Thoughts on my feet

 (A photo of the lovely Lane children)

I've always had weird issues with my feet.  We haven't always gotten along throughout our years of being together.  but I must say, in spite of our issues I am kind of attached.  Here are a few things that have either gone wrong or have just...happened with me and my feet.

• The growth plates in my toes closed early.  Each of my toes is almost half the size that they should be.  When the Dr. found out he told me that I had "shrimp toes." Personally, I don't mind having shorty toes and I'm pretty fond of their height.  Sometimes I look at them and worry that they have grown.  I don't know what I would do with myself if that happened.  
• I broke my heal from jumping into.......a SWIMMING POOL......yes, a swimming pool when I was on a family vacation driving across the United States. CA to NC.  
• I don't know exactly how I old I was...but a lonnnng time ago I got a plantar wart on the bottom of my foot and was stuck with it....forever. I had it surgically cut out at least five times, injected it with shots of chemo.  experienced what it felt like to have my foot numbed from the top down.  (yes, that means a needle was put through the top of my foot into the bottom.) and last but not least, in 2008 when the numbing and cutting holes into the bottom of my foot was too painful and inconvenient to deal with every few months, the dr. decided to put me to sleep and cut it out deeply so that it would finally go away.  Instead, I went into anaphylactic shock from an allergic reaction to anti biotics, was pumped full of steroids to counter it and keep me alive, and the wart came back a few months later.  I think he's finally given up though.  I've conquered our long little battle.  =)
• I also have low blood circulation in my hands and feet so when I get cold my toes go completely numb, turn white or blue and take a long time to warm back up.  Ive had blisters under my skin on my big toes a few times from being so cold.
• And last, I tore the ligament in my foot while running last new year's eve and didn't take care of it until the very end of  January.  It was...uncomfortable.  

So there's a few of our issues.  And I know you are probably thinking "What is the point?  Why are you blogging about your feet?  Stop.  It's gross." But the bottom line is that I love my feet, everything that's happened to them and all.   I love that I can wiggle my toes and wear slippers and super soft socks and make them warm and I love that I can paint my toenails and wear sandals and get tan lines on them.  I know this is random and I understand that it's a little bit gross to talk about feet, but I was putting lotion on them a few minutes ago and started thinking about everything that has happened involving them and that I was actually grateful for it all.  That's it.  =)

Looking on the bright side.

Today has not been a good day.  Last night I stayed up until Two o'clock AM studying for a quiz in my painting class.  So naturally, getting up at six thirty in the morning felt like the hardest thing to do..ever.  Somehow though I was eventually able to drag myself out of bed, get ready for class, AND walk there on time to take the quiz.  And then I failed.  Yep! I got a D. After all that studying and staying up late..I failed.  Luckily my teacher is awesome and said that whatever grade we received we could raise a whole grade higher so I actually ended up with a C, but it was still a big bummer. 

After that, I walked back to my dorm, crawled under my covers, and slept for three more hours before my next class.  When I woke up I was feeling a little bit better.  More rested with only a minor headache..(Int seems like I'm never without them anymore).  I turned on my lap top to check my email and I finally got the news on the mail room position that I've been waiting for.  I think it went something like this: "Sorry but, nope!"  I have been waiting and PRAYING and hoping and praying and waiting and praying some more that I would get that job.  It seemed perfect...and out of the twenty or more applications and resumes I have submitted to different places,  it was the only place that has even responded.  I was/am so frustrated and discouraged.  I'm not even sure what to do now. 

But although all this..crap happened today and I feel small and lonely and like my eyes might just start leaking at any moment, I am trying to focus on some good things instead..So I am going to list them!

1.  It's December. aka: CHRISTMAS!
2.  I have ONE day of school left.
3.  All my projects are done and turned in early.
4.  I have no finals.
5.  I get to be at home from DEC 8th to January...something.  (Not quite sure yet.)
6.  I turn 21 in nine days.
7.  I ate green beans today.
8.  And....it's CHRISTMAS time! (because it deserves to be on here twice.)

picture via Pinterest

24-30

Today is MY last day of thirty days of thankfulness.  My life is full of going and rushing and working hard and I don't spend a whole lot of time on the computer anymore.  When I'm on it is fast and I have forgotten to blog on repeated occasions.  So I'm ending my challenge today.  I'm still going to blog! I enjoy it and think it is kind of fun..I just wont have the pressure of remembering to post everyday and that will be nice.  So here it goes! My last 30 days of thankfulness entry.

24.  fall leaves.  My family and I went to Sacramento for Thanksgiving this year and the trees there are so pretty.  I love fall colors and they were everywhere up there.

