The best gift I ever got was for Christmas when I was ten – my very first suture kit. I used it until my fingers bled, and then I tried to use it to stitch up my fingers. It put me on the path to becoming a surgeon. My point is sometimes the best gifts come in really surprising packages. -Meredith, Grey’s Anatomy

My favorite part of Christmas is seeing the looks on my loved ones faces when I give them their gifts. I love to make people I love smile or brighten their day. So in that spirit, I’m going to have my first ever Date Girl Diaries give away!! I wish I could give a gift to every one of my readers, but since there are about 80 of you, I’m going to have to pick just one. I told Match my idea of giving a gift to one of you, and he suggested we have a little contest. (more…)

Rodger Bailey: I’ve closed the surgery early, for Christmas!

Ben Harper: Are you totally insane? This is our busiest time of the year, all the cracked teeth from the nuts, the smashed mouths from all the office party punch ups. Yes, this is the dentist’s season to be jolly. -My Family

Sushi. Jazz. Alcohol. So. Much.fun. That was my work party this year. Its these once a year events that make me feel bad for wishing for a better career. I had such a blast at my company’s Christmas party! We had so many laughs-between my coworkers Santa hat and attached beard

to drinking far too much comped wine with my coworkers. I only wish we could have found a sitter for Monkey because we had fun and it was hard to come home. My coworkers had offered us a room at the hotel they were staying at, but it’s probably good that we didn’t. I woke up pretty hung over as it was! (more…)

When you walk through the door does it feel like you’re being slapped in the face by Christmas? -Marshal, How I Met Your Mother

My Match is definitely my soulmate in many ways, except when it comes to Christmas. He doesn’t get into the decorating the way my family does and it bums me out sometimes. He loves the family time and togetherness that is Christmas, but he doesn’t do the music, doesn’t like giving gifts, and the worst crime of all? He doesn’t like to decorate the tree!!! GASP! Why am I still with him you ask? Well…despite these enormous flaws, I love him dearly and he is the best boyfriend a gal could ask for. But I do wish they made some sort of Christmas spirit drink, because I’d be spiking his nightcap with it let me tell you! (more…)

Sheldon: Leonard is upstairs right now with my archenemy.

Penny: Your archenemy?

Sheldon: Yes: the Dr. Doom to my Mr. Fantastic, the Dr. Octopus to my Spiderman, the Dr. Sivana to my Captain Marvel…

Penny: OK, I get it, I get it…

Sheldon: You know, it’s amazing how many supervillains have advanced degrees. Graduate schools should do a better job of screening those people out. -The Big Bang Theory

This week I got accepted into graduate school (yay!) and spent about a day celebrating. Then reality set in. When I went to check the schedule of classes, the three prerequisite classes I needed were only offered during the day. Apparently the budget problems the school was going through means no night classes for me. Which means I can’t go. While financial aid covers my tuition, it won’t cover rent and other living expenses. I’m the sole breadwinner, and in this economy it just makes no sense to quit a well paying job to go back to school. (more…)

Berg: Ashley, what are you doing here?

Ashley: Well, it’s a women’s gym, so obviously I was in the back having a pillow fight in my panties. -Two Guys, A Girl, and a Pizza Place

I’ve been really enjoying hanging out with Outdoor Girl. I’ve wanted a gym buddy or girl friend I can be active with, and she definitely is. We have been going on weekly walks, and now she’s started going to the gym with me. It’s great to have a friend to motivate me when I don’t feel like working out.
Sunday we got together for our weekly walk, and then she helped me dye my hair. I went a shade darker than last time. What do you think? Don’t mind the fact that it’s a complete mess today. Just look at the color!  I love how they put so many vitamins for hair in the dyes now. My hair feels all soft and smooth. I was glad she was there to help me with it, because I am seriously clumsy and girl challenged. I would have gotten hair dye all over my face, I just know it!

We’re going to the gym again tonight, and I’m hoping to get on a regular workout schedule. Match is good about going with me, but it’s nice to have someone that does all of the same exercises as me. Match goes off and does his weights, but I need a cardio buddy! Plus the time flies when you work out with a friend. I love that Outdoor Girl actually works hard when we work out too, unlike Drama Chick who would want to do 20 minutes of easy bike pedaling and then call it a day! What about you all? Do you prefer to work out with a buddy or solo?