C's Restaurant Review

So  yesterday on 5/22/2015 we decided to go out and get lunch somewhere new (to us of course). We went to

Fish Daddy's Grill House located in College Station, Tx. 

The parking lot is a wee bit on the small side, but this is common for the restaurants in this shopping center. However being that it was the middle of the day and during the week we were able to find a good parking spot immediately. We were also sat immediately, which with a kiddo (or more) in tow is always a plus for us. 

The restaurant was very open inside, there was really no seating that I saw that really offered any intimate seating. They had a large statue of a mermaid in the middle, totally neat, and a large fresh water fish tank. It would seem that they have a full bar, but since I did not order anything from it I can not be certain of this. (Hey it was the middle of the day!) A downfall was that they did not seem to have a true childrens menu with crayons or anything... it was on the adult menu. That isn't the end of the world though ;)

The waiter arrived quickly, was friendly, and prompt during our entire meal. We had chips and queso to start which was quite good. It was waiter recommended and did not disappoint. For a meal my daughter had the catfish. She did not eat the catfish at all but I am all for her trying new things. My husband and I shared the rainbow trout and shrimp platter. We got the trout blackened and added a side salad to our meal. The side salad was nicer than your run of the mill side salads with candied nuts and apples. I ordered blue cheese dressing, but apparently they serve a blue cheese vinaigrette. The vinaigrette was not bad, but not really blue cheesy enough for my taste. 

The meal itself was ok. It didn't knock our socks off or anything, but it wasn't bad. Everything was cooked well. However the best part of the meal was the end. We shared a slice of key lime pie and it was delish. The bill was only 48 dollars without tip, but I tipped the waiter pretty well because he did an awesome job. My father was there as well and had a steak combo. I was floored with how inexpensive it seemed because we seem to walk about of restaurants paying quite a bit more. 

All in all, I would recommend this place and would try it again. I  would order something different though. I think there was a lot more selection and they got a lot of things right. 

College on your OWN terms

I am BACK!

It has been awhile and a couple of almost meltdowns for me, but spring semester is over and I am back! I learned some amazingly valuable life lessons this semester and I would LOVE to share them with you. Let us start with the first and I think most important lesson I learned.

Go to college on your OWN terms. 

Not everyone will agree with this idea, we have this cookie cutter outline of our life imprinted upon us from an early on age. However I refuse to give up 5 or more great years of my life to a be a slave to this college timeline. I didn't always believe the way I do now, it took a near meltdown over the last year to come to the realization. Some of you may know, some may not, but I struggle with major depression, anxiety, and a slew of other fun disorders. So when I say I pushed myself to a near meltdown just understand that it got really really bad.

Finally I reached out for help, in reality I was forced into finding help by my husband. After discussion with my team of doctors, friends, and husband I realized full time college student was not for me. Actually I realized that pushing to be this full time college student would eventually kill me. So I dropped down to part time and worked on digging myself out of the hole that I had created in my depressed state. The grades are not posted yet but I know I was able to pass two of my three classes, the third is up in the air. Something I never thought I would say is that I am thankful to have passed a course.

The semester was filled with guilt. Guilt that I did not spend enough time with my kids because school had me consumed. Guilt because I wanted to join my children's PTO or be a better girl scout troop leader. Guilt because I had other dreams and goals in life that were being pushed by the wayside because I had no time for anything else. Guilt because I was perpetually let to events. Guilt because I wished I was a better wife. Guilt because I wish I had a cleaner house. Guilt for spending time doing anything other than school. Finally I was sick of feeling GUILTY.

Some believe we only get one life to live and I don't know how true that is, but I do know that if this is my ONE life. I want to LIVE it! So I decided to take back my life and live. I do not go to college for some piece of paper that tells me I excelled at something. I go because I am a curious person who wants to know a little about everything. There is no need for me to struggle to complete it on their timeline.

I am taking my life back and going to college on my own terms. 

What does that mean for me? It means a part time college student who may also work outside of college. Who does PTO and goes to the gym. Who is a co-leader of her daughters girl scout troop and excels at it. Who has time to pick up around the house. Who has more kids because she wants to add to her family. Who has parties and sees friends. College is not the end all be all for me. It will no longer consume my life and I suggest that you do the same. Find out what works for YOU. If it is their timeline then great, do that, but if you need to alter it then do it. Don't try to force yourself into a box you just do not fit in.

Goodbye to Thanksgiving Break

As with all other areas of life, our Thanksgiving began with some bumps in the road, but it all leveled out. 

We had quite a nice time visiting with my mother, who flew in from California. Sadly she had to return home today and tomorrow break is over. 