25.  Rest.  I feel like I have been running on empty for the past two weeks.  Little sleep, long days, lots of going places and running around.  I wake up in the morning with swollen eyes and feeling sleepy but today I took a break and was able to NAP! I love naps! And even if I didn't catch up on all the rest I've missed, I was able to put a small dent into it and for that I am thankful.

26.  Christmas.  IT'S FINALLY HERE!!! I love Christmas...I love love love Christmas.

27.  For the times in the week that I don't have headaches.migraines or tension. 

28.  For semi-artistic abilities.

29.  For my parent's generosity.

30.  For a healthy, functioning body that allows me to work it and push it and RUN! 

21 through 23

Today I am thankful for:

21: Safe car rides and drive thrus. 

22: Sacramento trees looking like FALL! finally..the leaves are so pretty here.

23: My absolutely crazy family having fun and enjoying each other. 

Days 16-20

#16.  My bible.  A while ago, (mid October?) my dad was talking to my family and Colin over dinner in the mall food court and was telling us he hadn't been reading his bible very often.  Then he asked if we all had.  After a short conversation he challenged us to read every day for five minutes until January 1st.  I had already been reading my bible on a regular basis but it wasn't nightly.  Now I've been reading every night for much longer than five minutes and I really enjoy it.   I like being fed and learning and growing in wisdom and my love for God.  It makes me better.

#17.  Food.  Do I even have to describe why I'm thankful for this?  =)

#18.  Christmas lights.  Colin and I put them on the house yesterday!!! We aren't lighting them up until after Thanksgiving but I am SO excited.  Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year and those christmas lights just made my day on Saturday.

#19.  Willing-ness and cooperation.  I roped five girls into dancing for me on December fourth in SVCC's Christmas service.  We had our first practice today.  It was a little rough but they were all good sports and so gracious about it.  Thanks guys!

#20.  Health.  I am finally starting to feel better after having a cold for close to two months.  I'm happy to report there is no sniffing, no ear pain and or pressure, and only occasional coughing.  THANK goodness!! I was beginning to feel defeated. 

Ok...I suck at this thirty day thing.

FIVE days in one.  My weekends always get me.

Day 11: Creativity.  I like to think that I am pretty creative.  God has blessed me with an artistic ability and I am very thankful for it.

Day 12:  Persistence.  I have been applying and applying for jobs and I think I might be close to getting one.  PLEASE continue to pray because I don't know for sure!

Day 13:  Responsibility:  I have to thank my parents for this one.  They have raised me and guided me into becoming a responsible adult that gets her homework done on time or even early.  I was able to work hard and get an assignment done early this week so that I can take a day off from school next week.  (I'm going out of town.) I am thankful that I was able to do so.

Day 14:  Silver Daniels.  She turned 20 on Saturday.  She is amazing and strong willed and the best non family friend any girl could have.  I love her and miss her very much!

Day 15:  Cru bible study.  The highlight of my lonnnng Tuesday. 

Day 10

Unrelated..I just had a hair stuck in my eye. 

Today I'm thankful for water.  It's my favorite thing to drink, it's what I'm mostly made of, it cleans me, it can be cold and refreshing or hot and steamy.  I am so thankful that God decided that it would be something we need in our lives. 

Day #9: Ibuprofen and the DC

Today I'm thankful for ibuprofen.  I get migraines on a regular basis and it seems like lately they are progressively becoming more and more intense.  Today I had one that actually put me in bed for the first time.  Luckily I had ibuprofen and was able to get it to away after a while.  So  far it is the only pain medication that works against my headaches and I am so grateful for it.

On top of that I am also thankful for the Dining Commons at SJSU.  It's nice to be able to just go get a meal that is quick and free when you don't feel like cooking.

Day #8. Mr. Sparks

Today I'm thankful for Nicholas Sparks.  In the spring of last year, I read The Last Song.  It was the first Nicholas Sparks book that I had ever experienced and as soon as I finished sobbing and became coherent again, I read another, and another, and another.  I am obsessed with his writing.  For those of you who have never had the privileged of reading one of his books, lemme tell you a little bit about them.  Every single one is set somewhere in North Carolina.  A main character almost always dies, they are filled with passion and extreme descriptions of love and what being in love might look like, and if you're human ALL of them will probably make you cry.  His books have similar qualities about them but each are unique in certain ways and they draw me in every time.  If you know me, you know that I am not a reader.  I do not often read for pleasure.  The extent of reading on my own accord so far is the Twilight series, The Hunger Games, and every one of Nicholas Sparks Books.  However, his books have made me WANT to read and I found out that I actually enjoy it.  It's relaxing to sit or lay down and become enveloped in a story that has nothing to do with your current reality.  Another reason why I love his books so much is because my family has a special connection to North Carolina.  Reading about New Bern, Raleigh, Beaufort, and other little towns or cities that we have been to is so fun because I KNOW what he is describing or talking about.  This past summer I actually went to his house while we were in NewBern and took a picture outside of it.  (totally creepy, right??) It was gated and all I could see were trees really, but oh well.  =) Tonight I am going to finish his newest book called The Best of Me.  So far it has been really good..intense and a little suspenseful but still full of crazy love.  I am going to cry and then probably cry some more.  But it's gonna be totally worth it!

