It's the weekend before finals....oh joy!  I am so excited - NOT!  I can't believe it is already that time of the year.  This semester was so hard, but it really did just fly by.  In my head, it should still be October.  Looking back, I have worked harder on my school work than I have ever worked before.  I really hope that my grades are evidence of that....not because I won't be happy (because no matter what, I know I gave it my all), but because I really want my parents to know that I am trying.  To them, if I get anything below a B (and even B's are considered bad to them), it means I was goofing off.  After having a pretty rough last couple of semesters, I really would like it if they could see that I made a complete 180.

So, the coffee shop is not going to happen.  I am not going to explain why, however, I can give you hints and you can put the information together on your own.  I can't elaborate for police/detective reasons.  Basically, somebody got ahold of my identity and has committed identity fraud and that same somebody stole my cell phone and credit card.  That certain somebody is going to go to jail.  That certain somebody hurt me badly - not because of financial damages, but because they stabbed me in the back.  Anyway, because of this incident that occurred, there will be no coffee shop - at least that I am going to take part in.

I just changed a tire for one of my neighbors.  It was really quite humorous.  For about 2 hours, I noticed him standing in our parking lot looking at his tire - kinda with a clueless look.  Then, I got out of my shower, and he was then joined by other fraternity brothers of his.  Lol.  I went outside to take my puppy out and asked how it was coming.  My neighbor told me that they had no clue what they were doing - I thought they were kidding.  Isn't that a requirement to be in a fraternity?  To at least know how to change a tire?  Fact is, I think he knew how to change one on a different car, but not this one....at least, that is the benefit of the doubt I am going to give to him.  So, anyway, I changed the tire for him.  He and his frat brothers were going to lunch, and he then could not get his car to start because the battery died.  Once again, who didn't know how to do it?  So, I jumped his car.  At least, I taught the guys how to do it to save them from future humiliation.  I am sure it looked quite funny to cars driving past seeing guys in letters standing around watching a girl do this.  Ladies, I bloodied a knuckle and knee for us, but I showed them that girls can do it, too...and, in this case, girls sometimes know more than guys about cars.  Lol.  It was entertaining for me and gave me the ego boost I needed to get me through the rest of this week.

After finals, I am going to go back to working at the hospital and working at McAlisters at night.  Whoo hoo.  Anyway, that's all for now!  Laterz and good luck on finals!

- Brooke

Wow.....SO much has happened since I last posted.  First, let me start with my biggest news.  As of this past Monday, I now own a business.  Yes, that's right....a business owner!!!  How crazy is that? The business is a coffee shop.  It will open on December 3 (3 weeks from this past Saturday).  It is called Coffee Crossing.  It's located on 1550 E. Oak St., Ste. 3.  For those who don't know where that is, go to Oak Street and go about one block past the Target and Chili's shopping center.  There is a car wash called Wet Willy's....directly across from that is a shopping center called Brookside Plaza (I think...).  It's the shopping center across from Wet Willy's, either way.  You should see us there.  We will offer specialty coffees, Italian sodas (the only place in Conway to do that), hot cocoa, cokes, steamers, biscuits and gravy, desserts (homeade dutch desserts and Sara Lee desserts), soups (Cajun soups in bread bowls), and a whole lot more.  Our coffees are specially roasted in Holland (we are the only place to do that).  Dowel Edbards is the coffee company we will use (for those not familiar, that is the best coffee you can get - the same coffee used in the Drake hotel, the Ritz Carlton, and all major cruise lines).  Our prices will be low.  We will also have a Cyber Cafe - we have 7 computers already there for customer use, a printer, and wireless internet.  We have the place set up in a restaurant style which means you get to come in, relax, and we come to you for everything - making sure you have the best experience.  We will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. every day.  So, for all you late studiers who need a place to go outside of Denny's - we will be there!  It's going to be so great!  If you want further info, feel free to message me or call me:  501-472-5442.  We do not have a phone line set up there yet, so we are using that number for all business calls.  Please spread the word - tell EVERYBODY!  We need to get the word out, especially with the new Starbucks.  I promise, our coffee and atmosphere is going to be so much better.  I don't want the business to go down because of a chain coffee shop that overroasts their coffees, overprices the items, and doesn't even know what they are doing. 

