I’m pretty sure we lost from the second Will and I got on the airplane.

Although- it didn’t seem so at first.

We rode the same plan as Heisman quarterback Sam Bradford’s parents as well as Jeremy Beal’s parents.

Good sign, right?

We thought so.

We ended up getting delayed on our way there, which was a bit of an annoyance- yet we didn’t think it was the end of the world.

Ha.

We got to Miami late and had to wait almost an hour catch the Enterprise shuttle to get a rental car.

That whole slogan, “Pick Enterprise, We Pick You Up” is a HUGE lie. Apparently that holds true for all places except Miami.

We waited forever and finally caught the shuttle to enterprise.

When we got there we should have known there was going to be a problem. A mass of people, all clad in game gear, was standing outside waiting for a shuttle to take them to their hotels.

Hmm- that seems strange, right?

Will got in line and waited.

We waited, and waited, and waited.

Will finally got to the counter and the manager turned the lights off- all in attempts to say that Enterprise no longer had any cars- despite people making reservations for cars 3 weeks in advance- and that they were closing for the night.

Bad sign?

We thought so…

Yeah- Will wasn’t humored.

They offered to take us to our hotel and bring us back in the morning for a car.

Um- no.

They briefly mentioned trying to go to their sister company’s office to see if they would be able to honor our reservation.

Will and I decided to take a chance and walked over to the rental place. A tiny hole in the wall kiosk sort of place.

Nice.

Apparently a lot of Enterprise customers had the same idea. There was a line almost out the door all full of people hoping that this company didn’t give away all their cars just as Enterprise did.

We waited, and waited, and waited once again.

Will finally got to the counter.

The Oklahoma gods were looking out for us because we got the very.last.car.on.the.lot.

Everyone else was turned away.

Good sign?

We sure thought so.

We were the proud renters of a white Dodge minivan.

Oh yeah baby.

We loaded up and returned to the airport to pick up Ross and Rachel (we took different flights).

While we waited I made a video recapping the evening. As you will see- Will was not humored.

At all.

HA HA I look freaking hilarious in the freeze frame Flickr used. Nice.

We got Ross & Rachel, went to the hotel and called it a night- or late morning… whatever.

The next day we donned our Sooner gear and were ready to go to Miami!

We should have known we were destined to lose…

We got on the elevator and were on our way down (with a dozen other people, some OU fans, some Gator fans… fun times). As we arrived to the ground level, the elevator got stuck.

We couldn’t get the door open.

Bad sign?

We thought so.

This insane Gator fan started to panic and freak out. She began yelling and beating on the door. She started trying to pry it open yelling, “You don’t understand! I’ve got to get out of here! You don’t understand! HELP! HELP!”

We don’t understand that you’re psycho and need to calm the crap down in situations like this?

Yeah- we pretty much understood, lady.

All of a sudden we started to go up again.

Um- not a good sign.

We got to the 2nd floor and there was this huge jolt.

Yeah- I was thinking I was about to meet my Maker right there in a Miami elevator.

What a bad way to go.

We finally somehow got back to the ground level- with this woman going absolutely insane and really freaking us out. Ross and Will were trying to calm her down, but it wasn’t working.

The door finally opened and we tripped the lady on our way out.

Kidding.

But don’t think it didn’t cross my mind.

Bad sign?

We thought so…

The rest of the morning and afternoon was great. We went to Hard Rock for lunch, walked around, and took pictures. We went to South Beach and had fun there too. It was a really good afternoon.

Good sign?

We thought so…

We went back to the hotel to freshen up and get ready for the big game. We arrived at the stadium ready to claim our title. This game was ours for the taking.

Well- at least we thought so…

As soon as I entered the stadium I ran into a couple that used to teach me in Sunday school! Too crazy. They moved to Florida and got tickets to the game. I hadn’t seen them in years. What a small world.

I took that as a good sign.

While we were wandering the stadium we decided to get dinner.

As I was waiting in line I ran into my ex-boyfriend’s parents!

Random, right? I mean, I know a lot of people I knew were probably going to be at the game, but in a stadium that size I didn’t figure I’d run into one person- let alone a whole freaking family!

I hadn’t really talked to them since the breakup, so it was nice to catch up.

