Its the most wonderful time of the year!!

I LOVE this time of year. I'm just full of all kind of joy!!! I mean, who wouldn't be? The closer to Christmas, the happier I get:)

This time of year is big deal for Chase and I. I the past 3 weeks we've celebrated my birthday, Thanksgiving and Chase's birthday, all on top of shopping, decorating, studying, writing lesson plans, going to Bible studies and spending our last few days with a couple of friends that are moving. Its just been one thing after another, but its what life is all about- living everyday to the fullest.

Yesterday was Chase's birthday- the big 23!!!! Happy Birthday babe! Thats right 23, not 24 like his better half:) So young....
Being the loving wife I am, I woke up and made him homemade blueberry pancakes- his were perfect, mine a disaster. Stupid burner got too hot! Then I made snickerdoodles- his favorite. Might I just add, that he said they were good, if not better than his moms!!! I was so excited because Kelly seriously makes the best cookies ever. I guess it was just beginner's luck!! We spent the day watching Transformers, which might be one of the most entertaining/enjoyable movies. We then went out to dinner with some friends and visited this way cute neighborhood in Lubbock that decorates their houses for Christmas. It was like walking down a street in South Carolina- colonial, southern homes with wrap-around porches and everything! Beautiful. They had fake snow that I included in some pictures below- not near as cool as real snow, but hopefully we have the real thing this coming Tuesday (I'm crossing my fingers for no school:)) After we left colonial town, we went back to our friend's house and watched my beloved sooners conquer another team. Boomer Sooner!!!!
Such a fun day!!!

Speaking of a fun day, when we were home for Thanksgiving, we went to the ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord. So fun, so cold, so overpriced. I put a few pictures below to show you how awesome it was... and how cold (notice the HUGE blue coats).
Thanksgiving was such a nice break. Bittersweet though- now that we are married, we have to split our time between our families and it really starts to take a toll on us. There's just not a lot of days to celebrate Thanksgiving- just one. At least with Christmas, we can spread it out over a week or so. Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays, I just wish we could have one HUGE gathering with like 75 people- but its definately not a perfect world:)

Speaking of the holidays, we have our first Christmas tree!!!! All I wanted for my birthday was a christmas tree, so being the wonderful woman she is, mom bought me one. Thanks mom!!! And, being the wonderful sister-in-law she is, Christina gave me some ornaments she doesn't use- red a gold, just what I needed!! Thanks Tina! So, I love our tree- its a collaboration of family gifts- so symbolic. Now, if you'll notice below, there are no gifts under the tree... and there probably wont be. We had to leave all the gifts the we bought on Black Friday at our parents house since we couldn't take them on the plane. Maybe I'll just wrap empty boxes to put under our tree...

Speaking of gifts, I thought I would impress Chase with my gift (Ha!) of cooking and make Chicken and dumplings from scratch- thats right, dumplings from scratch!! Well, I was ultra impressed with how the meal looked- perfect consistency! However, I accidentally, put 1 tablespoon of salt instead of 1 teaspoon.

BIG MISTAKE!!!! Poor Chase couldn't even eat it. It really was a very depressing moment. I mean I spent like an hour and a half trying to make those stupid dumplings and they turn out perfectly, I just didn't notice the lowercase "t" for teaspoon. Who would have thought that little amount of salt would have made such a difference?? It made a disgusting difference. So to Taco Bueno we headed...

Well, thats all that's really been going on lately, we're going to Abilene this coming weekend for Mason and Casey's wedding- yay for college friends!!!! I'm so excited.

