I love Spring!

It is so weird how just a date (March 20) can change your entire mood. As soon as the season officially changes to spring I am a new person. I feel refreshed and ultra happy. I also love seeing everybody creep out of their houses like little animals emerging from hibernation. I went to the IM fields on campus for a run on Saturday, and it was absolutely bursting with people, dogs, and a few new flowers. I'm also happy to report that the cherry trees are blooming (probably my favorite trees, second only to dogwoods). That also means that the stinky Bradford pear is in bloom as well, but I'll take it, at least they LOOK pretty. Spring also means spring colors on clothes, and SANDALS! My feet are so happy to breathe the fresh air after being cooped up for what seems like an exceptionally long winter. I'm sure there are few more brisk days in store, but with weather like today's (and the forecast for tomorrow) I can't help but shrug off any potential chilly days. Another thing that makes spring great is EAGLE! He absolutely loves being outside, so even if I don't want to be outside (which is rare) he does, so I must. He is so happy to see other dogs and runners. He is just the happiest little pooch. I'm so excited for this spring because it also includes graduation and lots of other special events that I'm looking forward to posting about. Hope everyone else is enjoying Spring!

Cherry tree in bloom

Dogwood in bloom, we have a few in our backyard at home that make Easter so beautiful!

The stinkiest of trees, the Bradford pear. Deceptively pretty, right?

Eagle is Back!

My life is whole! That is all.

Hello Again

Hi all (all meaning Jessica, my one follower haha, love you for that). I know I keep saying this, but I really do want to blog more. I've recently discovered how to blog from my phone, which, as I've mentioned, makes things a lot easier. Lap tops are not nearly as portable as people make them out to be, hence the no blogging. Life is really good right now. I got in to grad school here at UGA in the MAT program (Master of Arts in Teaching) in the College of Education for Math and Science. This is a really amazing program, and I can't wait to get started. I can't believe graduation is less than two months away. This past four years has really flown by. I am so thankful for the people who have stayed in my life for the long haul. There is no way I can truly express how much of a difference they have made in my life. Thank you for sticking around. I love you guys. Although I'm a little sad that some people are moving away after graduation, I am so proud of them for their accomplishments. It also means that I have plenty of places to visit next year. I can't wait to see how everyone's life unfolds. This is a big year for us. Still happy it's 2010.

What are you thankful for?

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of the need to be thankful everyday. I know I don't say thank you enough. I will make a list (in no particular order) of the things I am thankful for.

-My family, I am so blessed to have them.
-My friends, I wouldn't have made it through this amazingly tough year without you.
-My trip to Spain, (thanks to my awesome parents for this one) I discovered myself and had the experience of a lifetime
-Education, my school is amazing, and I will be leaving with a great preparation for teaching
-Georgia football, despite the season I will FOREVER bleed RED and BLACK!
-Over 21 years with my Grandpa, John Bert Yancoskie, who was taken too soon from us. I miss him every day, but I have to be ok knowing that he is in a better place. Also, he is
probably spying on all of us, which I know he enjoys.
-My dogs. They bring joy to my life that no human can. Amazing. Meeko and Mushu are the
bomb (so is Eagle). This is the year of the puppy, and boy do I love it. Eagle brings a whole new
aspect to life.
-Shelter. Duh, but my shelter happens to be awesome. I love coming home!
-Music. Can't live without it.
-Food. Could probably stand to eliminate this one.
-The ability to speak other languages. I LOVE this, makes me feel accomplished.
-My job. Boy do I love the Ram Fam.
-Charity, we are blessed with the ability to help others. Giving is way better than getting (try it!)
-The approaching new year. I am ready to see and do new things! First year of my life where I
don't know exactly what I'll be doing a year from now. So cool.
-Finally, I am thankful for Jessica Anja Applegate. The only person who still reads this
blog. :)
-I forgot HEALTH. Duh! Wouldn't be doing much without that major one!

Please comment on what you're thankful for this year. Also, if you think I forgot anything, say so.

Need to work harder on blogging

So clearly I am not good at blogging. All I need is an app for that, and I'd be on it. It is truly sad how much I rely on my phone to get things done. Anywho. I am so glad that fall is finally here, although I would appreciate a lack of hurricanes and the weather being one temp throughout the day. Thanks. I am so excited for it to get really cold so I can wear my boots (obsessed) on a regular basis. I have recently realized that I am becoming a boot fiend. I see boots, I want them. Not good for the wallet so I stay away, but soon, my friends, soon.
In addition, I have also realized my recent obsession with lip products and (this is a real shocker) painting my nails. Even if it looks really bad when I finish, I absolutely love having painted nails (and hate paying for a manicure, hence the DIY job). Word to the wise: Victoria's Secret nail polish doesn't cut it. Stick with their lip products, way better.
I have a pretty busy life in the coming weeks with school, work, and a visit from Trey this weekend :). I will certainly be ready for a break at Thanksgiving. However, I will be using that break to get applications and studying done grrrr. I am so excited to see Granddaddy. It's been since January that I saw him last, so this will be a great little many trip (I'll also use the 10 hours total in the car to get work done. Note to self: NO SLEEPING!).
For the actual day of Thanksgiving, we're going to the mountains. So excited about this. It's been awhile since I have been one with nature, and boy do I need it. Eagle has never been to a river before either so I am really excited to see what my little boy will do.
On a heavier note, today is Veterans' Day. My grandpa was a veteran of World War II, and I used to call him to thank him every Veterans' Day. It kills me that I can't this year. It's certainly been tough. Please be sure to hug your veterans or at least thank them. Appreciate them while you have the opportunity. Our veterans are the reason we can go about our daily lives with few worries. They choose the job that many people are not willing to do (I don't think I could do it), and they do their jobs with pride. Even if you don't agree with our current overseas efforts, always remember to support your troops. (If the red didn't set it off, this is the important part of today's blog)
As this was originally a travel blog, I feel I should inform you that Cooper and I are planning on backpacking Europe next summer. I hope this really does happen, because it would be an absolute blast. Watch out Europe, the crayons are coming (if you don't get this reference, we were crayons for Halloween). Hope everyone is doing well in their lives. Tell me about them, call me, facebook me, tweet me, I miss everyone as our lives are so freakin' busy these days.

A triumphant return

As everyone probably knows I am no longer in Spain, but I have been asked to return to blogland (I'm pretty sure I made that one up). As of this hour, I am supposed to be studying for all that approaches, but blogging is a better idea. I bought four magazines today, three of which are health magazines. Oh how times have changed. I'm trying to stay healthy; it is proving more difficult than having the set menus I was used to but I am at least maintaining (and losing slowly). This is all I really care to discuss for the moment but hopefully I will have something more interesting to say in the coming posts. LOVE

Final Today

I just finished my final. Wow! I can´t believe this is almost the end. I have had the most incredible time. I honestly can´t even put into words how I feel about Spain. I´m ready to be home to talk incessantly about Spain, but I would mind staying longer or returning immediately! This has been the time of my life, and I don´t want it to end. We leave Valencia Wednesday morning for Madrid. Then we fly out Thursday. You can prepare yourselves for annoying stories (you can just hit me when I repeat myself). I am excited to see all of you so we can catch up (and so you can keep me upbeat). I love you all so much and we will be reunited very soon!