After my 2nd random encounter we had dinner and were on our way to our seats when…

I ran into not only my ex’s parents- but the whole entire family.

I was going to play it off like I didn’t see them (mainly because I’d seen my ex a few times since the breakup and he totally ignored me), but my ex actually called me over and we talked. He got to meet Will, and I met his wife.

It was sort of nice because things had ended badly. It was sort of like closure because we’re past all that now (I mean it was like 6 freaking years ago) and are both really happy in life.

So- I figured I ought to count that as a good sign.

We got to our seats and were ready for the big game.

Can we please glaze over this part?

Thanks.

I should have known it was going to be a bad game when the Gator girl in front of us flicked Will off.

Yeah- I probably should have taken that as a bad sign.

The game was slow the first half, and well- you know how the 2nd half ended.

We left the stadium bummed about the loss and decided a huge pile of fast food may dull the pain.

Well I thought that…

We drove around for literally an hour trying to find a place that was open.

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Don’t drive-thrus in Florida stay open late!?!

Apparently not…

We finally found a Wendy’s that had a drive thru open late. At this point it was 1:15. “Yes!! It says the drive thru is open until 2!”

As we approached the drive thru we noticed that the drive thru was open until 2 on Fridays thru Saturdays.

It closed at 1:00 Mondays-Thursdays.

Talk about irony.

We couldn’t catch a break!

So- we just headed back to the hotel.

The next day was pretty much full of airport stuff- which is generally never fun.

We got in Friday night, and it was so nice to be home.

The doggies were very happy to see us, as you can imagine.

My house is a mess, but I’ve vowed not to clean it until tomorrow.

Sort of a mourning thing, perhaps?

All-in-all it was a really fun quick trip.

I know I painted a depressing picture with all the “bad signs,” but I was sort of kidding about all that.

Sort of.

We had a nice time. It was really fun to go with another couple too. It made the trip a lot more fun.

So, we didn’t win our eighth this week and that’s pretty unfortunate. I have no idea what this means for the next season, Bob, Sam, everything…

I just know I’m sort of glad the season is over and now my husband can focus on going thru footlockers with me (ha ha).

Hope you guys had a good weekend. boomer sooner <3

That’s right my lovelies, tomorrow we’ll be going for our 8th National Title.

I realize that my audience is probably not nearly as enamored by the whole idea of screaming until you’re hoarse for men in tight pants to collide into one another in hopes of “scoring,” but as this is such a big part of my married life- I have an obligatory role to post about this very subject.

It seems weird actually living in the states and being available to go to such a game. Before it was a whole big “thing” in which we’d plan a whole vacation around a holiday or a football game. This year we’re here and it’s just a hop, skip, and jump away.

Well- kind of…

It’s hard to believe that a whole year ago Will and I were in Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl.

Remember? Will got pink eye and we were forced to spend our first whole day in Phoenix at a very questionable AM-PM clinic.

Oh- and OU lost by the way.

I’m hoping Lady Luck will be with us this year. I mean- bad luck can only last so long, right?

Let’s hope so.

It’s one of those risks you take when you plan a trip like this- but you simply have to go because you never know when you’ll make it back. I mean, the last time we won a national championship I was a senior in high school (crazy!) It’s just one of those things where you take the risk and go do it and have no regrets.

Did I tell you guys that Ross and Rachel are going with us? I’m very excited. I mean- not only are we going to the Big Dance, but we’re doing with friends.

A getaway with friends!

I mean- we all know what implications that means when a couple goes away on a trip together, so I have to believe the same holds true for friends (um- minus the drooly makeout sessions of course). I think it means our friendship has gone from “hanging out once a month or so” to “I think these could be our new couple BFFs, Will.” Ha ha

Anyway- I know by now not to be all-

“BOOMER SOOMER! We’re going to KILL THE GATORS!”-

and all that crap- because I have all too often felt the sting of defeat in these big games.

Instead, I will simply wish the Sooners good luck in hopes that this year will be our year. A little Sooner Magic wouldn’t hurt either.

Heading to Miami…

Talk to you guys soon!

If we didn’t have a lot of chemistry and didn’t “gel”

but you worked at Sephora

I would totally find a way to love you just so I could share in your employee discount.

I mean- that is in the spirit of Christmas, right?

