Holy cow, I am sleepy. But I have been told my blog needs updating, so here is my attempt at appeasing the masses. (And by "the masses," I mean the 3 people who actually read my blog.)

Tonight was a fun night. Ryan and I had dinner and played games with Katie and Joel Neidel. It's so crazy that they're married now! But they seem really happy, and I am excited for them. We had a really good time. My competitive streak was brought out and satisfied sufficiently as I won at both Nerts and Yatzee. I was pretty excited. And Ryan was the ever-fabulous boyfriend who let me rub it in just a little. What a guy.

Things with me and Ryan continue to be going well. Sometimes I like to think that we've got this whole relationship thing figured out, but every time I am quickly reminded that I have a lot of learning to do. I am being forced to realize that when I let myself get close to someone, that means my actions affect the other person as well as me. It's kind of shattering the whole selfish mindset I've allowed myself to construct through the years, which is tough, but definitely needed. It amazes me that Ryan has the patience to deal with me and my issues, but I am glad he does. I love that boy, and I am so thankful that God brought him into my life.

Moments ago, I received a phone call from my younger brother soliciting nursing advice and/or assisstance for his friend who cut his head in a minor bicycle incident. Sadly, I was unable to do anything but offer band-aids and suggest a trip to the minor emergency clinic. I found it exciting that he called though. Perhaps someday I will be able to be of more practical assisstance in such instances.

Tonight I watched the 2-hour-long premier of American Idol. I am slightly ashamed to admit it, but I find that show highly entertaining. Who knew there could be so many Americans living with delusions of vocal talent they do not possess? I am glad I am aware that my singing abilities are sub-par when it comes to singing for the entertainment of the masses. I feel like I can manage decently in group settings, but I am definitely not a solo performer. And I am ok with that. Hooray for the youth group leader from Abilene who made the first cut! Way to represent the desolate land of colleges and churches.

I am feeling especially sleepy just now. Despite the fact that I slept for a good hour or so this afternoon, I can think of nothing more appealing just now than to crawl into my nice warm bed and dream of happy things. I am not daunted by the fact that it is only 10:00, and I have not known such an early hour of sleep in many months. I am actually quite excited by that. It brings back memories of freshman year when Julie and I would be dead asleep long before our faithful RA came by for curfew check at 11:30. Ah, those were the days... Ok, tender moment over. Sleeping commences...now.

So a new semester has officially begun. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I think this semester is going to kick me in the face. Clinicals from 6:30 in the morning till 4:30 in the afternoon? Are you kidding me? Plus additional clinicals for "observational experience." Oh, and there's still classes and homework. I don't need it. I know I'll be able to live through all this somehow, but it's kind of overwhelming right now. The stress got to me the other day and I had a bit of an emotional breakdown, but I think I'm ok now. Hooray for fabulous boyfriends who will be a shoulder to cry on even when they don't know what the heck is going on.

As of yesterday, Phyllis is in another hemisphere. Sad day. I'm sure she's having a blast though. It was great to have her camp out in our living room for a few days before she skipped town. Good times and quality conversation occurred. Always a plus.

So, over the break I bought myself this origami page-a-day calender. It's great! Every day I get to learn how to make something new. The only problem is, I'm already behind. So much for overcoming the procrastination tendencies. And I'm also quickly running out of ideas as to what to do with my origami creations. Little red birds and boats are taking over my life. I should just start giving them to random people. "Hi, I'm Brooke. Have an origami pencil." It will be great. Or maybe not.

Look at me, being all awake at 10:40 in the morning! This is a big deal for me, considering I've gotten out of bed before 11 or 12 maybe twice in the past 2 weeks. I actually got up at 9:30 this morning and went walking with Julie. It was good times. I always love the conversation we have on our little walks, although the topic of our conversation today made me realize that we are growing up, and that makes me kind of sad. I guess I always thought I could somehow cheat the system and never have to grow up, but it turns out I was wrong. I'm surprisingly ok with that though. I may have to act all grown up on the outside, but on the inside I will always be a little kid. No one can ever tell me I'm too old for Play-Doh and Disney. And besides, I'm pretty excited about the direction my life is going. Growing up may not be completely undesirable after all.

Hooray for holidays! I got to spend 10 glorious days in Arlington, which made me a very happy girl. The last 4 days were the best, because that's when Ryan came to stay with me. He was immersed in my family's crazy antics, and he didn't run away. What can I say? He's a keeper. I'm really happy with the way our relationship is going. I love that we can completely be ourselves around each other and act like idiots, and that's ok. And I love that we can have totally serious and real conversations and that's ok too. We decided to go through the book of Acts together to try to figure out exactly what it is we believe and do and why. This has been a topic I have struggled with for a long time, and I'm really excited to share this part of myself with Ryan. It really excites me to see the spiritual aspect of our relationship beginning to take a more central role. Not that it hasn't been there the whole time, but I know it's kind of been a topic I've tried to dance around a little just because I know we have very different backgrounds in this area. But I'm realizing that unless God is the absolute center and foundation of this relationship, it will never be the best it can be. I think that the differences that exist between my spiritual background and Ryan's spiritual background can be used in very good ways. I know Ryan challenges me all the time to think about things in ways I never even thought of, and hopefully I do the same for him from time to time. I'm pretty sure that as long as we both keep God as top priority and not each other, God will continue to bless us, both individually and together.

So is it completely wrong of me to say that I'm ready for school to start again? I'm not really all that thrilled about the thought of homework and classes and stress, but I am ready for routine in my life. I thrive on structure and routine. I can handle spontaneity as well as the next person, but it drives me crazy that school starts in 6 days and I still don't even know my class schedule! Seriously. I have big plans for this semester too. I plan to actually read for my classes and study for tests in advance. I'm determined to make all A's this semester. No more missing the cut-off by .75 of a point. That's just ridiculous. So yes. That's my life in a nutshell. The end.