They say you're really not somebody until somebody else loves you.

I love my family. (all of my family...these are just a few pictures!)

The other day I was indulging in my daily dose of Ellen and she was talking to her guest about how important it was to tell everyone you love them. Just a simply phone call can do the trick but she mentioned how fantastic it would be to call random people and say "I love you". If only we lived in a world where that would be okay to just dial a number, say "I love you" and goodbye. If it's too weird of a concept, how about just doing that on Valentine's Day? The three words could make a person's day or just put a smile on their face momentarily. I think it would make you feel good to randomly make someone's day. You just may not feel good when you get your phone bill and it says you owe three times as much because you accidentally called France four times! Je n'aime pas! I think Valentine's Day and Thanksgiving have some correlation. I'm certainly thankful for the ones I love in my life and the ones that are crazy enough to love me too. I just won't be eating turkey because of that...

I thought I would find my inner fourth grade self and write a poem on this very day. (Hopefully with a little bit more of a vocabulary than my 4th grade years...) It never hurts to test your rhyming ability. I'll use all of my typing agility.

Apparently it's Valentine's Day

All because of a Saint who didn't want to celebrate in May.

There is a reason it falls in the middle of the worst month of the year

But it may make your month worse and full of tear after tear.

No need to make a big deal

Don't fall apart, start to congeal.

Read a book or write a song

The day can only last 24 hours long.

Life is funny so smile and laugh as much as possible

But take a few moments to make sure your teeth are still floss-able.

No one wants you to laugh with teeth falling out

That would just encourage people (well, everyone) to pout.

Sit straight and stand tall

Don't forget, I love you all.

Best,

Anne

Wake me up before you go-go.

I'm in the midst of a project for school about sleep and how necessary and wonderful it is for you and your well being. Well, we all know that but the topic itself sparked new ideas in my head to create a blog post. Are you a morning person? Are you a person that wakes up and could create a tornado of anger everywhere around you until you succumb to the promise of a new day that has already begun? "I'll take Are You a Morning Person for 1,000, Alex". "Who is Anne Vurdelja". I am choice A. The one that people don't understand. How are you awake so early? Why are you up? Do you have somewhere to be at this time? To answer all of those valid (and completely annoying questions): I'm up early because God gave me this fantastic alarm clock in my head to wake me up in the morning when it's still dark out and there isn't a soul around. I guess that answers question two as well. No, I do not have somewhere to be between five and six in the morning but I'll throw a question back to you. Why must I have plans if I am waking up early? There. I said it.

I used to feel like I was too young to be waking up early in the morning. Everyone else my age could sleep until noon. By noon, I can count a dozen things I have already accomplished. I'm not saying each day I get a million things done. In an ideal world, I would but I'm content just being awake early. When I hear the gasps or see the bulging eyes about my early rising, I will never understand. It's not as if I am waking everyone else up that early! Personal choices. Calm down, folks. You should also know, that I don't go to bed at one in the morning. In that case, I would NOT be able to function. The morning is my absolute favorite time of the day. No questions (please no more questions) asked. As ridiculous as it sounds, when I wake up, I wake up. Nearly jump out of bed at the thought of a new day. I'm not joking although I can understand if you think that sounds like a bunch of nonsense. I would probably think that too. If there is a more perfect quote then I have yet to find it but Dr. Seuss puts it so eloquently and couldn't relate more---"I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells". Thanks, Doc. Brilliant!

Sleep well.

Best,

Anne

Someone actually put this on the internet! Just in case you like schedules!

Send me to vANNEcouver?

It's hard to contain my pure enjoyment of the 50 degree weather Bellingham has been having for quite some time now. But I have to wonder about that place north of here. A little place I like to call Vancouver. You probably are not aware, since NBC has lost millions of dollars NOT promoting them, that the 2010 Winter Olympics are in Vancouver in just a few short weeks. How are the Winter Olympics going to begin with spring weather? The show must go on! Sure, figure skating, curling and other indoor activities will go as planned but what about the mountain sports? I'd hate to see them put wheels on the bottom of their skis to go roller-cross-country skiing on a mountain full of dirt. The skeleton and luge would be a bit uncomfortable if the smooth, icy path is melting and they end up in puddles of water. The ski jump is now a mere bump in the ground, I'd assume. How will they ever be able to prove to the world how great they are at their specific sports? First, I suggest they lower ticket prices. That way, I can go and cheer on such talented athletes. Second, I will tell the world (or the dozen people reading this) how phenomenal they were in spite of the weather conditions. Finally, I will give you all loonies and toonies in exchange for donations to attend and report on the winter (or spring?) Olympics. That is how you will know the validity of these remarkable athletes. With that said, the Olympics begin on February 12th. Tickets can be found via the World Wide Web. Think about it? Warm wishes.

