Santa is My New Sugar Daddy

Hello all... I hope everyone's Christmas(es) was good. Mine were wonderful! Christmas Eve I worked at the good ol' Vee for seven hours, I got off early, the day before was hell in the bakery but the store was PACKED on Saturday. When I got off work I came home and showered and then the fam went to church. I kept telling my mom during the homily I was getting knocked. I was joking. The homily was about vices and what people perceive to be their savior when the only savior is Jesus. He talked about a little girl who used the most expensive wrapping to wrap a gift for her father. The little girl wrapped an empty box and the dad was furious that she used expensive wrapping for nothing. When he expressed his anger the little girl cried and responded that she had blown kisses into the box for her father so it was not in fact empty. The dad felt horrible for this and until the day he died he slept with the box of kisses from his daughter next to his bed. It was cute and he made a good point.

After mass we came home and had bleu cheese soup. Now, this was an.... interesting... soup to say the least. It was good but it had a strange consistency. Sort of mushy and liquidy. Ehh... it was good. Mom and Dad can get you the recipe if it sounds like something you want. Then we got to open a present and after that I pretty much went to bed. I was TIRED! It was a good thing we went to bed early because Sarah kept saying, "8 hours and 12 minutes til we open gifts." She was referring to 5 AM! And sure enough the dork got up at 5 and so the rest of us followed suit. Mommy and Daddy got me a digital camera, a fleece jacket, a coffee mug that looks like a coffee cup(super cool), and spanish magnetic word poetry. I did pretty well! And poozit got me a cool ring and my AWESOME pink disco ball. It is sweet! The best was the look on Sarah's face when she opened her ORANGE sweatshirt which I told her was neither orange nor black. She was ticked until she opened it. And then of course there was the scavenger hunt I sent her on to get the keychain I bought for her. It is orange and black and says "Little Sis" on it. Super cute! She was pissed I made her hunt for it... the rest of us laughed!
This was Neumy in the big box from the TV my mom bought for daddy.

After Christmas at 5 AM we had breakfast, eggstuff again!, and then I went back to sleep. We then got dressed and went to the nursing home to see Grandma. She looked pretty good. Here are some of the pictures I took at the nursing home:


















We call this the DRAGON LADY LOOK!



Anyway... After the nursing home we went to the Seamens and had a FANTASTIC dinner. SO GOOD! And the presents weren't bad either. My family is beginning to know me so well. I got coffee and underwear... what else do I need?! And a super cute HUGE pink bag! AHHHH... OOBER EXCITED! With all the Christmas money I got I was able to buy myself a pod. However... I am calling it my aPod and not my iPod. I got the white one so I could get a pink cover... how me! HeHe...

Anyway... the last two days I have been off work. Yesterday mom, poozit, and I went shopping and had lunch at HuHot... SO GOOD! And then I hung out with my friend Steven last night. Mom had her wine tasting party last night so I didn't really want to be around... so I left! From what I have heard it sounds like the party went pretty well. Glad to know they all had fun. Well... I'm going to try the picture thing one more time and if it doesn't work... the GRRRRR!!! Alright... here goes...


BTW.. I didn't take a bad picture of her ALL DAY! What is wrong here!!!

Christmas Mueller Style

Well here we are. Not one day after and here I am blogging. Kicking Tony's ass for sure! Altho his will be way better as they always are. Anyway, We arrived in Cedar Rapids about 10, after getting yelled at for taking time to get good coffee when dad took 10 minutes to get crappy coffee. And suprisingly, it only took us 2 hours, not 2 and a half like it the scenic tour of NE Iowa took on the way to the Baranowski's for the fourth. So like every year, upon arrival there was egg stuff. YUM! I decided that since I only get egg stuff once a year that I would OD and eat til I was full. I also enjoyed a chocolate cherry cookie right away! YUMMI!!!

After the egg stuff there was cleaning up and then all hell broke loose. We started the mass open all your gifts at once thing. Megan and Jake were quick to help anyone and everyone open their presents. They opened theirs with great cheer and then abandoned them about as quickly as they got them open. Megan did spend the day with her wooden knife slicing fruit and other food that was velcroed together. Someone commented that everytime they turned they turned around Megan was playing with a carb... a girl after my own heart! Jacob seemed to be impressed with the large, furry Kong hands Aunt Stacy gave him. They made noises and Megan was slightly scared by them. Oh the knack Aunt Stacy has for giving gifts parents are sure to hate!