This weekend was one of the best ones I’ve had in a long time-

and it’s partly due to my work Christmas party!

Who would have thought, right?

I have so much to chat about today- are you ready to sit for a while?

Good.

So Friday was my big work Christmas party (see the below post).

Guys- I had a freaking blast. I came thinking it would be alright, but it turned out to be so much fun.

As expected I saw some funny dancing- to include our vice president! I loved it. People were totally getting down. It was too funny. I sat by my boss and another girl I work with and we had a good time.

By the way- who decides to play musical chairs three hours into an adult Christmas party where 95% of the attendees have been drinking?

Crazy people, that’s who!

I must say, though- it was pretty funny.

I somehow got roped into being one of the players. I only made it two rounds.

I blame my high heels. My feet were killing me by the end of the night.

I don’t think Will had as much fun as I did.

Wait.

I know Will didn’t have as much fun as me, but I guess that’s because I know these people and Will didn’t.

Anyway- it was a lot of fun, and yes, I will be laughing on the inside when I see some of my coworkers tomorrow morning.

Yesterday was just as much fun.

We went to dinner with Ross and Rachel followed by going to a Christmas play at their church, so that was nice.

After the play we came home and watched the Heisman Presentation (we DVRed it. I love that thing.)!

As you can imagine, we were stoked to see Bradford win.

Stoked.

I think “Stoked” needs to be added to my running list of stupid words I’m not allowed to say anymore…

Anyway- we were very excited to see Bradford win (How’s that? Better than stoked?).

As you can see from my Flickr pictures, we had a good night. I’m partial to the one of me and Rachel doing the Heisman pose. Don’t ask me how we ended up in my belly dancing skirts. I don’t remember. I do remember it was funny though.

Can I blame it on the fact that we were so happy about Bradford winning the Heisman that it impaired our judgement? I’m going to go with that.

This year has been so freaking fun to be a Sooner fan. Just thinking about it gets me fired up. The last home game- against Tech- was freaking amazing. I’m so excited for the National Championship.

Wait.

Did I tell you guys I’m going?

I know most of you don’t care about football- but as you know, Will is highly obsessed, and now that we’re back in the states it’s only worse.

Anyway, because of our season tickets we qualified for four season tickets through the school so we didn’t have to pay outrageous prices so that was very exciting!

So- Ross and Rachel are going with us to the big dance! I’m so freaking excited, and now having Bradford as the Heisman winner makes it that much sweeter.

We spent a week in Miami in February of 2007, and I figured that’d be the only time we’d be there. Now we’re heading back!

Sigh- I want to go on, but I realize you don’t care, so I’ll shut up.

I’m sure you’ll be hearing more in time…

After the game we celebrated which was oddly enough followed by a 1:00 am game of Scrabble.

Random.

Oh and just for my own odd benefit- let me tell you what a freaking cow I was last night!

We had leftover pizza from dinner so I ended up eating like 2 pieces of that at like 10:30, followed up with a Reeces Christmas Tree,

(sidebar- have you guys had those yet? They’re freaking AMAZING. They’re like the Easter egg ones. I love those things. They’re way better than the regular ones because the annoying ridged chocolate doesn’t get in the way.)

3 (or 4… I can’t really remember) regular Reeces- because apparently I WANT to be fat,

chips (Reduced Fat!… although… I think after about 2 cups it doesn’t really matter...)

a peanut butter sandwich,

and Cheetos.

MOO.

No amount of working out will undo that carnage.

BOO.

I’ll sure try at the gym tomorrow, though, guys- I promise.

Sorry- I just felt the need to unload my weekend fatness on you. I generally share this information with my sister, but she’s asleep right now, so you guys have to suffer now.

Sorry.

Anyway, we had a really good Saturday night too. In my life it’s not very common that I have two nights of big fun. A party, a play, Scrabble!? Too much fun to handle! (ha ha- I’m kidding about the Scrabble part)

Wow. I realize you guys probably could care less about:

“What I Did This Weekend!” - a short story by Brittny

However, I figured I ought to use my blog to chronicle certain things I want to remember so I can look back and, well, remember them! So- sorry for the lame post.

More (less boring crap) to come…

What did you do this weekend? 

I’ve decided why we haven’t made more friends since we’ve been back.