Until next time,
watch your salt content:)

Taryn's Birthday

So today is Taryn's birthday and what do I get to do in honor of it? Nothing. That's right on the one day that I would be willing to miss class to surprise her or maybe do something special I can't. Why you ask? We'll I had 3 hours of lecture this morning that I really couldn't miss, a boring meeting that I am in right now and not even paying attention to, but attendance is mandatory, I have to go to the clinic and play doctor this afternoon, and I have my stupid MBA class. Wow Happy Birthday Taryn glad I could be apart of your special day.
Obviously I feel bad about this and so I decided to try and make up for it. So I woke up early and ate a little breakfast with my lovely bride, I'm getting her a cake (and that in itself is pretty much the most important part of a birthday to her) and we get to eat Mexican food tonight with friends.
Although not the ideal birthday we're making the best of it and that's what counts. It's going to be great, Taryn is almost half way to 30 YIKES!!!!!! and for the next 16 days she is 2 years older than me. So Happy Birthday Taryn this one is for you. O and if you read this before midnight tonight drop her line and tell her how pretty her red hair his.

Until next month,
Chase

P.S. I'm really nervous about a certain present Taryn might get so if it happens you will be getting plenty of blogs about that.

NOV.4 is Tomorrow!!

Disclaimer: I'm on my political soapbox... so if you choose not to read, I understand:)

I've never really been into the whole political thing, but this year I really am. Last time I voted in 2004, I didn't really feel like it mattered that much, nor did I care. But, now that I'm in the "real world", so many things are important to me. Not only the economy, public education or moral issues, but as a wife of a future doctor, the medical agenda as well.
From the healthcare concious, Cawyer household, if Obama's healthcare plan passes, we're all in for a rough time because the QUALITY of healthcare will dramatically go down. Some doctor's won't want to practice if they are making the same amount of money the accountant next door after being in med school for the last 10 years. Plus, the doctors that practice for the love of the field are going to be booked for months and months because everyone can now receive healthcare. Just not a good plan.

So, with all that being said, I am so Pro-McCain. I mean I know the guy is old, but so are our grandparents and I'm pretty sure they are the wisest people I know. With age comes wisdom and experience.
Experience means more to me than anything else Obama has to say. For example, I am a first year teacher and if my students had the choice, I would tell them to go across the hall to the teacher that has been teaching for 30 years because they will for sure receive a better education than I could ever give them because she has EXPERIENCE!!! It doesn't matter that we were educated the same, what matters is how long you've been on the job and dealt with the everyday challenges that come with the job.
I guess I'm a little heated about this because this is what what said in one of my classes today between two students:
Student 1: "I'm going for McCain because he's knows what he's doing."
Student 2: "He's to old to know what he's doing"

I mean really, what ignorance. I know they are only 13 years old, but whatever the child says, the parent has said at one point. It's not like the man is on his death bed, he's just got a little more life under his belt.

Oh and one more thing, does serving for America not mean anything in this election? On one hand, you have Obama that comes across to me as just a charismatic man that wants to have a powerful role in America. On the other hand, you have a less charismatic man that almost died serving our country and is more of a patriot than many of us ever will be.

Whether Obama or McCain wins, I think I will always have more respect for the patriot that served our country than the man that claims to be a patriot.


Whew... that is all.

Long time coming...

It really has been quite a while since I've tackled the blog. Everytime I sit down to write it, I realize I have papers to grade or lessons to perfect... the wonderful job of teaching.

It has been crazy these last few weeks in the Cawyer household. October is one of my favorite months. I mean football, leaves changing, cooler weather, pumpkins, ACU Homecoming and of course its a month closer to Christmas!!!

Well, let me give you a re-cap of this month:

Shelbi, Preston, Chase and I traveled outside Lubbock and went to the pumpkin festival at the apple orchard one Sunday afternoon. It was such a cute little place, full of warm character and charm. The weather was a little misty, but still fun. We walked around the orchard and Chase and Preston decided to pick a few apples and have a juggling contest- it was quite the entertainment. They mastered 3 apples and tried to go for 4, not as successful:) Before we left, we were sure to get the famous apple cake... and it was delish!