With all the commotion in the room, I really didn't get to see what everyone else got. In case you missed mine, I got a cute coin purse and cash from Aunt D; cash from Aunt C and Mike; an awesome pink ensamble and a cute cupcake ornament from Aunt S; oober sweet earings from Dana; fuzzy socks, much needed PJ pants, a cute purse, and an awesome pink scarf which matches half my wardrobe; I got two great looking books from the newlyweds and managed to keep Tony from calling me a tool too many times. The best gift, however, had to be The Stones tickets given to Uncle T. The expression on his face, even the tears in his eyes, which I'm sure he appreciates me sharing with everyone, were priceless. Something he is sure to never forget. And likewise, you all know that he got some pretty interesting gifts OTHER than his tickets and a trip to Nebraska Funiture Mart.

I'm trying to remember the highlights and I know there were so many things that should be recorded forever that I can't seem to remember at the time. There was of course Dana sitting on the couch realizing that perhaps Grandma had meant something by the "Expanding Donut Pants." After the mass Christmas cluster there was some down time where we all lounged and relaxed. I think I fell asleep for about 45 minutes, it was nice. Then we all sat around and enjoyed Orville. Sara KB-Toys seemed to get the most enjoyment out of the pig. She kept saying, "I hear he was a good bowler," and "Orville has a nice ass." (No filter when they are direct quotes mom!) Dana and I had a discussion about how there is no 'K' in the word "magic." Had to be there.... Another good gift giving technique was in the form of the picture Chad and Holli used as gift tags for everyone's present. Hmm... if I had my computer I could scan the pic in. If Tony doesn't do it I will do it when I get back to school. Let's just say that one would give even the toughest of men nightmares. (I'm gonna get shot for that)

The day ended after supper and we all sat around talking and enjoying eachothers company. All in all, it was a good day. Per usual and to be expected, there was lots of noice, ruckus, and movement all the time. And, lots of people in one tiny space. Owell... nothing major took place so I think we can call ourselves good. That's it for now. I think I'm gonna go read one of my new books and unpack all my stuff... Merry Christmas everyone! And thank for all the good stuff!

I'm done... for a few weeks anyway...

Wow... first semester at the BURG has officially come and gone. So strange to think that at this time last year I was pissed because Christmas break wasn't going to be long enough. And now... I wondering what I am going to do for the next three weeks. Work, quite a bit. Enjoy my friends and family, sleep!, and take a break from books. Only free reading for the next few weeks. I never knew what it was like to appreciate a free reading book until I was forced to read so much for class. Reading for class is not always the most fun, therefore reading not for class is! Anyway...

I don't know about the rest of you but I feel as though I've changed. Not a lot and not for the worse, just changed. I always felt pretty independent but now that I actually live on my own I am independent. I'm free to decide what I am going to do, when I am going to do it, and the manner in which I will do something. Strange I know... Alyssa has the power of decision. The boys give me crap because they say I can't make a decision... I'll be the first in line to agree with them. However, I've been pretty good lately. And I've been able to make decisions faster and without the help of my mommy (sorry mommy). I still do call her every once in awhile when I need help tho.

As for my grades... hmm... I think my transcript will show that I put most of my effort into the classes for my major and minor. BTW... I love business... as much as I stressed and flipped out about Accounting I loved the class. And I listen to Angela and Monica study Bio and Chem and it makes me happy that I do numbers. The stuff they talk about makes my head hurt and I often remind them of that. On the plus side, I have learned some new vocabulary. One such word being "tetrapod," or something with 4 legs. When Monica told me what it meant I asked if I could call my cat a tetrapod and she said yes. Therefore... if you hear me refer to el gato as tetrapod, you will know why. Apparently whales are tetrapods too... explain that?!