Best,

Anne

Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?

This quarter of school is allowing me to have a bit more free time than usual. I'm faced with a mostly free mornings, wide-open afternoons and I am stumped. What on earth shall I do to fill that time? Many people would love to have extra free time. I don't blame those people in the slightest, especially they are normally so busy! I enjoy a good moment of relaxation now and then but too much can get to me. I need to stay on top of it and do something...anything! Which is why I'm here now. I woke up at 5:30 am (no school today...no plans today...just my natural alarm clock saying wake up!) and I am in the mood to come up with ideas. Perhaps you could be of some assistance.

I could find a second job. It only took half a year to find the first one, but who knows? It's possible there would be something floating around. I can leave now for Vancouver and beat the craziness of the Olympic-goers, even though I don't have a ticket. It might make sense. Finish my homework due in February (I may or may not have done this already...but by no means have I completed everything!) I can blog daily, but it's difficult to think of things to say sometimes! Traveling more on weekends. Although, with what I'm making for Intramural sports it probably wouldn't cut it. I could train for another marathon......or not. I've been cooking and baking more but I can always improve! Perhaps take up knitting? Learn to ski? Write a novel? Ah the possibilities are simply endless.

As I ponder those ideas, I hope all is well with you. Stay healthy and happy. We'll be in touch.

Now I will work on my research paper on Lupus. Boy do I know how to have a great time.

Best,

Anne

A day in the life...

A week into the new year, huh? Boy has time flown. Yes I realize that is such an overused statement...

"You're in college already? Time has just flown by!" "He's talking and walking? Oh time simply flew by!" "The election was over a year ago? Where has the time gone?" "It's time to make dinner? The time has flown by today!"

...While the statement is overused, it's practical and usually true when expressed. Many people reflect on how fast the decade went by and I do believe it did, I also cannot reflect on all of those years. 2009 was a very unique and wonderful year. Although I am unable to pinpoint every thing that happened (like some Christmas letters that believe everyone reading is dying to know about Aunt Sally's trip to the zoo or what Lucy did in horseback riding) I can still name a few things that I enjoyed.

Before I begin this list, I should note that my memory is not perfect. If I forget a monumental moment, I apologize to my readers expecting to read about it...but I do not really know what that would be or if my readers care. With that said, here we go.

1. January- Still freezing, I'm sure in the chilly Midwest. January isn't the greatest month (with the exception of my mom's 35th birthday.......) but it still sets everyone straight until we all ache for just a little sign of spring.

2. February- More can be said about February. It is the most BRUTAL of the winter months. Who enjoys February? Clearly, I don't remember anything interesting in that month because I was just trying to survive until I saw March.

3. March-If my memory is correct, I flew to WA avec ma famille and we found an apartment for me to live. Successful! I could go on and on about every detail and every conversation but again, I will not turn into one of those over-the-top Christmas letters writers!

4. April-Hmmm....surely I can think of something...This would be the point in the letter that may have read "Our little Annie was so anxious to head out west!" A valid statement.

5. May-I spent most of the month preparing to move, saying goodbyes, and packing up boxes to ship. May was a good month. And then I moved. And then I started training for a marathon...

6. June- I started summer school. Loved it. Brother John and Cousin John were nice enough to come visit Washington! The weather was very warm! (except when they were visiting) Still running....and running....

7. July- ...and running...Melissa headed my way next. It was lovely. A trip to Canada took place with many adventurous. You don't really care though. Moving right along....

8. August-I started this little blog. August 12th to be exact. It was a Wednesday. (calm down, I checked the records!) I drove to Montana two days later. It was another warm month. My friend Beth visited. (I have been lucky to have so many visitors!) Don't worry...I ran...

