Too old to babysit?

I spent the weekend at someone's house watching their two kids while they were in Florida. Getting paid to "babysit" a 12 year old and a 16 year old is about as silly as getting paid to dog sit (that is what neighbors are for). As effortless as it was to spend the weekend with these kids and get paid $200 for it, I can't help but think that I am just to old to babysit. I am very aware of what a snot I sound like right now, however I always says yes when people ask me to babysit, always. I am not sure if it is because I have a heart of gold, I just love money or that I have nothing else to really do (most likely a combination of all 3) but either way I always say yes. I also always regret saying yes the day before I have to babysit. I don't like yelling, I am not very good at playing with my imagination at a pg level, and germs seriously make me sick to my stomach. Conclusion: I am going to be a great mom. It is not that I hate kids, but it is way different babysitting another person's kids then your own or even your own family. People have weird food habits, weird shows they like to watch, weird house rules, annoying animals and a whole lot of other things that you can't really comment on but in fact have to make sure they stay intact while their parents are gone. I am sure plenty of people use to say all the same things about me. In fact, I attacked my babysitter with a pencil once so I was one of those psycho kids that people had to babysit. For real, it only happened once. Basically, no matter how good the money is, how easy the kids are or even the amount of good food people have I never think its worth it. After having the most painless babysitting job of the weekend I have concluded I am just to old to babysit. I am cashing out of the babysitting gig until desperate times call for desperate measures or at least until February 7th because the next two weekends I have babysitting jobs lined up.

What kind of year? A Year to Run a Half Marathon

This weekend I ran my first half marathon. I landed in Phoenix on Friday morning and had two days to relax until the big race on Sunday morning. So of course, being that Friday is the only night we have to go out we decided that we should take full advantage of it. After party crashing a party that my brothers friends were hosting we decided to try out the lifestyle of ASU. If you ever go to Tempe, Arizona spend at least 30 minutes as "The Big Bang: Dueling Piano Bar." It was by far the coolest thing that Tempe has to offer. ASU definitely has a bad rep (At least what I have heard) however, it was a lot more fun then I imagined. By 1 that morning I was ready to go home and go to bed. After getting into a cab it became very clear that me and Chris did not have a clue of where we are going and the cab driver decided to completely take advantage of that. Our 40 dollar half hour cab ride ended in a 70 dollar hour cab ride. I am going to have to take full responsibility for this scam because as soon as I got into the cab the comfortable leather seats and the hardness of the window pillow called to me and I curled up and fell asleep, leaving Chris with little help of direction.

Waking up bright and early Saturday was not fun but my first expo was quite the experience and really helped me get "pumped" for the big race. Biggest bonus of the day was the matching ninja sweat protector headbands that both me and my brother bought to protect the seat from our eyes. Honestly, we looked sweet. Due to our lack of sleep from the night before we were sent to bed by 10 pm by Dr. J with no complaints, to be honest, I am pretty sure I skipped.

As soon as my alarm went off on Sunday morning I immediately regretting signing up in the first place. We arrived an hour before which gave me plenty of time to freak out. As the time flew by we go in line at corral number 17. With 26,000 runners we still had to wait another 30 minutes till we got to actually cross the the starting line. When we finally got up to the front and finished shouting at Senator John McCain, who was waving at his elbows God bless him, the count down started and we were off. To my complete surprise we were able to fully complete the half marathon in 2:27 and were able to run the whole thing which was a miracle to say the least. Running across the finishing line was by far the coolest thing that I have ever accomplished. Even though you are basically dying you feel completely energized and that you can do anything.

Since my first marathon I am on a runners kick and am going to attempt to try become a much better and more serious runner. I also realized that physically and mentally you are probably capable of way more then you think. 2010: A Year For Trying New Things.

What kind of year?

This weekend I tried my first lobster. It was delicious, however I am a true believer that almost anything you are suppose to dip in butter is going to be amazing. One of the best parts of eating the lobster was that while eating it I felt like a princess. It could be that I am under the impression that Lobster is a special meal that is not served on a regular basis considering I have never even had it. It could also be because of being waited on by the host and hostess as if I was royalty, the wine was consistently flowing and I think at one point my bread was buttered for me. After eating my first lobster I tried my first cannoli, and no, I don't live in a box. I can say with complete serious that I now understand what "melts in your mouth" means. While trying my first lobster Bridget declared that 2010 was the year for trying new things. Hats off to Bridget, what a splendid idea. So it has been declared that 2010 is the year for trying new things and now I must decide what to try. The list that I have thus far includes:

1. Skydiving

2. Riding on a motorcycle

3. Brussels sprouts (Bridget's suggestions)

5. Learning to play poker

6. Duck

7. Manhattans (The only thing my Grandma drinks)

8. Taking a photography class

I know, I know, I could easily try all of these things this weekend however these items are only a short number of what I am hoping to try in 2010. Just a rough sketch. I am hoping to be blessed with a number of new opportunities to experience however I believe a lot of them will be presented spur of the moment. Much thanks to Bridget for the inspiration to begin the new years off with a bang. I am looking forward to a number of weekends up at Marquette sitting around playing poker, eating brussels sprouts and drinking manhattans?

Is it possible to have too much holiday??

I have always looked forward to the Christmas season. Mainly because all my siblings come home and the older we have gotten the less we see each other. Also, like many others, I look forward to the food, drinks, and presents galore! I still get excited on Christmas Eve, I love squinting my eyes when looking at the Christmas tree (you know what I am talking about), I never diet during the season and I spend most of the time in my pajamas. Now that this holiday season has officially come to end and I have time to reflect I have concluded.....this year there was way to much holiday! I know it has to be because Thanksgiving was so late this year and there was only a month later till Christmas. I also know that I had multiple celebrations with my family because of this and because of celebrating my Grandpa's 80th birthday in the middle of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am not ungrateful at all! I am also not disappointed that I saw my family so much what I am tired of is eating drinking, staying up so late, laying around all day and the winter weather. I think after this month of eating and drinking I need a major detox!! In spite of being incredible bloated and exhausted there were a number of holiday memories....

1. My parents still won't let their kids use the downstairs shower because its for "guest" and therefore all five adult kids had to share one bathroom.

2. The temperature dropping to single digits and soon as New Years Eve came about (Literally on January 31st).

3. The annual Christmas Brunch with the phlock, woo woo.

4. Running into people from high school and wishing I hadn't.

5. My cousin Kevin calling me a couple times in a row and repeating everything he said the first time he called me. (That was not sarcastic, actually awesome)

6. Watching old season for lost in preparation for the last season premiering in February!!

7. Spending much needed time with good family and Friends and being able to appreciate all of my blessings!!

Happy New Year!!