My friends... they're cool. Some more than others... but I love them all. They have added so much to my life. Here is a little insert from the letter I wrote to all my friends before break:

Monica and Angela teach me about tetrapods and Shangri-la. Zach and Carl don’t always teach me but are always willing to point out the fact that I don’t come from a “real” city. Kate, Jessi, and Adam teach me about petting cows, going to school with less that 100 people in a graduating class, and about knowing everyone and their second-cousin’s-uncle’s dog. KD taught me about most of the girls on our floor and how to have a midnight chats in the bathroom. Jill taught me about being a republican in the most liberal city in Iowa and about hot-tubing outside when it is freezing. Kristine taught me about Manheim Steamroller and only she and Zach can truly understand what it means to take a class with Richard Schneider. And Jenna taught me about listening to musicals for enjoyment.

They all taught me way more than that, but that was what I could get into a light note about my life at the BURG thus far. Last night Centennial 2 and Hebron 2 got in a huge snowball fight. It was actually more like war. We has strategery and all. Kaitlin Doyle and I ended up on the boys side for awhile. Then it turned into every man for himself and the boys pack snow and throw it pretty hard... we were done after that! BTW... it is really sad when your shoulder is sore from throwing snow. So KD and I called it a night and sat down on the couches someone had built out of the snow earlier that day. Pretty funny if you ask me. I watched out my window and people got ambushed on their way out of the complex all day yesterday. I just laughed and went out the other door!

Alright kids... it is semi-late... and I have to get crap done tomorrow. So... it is off to Shangri-la for me. In otherwords a "utopia nearing perfection." I just call it my happy place...

Sweet Dreams

See most of you in a day or two!

Adventures in the Wartburg Desert

Well hello again to all. It is Monday, December 12, 2005, and studying for finals is finally starting to get to me. I studdied about 10-12 hours for one test, one very large test might I add. We shall see how it turns out. For now, I will tell you about my adventures last night as we went out for midnight breakfast. (this might be a siewert/drug bust story)

The time approached for us to wander out into the snow covered campus that was Wartburg College. For some reason, Monica decided that she needed a ride to the Mensa. So... on she jumped and we trecked the whole 200 yards from Volmer to the student center. We traveled in a pack so as not to get lost. With Monica on my back, there was nothing to fear, I was actually quite warm and I was getting a decent work out. With the exception of Monica squirming every few seconds, the venture was relatively easy. There was snow on the ground, a crips breeze in the air, and the sound of laughter was in the air as we made our way, minding the crazy Wartburg squirrels, to the student senter. Once in the dillema was this: could I make it up the stairs with Monica on my back? Answer: yes, I could in fact carry Monica up the stairs on my back. The whole way Monica kept asking me what type of animal I would be. I told her in a past life I once was a llama and so, Monica elaborated on a largely false story involving her travels across the Wartburg desert with her faithful llama as her ride.

No point, I know, but something funny that made us laugh last night before we all went crazy studying! And, I think I am going to go crazy soon. Just talk to me on Thursday after 10. Then, I will be officially on break and have not a care in the world. Well... just two cares... the first being my baby, or my mother's granddaughter as she called it, and the second being my form of transportation. Unfortunately I don't have a llama to take me everywhere like Monica does.

Peace out!

I shall return to the books... or hit them as Monica does...

Study Break #2

Study Break #2

Points to Ponder...

Angela: There's a wet spot on our floor? (Implying that someone had in fact taken a leak on our floor) Alyssa: Probably from where Jenna was just standing...

Monica: You know what... we have created a term, "Loftworthy." Meaning someone is worthy to go on the "bedframe of shame."

Monica: Did you blog about the time you almost fell out of your loft this week?
Alyssa: No

So here goes, I crawled into bed the other night about 11 because I was super tired and done with my paper. Monica had been laying on our floor since 6:30 with a large chemistry book in front of her. This book can only be compared to the Physicians Desk Reference, Aunt Candy and my mother are probably the only people out there who know how ginormous this book is. Anyway, I screamed a hair-raising scream which lead Monica to believe that she had almost just died, Angela started laughing, and Jenna wondered what the hell was going on over here. Anyway, this started a laughing fit for me which lasted about 5 minutes straight. My tummy hurt after. Monica then began to beat her head against the book on the floor. All I remember was hugging the wall for the rest of the night singing myself songs from RENT while trying to fall asleep.

Carl: So do I warrant a shower? Alyssa: mmm... maybe. I might just take a shower later for purely my own benefit. Carl: thanks, I feel important now... Alyssa: I know, I have a way of making people feel that way. Don't worry, I will shower for you.