Here is the picture outside his house in July! (Don't mind my horrible appearance in this pic.  I look dirty and sweaty..because I was.)

Days 3,4, 5 AND 6

Is this allowed....? I'm gonna go for it because I started a day after everyone else and I also was a little distracted these past two days.  So here are four things I am thankful for. 

#3.  Rain.  It has been raining on and off all weekend and I love it.  It makes me really happy to hear it outside the window or see the streets glow from the light of the streetlights at night.  Everything is crisp and fresh and the air smells different and clean. I. Love. Rain.

#4.  Family.  My family is amazing...It's in my opinion one of the best families out there.  We're loud, we fight, we love, we laugh, we're a singing family, a spend time together family, a WANT to be together family, a read together family, we play, we work, we pray and sometimes even want to strangle each other.  But if I didn't have them I wouldn't be me. 

#5.  My uggs.  Weird thing to be thankful for, I know.  But hear me out! I have had these shoes for the past seven or eight years and I have USED them! My mom hates them, and they are trashed, and drawn on, and paint splattered, and stretched, and the heal has fallen out and if I walk in them when the ground is wet my feet become soaked shortly after.  However, they are so comfy and I am still thankful that I can wear them. 

#6.  Cough drops.  I'm not so sure that cough drops work all that well.  But I am thankful to have some this weekend.  I've had an uncomfortable, flemy cough for almost four weeks.  Last week I thought it was getting better but this weekend it turned around again and brought a cold with it.  Colin bought me a bag of cough drops earlier tonight and I've sucked on two so far.  They have made my throat feel a little better and I am grateful that he was willing to get them for me and that they are semi-working!

Well there is four days in one.  I promise I'm going to try harder to keep up with this thirty day thing.  Blogging is still kind of new to me and I don't always remember.  Hope you had a good Sunday!

Day#2-Heat

Today I am thankful for heaters.  It was an exceptionally chilly day at school.  It started out clear and sunny but cold enough to see your own breath and then toward the afternoon it got SO windy and SO cold and SO beautiful.  Leaves were floating through the air in an endless stream.  I felt like Pocahontas while I was walking to class.  Don't get me wrong, I like the class that I am currently taking.  I find it interesting and challenging and fast paced but my goodness the air conditioner never quits in that room.  Three hours sitting in one spot with the AC blasting is torture.  Especially for a girl like me that can be cold anywhere and often lose feeling in my fingers and toes.  After three hours of experiencing what it feels like to be held in a cryogenic facility I was ready for some heat.  Surprise! Rain and 49 degree weather instead....out of nowhere.  Yes...it made me very happy.  Rain and I are practically BFFs...but sometimes a girl just needs a little heat.  So today I am thankful for heaters.  I blasted heat for an hour in my car and got all warm and toasty and enjoyed watching the rain come down around me.  It was so nice. 

30 days of Thankfulness bandwagon

My sisters and a few other bloggers have started to do a 30 Days of Thankfulness challenge.  I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and do it with them.  So here it goes! Day #1..

Today I am thankful for having a boyfriend who's knowledge of computers greatly surpasses my own.  More often than not, I have a hard time figuring out how to do things on the computer or get it to work exactly how I would like it to.  However, Colin knows pretty much everything and is almost always patient with my ignorance when it comes to them.  He helped me a TON yesterday with a project that I had no idea how to do and I am so grateful for him and his willingness to help me.  He makes me smile. 

Are words really necessary?

 

Two weekends ago my mom taught me how to make fried chicken (my favorite food in the world.)  It was amazing as usual and I am so glad that I now know how to do it on my own.  I just thought I would share a picture of these lovely little pieces of awesome-ness.

Happy Tuesday!

Weekend In Words

Home.  Sister's 18th Birthday.  Fried Chicken.  Coats that look like robes.  New Camera!  Brother's Swim meet.  Cuddling with the boyfriend.  New Nicholas Sparks book.  Laughing with family.  Wipeout.  Michael's Mexican food.  Sleeping in.  Church.  Cinnamon Bun Pancakes.  Homework.  Nyquil.  Vampire Diaries.  Friends.  Hood/scarf combo.  HOT weather =/.  Candles that smell good.  COLD weather =).  Pumpkin Carving.  Baked pumpkin seeds.  Coughing...lots and lots of coughing.  Comfy bed.  Back to school. 


