Monday, December 28, 2009

For Brandy

{Please repost if you care to...}

My name is Brandy. And I have a blog.

And a plea.

I use my blog to showcase the crazy I meet everyday, share the stories of the kids I teach and document my love for tequila, dairy products and the abdominal muscles of Ryan Reynolds. Rarely do I talk about personal issues on my blog- as personal as the dude that I adore (who I actually met through my blog- single ladies, let that be a very good reason to blog, the possibility of meeting someone as wonderful as my man), but I need your help. And it involves my dude.

He’s a guy who made math comics for my class, so they would love learning about addition. He’s the kinda guy who sends my friends gift cards when they are having hard times, who remembers every story I ever told him, who was the first person I celebrated with when I got a teaching job. He’s the guy who sent flowers to me at school- dozens of my favourite pink roses just because he loves me. He’s a guy who has spent a year patiently explaining (and re-explaining) everything there is to know about football during the important games when silence is preferred. He’s made me word puzzles and comics and stayed up late playing Scrabble with me (even though I beat him almost every time). He’s listened to me cry about school and family and jobs. He is everything I never knew I needed and everything I always knew I wanted.

The holidays have hit us hard. He’s recently been told he may have something called multiple myeloma- an incurable cancer, that gives a person an average of five years of continued life. Though this news has came as a shock, he continues to be exactly who has always been- spending his time worrying about me, rather than worrying about himself. He’s the most selfless individual I know- (he stayed late on Christmas Eve to work, so his co-workers could leave early) and a post like this would never be something that he would promote or encourage but when I’m overwhelmed and feeling helpless, the blogging community has always given me tremendous support and comfort, two things I desperately need at this time.

As I write this, the future is uncertain and we aren’t sure what’s happening. He’ll need to see an oncologist soon, to verify what’s going on in his body. My hope is that everyone who reads this think positive thoughts and if you are a person who prays, could you add him to your list? (You can refer to him as ‘brandy’s hot awesome dude’). If you don’t pray, please keep him in your heart.This cancer is only a possibility and I believe that the prayers and positive thoughts of people can make sure it never becomes a reality.

I want to give a big thank you to the blog owner who scraped their original blog plans and graciously put this up. My goal is to get as many people as possible to see and read this post. If you are reading this and want to help, copy and paste my plea into your blog or send a link through twitter, so more people can keep him in their thoughts. I would be so very grateful (even more grateful than I am to my friend who first showed me the picture of Ryan Reynolds on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. If you haven’t seen it, google it. You. Are. Welcome).

I realize this all sounds dramatic, a Lifetime movie in the making- but this is life. Right now. And I’m throwing away any hint of ego and am humbly asking for you to pray or think kind thoughts. If you are able to pass this on, thank you and if you know anything regarding MM- please email me (my email is on my blog). This isn’t a call for sympathy or a plea for pity. It’s just one girl hoping you can think positive thoughts for the person she adores. If my current heartache provides you with anything, let it be with the reminder that life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next. Maybe it is silly, but I really do believe that positive thoughts can make a huge difference. Thank you for reading this and if you haven’t already? Please tell someone you love them today.

I did.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Oh Be Joyful

Yesterday I about had it with people. At one point, I actually told my coworker that I wanted to throw people out of the window. Oops. But I had valid reasons. I had stupid coworkers urgently emailing me saying they needed my help--only when I called to help them, they said they "weren't ready for me." Um. Not. Cool. Then I had a lady email saying she couldn't find herself on our website. I literally did a Google search, and what do I find? HER FREAKIN' ARTICLE. How people do not know how to use Google is beyond me. Then I totally forgot I was meeting an alum who found me on Twitter for coffee, and I wore jeans and a hoodie. Classy, and professional. I know. And then I was supposed to interview an artist, only I misplaced her phone number. And then I finally found it, only to have her not be at home.

But it actually all ended up okay. I interviewed the artist later. I got a free hot chocolate out of the alum. And finished all of the work I had to do.

Today I am literally the only person in the office today. And it's snowing. I had the bus all to myself this morning. Earlier I hated myself for not applying for this job I really wanted but I emailed them my resume and cover letter anyways. And I proved to myself that I can write a cover letter, which I thought was nearly impossible for me to do. And now I'm going to hunt down some last minute gift for my brother so that he has something to open on Christmas because I couldn't get my act together and spend hordes of money on framing his soccer jersey for him. Should be fantastic. At least I'm going home early today. And tomorrow I'm off, and the next day, and the next day, and the next day....Sweet.

How's your week going?

Monday, December 21, 2009

Tis The Season

I had an average weekend---called a few friends from college that I have been meaning to call for months. Hung around the house. Wrapped some Christmas gifts. Our tree still isn't decorated. Slept okay, and babysat my 'lil cousin. And then went to church but left after communion. I know, typical Catholic.

Then today I read Du Wax Loolu, and decided to fill out this meme or whatever you call it. You should do if you're avoiding doing any sort of work like I am right now.

Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate all the way. I think I'd die if I drank eggnog.

Does Santa wrap the presents or leave them open under the tree? Of course he wraps them! If he left them open, there would be no surprises, and you all know how much I love surprises!

Colored lights on a tree or white? I love colored ones but I do have to admit that white ones look so classy.

Do you hang mistletoe? No, but I've always wanted to be kissed underneath one. Any takers?

When do you put your decorations up? At the last minute. That's how my family rolls. Whereas I'm sure normal people put it up like after Thanksgiving or at least the beginning of December.

What is your favorite holiday dish? Anything with meat and potatoes. And cookies or pie or cake. If you couldn't tell, I'm not really picky.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I'm not sure. I guess it depends on how many presents you have under the tree for everyone. Like if I only had one or two presents, I'd rather just wait till Christmas day. That way I'll have more stuff to open.


How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With Christmas ornaments from my childhood and from places I've traveled.We do the colored lights, with strings of pearls and then have a fancy purple cloth that the tree sits on.

Snow: love it or hate it?Of course I have two answers for this one. I love the snow when I have no where to be, am by the fireplace, or under some warm blankets in bed. I hate the snow when I have to drive in it because I turn into a big baby and drive 20 mph.

Can you ice skate? Nope. Ever since a mean boy in middle school hit me on the rink and made me fall on my butt and bruise my tailbone, I've never really recovered. Now I'm that girl that holds on the railing the entire time. Funzies!

What is your favorite holiday dessert? Chocolate sugar cookies or sugar cookies with lemon icing. They are to die for people. Seriously.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Probably sleeping together with my brothers the night before Christmas and then waking each other up on Christmas day to shouts of excitement that Santa came and seeing the tree with presents.

Candy canes: yum or yuck? Yum. I don't really partake in candy canes but I don't think they are gross.

Favorite Christmas show? It's a Wonderful Life. It's a classic.