These are the flowers I got my momma
So guess what peoples! Today is Valentine's day! I love today. It's my favorite day of the year. Everybody always asks why today is my favorite and I honestly couldn't tell you. But it still is. This Valentine's day has been the best one I have had in a looooooong time. I took Steven to Cave Junction to meet up with friend this morning, I didn't want to see him go. Then I went and got flowers for my momma, stopped in and saw my dad. Which shocked him because he didn't know I was in town. Hehe. Got a phone call from a job I've been waiting to hear from, called her back and I have an interview on Thursday. Then Nathanael stopped by and gave me roses. Last but not least I went and got Chinese food for dinner for my mom and I. Other than that I celebrated my favorite day exactly how I wanted: curled up in a blanket on the couch, watching chick flicks and eating brownie batter. Oh, and since I didn't mention it earlier: Steven and I are dating now. :) Too bad its a LDR (Long Distance Relationship) but I'm sure we'll make it work.
Movies I watched:
- Romeo & Juliet
- Titanic
- 13 Going On 30
- The Holiday
- Blood and Chocolate
- Twilight
- P.S. I Love You
- Across The Universe
Now, for the story of Valentine's day:
"Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial — which probably occurred around 270 A.D — others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a
fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February — Valentine's Day — should be a day for romance.
The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.
In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.
According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first
commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap"."
{http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=882&display_order=1&mini_id=1084}
The roses Nathanael got me.
HAPPY ST.VALENTINE'S DAY!
Today, er.. I guess just lately, I've been thinking about Adam a lot. I don't regret what him and I had for those two years, but I'm kinda of sad that I experienced love at such a young age. I miss him, I'm not going to lie. I miss the late night phone calls, the text, and how he could and would get me to smile no matter what. I often wish I could go back in time and just pause on some of the days with him. What would I change? What would I want to last forever now that I know it doesn't? I'll be honest: I thought him and I would last forever. We had dreams and goals. We knew each of us had lives apart from each other, but we talked that we wanted each other to be part of the other's life. I'm only sad I experienced such an amazing, honest, faithful love at a young age because now I know what true love feels like. I'm not a young teenage girl who thinks I know what love is so I go around saying I love every guy I date. No, I really know what love is... and its amazing. Sometimes I want to text or message Adam, maybe even send him a letter... but I don't have the guts 'cause I know he wont answer, and I know that will break my heart again. 
So these are how I started my day.
< This is Mat's joke cake. I baked him a cake and these were the cuttings off of it. I put all of them on a plate and stuck a candle in it so when he came home from work this is what he saw as his birthday cake.
Now that Mat is back from work, Josh is making dinner. There is sadly still the tension from last night. I'm hoping tomorrow will be another great day, and that I wont have to really do anything. I did hear back from a few jobs. One "acting" that I turned down because its very VERY sketchy, and one modeling one that I sent a few photos to so I can be considered in the future since all their positions are filled today. I guess this is all a sign to keep hope. :)
I just don't understand. I get along with both of my roommates, and love them both dearly... but when they're together I just want to smack some sense into Josh. I know, I know. I don't usually mention names because I don't need the retaliation coming back at me for my writing, but I think everyone knows who I live with. Anyway, I honestly hate taking sides but sometimes I can't help it. Matty bought donuts yesterday for him, his friend (Matt) and I. I came in today to grab my maple bar and it was gone. I know Matty didn't eat it, so that leaves Josh. So, Josh ate some of the donuts that Mat bought. Then tonight Josh made chicken Alfredo. I was thinking this was going to be a nice thing to do... him make dinner for everyone. But nope, he made just enough for him, Kayla and I. Now I know its not my place to feel bad that there isn't any for Mat, but this is the position Josh has put me in. Josh knew that Matty would be home tonight... Ugh, I just don't understand how there is no mutual respect between these two. I hate that I feel stuck in the middle or am being forced to take sides.What else am I supposed to do though? Why can't things just be... good?