Anyway, needless to say, getting the business ready has been CRAZY!  We start painting tomorrow.  It's so exciting seeing this come together, but it is so exhausting - especially since I am still in school nearing finals and the holidays and I am still working my other job.  It will be more than worth it in the end.

My other news...my ex-boyfriend came this weekend to visit.  We had a long discussion about what we are.  We broke it off because we were both so busy with everything.  Then, he got a better job offer, and I told them that it would be best for him to take it - this meant he moved 3 hours away.  Well, anyway, we are still really good friends and keep in-touch regularly.  Him leaving made mine and his heart grow fonder.  The point is, we had a discussion about our status.  I asked him what he saw in me and where we were going, and he flat out told me that he wants me to marry him.  My jaw nearly hit the ground.  Yes, I can see myself with him, but I have NO desire of getting married anytime soon - let alone thinking about it.  He also gets a promotion to General Manager for Men's Wearhouse if he takes a job in Dallas, TX.  So, he wants to move, but he begged me to go with him.  He told me that he will pay for my last bit of school, buy out my business, and pay for me to live there.  In addition, he offered me a job at the store that will pay double the amount I will be bringing in.  Tempting offer, but my life, goals, and my business is here.  So, anyway, that was an interesting conversation.  Hopefully, things will work out - but, I definitely can't make any decisions to be in a relationship until this life of mine slows WAY down.

I am still not sleeping at all.  I stay so busy.  I am dropping weight like crazy because I am not eating because I stay so busy and stressed.  I bet, if I never dyed my hair, I would probably have gray in it by now. 

So, everybody, keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  And, definitely, spread the word about the business and come see us on our Grand Opening December 3.  Leave me some love!

- Brooke

Hey there.  Life has been supa crazy!  I have been studying like crazy.  It has now become routine for me to pull at least 72 hours without sleep straight every week (seriously).  I start walking around like a zombie.  I had 2 tests yesterday, and 3 today along with a speech and research project.  In one of my tests yesterday, I actually fell asleep.  It was an essay test, but when I regained consciousness, my whole page for the essay was filled, but not with sentences...just random words that did not go together.  The first line of the page went something like this:  "wealth 2nd graders prize marriage school coke."  It was the strangest thing I have ever seen or done.  But, I quickly got my essays done. 

I have taken off of work for two weeks.  I just can't do it anymore.  I spend every second studying.  People are continuously coming up to me telling me how they are worried about me - probably because I look like a crackhead.  I never eat or sleep - just study. 

I am SO excited it is Fall Break.  I am definitely partying it up tonight.  I am going to go to Little Rock first to go see a movie.  Then, I am going to come back where there are definitely supposed to be some funny drunk people waiting on me.  Tonight is my stress reliever.  The rest of this week is dedicated to studying and writing papers. 

Lately, so much drama is surrounding me.  I am trying to keep out of it, but it is drama between my friends.  Monday night, I was sitting outside with my neighbors for a second taking a break, and a guy I used to date came to get me.  I pulled me aside (actually, he started talking crap about someone, and I pulled him aside because I did not think it appropriate for others to hear that).  Anyway, he was mouthing this other person who is my friend, saying that he wanted to fight him.  Another one of my friends came over, and the guy I was talking to made a rude comment to her for no reason (actually, it was probably not meant to be rude but it definitely came out that way).  Anyway, an argument emerged, and this guy tried kicking the girl off of MY property.  Needless to say, that pissed me off - especially with the language he was using to tear her down.  She was yelling back.  They were both wrong in their actions, but he pushed my buttons.  Basically, I had to break in and use my full-fledged yelling to cut them off.  Then, I let both of them have it.  After that, I went and talked to each individually.  I talked to the guy and told him that he was never to kick somebody off of my property ever again.  I also told him that he is not to be disrespectful to my friends again - especially females.  This guy is one that gets violent when he gets mad, so I let him have it for that, too.  I told him how mature he was being and how he should have taken the higher road and not reacted that way.  I told him that I was sick of drama and did not need his in mine.  Basically, I ended by telling the entire group that was hanging out with us that if they have a problem with someone to just get over it.  I don't need to hear gossip and slander.  I will make up my mind on my own about how I feel about people.  Don't talk bad about my friends, especially, unless you are warning me of SERIOUS dangers ahead.

Did I mention I am broke?  I am - very bad.  Any ideas of what to do to get quick cash?

Well, I just got a phone call, and I have to get agoing to Little Rock.  Talk to you later!

-Brooke