Study Break

Study Break #1:

Points to Ponder...

Apparently, the tingling sensation that you feel when you apply your Carmex comes from the burning of epidermal tissue caused by the camphor in the Carmex.

Did you know that if you travel to Eqypt to see the ancient pyramids you will first encounter a Super Walmart as there is one located in front of the pyramids. As Monica pointed out, they probably way over charge on water.

Fill in the blank: ______ with your eyes and your heart. (Listen)

A Semester Come and Gone....

Well, here I am kids... I'm almost through my first semester as a college freshman. I have to admit, it was just as I expected it to be, yet it was nothing like I expected all at the same time. And there there were those things that I never could think of the expect. I don't like to live my life with expectations because then everything is always a let down. Same reason I don't like to get excited about things, always turns out to be a big let down.

Anyway, I am sitting here on Saturday morning, after spending two hours eating breakfast, waiting, and then shopping and standing in line some more in the bookstore. Twenty percent off everything Wartburg today only. Black Friday... Black Saturday at the BURG. I got some quality stuff... I'm excited. And Sarah, if you read this, don't worry, you will be hunting for your present. No one else has to hunt... just Sarah. So... some-odd amount of dollars and some cents later... Alyssa is done!

Last night was pretty lazy. After class I went to Lex Smith's house. He is the Dean of Students, or so I think, and his house is pretty nice. However, lots of people plus lots of Christmas stuff equals not enough space. Their house was beautiful anyway. However, I did not receive a secret senator gift. Hmm... not so good. Owell. My secret senator seemed to quite enjoy her travel light bright. I want one... five dollars... Wallmart... go! C Batteries... five dollars... Wallmart... go! Then I went out to eat with a bunch of my friends in Cedar Falls. We tried for Texas Roadhouse... didn't so much work out. So we settled for Applebees. We were seated in a third of the time, and we didn't have to split our group. I asked Mertz to go with us. He graduated with me and happens to live down the street from the Seamens. We had a good time and I'm glad I asked him to go. Looking forward to two hours in the car with him as he is taking me home. Stupid car....

When we got back to the BURG, Jessi and I went down to Hebron ground, the boys dorm, and played DDR with a cowboy. You may think cowboy huh...? I am telling you... cowboy. Tight black jeans, orange wartburg t shirt, boots, and hat! Gotta love it. However, I used to see him traveling campus all the time and because he is so distinct, I always said I wanted to meet him. Well... I met him. He is a pretty nice kid. Then I went over to the "trash can" aka Clinton Hall. Found my friend Pie and we wandered. We ended up back in my room where he ate my last package of easy-mac and then we listened to music and laid on my absolutely disgusting, in need of vaccuming floor. When he left I was so comfortable on the floor that I asked him for my blankies and my teddy bear. He covered me with my blanket and I curled up with the soft glow of my computer playing the sweet melodies of John Mayer. You may think sleeping on the floor was a bad thing, and yes, my back is a little stiff this morning, but it was good. I like sleeping on the floor every once in awhile. So...

And now... I'm sitting here because it is 11:30 and I am thinking about when and how I should start studying for my finals. The thing of it is, I only really have two. I know I know... Dana, Tony and Sara are probably yelling at their monitors as I write this, but I really do only have two finals. And my Spanish final, probably going to be easier than the one Sarah is going to take as a junior in high school. So... I am, however, slightly paranoid about the Accounting final. I have done pretty well on all of his tests. And I have studdied pretty hard for two of three of them. And... the kicker... I have an A. It is an A, but it isn't a solid A which means it isn't stable. Meaning I need at get at least an 85 percent or higher to keep this grade. Hmm... I've gotten above that on every test, but this is a final. The thing of it is... Magnall likes to add a bunch of crap into his multiple choice questions that you don't need. Thus, you get super confussed and start to second guess yourself. Argh... ratios, concets, journal entries, principles, and more ratios will be dancing through my head for the next few days. And on Monday... done!

I don't know, I don't think I really expected anything different from my classes. It isn't that they are harder, there is just more work. More reading, more homework that you don't have to do because you don't turn it in but you are stupid not to do it because it only benefits yourself, and more time. Owell... I'm not worried as of yet, when I move into my higher level business classes, then you can see me freaking out! Hmm... whatever, to be determined in the future!