Lets see.... what else

This year my dear dad turned the big 55. I mean thats really not that old, but really it kinda is. I guess because when I really think about my dad being 55, I think, wow I'm getting old too- weird.
I went home to surprise my dad at his surprise party. Ruthie told Dad they were just meeting friends for dinner at a mexican restaurant, but when they showed up, there was about 30 people waiting for him- he was shocked!! The best part was he thought I was back here Lubbock, so when we finaly got to see each other, it was such a nice moment.
I miss him.
So this is for dad- Happy 55th!!

Chase didn't get to come- dang med school gave him a final on a Monday, so he had to stay and study the weekend away:(
But he was missed- I guess we'll have to photoshop him in for family pic we took at the party. I think there was mention that it was going to be our Christmas card photo...

The next weekend we both skipped school on Friday and trekked down to Abilene for homecoming!! WOOOHOO! We met our families there since it is halfway for each of us. It was really good to catch up with the fam. Homecoming is always hard because we want to see our families, but we also want to see our friends that we rarely get to see. Since we live all over the place now, its hard to see everyone at the same time. Thats why I love homecoming!!!! It was a fun-filled, exhausting weekend. Chase and I took a walk around campus to see all the changes that are happening- that about wore me out. Chase, along with Jeffrey and Ryan, had to speak to prospective students to ACU about the pre-med program... which was pure entertainment:) The rest of the weekend as spent at the musical (so fun!), catching up with friends, enjoying the parade, game and dinner with the fam. Oh by the way, right when we were about to leave after dinner at Perini Ranch on Saturday, the Hardin-Simmons band came running through the restaurant- it was awesome!! It was so loud and so much fun to be a part of!!! Love the band!
So, all in all, Go Wildcats!!

As far as this weekend goes, its been so nice. We had a halloween party earlier this week and we went as a Tech sorority girl and an STD. The STD rate is out of control here- one in four people have an STD, so we thought we'd make fun of that. I'd like to credit Jenny Eyer for the idea- thanks Jenny!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST- the Tech vs. Texas game!!! We didn't get to go, but you better believed we watched every minute of it. Being an OU fan, I obviously always root AGAINST Texas. I mean I like Tech and all, but I really just didn't want Texas to win. So, Go TECH!!!!!!

Here's a few pics of our life lately.

The most disturbing lab ever

OK quick disclaimer: If you are sensitive to the subject of the reproductive system in a completely scientific way, I recommend you stop reading, check out the you tube video of a hermaphrodite singing A Whole New World and drink a nice cold glass of Milk. For those of who don't care I hope you don't hurt after you read this.

So Anatomy lab is divided up into 3 blocks and at the end of each block we switch the body we are dissecting. This block I happen to have a male which is cool because they are usually larger and it is easier to see things. In addition this block is over the areas of the abdomen, pelvis area, and the lower limb. Now the reason you have cadavers is to learn about what the anatomy is supposed to look like, therefore you have to dissect them. Not as weird as you might think...until you get to the pelvis area. 

So yesterday in lab was the day were we learn about this region. Cool I thought, I haven't been disturbed or grossed out in any lab and its something you never really will get to (or will ever really want to) see close up again. Well we walk into lab and read our instructions and I start to freak out. As I said earlier, I have a male and with this lab they want to make sure you cut right down the middle of the pelvic area to get see everything you need to see on the inside. So how do they make sure you cut right down the middle? They make you stick a probe (an 8 inch long metal pen type object) down the urethra to make sure you cut through the middle. Now I know what your thinking, the guys dead, he can't feel anything, and you know what God rest his soul he didn't, but you know who did feel it? Every other guy that had to witness this travesty. Guy's actually imagine seeing what I saw, a girl, with no inhibition, shoving a metal pin into that orifice. If you actually imagined it I guarantee you your guys just shivered a bit. 

Listen I'm all for science and learning about the human body, heck I'm in Medical School, I kind of have to like learning about it all, but to see the amount of force and aggression she used in putting that probe in, it was like she had no idea how squeamish guys get about that stuff. So I write this entry for one reason and one reason and one reason only, guys take care of your kidneys and girls don't go sticking metal probes into dead guys urethra's while other men are watching.  

Where has the time gone?