9. September- I could delete everything I wrote thus far and comment on how September was the best month of my entire year. Hands down, without a doubt! First, I went with my Aunt Susan to California to visit Lisa and Mike. Right then I decided I'd have to make this trip more often! Then, my parents came to visit. I started school. Last but not least, I ran the marathon. The most grueling but rewarding experience of my life. I could have ended the year on that note alone!

10. October-School....school....

11. November-Is school over yet?

12. December-Home for the holidays after 7 months. Amen.

There you have it. My year in a nut shell. I should probably rephrase that and say my year in a very small... pistachio shell. Hopefully it didn't bore you too much. If it did, I can only suggest you find something to mock or laugh about and I won't know the difference.

Now that 2009 is on the back burner, we can all hope for a pleasant, healthy and joyful 2010. I do wish everyone the best and hope you had a great past year.

Cherish it because in a matter of moments we will all be same how fast the time flew...

Best,

Anne

FedExcellent

I decided to read a magazine today while I worked out. I don't do that often but it seemed to be that sort of day. I grabbed January's issue of "O" magazine. I've only read the magazine once in my life (when Ellen was the second person in history to share the cover. Obviously) I thought I'd give it a shot but believe me, I will not be making it a regular thing. As I was reading I flipped and skimmed through the articles about the new year and how to make it great for yourself, etc. I reached a blurb that I found both fascinating and brilliant. It explained that an Australian based company allows their employees to take a "FedEx" day. During this day, an employee needs to do something other than work. It doesn't matter they can have their choice but at the end of the day, they must have completed something. The guidelines were clearly not specific but if they took a day off to garden, they should have flowers or vegetables planted by the end of the day. Another important factor, the employees had to make sure they laughed during the day. I think those Aussies are on to something! What a perfectly simple idea. Have a productive day that doesn't incorporate work related issues but is not wasted at the same time. What about actual FedEx workers? They have FedEx days every single day. Is it a bit redundant? Perhaps they could take a "UPS" priority day and but it can actually last for 3-4 days. Just a suggestion. I'm sure there are some kinks that need to be worked out. I hope the bosses don't have a tracking number that can track where their employees are during that day...

So, with all of the hopes and anticipation for the new year, maybe you can think about taking a "FedEx" day every once and awhile. It couldn't hurt, right? We have to stay sane one way or another. Otherwise we may FedExplode.

Best,

Anne

Do button up, it's awfully cold outside.

Melissa and I enjoying the tiniest of trees a few years ago.

Well I have been home for a week already and boy has it flown by! This worries me for my final two weeks but I will try not to focus on that. So far I have been enjoying my time going to the dentist and eye doctor to name a few of the appointments. Boy has it been a treat! I have been gone so long that apparently there is a new way to clean teeth. When I was sitting in the chair cringing and fighting back the urge to grab that little metal pick, the woman started to describe how she was going to clean my teeth. I knew how they cleaned teeth until she threw in the words "sodium bicarbonate" and "raise your hand if you need me to stop in the middle of it". Excuse me? Then she proceeded to put a shield in front of her face and put a kleenex over my face so I couldn't see anything. Before I knew it, I had teeth that were smoother than ever. Regardless of the contraptions and chemicals, the new version of brushing teeth worked out for the best. I realize how curious you were of my trip to the dentist so why not fill you in to the fullest extent? You're welcome.

As for the rest of break, I am rather excited to enjoy it and catch up with friendly, familiar faces. But really, when did it get to be the 19th already? I'm not done with my shopping. I don't want to fight the crowds. I just want an extra week or so. Is that so much to ask? I think not. Speaking of time, I think I should spend some time opening some of the Christmas decorations in the hallway to put them out. Sure, Christmas is in a week, but I don't think it's too late. It's better than a standing snowman with a garbage back over it or several cardboard boxes interspersed throughout the house. That does not scream Christmas to me. The tree will be here later today and the rule in our house has always been "Put 15 ornaments on the tree and then you are done". How terribly sad that we had reached that point. As if it's causing physical pain to put ornaments on the fresh tree. Heaven forbid you stopped at 14 or were the over-achiever who put 16 or more (that was usually me in case you were wondering). Thankfully we have outgrown that stage in our lives where decorating was a chore and complaining was held at a constant. At least I think we have....John?

Good luck with the final preparations, all. We'll be chatting again soon.

Best,

Anne