As for my social life here at the BURG. I don't think I could have asked for a more perfect place for me. There is everything here and all types of people for me to mingle with. I have my friends who I like to hang out with and watch Nip/Tuck, movies, and just hang out with. Then I have my friends that I like to go out with. The "partiers" I suppose you could say. I have fun with both groups and I love all of them equally. I just wish they could get along better. But then again, it seems as tho all of my friends have other friends that the rest of us don't really care for. It isn't that we don't get along, which sometimes we don't, it is more like we just don't care for that type of person or that person in particular. Owell... I don't hate or strongly dislike anyone so I guess I'm doing alright. Lets just say I have friends from all walks of life. I love them all.... you all... if you read this.

And my friends from home... I love them too. I miss some of them. I can't wait to see them all over break. It seems so strange that we have all gone off and started new lives for ourselves. But then again, I think we needed a break from J-Town. It makes coming home that myuch sweeter. Altho I don't really have a whole lot of people to go home to. The ones that I do have are just that much more special to me and have a certain place in my heart. I don't know... I should really start doing something productive now tho... Wish me luck with my finals... I'm going to need it on Monday morning. And perhaps for the paper I have due by 1:30 on Wednesday... hmm.... peace out!

Super Random... Like Super Troopers

Hello all... Writing because I have been scorned by my cousin who has apparently decided that since he is back he can start harrassing me about not posting even tho he didn't post for TWO MONTHS! Anyway... we needn't get picky here...

Not too much going on. Listening to random music on the computer. It all started out with a post by a friend entitled "Love... the kind you clean up with a mop" made me think of The Bad Touch but the Bloodhound Gang... oh... seventh grade! So that got me to thinking about how I don't have a recording of that since I lost my only one on a CD in Spain. So Steven sent me the file over AOL and I danced and sang all the words twice! whoo hooo!!! Yay for being stupid! Then I started listeing to other random good songs... we are at Hey Girl by OAR right now!

Gosh... I don't even know what to write about. Turkey Day was good. Got to see the fam of course and Grandma and I spent a quality drive in the car on I-80. It was fun. I'm actually pretty excited for Christmas this year. Probably because I haven't seen a lot of the fam since the wedding and becuase it will mean I get to be a college student without college homework for 3 weeks! You And Me... Lifehouse... good song! Anyway... excited to see the fam and the friends I didn't get to see while I was at home this time.

I swear... the water here at the BURG sucks! It is so hard and my skin is getting so DRY! When I go home it is like taking a shower in Aquafina! SOO GOOD! And I don't have to wear flip-flops! Another bonus to not sharing your shower with 33 other people! I wish I had heard a good joke recently. But I have not. Hmm... sucks to be me! Actually... right now... with the exception of my JAM PACKED day of meetings and homework tomorrow... it doesn't suck so much to be me. My Hump... Black Eyed Peas! Um.. what else. Life is pretty good... Carl offered to make out with me so what more do I need?! HAHA! It is his birthday on Friday so we will see what happens... JUST KIDDING! He is WAY too skinny for me! We Danced Anyway... Deena Carter!

So totally sitting backwards in my chair cross legged right now. And I'm not sure why... RANDOM! This is a random blog. Ok... so my legs fell asleep... that was interesting! Bless The Broken Road....Rascall Flatts! So good... I really should be asleep. I was tired two hours ago. What happened?! I Hope You Dance... LeAnn Womak! Oh... takes me back to volleyball and Wanda. HAHAHA!!! They totally lost AGAIN! And Dumbass got coach of the year... explain that to me! Tony... you are a sports person... maybe you understand it?!

I seriously have not a lot to write about. I only have 4 classes left in all of my classes! WHOO HOO!!! Then finals... BOO HOO!!!! OH... our floor won 30 dollars for our decorations! We are the shit! Actually... the hall isn't that great... I just think our idea was creative. Jenna thought it would be cool to put the lyrics of a Christmas song on the doors around the hall so we did the 12 Days of Wartburg... or something like that. It is funny... sort of... I wasn't there for most of it so I don't get it all but whatever. Colour My World... Chicago! The good Chicago... not the crap musical! Anyway... I think I'm going to peace out now. So... catch you all later!