New Office

Over the holiday break I decided to make a few changes to my office. I have offically been working here for CCIT @ CU for a year now and have never added my personal touches to my office to make it feel more like mine. I wish I had before pictures, but you know how that is. I didn't think about it until I was already half way done. The pictures below are mostly of the finished results, but you can see the progress that was made on the tiger paw that I decided to paint on the wall.

The tiger paw in midst of painting

The tiger paw painted along with my newly framed SWU undergrad diploma hanging on the wall

The bookshelf in my office with a few personal touches

These are some really cool tiger prints that I found at TJ Maxx one day....

My Charleston prints that I have had for a long time...

The paw says it all!.....

A look at the finised product

Once again I must recognize those who made this project much more than it would have ever been. Mom came to help me hang picutres and she took over painting the tiger paw when she knew I didn't have the patience for all the detail involved. Much thanks to her!

Now that a new year is here it is time to get back to work and focus back on school as well. I finish my grad program in July, so it will be interesting to see what life holds beyond that.

Gator Bowl

So, I can't remember if I mentioned it on here, but I won 2 free tickets to the Gator Bowl, 3 free hotel nights, tickets and passes to all the Minolta (the sponsor) events, and $500! So, myself and my friend Amanda decided to head down to Jacksonville, FL to see the Tigers play and hopefully see the new coach Dabo get his first official win as the Head Coach!

The Tiger and the band marching into the stadium

The Budweiser Clydesdale horses were in attendance

On the field for pre-game warm-ups

Amanda and I on the field before the game

Amanda and I trying to make a CU after a Tiger touchdown

Again on the field with the team walking arm in arm down the field

As all of you should know the Tigers lost the game. It was good to see at least a good game, but they could have done much better. They struggled lots in the 2nd half. It was good to be at a Bowl game though. I can't remember the last time that I went a bowl game so it was good fun. The only downer of the trip was the I-95 traffic! It was the worst thing I have ever witnessed or experienced in my life....but all in all a fun trip and I was happy to get to spend it with some really good friends too!!

Happy New Year!!

This new year's was spent in Jacksonville, FL for the Gator Bowl. My good friend, Amanda, came along on the trip with me. We started the night off at a party at the hotel, then went to the Jacksonville Landing to meet up with friends from Clemson. Below are some pictures from the evening...

Me and my friend Amanda before heading out to the NYE party at the hotel

Cory and his friend Jacy NYE at the Landing

Me and Jacy during NYE

Nikki and myself during NYE

The great firework show at midnight

Nikki and Cory after midnight

Catching up...Christmas

Here are some pictures from Christmas 2008. Sorry for the delay in getting them posted, but I have been out of town. Better late than never!

Camden playing with his toys from Santa

Kerri and JD on Christmas morning while opening gifts

Posing with my new golf clubs that I got!

Family picture after opening gifts

Me and my beautiful mom

Me and my great dad!

JD and Kerri.... their first Christmas as a married couple

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas. Mine has been eventful, but not as many events as in year's past. We went to Christmas eve service with my grandmother last night and then came back to my mom's for her wonderful dinner. It's my favorite meal of the year! It can't be beat!! This morning we had a breakfast. It was mom, dad, JD, Kerri, and myself. After breakfast we all came to the living room and opened gifts.

I have to say this was a great year and each and every one of us was blessed to have so much in our lives that we truly didn't need gifts. But, we did give each other a few. I got some golf clubs (I can't wait to try them out on the course) and a bose player for my ipod. That's going to sound good in my house. I don't know if I truly deserved or needed the gifts, but I appreciate them and will use them well.

This year was different as in year's past. Once we were finished with our family Christmas there wasn't anywhere else to go. The Duke's are getting together tomorrow night and the Powell's gathered this past Sunday. So, mom and I decided on a plan to finish decorating my office, stopped by my house to pick up a movie, then got a pizza and came back to her house. It surly has been a low key day, but it is still a great day.

I have to say of anyone who has loved Christmas more this year I think it is Camden and Spice (my mom's cat). They have loved each other's company and I really think they will miss each other when I finally go home.

Well, I think that's enough for now. I will post some pictures tomorrow from all the festivities tomorrow.

I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas. Let's remember why we celebrate today and try to celebrate that all year long!

A visit to Charleston

My family made a visit down to Charleston this weekend to visit JD and Kerri and for my mom and I to get to see the Bucs play for the first time this season. We had a great visit! Kerri, Mom, and I went Christmas shopping practically the entire day on Saturday. I was TIRED!! I don't think I have shopped that much since.... I don't know when. Needless to say I still don't have all my shopping done.

Below are a few pictures that I took during the game. JD was in coaching mode as you can tell!

JD focused on the game

The coaches deciding what to do next....

What a face...

Mom and Kerri during the game

Me and Dad during the game

It was a Bucs win that evening!

Overall I think everyone had a great time. It was good to spend time with JD and Kerri since their time is limited with us during Christmas.

Start to the holiday season!

Yesterday Greg, Eddie, mom, and myself went hunting for our Christmas trees. It was lots of fun and a long tradition that we have had. It was very cold though!

Our group picture after we had all found our trees

I am bundled up! It was very cold... I must have had 4 layers on...

Trying to get warm by the fire

Me and my mom posing by the trees

We all help each other put our trees in stands too. The tree is up with lights now. Tonight I will be decorating. I will make sure to take pictures to show you how it turns out!! I think I am finally getting some Christmas spirit!

Happy Holidays to you all!