So it has been over a month since I last have entered my thoughts into this thing we call a blog. Speaking of blog where did that name come from? I'm sure Jesse or Mason knows the answer so if you want to know hit them up. Anyway so I enjoy reading the Edwards blog whenever they write in it. Considering both could have been English majors, the style and enjoyability are great so that's just a plug for their blog. I bring them up because I am taking a page off of one of Lauren's earliest blogs about type A personalities in Dental School/Medical School. Here's a few facts you need to know about my class

1) We have meetings that could take 5 minutes and ends up taking 1 hour
2) We ask questions about the human body that are reserved for God and God alone, they go something like this, "Why does the illioinguinal nerve pass through the superficial inguinal ring and not the deep inguinal ring, while the genital branch of the genitiofemoral ring pass through both the deep inguinal ring and the superficial one?"
a) why we need to ask questions about a fact befuddles me and b) we don't have to know everything about everything, that's not to say Dr's don't need to know important things I just think the answer to that question could go into the 1% of things that we don't need to know
3) We go identify arteries and nerves in lab 6 times to make sure we know them, I think you learned them the first 3 times we went over it.
4) Whenever we vote on which Charity to give to people complain because they don't have enough information to know which charity would be the best. I might be wrong, but wouldn't they all be for good causes?
5) We had our class elections and have 7 positions, I think like 15 people ran and 9 of those ran for President
6) Fun fact but out of the 10 people in my small group 7 are the oldest child.
7) People attend meetings based on the topic of discussion as opposed to the food selection.
8) Those that are there for the food selection get there 30 minutes before it starts to make sure they get food (and the people that are putting on the talk plan for about 3 times as many people actually show up).
And finally I feel like I'm one of the passive personalities in my class.

Flood Season.... What?

Now the average person wouldn't think that Lubbock would get a lot of rain, but if you were here right now you would think you are almost in Galveston battling Ike!!

Let me explain: it usually takes me about 8 minutes to get to work on an average day. However, last night on the way home from work, it took me almost 35 minutes!!! I felt like I was back home in Ft. Worth. The reason it took so long was because it was raining like crazy and Lubbck has no drainage system- NONE!! I didn't see one gutter the entire way home and I was looking hard.
I was over by Texas Tech and I kept driving down different streets trying to get home, but I would go about 50ft and then kick it into reverse because there was too much water to safely drive through. I just couldn't find a way out- it was actually a little embarassing:) I'm what you call a NON risk-taker, so you couldn't get me to drive down a street if I wasn't sure if I would float away. I finally got to the point that I started following this one car around to see where they drove and if they survived- then I would follow!

Anyway, I finally made it home, exhausted from the traffic and dodging all the mini-lakes on the road.

Chase said it best last night: "Thank goodness we live on the second floor, because I'd be a little nervous tonight." It really is crazy here!

To really paint an accurate picture of how much it has flooded here..... I am off work today because it rained so much. Thats right, they canceled school today because Lubbock has been declared a state of emergency... from rain!!!

I jumped up and down last night when I got the call school was cancelled- I really needed a day off!

So here I sit, watching Regis and blogging. Life is great.
Poor Chase is at school though- I think he is the only school that is actually in session today. Since his school is pretty much like a job, they really can't cancel today. Too bad, I wish he was here:(

So life in Lubbock is weird right now, but still loving it!

