The End and The Beginning

I finished my last final today. I turned in the exam, the scantron, the formula sheet, the take home portion of the exam, and the extra credit paper and quietly left the classroom. Funny how the last five years of my life is summed up by the completion of my last final. As I walked back to work I started to feel a certain nostalgia - my college days are done. Of course I know there is always Graduate school, but for now I have completed a personal goal. I will soon receive a diploma for a Bachelor of Science in Finance.

WOOHOO!!!!

What now? Now I move onto the next stage of my life. I am excited for the future and what it holds. I am excited to know that I have a degree and the ability to succeed. As I close my college days with a sigh and a smile, I open the door to the rest of my life.

5 Things...

I've wanted to post a new entry but haven't had anything real interesting to tell. So, I thought I would take this idea from a very old post of Whitney's (hope that's okay). Hope everyone enjoys!

Five things I was doing ten years ago...
1.) Trying my best to be invisible... ughh, I hated middle school!
2.) Looking forward to summer camps - I went to 3 that year!
3.) Going to the library everyday and reading loads and loads of books.
4.) Geesh I really hated 13 - I have blocked out a lot of it...
5.) .... yep still drawing blanks...

Five things on my to-do list today...
1.) Read Goose Girl by Shannon Hale... so far I love it!
2.) Celebrate Mom's birthday (a little late).
3.) Go to "Women's night out" at the Fairgrounds with Mom.
4.) Relax and breathe a little before I start studying for finals.
5.) Eat Carlin's oatmeal cookies. :)

Five snacks I enjoy...
1.) Carlin's oatmeal cookies...
2.) Crackers w/cheese and meats (and sometimes pickles)
3.) Cottage cheese and pineapple
4.) Sno-Cones
5.) Cookies -mmmmm

Five things I would do if I were a billionaire...
1.) Pay off student loans and medical bills.
2.) Buy a house/new car with cash
3.) Help family out with any needs and give back.
4.) Take a dream vacation with Carlin.
5.) Invest the rest.

Three of my bad habits...
1.) Biting my nails.
2.) Impatience...
3.) Yelling at people in the car - dumb drivers really annoy me!

Five places I have lived...
1.) Stillwater, OK
2.) Berkeley, CA - I know it was only 2 months, but I count it anyway.
3.) Ft. Collins, CO
4.) Houston, TX
5.) Sandy, UT

Five jobs I've had...
1.) Braum's employee (fast food)
2.) Lab Technician at Vet Med (I washed dishes)
3.) Student worker at Independent & Correspondence study
4.) Classroom Scheduling/Outreach person at Registrar's Office
5.) Currently - "Computer Technician" with Institutional Research and Information Management

Five things people probably don't know about me...
1.) I don't like sharing hymn books - I just hate holding the book...I don't mind so much if someone else is holding the book.
2.) I've never been farther east than Nauvoo, Illinois.
3.) I kiss with my eyes open. :) (which kind of creeps Carlin out!)
4.) I like Seinfeld - I think the show is freakin' hilarious.
5.) I hum to myself when I am happy. Life really should have theme music...

April Shower bring...May babies?

So, I am finally getting around to posting about my baby showers. My first shower was the "big" shower that Whitney hosted on March 29. She did a lovely job and everyone raved (and still raves) about the food. My only disappointment is that I never got a picutre with the hostess herself! All of the presents were greatly appreciated and I went from feeling quite ill-prepared and inadequate in bringing the baby home to at least having clothes and diapers to put him in! Our little boy now has cute clothes, beautiful blankets, first aid kits, diapers, wipes, a stroller, carseat, and a cradle as well as some toys and books. We also have a crib and changing table but no room in our tiny one bedroom apartment! We have such a great support system here in Stillwater. That's what you get when you pretty much grew up here.

My department at work also hosted a little shower/luncheon today! Everyone pitched in and got us a really nice high chair for when he is older and my supervisor made us a beautiful knitted quilt. We also received some more clothes and a giant bottle filled with odds and ends that we will need as he gets older. Once again Carlin and I have been "showered" by the love of friends and family. I am so happy to know I am bringing this child into such a wonderful world with such wonderful people.

Here are some pictures from the shower Whitney hosted:

Baby blanket that Mom and Grandma Helton made.

Picture of the food table and me and Beth.

Some of my guests enjoying themselves. Thanks everyone for coming!

All photos courtesy Josh Moles. More photos at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/WalserBabyShower2008

The Luckiest

I am blessed by many things in my life and one of those things is a wonderful husband. A lot of my family and friends really don't know Carlin all that well - so I thought I would introduce you to the man who makes me so happy. Carlin is about three years older than me. He is currently working on a degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering. He loves computers and anything tech-y. He also loves Michael Jackson and has a secret desire to be able to dance just like him. A little known fact about Carlin is that he enjoys romantic comedies and is willing to watch them with me anytime. He and I also share a love for traveling and while we haven't made it much farther than San Francisco together we have big plans for seeing the world. One of the things I love about Carlin is that "he rolls with the punches." He doesn't let things get to him at all and really knows how to sit back and enjoy life. This balances out my very high-strung, "Monk-ish" behavior. He knows how to have fun in any situation. Yes, he does get stressed every now and then but it never lasts long.

There is never a dull moment when Carlin is around. There is never a single day that goes by that he hasn't made me laugh at least once. He is inventive, intelligent and talented (did I mention he plays the piano?). This is my wonderful husband who makes the best out of every day. Besides - who doesn't find this face irresistible?