Last night, a few of us girls got together for dinner. While there, the host suggested some "relationship building" activities. She had us each write our names on a piece of paper and pass them around to each person, who would in turn right something nice about each of us. It was an interesting activity. I tried my best to write something different on each person. For instance, "Blessed"...it's obvious that she's a great singer, so I avoided writing that. Instead, I wanted to pick the unobvious...something that would surprise her when she read it. I wanted her and the others to think "Hmm...i didn't know Sue thought/felt that way about me." I was pleased to get my paper back. Most of the girls wrote the same thing on mine in various ways. "I'm funny and they like how I write." I pretty much expected to see those comments because that's how I'm usually described. "Sue's so funny." or "oh...Sue, the writer?" Not that I mind either...

But one comment kinda surprised me. It was from the newest member of the group. She said, "you're different...in a good way, of course." I hear this a lot from my friends who have known me for a long time. I never really fully understood why I get that comment a lot, and I guess in all honesty, I've never questioned why. But, when someone who hasn't been around me that long said it, I started to wonder what made me different.

It's really odd...this whole getting older thing...and for the 2nd time this week, I'm realizing that. In high school and college it was my goal to be different than other Malu kids. So hearing people tell me I'm different would have made me very happy back then. But lately, I just find myself wanting to be like everyone else around me. I don't want to be categorized as different...and I found myself on a quest today of trying to discover what sets me apart.

I'm not sure if I discovered the answer. Most of my friends don't like to elaborate on their opinions....they just say, "I don't know. You're just different." One told me that "I march to the beat of my own drum rather than that of those who try to beat it." I guess what they're trying to say is that it's not a bad thing. I never thought that it was.

I guess after 31 years of being a non-conformist, I kinda want to conform. I dont want to be an odd duck anymore. I know it's wrong to want to be like other people...I know it's weird to have an identity crisis at 31...Maybe I've lost more than a few pounds this year...maybe I've lost my mind too. I'm the girl who preached about not living "cookie cutter" lives...and now I'm trying to squeeze myself into the cookie cutter. Maybe I just need therapry...or maybe just a nap.

Sue's Favorites...

Since the year is rapidly coming to a close I thought I'd do a "Sue's Favorites" blog (in my attempt to be like the queen of TV, Oprah Winfrey) Unfortunately, I'm not rich enough to send you guys a sample of everything listed here. But, I was kind enough to post pics of each thing. Be ever-so-grateful! With that being said...My favorites:


My favorite song of 05 is "Collide" by Howie Day. I had the opportunity to see this in concert, but alas, no one to go with. Such tragedy!


I only read two whole books this year. I know...it's a shame! Since it took me approximately 20 minutes to remember what the heck the other book even was, I decided "In Her Shoes" definitely got the award for my favorite book of 2005. I read this thing while driving, walking, etc..etc...i couldn't put it down!


My favorite movie at the box office. I watched it on Monday, and I thought it was T-riffic. Beautiful imagery...something you don't see often in a movie.


Favorite movie that I rented in 05. "Crash" is definitely one of the best movies I've ever seen. It really showed how no matter how much we try to say we're different...the human nature within us is all the same.


favorite flog meetup of 05! how cool to see almost all of us in one spot for one picture.


my favorite and most funny moment of 2005...no explanations needed. =)


my favorite spot visited in 2005. dip cafe in nyc...awesome fondue lounge with THE best key lime martinis!


my favorite purchase of 2005...Mousse


My favorite picture...taken in Nassau, Bahamas.




Favorite additions to the family...Neesha and Bobby got married in February. Neesha's been a blessing to the family...especially to me because her niceness rubs off on CCL occasionally. Lauren and Joshua are just a few months (April and June) apart...I hope they're this close when they grow...