Skype

So this coming up Sunday I have my annual fantasy football draft. Now in the past couple of years I've gotten together on a glorious Sunday August afternoon at the Reservation and picked the players we think would have the best season for over 3 hours. Now some of y'all would think this is crazy and stupid, but that day had to be one of my favorite days of the year. It's like you're the GM of your own football team drafting rookie prospects, picking up the right veteran to help your squad its just awesome. Much more on fantasy football to come, but I just had to say that to set up what I wanted to type about.
So anyway all of the guys in my league now live in different states and the logistics of getting together to draft just ain't happening, so we decided that we are going to do an online draft. Now it is not the ideal situation in the fact that half the fun of the draft is yelling at people for taking the guy you wanted or making fun of someone for making what seems like the stupidest pick ever (this is especially fun to do at Hutton, even though for every 2 crappy picks he has the steal of the draft, Randy Moss last year). We'll anyway since we aren't around each other Jesse brought up the idea to do some video chat. He wanted to do iChat because he has a mac, but I had to get a Dell for school so I can't use iChat. But what I can use is Skype.
I love Skype. Taryn and I talked to Jesse and Jenny for a good hour and half to two hours about life and even got a tour of their apartment. Now I know some of you haters will say why don't you just talk on the phone. And all I have to say is that it is not even close to the same thing. So much is lost over the phone and when you can see them so much is added to the conversation. So I urge everyone and anyone who has bought a laptop in the past year or two or if you just happen to half a webcam get skype and add me as your friend. It is so fun to talk to people and I would love to talk to anyone. So go get Skype.
O and yes I'm ecstatic about our draft on Sunday being able to talk and see people, I just hope Hutton has a cam so we can make fun of him again (O and if you know how to conference chat on skype and maintain video let me now because I need to know.

Medical School + Olympics = Conflict of Interest

Why did the Olympics have to be on during my first few weeks of Medical School? I mean really the timing could not be more horrible. I literally go to school from 8 to 12, study 1 to 6 and watch the Olympics from 7 to 11. Normal I would think this was a great schedule, because of the balance between school and fun and the fact Taryn and I watch the Olympics together to make sure we don't skimp out on our time, but during these first couple of weeks of class I feel so overwhelmed and that I just am not studying enough. Of course I think most people feel the same because before you have ever seen a test you automatically assume the hardest concepts and questions will be on the test (and it Med School this seems highly likely). Anyway it is just freaking me out because the Olympics end like two days before my first test and you know I'm going to watch the Closing Ceremonies and so I'm just scared that I'm not studying enough. Anyway for Casey Cope's benefit I'm going to step off my diva soap box and talk about interesting things.

So Taryn's brother Christopher and my cousins Jeff and Madison moved into good ole Mabee Dorm yesterday afternoon. Wow how crazy it was that 4 years ago today I was moving into Mabee 1st North room 102. O great times with Thursday Night Parties, Survivor watching (go Ian), workout time, Christmas tree showers and Stevie. Speaking of Stevie has anyone seen Steven the Korean lately? Just wondering.

Speaking of Korea I noticed that there were none of them in the Men's 100m race yesterday. All there was were Caribbean runners. All eight were from either a Caribbean island or south Florida and boy could they fly. It's no wonder Florida Univ. spreads the field like crazy. Anyway I want to talk about the man they call Lighting. Usain Bolt is the fastest individual to ever live and call me crazy, but I don't know if anyone will ever be as fast as he is right now. He ran the race in 9.69 seconds. He beat the world record by .03 that is like breaking the marathon record by a minute and half I heard one analyst say. But here is the craziest part. He STOPPED sprinting at about 75m and coasted into the finish line. If he wanted to he could have ran it in 9.5 there is no doubt. So I got to thinking why doesn't Jerry Jone gives this guy a nice little contract to come play football for the Cowboys. Just put him on the opposite side of T.O. and tell him to go deep ever play. If nothing else he could make some room for Witten and T.O. over the middle, any takers on this idea?

On a completely random note a United commercial just came on and it sucked. No wonder they are about to go down the tube. You know who doesn't have crappy commercials? Budweiser. Now it is not secret Beer company's spend a bazillion dollars on advertisement, but that one where they sing, "This is Budweiser, this is beer." and all the Americana scenes flash across the scene o its just awesome especially during the Olympics. The only thing that bothers me is that they just got sold to InBev which is not American so I kind of feel like the Patriotism is forced, but hey I love it and Taryn cries every time so they must be doing something right.

Anyway Michael Phelps is awesome and I'm seriously considering ordering Olympic Legend: Michael Phelps. Maybe you should to.