Tomorrow we head back to the hustle and bustle that is our daily lives. Some days I love it, some days I hate it, but mostly I am so thankful for everyone who is a part of it. 

On another note, we are in the final stretch of FALL semester! Only a few more weeks and then we can really relax! Not to mention Christmas and then vacation. We have a lot to look forward to! 

I cant wait to see our children's faces on Christmas morning! 

This, that, and the other thing

I am alive.

As my life is so hectic, I feel the need to make this brief.

I am passing my classes (YAY) and I have had discussions with various professors about research opportunities. Hoping to start that in spring.

My husband is, as I already knew, amazing and brilliant. His professor has remarked multiple times at his brilliance in his field. He is really an amazing man, supportive husband, great step-dad, and great person.

My children are doing great. Aurora and Johnny just finished up soccer. They had awesome mid semester reviews from their teachers and are doing great at our prize box system at home. Johnny and Scarlett just started hockey up again and are enjoying that. Scarlett is starting to get the hang of our prize box system and learning how to save money. I think I will be looking into putting Scarlett into dance again as she really misses it. Aurora is thriving and loving girl scouts.

Speaking of girl scouts, Aurora's troop has an awesome leader and awesome daughter. They have been such an awesome help to our adjusting to our new home. They have really made it such a great transition.

John is doing ok. I think he misses the family during the week so next year he will be moving back into the house. We are happy to have him back. He is a great, loving father, and his kids adore him.


All in all, we have a pretty great life. We have our down moments and sometimes people decide to check out of our life, but we move onward and upward.

Remember to live

To be honest, I have been feeling as though I am grasping for time,  always trying to find yet another moment to steal because there is just not enough hours in a  day. The university is a black hole that consumes my time with seemingly no end. Lately it has led me to deep discussions of what my end goal is. I fear I am burning out of Chemistry. I have spent some time trying to decide what I wish to do with a career. 

All the while we have been in the hectic process of purchasing our new home, which has been quite the time consuming stressful process as well!  I am happy to announce that the process is complete and we are homeowners yet again! If I ever have the time, I might just decorate it. 

Our front door, decorated for Halloween. 

Then with the kids in so many activities, we really have minimal spare time. It has led to some deep pondering. In the end I have decided I will not kill myself for perfect grades. I need to enjoy the moment as well as plan for the future.  

What is that future?

I think I found it. 

I will complete my degree in Chemistry as planned. I will minor in anthropology as well. Finally when it is time for Richard to move on to his post doctoral studies, I will apply to PhD programs in anthropology.  Yes,  you read that correct. I've done some soul searching and I am enamored with anthropology.  I aim to tie my subjects together with emphasis on radio carbon dating. I love learning and talking about the past. It fascinates me. I feel a renewed sense of purpose for my education. It's refreshing. 

Most of all though, I am going to remember to live! 

Physics is designed to crush souls

I am DROWNING in a sea of school work and life. If I survive this semester then I will be amazed. One would think putting so much pressure on someone like myself will only crack me. I am in tears when I do my physics homework. I never took this course in high school and this is my first introduction to it. One might thing, but Christine, your husband is a budding physicist!?!?!?

Too true, I should be overflowing with joy at the resources before me. Yet he is kept so busy by his work and I am not an easy person to tutor. I think the pressure is getting to me and one this is certain. IF I make it through this semester, next semester I will not allow the department to load me with 16 credit hours! :(

Family

Let me start off by saying that I am feeling a little down at this very moment, but I promise to end on a positive note. I am a little stressed with classes, just overwhelmed with life, but in a good way. Second I am just in one of those sad moments where I remember the bridges burned 2 years ago...and honestly with some of my extended family I feel as though an outsider looking in.

I never felt like I really belonged with them, but to be exiled and shunned was a new level. Things were said that can never be taken back, which is unfortunate. Honestly, most of the time I am okay with it. I am so consumed with my kids and our life that I forget about those people who would occasionally dance into our lives every few months, but no longer care to... Today is just one of those days where I remember.

But enough dwelling on things I can not change!

To the happy news! Aurora and Johnny start soccer this week, got their gear and cant wait to go. Richard, their amazing step dad, will be assistant coach of Aurora's team! This man rocks, let me tell you, I am pretty darn fond of him ;) He wins the award for worlds best husband and step dad (at least in my book).

I received word that my degree application has finally been approved and processed. I officially have an Associates of Math and Science! Woot! On another front I am toying with the idea of double majoring in Chemistry and anthro..... at the very least minoring in anthro. I enjoy it and even considered it as a major at one point, but after doing a little digging about the future with that degree I decided to go another route.

Finally, we recently had family pictures taken and I am in LOVE with how they turned out. Check out this awesome photog, Michelle Voigt... She is amazing :)