Favorite additions to the circle of friends. I don't know how Ashley and Sheryl landed Jessy and Sujith, but I'm glad they did. They're both awesome, and I can't wait to spend more time with them in 06. (Especially Sujith...Sheryl, feel free to stay home. ;)

And there you have it, folks...the best of 05!

The parking lot looked sparce this morning. I'm quite sure the majority of my colleagues were home nestled under warm covers smiling in their sleep because they don't have to go to work all week! I, on the other hand, was pressing snooze profusely until I had no choice but to get up and get ready else be late for work. It seems a bit hard to accept that Christams has come and gone. All that planning, buying, wrapping...and the day ends so quickly!

This weekend will also come and go in a blur. Friday night the cousins will start coming in from far and near to pay us Oklahomans a visit! I'm looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward the removal of all things sweet from this office, so I can return to my calorie counting!! As I sit and munch on cinnamon gummy Santas I think about all the weight I've gained through the holidays and shudder to think how painful it's going to be to get back on track!!

I had an interesting experience this weekend, which has led to several interesting discussions about love. I think everything changes when you get older....your expectations, your wants and needs, and your reactions. I'm not sure if everyone agrees with me. But ten years ago, I was looking for butterflies and romance. The chase and the game were fun and challenging and bad boys definitely piqued my interest. Nowadays, it's totally different. I don't have time to chase or play games...romance and flowery words/gestures aren't as important as COMMITMENT, loyalty, trust. I never really realized how age changes thing...not just your appearance, but your outlook, needs, opinions, etc.

On the Eve of Christmas Eve...

Here we are on the Eve of Christmas Eve....It's been the longest week EVER and I'm quite sure today will be a long day. My heart bleeds for those of you who are anxiously wishing away the hours at work today. I feel your pain. I've noticed that flogs and blogs have been kinda scarce lately. I know that I haven't posted in days...people seem a little blue. Isn't that odd? It's supposed to be the happiest/peaceful month of the year. But, so many people lack the happiness and peace that should be abundantly overflowing from our pores right about now.

I'm not sure what it is about December. For me, it's the time I look back at the year, and see how far I've progressed. Since I'm my own worst enemy...I typically look at how LITTLE I progressed. I think I'm just too tired to hope and dream for next year...to vow that things will be different...that things will take a turn and start happening. This year, I have decided to kinda let go and let God.

Don't get me wrong...I'm not giving up. I'm still going to search through job ads, pray profusely...but i'm not going to beat myself up...i'm not going to get depressed...i'm not going to spend countless hours hoping and wishing...i'm just going to do the best I can at what I'm doing now, and trust that God will open doors for as He sees fit.

Every day on my way to work I listen to two morning dj's...one who pretends to be Santa and the other, who acts like his faithful elf. They talk to kids who call and want to give Santa their Christmas list. It dawned on me that kids are becoming more high maintenance...and more expensive. I've decided that in order to escape all the commercialism of Christmas, I will teach my children that it's better to give than receive...and devise some sort of plan to teach them this lesson. I figure I have a while to come up with this plan.

In the meantime...I thought it'd be kinda fun to make my own grown up Christmas wish list. Of course, I'd want peace on earth and goodwill towards all men. But, that's not what this list is about. This list is about pure unadulterated greed...and what I'd want for myself if there really was a Santa that flew through the night with 8 magical reindeer in order to provide me my every want and need. Here we go!...

A new car. I love my Honda CRV, but i have spent the past 7 years beating the crap out of it and now it's time to move on. An acura RS would suit me just fine. I know it's small, but I don't tote around an entourage anymore...so this will be perfect!

An Anna Sui ring. I know I just discovered this last week when my fellow flogger posted hers. But, I instantly fell in love with the idea of having my own perfect shade of lip gloss attached to my finger at my hour of need. Unfortunately, I live in cowtown USA and we dont' have a Sephora store...and all the online stores are sold out.

A wristlet. I've wanted one forever, but again...Cowtown USA doesn't have any that I've seen.