Hope your weekend was good as well!

Last Weekend

Last weekend I went home to just...be home.  To relax, to do homework, to sleep well in a comfy bed, and to spend time with my family and the boyfriend.  I love going home.  The weather is cooler, and my house is comfy and seems warm even though it's almost always cold in there.  On Friday my mom put up all her fall decorations and the weather was cold all weekend.  I made apple cider caramel cookies that I found on pinterest.  (You can find the recipe here.)  Trust me, they taste as good as they look! And on top of that, I went to two football games and enjoyed some great food from Fosters Freeze.  Here are a few pictures of the weekend! Enjoy. 

 

 

Robbie and Emily's Wedding

On September 23rd...24th, my good friends Robbie and Emily got married! I had the privilege of being apart of their big day and it was absolutely wonderful.  Everything was so gorgeous (especially the bride!) and it seemed like with the exception of dresses flying up freely in the wind and late cupcakes that no one noticed, all things wedding went very smoothly.  Here are a few (close up) photos of their special weekend from set up and rehearsal dinner to reception. 

 

 

In two days, it will officially be Autumn.  I absolutely can't wait.  Autumn and Winter are the best seasons! Seriously, they trump spring and summer by a long shot.  Autumn is when the leaves start to change colors, the air starts to get cold, Starbucks starts selling drinks with pumpkin and cinnamon, people start wearing cute things like boots and coats and scarves, and when you go for walks on the side walk you can crunch the leaves under your feet! Everything turns pretty and moods start to change in anticipation for November and December..(the best months of the year)...or at least mine does.  Yep...I'm pretty sure autumn is almost the greatest time of year.  EXCEPT!..for that fact that San Jose hasn't quite got the memo on the fall thing yet.  Don't get me wrong...school is great but 90 degree weather toward the end of September however, is not.  (Come on people! It's the time of year when it is supposed to be sunny but really really COLD at the same time!)  For those of you who may not know me very well, you must know that hot weather and I do not get along.  We are in no way friends.  In my opinion, the only time that it is okay for the weather to make the decision to be warmer than 75 degrees is when I'm on summer vacation somewhere very close to a river or lake..preferably river.  Any other time, the weather and I only get along if he decides to hang out at about 45-65 degrees.  San Jose really needs to catch up on this whole autumn thing.  I would love to be wearing leather jackets and SWEATERS and jeans and be cuddled in comfy sweats drinking tea or hot chocolate or spiced cider next to a fire place while I can hear the wind blow outside..but Mr. 91 degrees all day over here wont allow that.  Instead, I walk outside my building and am greeted by thick, heavy, hot air that makes me sweat the moment I move.  I really need some fall in my life.  And cold air.  I cannot wait! =) 

On a lighter note: I'm going home all weekend (Thursday night through Monday), and I am really looking forward to it.  First, I'll get to be with my family and the boyfriend.  Second, my good friend Emily is getting married and I'm in her wedding! I'm so happy and excited for her and her soon to be hubby, Robbie. Their wedding is going to be absolutely beautiful and they're gonna have such a great day. It will be the first wedding that I have been apart of and I can't wait to experience it.  Annnd lastly, I'm pretty sure the weather will be a little more like fall down in Salinas and Monterey.  =)  I hope your week has been great so far!

Some things about San Jose So Far

I'm almost three weeks into school at San Jose State and so far and I must say that for the most part,  things haven't been bad. I'm taking two classes and getting units for four instead, all three of my roommates are great, the SJSU campus is really nice and I enjoy walking EVERYWHERE (although I'd be totally okay with it if the weather cooled off a little.) Working out in the campus gym is free and I cannot even express how thrilled I am about that.  So far I've practically killed myself by experimenting with piloxing and cycling.  Let's just say that I didn't realize how out of shape I am until I was on a bike experiencing what it might feel like to have my legs fall off while the tiniest, most energetic woman ever is cycling like a crazy person and talking the whole time without getting out of breath in the slightest across the room...It was ridiculous.  Another slightly dangerous and great thing about SJSU that I have learned is Psycho Donuts are located on the first floor of my building in the Village Market.  My roommate Jessica and I tried out the Oreo donut the other week and it was way too good.  Seriously, they should not be selling these things anywhere near broke college students.  It's totally cruel.  Well Anyway, there is a just a little update on the high lights of college so far.  Here are a few photos of my dorm and that crazy donut. 

Hope your weekend was awesome!