"The Real World" Lubbock

Life has begun here in our sweet, little town. I officially feel "grown up"..... and its pretty crappy! I mean, I've always loved the weekends, but now that Chase and I are non-stop 8-5ers, we LOVE the weekends. We woke up yesterday and said, "thank goodness its Friday." So we now live for Fridays.. and I dont like it one bit. Its cool to grow up and all, but not really that cool:) It felt like flight of the bumble bee today to try and get the laundry done, clean the house, grocery shop and run errands... but on the flip side it is so nice to finally sit down and watch the olympics AND Cowboys all in the same night! Go Romo!!!! I recently declared to Chase that I am a "Romo groupie" and you better believe I'll be in front of the TV every Sunday or Monday night cheering my boys on!!!! Oh, and if anyone would like to get me some tickets for the new stadium next season... I'll gladly accept! Just kidding, like anyone in their right mind could afford those things!

On another note- The Olympics. Is it just me (or maybe just Lubbock because there's not much to do here) or does it seem like everyone in the world is watching the games. I feel like its a bigger thing than it has been in a while since Atlanta, but it could just be that I'm more into it this time. How could you not be? I've lost more sleep this last week than I have since my fun days of college. Between Michael Phelps and the women's gymnastics, I'm obsessed!!!!!

Phelps: Amazing!!! Really, maybe one of the greatest athletes ever!!! I mean, I LOVE Tiger and definitely believe he has an awesome gift, but Phelps is unbelieveable- there's no stopping this guy. Last night when he won by one hundreths of a second, I was yelling so loud and freaking out because I thought for a brief second he might lose... but then I thought, No WAY!! He's Michael Phelps! After the race, I told Chase, I really feel like the nation would be depressed if he lost. Everyone would be a little more somber. He's like a breath of fresh air for America!!! Go USA!!!

Gymnastics: If you dont already know, I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT GYMNASTICS!!!!
I used to be in it and enjoyed every minute of it. It makes me giddy just to get to watch others perform. So, this has been one of the best olympics ever in my life. Dont' get me wrong, 1996 was picture perfect when the girls won the team gold. I recorded it on VHS 8 years ago and we still have it- I wouldn't let Chase get rid of it when we were moving- its just that special to me. But, this year has been so fun to watch. When Nastia won the gold, I just cried for about 5 minutes. Don't ask why, I just get into these kind of things. Even when the national anthem started, I just let the tears keep falling. SO proud to be an American!

So, I just realize I haven't put any pictures up of our sweet, little apartment, so here you go. (Mom, these are really for you:))
There's a few pics of the beautiful sunsets I get to look at every evening...aahhh.

Chili's

So I just got back from eating a delicious meal at Chili's where Taryn was my server. It was awesome because when my check came I just said you got cash and she took my check from me. It was great because it was like a free meal. Anyway I got the Smokehouse Bacon Burger. I'm not a huge fan of Bacon Burgers for the taste and health reasons, but I have to say it was awesome. So anyone that goes to Chili's I highly recommend that hamburgers. Well I tried the Smokehouse Bacon Burger for one and only one reason. All the other burgers I used to get are no longer on the menu. To explain, back in the day I use to get this burger called the Nacho Burger. For anyone that thinks that sounds disgusting don't hate. It's a burger with queso, sour cream, guacamole, tortilla strips, pico de gallo and jalapenos. Absolutely awesome. Well like 8 years ago they took this burger off the menu. Why? I have no idea, but I was not happy. Lucky for me though they said if I ordered it the cooks in the back could still make it. Great I thought, so all throughout high school I ordered this burger got a weird look from the server, told them they knew how to make it in the back, and went on my way. Well I got made fun of for being too high maintenance and so I decided it was time to move on from the Nacho Burger. On a side note I ordered it from Chili's the other day when Preston was our server. He gave me the look, I told him the same thing I always tell him and what was on it, and got it served to me. O it was delicious. Plus later that week Preston told me somebody else ordered it. Sounds like a good man to me.
Anyway since I can't get a Nacho Burger hardly ever anymore my next adventure was the Ground Peppercorn burger. A normal burger with fried onion strips, ground peppercorn and blue cheese dressing. Not as good as the Nacho, but still darn good. Well now when you go to Chili's that is not on the menu anymore and this time they no longer carry the ingredients so I'm just out of luck. I think it is a curse that whatever burger I fall in love with comes off the menu. So my only warning is for those of you that fall in love with the Smokehouse Bacon Burger get ready for it to go off the menu.

