiful when the lights hit the snow. After the story was over, the band members were all introduced and they then started playing rock music. The special effects and lights helped greatly make the show. Only negative thought about it was I didn't really get into the story.

Saying goodbye...

I never thought when I got my job at Steve and Barry's that I would become attached and make the friends I did. Over the Past two years I have worked there I never thought it would come to an end the way it did; and we all would have to say goodbye. Yes, in the retail world people come and go but your co-workers, managers, and even customers can impact your life. As for me I started off at this job as just a sales associate, I kept to myself i was very quite and wasn't there to make friends. As I worked there and worked my way up the ladder to a key holder which is like an assistant manager I noticed changes in people including myself. I went from being this loner girl who kept to herself to the outspoken boss that at times people didn't like.

Why are we closed one might ask.... Well the company went through bankruptcy not once but twice in six months. Actually in those six months I learned the most about how management has to react in these types of situations. Some days even weeks we would go without hearing from our corporate office to other days when selected stores were closing, and managers were being let go. So much lack of communication from superiors. I was proud though of my store. We had alot of integrity and we held our heads up till the last day. Managers and other key holders would get on blog sites posted by other managers and just read how since they were getting screwed, they were going to do nothing. I just don't understand peoples philosophies, and morals. But now that the last store has closed its time to focus on the good from this situation and not the bad.



Store 147 was a grade A store. There were so many hardworking and remarkable people. I learned so much from all of them. I walked away with great friends, a wonderful boyfriend who I met at the store, and an experience i can take with me and use for the rest of my life. In the end we weren't just co-workers at a work place, I believe we were like our own little family. I wish everyone the best.

Goodbye!

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