This whole time I thought it was me- me being too picky. Me not wanting to be social. Me, me, me.

The truth is, however, it’s not me- it’s Will.

and I never would have guessed it.

Here’s the story-

So Sunday night we went over to our friend’s house to watch Sunday night football.

(sidebar- we need names for these friends, don’t you think? I think so. I’m open to suggestions. Sarah and Theresa call them Ross and Rachel. What do you think? Good, strong name? We can call them that if you want- but in honor of election day, I’m open to your opinions and votes as well)

During the game we also thought it would be fun to play a board game, so we ended up playing Battle of the Sexes.

I’m not sure if you’ve ever played it, but basically it’s guys versus girls and you go back and forth asking each other questions.

Both games were going strong, when all of a sudden Mrs.Yet to be Named Friend asks the question, “What was the name of Oscar the Grouch’s girlfriend?”

It gets real quiet, because obviously no one knows the answer.

HOWEVER-

Instead of just saying, “I don’t know the answer,” Will decides to be funny and open his big mouth and say the following:

“It’s gotta be something awful. Something hideous… like Elvira!”

All of a sudden it got real quiet and Mrs. Yet to be Named Friend says, “That’s my mom’s name.”

AWKWARD!

We all ended up dying in laughter- but for that split second it sure was weird.

Way to go Will.

I can’t take him anywhere!

See!? This whole time I thought it was me- yeah- it wasn’t.

Thankfully we’ve known this couple for a long time (they were in our wedding), so it’s not like it was an awkward first double date or anything- but still! Way to open your mouth Will.

So- if we ever get to meet, please excuse my husband. Sometimes his desire to be witty may cause a lapse in judgement which may lead to calling your mother’s name hideous, insulting your “beautiful” newborn baby, or talking bad about the pie you brought not knowing it was you who brought it.

Oh- and if that wasn’t bad enough, the whole rest of the night he sang the country song, “Elvira.”

Yeah… that’s my husband. Mr. Sensitive.

Alright friends-

I’m calling upon you guys for help. We’re friends, right? Friends help each other out, offer advice, are there for one another in need- right?

(like the guilt trip I’m laying on you guys?)

So- with that said I’m pretty sure we’re bound to each other in the obligatory book of friendship.

or something like that.

So, now that you guys are in- I must also do a little private side note before moving onward.

P-
I hope this post doesn’t make you mad at me! I figured that this was a GREAT idea and would be really helpful (ha ha, probably more for me- the worrying sister). Know my intentions and the fact that sometimes I’m a complete idiot, unknowingly doing something to hurt someone else although my heart is in the right place.

Okay- so now that all the initial crap is out of the way- let’s get started.

This is P’s first official week away from home and in college. She’s in a foreign country and doesn’t know a soul. She’s surrounded by a huge city, but all alone.

I think P was very brave to choose the school she did. It’s away from everyone she knows and in a whole new country. I’m really proud of her- not to mention living vicariously though her! She is going to have the most awesome college experience EVER!

”Is going to” being the key part.

Like most young freshman away from home for the first time and not knowing a soul, P is lonely and is ready to pack up and go home. It hurts my heart guys because it’s not like we can go see her, or talk on the phone for hours on end. For the first time in my life I can’t really be there for my little sister and I hate that.

I called her today and we talked for a little while, and through laughter and trading funny stories about the two moths flying around P’s room and how we could capture them, we also shared tears. I told her that I knew it’d be a lot like Kuwait- she hated it at first but ended up loving it. I’m convinced of that, but I know it’s hard to believe your older sister when you’re down in the dumps and all alone in a cold tiny dorm room.

So- that’s where you come in.

Most of us are done with school and have already been through the awkward scary freshman year. Now we’re so old and wise and know absolutely everything…

okay, maybe not… but we have lived through freshman year so let’s focus on that!

Do you guys remember how you felt when you first started school? Did you have any scary moments? Embarrassing stories? Funny memories? Any stories about walking into the wrong classroom right in the middle of a class (check), getting lost on your first day and having to ask the registrar for help (check), badmouthing your professor while- unbeknown to you-he was right behind you (check)?

Share!

Would you guys please share those with P in the “Share the Love” comments section?

I want her to know that things get better (um yeah- so if things got worse for you- please lie) and to hang in there.