The Infamous White Coat

The time has come for Chase to start his long, strenuous journey to become Dr. Chase Cawyer. Last night we had the "White Coat Ceremony", which is a tradition started at Columbia University in 1993 and ever since then, medical schools all over have taken part in this traditional ceremony. Each medical student is given a white coat that comes to about their waist (the more education you have, the longer your white coat is- so if you see a doctor with one to his ankles... pretty good chance he's a good doc!) Every student walked across the stage and the Deans of the med school presented them with their coat- it was such a neat way to start off this new journey!!!
As I was sitting there watching Chase walk across and put on his coat, I started to tear up. Why you ask??? Well, It brings me such joy to see how much Chase has accomplished to get to med school- its no walk in the park and I couldn't be a more proud wife!!!! I know its going to be a rough road ahead, but I couldn't be happier to take this adventure with him. As the cermony continued on, I started envisioning him walking across the stage 4 years from now and the Dean saying, "Doctor Chase Robert Cawyer"- if the sound of that doesn't give you chills, I dont know what will!
And might I just add... sitting among all the professors, doctors, parents and medical students, I was completely surrounded by knowledge and it was such a surreal experience. I felt part of a different realm of society that was WAY out of my league!!! Way cool!!!
Here's a few pictures of the exciting event:

So because this is the Cawyer's blog spot I decided that I (Chase) would write occasional on this little blog. Now here is the deal, I am only writing on certain days and being the OCD person that I am the days I write will have a pattern. To clear this up a little I will not be writing on all of the days that are in the pattern, but every day I do write will be a part of the pattern. Comprende? Didn't think so. Anyway so what to write about. I've been emailing the Choctaw reservation about getting a blog together and each of us write in it about once a week, that way we don't get burned out, and I heard great feedback, but as is typical with most males, and that fact that fantasy football is around the corner, that idea fizzled pretty quickly. And the fact that Taryn doesn't like to talk about herself a lot she asked me to write in the blog every once in awhile so you know it is the next best thing.

So what's going on with the Cawyer's? Well first off I am still ticked that I was not able to go to Jenny and Jesse's wedding. I did see pictures, I did get a replay of the music in order from my wife in the car on her ipod and I did get to talk to friends about it so I understand what went on, but it's still not the same. This has been the second wedding I had to miss because of stupid weekend classes. Check out this amazing coincidence. To set a background I am getting my MBA in the summers while I am in Med School and so it's pretty time consuming, but in order to keep you from killing yourself during the week they allow you (or in my case mandate you) to take weekend classes. Not a bad deal considering you get 3 hours grad school credit to sit in class for 4 days, no test, no real homework, just readings and reflections papers. Sounds like a great deal right? It is unless you're like me and you have 2 weddings and your grandmother-in-law's funeral to go to 3 of the 4 weekends. So what do you have to do? You have to skip them, except for the funeral which I had to write a dreadful paper to make up for my absence. But think about that out of the 4 weekends I have something going on during 3 of them. And what did I have to do the other 6 weekends I did not have class. NOTHING. Yeah just my luck that all of those major events fall on those days. So all in all if your thinking about taking weekend classes I warn you they are great unless they conflict with the things in life your not supposed to miss.