Today I am a snow bunny.
Had another job interview today, sadly I didn't get the job because I don't know enough about leather. Oh well I guess... nothing lost and nothing gained except another person who knows my face. 
As for now, I'm talking to Joby on Skype and laughing at him and his friends while I wait for Josh and Kayla to get back so we can build our fort in the living room. I honestly wonder sometimes, because I know me... I don't want to be dating Steven. I care about him so much, but I can't trust him. He's a great friend, he's so sweet and caring... but I can't be in a relationship when I can't trust the guy...
Today I am de-stressing. Mainly because my body knows its the first day it knows it can crash. I'm not sick, luckily. My throat is just shot. Bleh. So bed it is today. I'm very content where I am. I think me and the roommates are building a fort tonight... or at least sometime this weekend. I'm slightly excited. The plan is to go back to childhood. Corn dogs, chicken nuggets, Disney movies and fort building. Yay for childhood.
So this morning I feel horrible. Woke up with a sore throat and headache. I feel horrible, and I have my job interview tomorrow. I need to feel better. 
I love getting this text from my boyfriend.
So this is pretty much what I dealt with all day. Snow on the sides of the roads, down pour and some ice on the road. Lots of Semis. (P.S. No worries, I was at an almost total stop when I took this picture, the semi is trying to switch lanes because there's a cop pulling over a guy in front of him.) I hit black ice twice, so that was scary. On the way I stopped at a restaurant my grandpa Olson used to stop at called Heaven On Earth. They have cinnamon rolls there that are the size of your head. They sell smaller ones and other stuff too. I stopped there to get (normal sized) cinnamon rolls for everyone for Valentine's day. Thought it was appropriate since this place also used to be Matty's grandpa's favorite spot to stop on trips.
But I made it to Eugene all safe and sound.
These are the flowers I got my momma
"Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
Wow, just wow. Last night at the ballroom was fantastic. I am beyond happy I went. I almost didn't. I literally got ready in about 20 minutes... Best night I have had in a really long time though. Thanks to Steve, Steve, Paul, Jonny, Gain, and Charlie. Especially Gail. She told me that I am a beautiful and talented dancer. I've been needing to hear that for awhile, I just didn't know it. After the ballroom I went and hung out with Devin for a bit. It was good to see him. Glad to hear he's getting things in order as well. Then came home and found Steve on facebook finally.
So, today I drove home. 
Today, this is where I shall sit.
It amazes me how much makeup can change the appearance of a person. 
I know girls wear makeup to look pretty for the guys, and usually guys would rather see the girls without makeup so they can see a girl without the mask. Looking at these to pictures makes me realize how true that really is. 
Southern Oregon Performing Arts Center (S.O.P.A.C)
Its great to know that once I move out of here, I'll lose a friend. Just like its great to know, that though he said he'd always be there for me, he only meant as long as I try to make him feel better about himself and take the emotional and mental abuse that he dishes at me. I can honestly say I'd rather it be at me rather than at someone else, but I'm so tired of it. I'm so close to tears right now because Mat and I are fighting apparently, but his comment was so uncalled for. I thought he'd want to help a friend with a school project and he was trying to beat around the bush and I called him out on it 'cause I'm tired of his crap. If he doesn't wanna do something, just say so! Jeez, its not that freaking hard. At least I know now, its time to part ways with that part of my past. I guess I always knew it would happen... 
So today I had a massive headache, and I felt like death, but I knew I couldn't just lay in bed all day. So I got on Craigslist and started sending resumes right and left. Today I have filled out 15 applications, and am going to call 3 places tomorrow. For feeling as crappy as I did, I feel like I got a bit done. I even called a few people to see if I could use them as references! :) I had been meaning to do that for a bit.
Last but not least, I took this picture because I miss Vegas. I know that doesn't make sense because Panda is everywhere, but I hadn't ever eaten Panda till I lived in Vegas and it was the only thing open at odd hours. Every time I eat there I think of my friends back in Vegas. 