A camel hooded coat at GAP. I could kick myself in the head for buying the one at Pennies...that one is gray, which is ok...but the camel one is oh so cuter, the same price and lined with hot pink!!!! can it get any cuter? I was weeping when I saw it.

Gap also has 20$ cowl-neck sweaters on sale. I shoulda jsut picked one up, but i feel like i'm being selfish when I buy something for myself at Christmas.

An all expense paid trip to San Francisco. I want to try the West Coast this year instead of my annual excursion in NYC.

That's all...see I'm not too greedy. Just kinda greedy. ;)

To Cut or Not to Cut? That is the question...

I'm having hair issues again. I'm bored with my current do, and I'd like to find something new. (I didn't mean to rhyme) My hair is currently not short and not long. So my question is...should I grow it out or cut it short? To help me answer this question, I consulted my old pictures. I decided that either way I go, I'm screwed...so I might as well look into a weave. =/

In other news, it's Friday! Can I getta Ha-le-lu-jah? I'm going to spend the weekend shopping and wrapping and partying...as much I know how to party anyway. Since it's Friday, you know what that means...it's time for my shout outz!

First shout out for this funky, fresh Friday goes out to my pupster, Mousse. She made me so proud today! She hardly touched her breakfast this morning so I was a bit perplexed. Apparently she had an upset stomach. She ran to the back door and whined!! When I opened the door, she ran out and did her business! She's learning!!!!

To my forever friend Sherry P. When I asked her how her family spends Christmas, she shared her very special tradition with me. She buys a birthday cake that says "happy birthday jesus." On Christmas morning, the babies sing Happy birthday, eat the cake for breakfast, and open their one present each from mom and dad. Santa means nothing to them!

To Sherika Jenkins James Jacob who texted me saying she made a $100 on a grant. I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds good! Congrats!!

To poor DM who is sicky sick because he's been traveling non-stop since November. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Fudge is on the way to cure ALL your ailments.

To me...for coming up with the freakin cutest Christmas Card for Christmas 05. ;)

To the Illustrious Finuji for clueing me in to the conspiracy of the "others" who are plotting to take over OKC. I will NOT be one among you! Hell no...I won't go!

To next week and all the Christmas presents that should come rolling in from the Execs!

Have a fabulous weekend!

I figured I'd better post...it's been a while. I made my first batch of fudge last night. Oh my God...forget gold...I bet the streets of heaven are paved with fudge! I was watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the other night, and I thought to myself that if heaven looked like that, I might work extra hard to get there. I know, I'm horrible!

Work has been entertaining as of late. Don't get me wrong, I still hate it. But funny things have been happening around here. For instance, yesterday we had a meeting about the dress code. Apparently anyone who works in the executive offices must wear suits or professional dress 6 days a week. Considering, I don't own a suit and would look like a retard if I did, this proposes a problem. Some of the girls got in a tizzy about this. And said that the men never wear jackets...they take them off. So, they said, they'll just keep a suit jacket on their chair (regardless if it matches)..if that what it takes to comply with dress code. I am wearing a jean jacket today. I am highly doubtful that this qualifies with the "jacket" attire they were suggesting. Anyway, alllllllll this to say...one of the lawyers was kind of arguing the point. He leaned back in chair and was giving us all the differentiation between business attire and casual attire and the entire time his fly was open. I couldn't look at him in fear of DYING laughing.

Another funny incident occurred when I was riding in the elevator with this woman. Her hair looked like she got it cut with highlights, so I complemented her. She said, "thanks it's a wig." I didn't know what to say in response. 2 minutes later the door opened and she walked out and I still hadn't said anything. On the way up to my floor, I wondered why in the hellz people give out such information like that. Why wouldn't one just say thank you and move on with their lives?

Ahh well, it makes for some entertainment for me.