So yeah MBA school is a breeze if you had an undergraduate degree from COBA. (Shout out to all my profs), b/c everything you learn in your basic MBA classes you had at the undergraduate level. So go Wildcats. It kind of sucks though because this summer has been so relaxed and chill and then boom tomorrow I get thrown into MS orientation and classes start on Tuesday. Goodbye life as I know it. O well, from what I hear school still beats working, you know except for the whole little deal of a salary, so I'll take it with a grain of salt. Speaking of catchphrases my all-time favorite is still "boom goes the dynamite"
See here

So if you didn't know Taryn and I watch a lot of TV, and I've decided its for the following reasons. 1) It's cheap (well cheap in the fact that it's a sunk cost, got to love business terminology, and we don't pay anymore to watch it) 2) If you find the right show its like a movie that never ends and 3) Taryn can eat ice cream while she watches it, I think that's the main reason for her. Anyway despite why we like to watch TV we still watch it and being the critical person I am I'll give you a little insight into a few shows on our DVR.
Flipping Out - Casey Cope was asking Taryn to explain this and so I'll take the honor. Imagine the most OCD person in the world flipping and remodelling multi-multi-million dollar houses all the while creating a 48 point to do list for his FOUR employees that just take care of his personal house and animals. O and did I mention he's a flaming homosexual, just makes the show that much more to laugh at. On TLC Tuesday nights at 9. A new fav thanks to the Rampys 4 out of 5.
Jon & Kate plus 8 - I was a little skeptical of this at first, but after watching one interview with Jon the dad this show is hilarious. It's about that family from Pen. that had sextuplets (that's six kids) after having twins and how they function. Like Full House except reality based, updated, and actually funny. If you like sarcastic males you'll love Jon and this show. On TLC not sure of the time b/c Taryn records all the episodess 3 out of 5.
Hidden Potential - Really worth watching in HD. These designers take 3 crappy houses and make them into awesome abodes. I love it in the fact they completely change floor plans in almost every house, and if you're like me and love walking into construction houses I feel you'll love this show. My only complaint is they do these huge remodels and say it cost like $40,000 when it actually has to cost like double that. On HGTV 3 out of 5 when the guy Barry is the designer 2 out of 5 when its the girl Paige.
High School Musical Get In the Picture - Now I'm sure your wondering why I watched this show and I'll give you the simple answer, advertising. I could not watch a single program on ABC without seeing a preview for this so I had to record it. Let's just say it's American Idol for kids. No Simon Cowell telling them how bad they are and too much encouragement for me. The only thing I enjoyed in the first 4 episodes was the duets in the final 20 minutes of 2 shows. Other then that count me out. I'm sure I'll still record these and watch them, but it will be in mega fast forward just to watch my boy Ether, yeah that's his real name. You might want to check it out just to see this band geek rock out. On ABC on Sunday and Monday nights 7, 2 out of 5 stars.
So those were just a few recommendations for some TV watching this summer. Hope you enjoy and look forward to talking again soon.

For Casey Cope

Its official.. I finally gave in and decided to start a blog. I've been debating whether to do one the past few months since we moved to Lubbock but I just dont think our life is interesting enough to write about- I guess you can be the judge!

So this past weekend I went home to see family and see Jenny and Jesse get married- it was such a bittersweet weekend. And lets just say that if anyone is planning on coming to Lubbock anytime soon, I highly recommend flying- a grand total of 45 minutes from DFW!!!
I spent some time with my family and Chase's- even though he had to stay in Lubbock for a mandatory weekend class!! I just love getting to spend time with family, but its never quite long enough- just long enough for you to wish you didn't live 5 hours away.
On a lighter note, The Eyer's wedding was perfect. It was so sweet and couldn't have come at a better time. Its been hard here in Lubbock only knowing Shelbi and Preston, so it was so nice to have quality girl time with a few of my faves:) I started tearing up when we had to leave... so emotional, I know.

So I would like to make a formal request for everyone to relocate to Lubbock as soon as they can- I dont know why everyone thinks DFW is the place to be- I mean I know it has everything you could ever want in a city, but Lubbock has Baskin Robbins...and the most amazing sunsets you've ever seen (very romantic!)

Please consider:)