I look forward to all the stories that you’ll share and really appreciate your friendship! Hopefully your experiences will provide P with some cheer and will let her know she’s not alone. You guys are the best I’m so glad we’re friends.

Tomorrow is her first official day of school, so I’ll be sending lots of thoughts and prayers her way.

P- you’re so brave and I love you tons and bunches. I hope you were able to capture the moths! You are going to be a success and I know that this week may be tough, but I’m positive it will get better. Just remember- worst case scenario you can always live with me and take care of my little adopted son while attending OU online.

Yeah- I figured you wouldn’t want to do that, but hey- I had to try.

Thanks again guys. I know for sure this will bring P cheer.

Have a great weekend.

We’re watching the game and are going out to dinner and a haunted house with our friends tonight. I hope you guys have fun too. <3

I felt it necessary to post about something.

Anything.

Nothing for God’s sake.

I felt it necessary to put something above the thong post. Something about it seems so tacky and inappropriate.

Funny- I felt much more liberty to speak freely while in Kuwait- a ultra-consertaive country- than I do here. I guess it’s becaure I’m home now. Home where I know people people think they know me, the young Brittny they knew a whole three years ago before I moved away for three years and became a lot different.The truth is that they don’t, but seriously- do you really think I’m going to say that to them during a short 5 minute conversation of catching up.

“Oh hi Brittny! It’s so nice to see you! How have you been?”

“Great- oh and by the way you have no idea who I am anymore and it irritates me the way you judge what I do!

...

How are the kids??”

Ha ha, yeah- not so much.

Anyhow, the thought of running into these people- these “friends” of mine at Walmart (because that’s where EVERYONE hangs when you’re really not wanting to run into someone, right?) makes me cringe.

how silly.

We have lots to discus my friends! Lots and lots. Like- how my sister leaves for college this weekend, how I’m in a weight loss competition with our friends (yes- I still have them! I haven’t scared them yet!), and much much more. Unfortunately I’m running late for a very important date (ha ha, I always wanted to say that) and can’t get into everything now. More to come, I promise.

Off to enjoy the day.

Let’s hope the Sooners pull through today. Oh- and go Mizzou.

Oh- and cross your fingers I don’t run into anyone I know.

Well lovies- it’s here.

You’ll have to go to a sports blog to get the play-by-play pre-game stuff (because I know how my female audience LOVES to talk all about sweaty 200 pound college boys colliding into one another), but you’ll get everything else right here.

I’m preparing to jump in the car with Will and 2 of our friends (Friends! Friends! Did I tell you guys I have Friends now? I have people, people! Sorry...as you can see I’m still very new to this concept and often find myself smiling and singing for no reason. Food tastes better, the sun shines brighter… you get the picture… ) to head to the Big D!

Wow- this post is really choppy.

Do you realize I just inserted a whole freaking paragraph right in the middle of the above sentence?

!

How do you guys read this crap?

Very carefully, I suppose.

Anyhow-

I’m siked about Texas-OU OU-Texas.

I figure if all goes to hell I’ll find myself in a trans-fat-fair-food-comforting stupor.

“Where’s Brittny?”

“She’s over by the basketball throw rubbing fried snickers all over herself. I think she’s gone off the deep end.”

Yeah- I figure this weekend won’t be all lost if we lose.

There’s always fried snickers.

Some may say I sound like such a pathetic fan.

These people have never indulged in a fried snickers.

<3

boomer sooner

Today I bid Rome farewell.

I say goodbye to some of the most beautiful countries in the world and walk away with nothing more than amazing pictures and 20 days of wonderful memories.

I also bid my sister farewell.

I say goodbye to the most beautiful girl in the world and walk away with nothing more than amazing pictures and 18 years of wonderful memories.

I hate saying goodbye, and I hate change. It reminds me of the life-altering change I made just months ago- my move back to America.

Part of me wants to jump on my plane (after getting lost and losing my boarding pass 3 times, of course) and get back to my normal everyday life in the good old US of A, but the other part of me wants Will and I to pack a suitcase and just go.

Go.

To where? I have no idea, but I guess that’s what makes it so ridiculous and silly.

but also perfect.