TGIF, people. The morning was flying by, but the afternoon is crawling by at a snail's pace. My head is throbbing to the beat of this song..."i don't want to work...i just wanna beat on a drum all day." have you heard that song? the radio station plays it on Friday, and it sticks in my head all day. =/ i've been off on track on my daily/weekly rituals lately. no words of the day...no Friday shout outs. i guess i was getting a bit bored with things. so to spice things up, i decided fridays would be a foreign word of the day. that being said...

Today's foreign word is:
Hausfrau -german- means housewife

Now for my shoutouts:

To Snackaway snacks...As a kid, i loved oatmeal cookies with the creme centers. I haven't had one in a longggggggg time. But thanks to Snackaway, which makes creme centers out of yogurt, I get to eat oatmeal creme cookies for merely 110 calories!!

To Bubba's Barbecue...it was my free lunch today. It's the best barbecue on this side of the mississippi.

To Scott Meacham, for issuing refund checks in Oklahoma. an extra 45$ never hurt anyone!

To Walmart, for carrying jewelry making supplies!!

To the BC...thanks to him, I have some free tickets to the Nutcracker again this year!

To my dog Mousse for learning to stay off the good carpet and for not having any accidents yesterday!

To the Illustrious Finuji for puppy sitting for me tonight!!

have a wonderful weekend, people...

I heard a very interesting fact on the radio this morning that stemmed this blog...

John Lennon was shot dead on December 8th, 1980.
Mayim Bialik (Blossom) is now a stay at home mom.
Sean Cassidy (70's teen idol) is the writer of the TV show Invasion.
Taji Mowry (cute little bro of Tia and Tamara) plays football for a university in Georgia.
Scott Baio (happy days) directs the TV show the Parkers. He also dated Pamela Anderson!
Debbie Gibson was a playboy pinup!
Both Jack and Kelly Osbourne were in rehab
Justine Bateman (Mallory, FAmily Ties) is a fashion designer
Marie Osmond has her own doll company
Chad Allen (Our house) is gay!!!

Pretty interesting facts, eh?

I've been getting quite a few complaints about not updating my blog. I don't know what it is about this time of year that pushes me into slow-mo. I have no energy to do much of anything...not even write. I know it's supposed to be the season of good cheer, love, joy, peace and all that jazz...but I typically get into a royal state of funk. There's something depressing about reflecting on the past 365 days of your life and realizing that once again...your goals, dreams, and aspirations for the coming year...are exactly the same as the goals, dreams, and aspirations you had the year before...and the year before that...and the year before that...and the one before that!!!! =/

Anyway, I will end this blog with some positivity....a glimmer of hope and joy.

The top ten things I love about the Christmas season....

I love that everyone bakes on the weekends. So on Mondays people bring cookies and fudge to work so everyone can have a taste test.
I love that it's the only time of year when I can find eggnog!
I love that everyone's in a rush and the streets and stores are busy, so even if you live in a slow paced town it feels like life in the big city.
I love to see all the unique and creative decorations people come up with
I love that I have an excuse to buy ribbon and lots of it.
I love Christmas music
I love that summer clothes are on sale for under 6$

I am sleepy. That's an understatement. I'm exhausted. The pupster kept me awake last night. While she cried endlessly, I searched frantically for a ticking clock. Finally I just took one off the wall and placed it on her carrier. Within minutes, she was fast asleep and so was I!!!

I was just about to fall asleep behind the computer when my co-worker reminded me that it was time to go down to the party. Today's AF's 45th birthday, so in honor of the milestone they had cupcakes, icecream, games and goody bags filled with toys and candy for all of us. With no time to play games, I scurried off with my goody bag and cupcake to find my officemates rummaging through their goody bags and trading toys and candy. I know what you all are thinking. "why does she HATE that job again?" I do. Enough said.

Tonight I will attempt to take Mousse for a walk, try my best to create a schedule for her, do some work that I'm behind on, and attempt to sleep at a decent hour. We shall see what all I accomplish from that list. =/