Almost exactly a year ago my boss told me- You’re either an expat or you’re not (you should click on the link and read that post. I feel like I’ve been struggling with this topic a lot lately now that I’m home). When I read that post, I think to myself, “here you are a whole year later, Britt, and you still have no idea how you feel!” I don’t know what that means, other than the fact that I still have the itch to just get up and go.

Ha- yet 3 paragraphs above I tell you I hate change. I’m such a contradiction.

See what I mean? A year later and I still feel all knoted up about where I’m supposed to be.

Wait.

I know where I’m supposed to be.

I’m supposed to be here, no doubt in my mind. I know 100% God has moved us back here, there have been so many confirmations of his work. However, if I share my heart with you guys, the truth is that I know where I’m supposed to be, but I’m not sure if I’m where I want to be.

Does that make sense?

Don’t think I’m terrible for sharing that with you. I know it’s not your expected Sunday School Answer, but it’s really how I’ve been feeling lately. I want to be in God’s will, I really do, but lately I’ve had a hard time really desiring it. I say I want it, but then I think about all the “better” things Will and I could be doing and it’s such a distraction. I haven’t been setting my mind on things above as I need to, but instead have gotten caught up with the temporal and it’s so foolish of me.

Yes, I had to go to Rome to figure all this out.

Figure what out!?

I haven’t figured anything out!

Okay- well I had to go to Rome to realize I’m still a basketcase.

How’s that?

A little more accurate.

Okay, so enough of the sad whiney conflicted crap.

Who wants to hear all that- AGAIN, right?

Sheesh, the story of my freaking life!?

Alright- let’s move on.

So I bid Rome farewell.  Perhaps I will no longer associate Rome with stress now that I’ve made it to the airport and am on the plane?

I hope so.

I’m sure as we drove the long drive to the airport I held back the tears, and as they unloaded our luggage, the lump in my throat arrived.

I’m sure I tried to be the big sister and not snot all over myself as I told P goodbye,

but let’s face it, I was never meant to be good with such things.

In fact, I’m a week out from the cruise and crying as a type!

What a loser.

Anyway, I’m sure I squeezed her tight and got one last smell of her perfume.

I’m sure my heart was throbbing just like the night when I was in college and broke up with my first love. I’m sure as she went left, and I went right, I tried my best to keep it together,

but as I made a mad dash to the bathroom, I lost it-

as well as my carry-on, I can almost be sure.

I hate goodbyes terribly, but this one would seem so final in so many ways.

So as this cruise has docked, so has another chapter in my life. One that has P in an exciting foreign country attending college, and one that has me washing clothes down by the river in some tiny remote American town. (ha ha)

I finally give up fighting the tears and figure I might as well just let it all out-

and once again I wish Will was here to make me feel better, but sadly I’m all alone (and probably lost) in the Rome airport trying to understand what the hell 743 is in Italian.

As I get on the plane, knowing P is about to board hers, I wish her well in my heart, knowing that kindred spirits are never very far apart.

I think about Boz and Lucy, and the 2 new little puppies that await me when I get home. I think about Will and falling asleep in his arms,

and I realize it’s okay to say goodbye to Rome today.

Perhaps I’ll visit again..

The 3 days in Greece were great, I’m sure.

Yesterday was spent in Turkey, another place I’ve been wanting to visit.

Today?

Today is another day at sea. As my trip comes to a close, I’m sure my heart is starting to get heavy.

For one, I miss Will like crazy and have realized what a moron I was for taking such a long trip without him.

Also, I’m reminded that these are my last few days with P.

And it makes my heart ache.

When she left back in July I cried a little, but it didn’t hurt that bad because I knew I was going to see her in a matter of weeks.

However, as this trip begins to wane I realize that it will by many months, and possibly even years before I see my best friend again.

and just thinking about it and typing that sentence brings me to tears.

P is so different than anyone I know. She’s my little nomad that has no plans on ever coming back to America, even visiting.

Granted, I know (well, I hope) someday she’ll come back to visit, but I honestly can tell you guys I don’t know when I’ll see my sister next.

I’m sure as I went to sleep last night, thinking about another day at sea- the final day at sea- my mind was filled with thoughts of Will and P and how sad I felt.

breathe…

I hope today at sea is a lovely day, hopefully with some sort of a breeze to keep me in good spirits.

<3