Tuesday, August 30, 2011

And the race begins

Yesterday was Day 1 of training for the White Rock half-marathon, or as I like to call it, The Half-thon.  It sounds kind of like a dinosaur.  (Velociraptors are my fave in case you were wondering.)

Yesterday was also Day 1 of running injuries... or was it Day 6?

My big toe started hurting last week when I went for a run with a friend.  I didn't exercise for a couple of days and it went away, but about 20 minutes into my run it started hurting again.  (Yes, I stretched.)  It hurts the most when I'm done running and it's just throbbing.  I'm guessing I should go see a doctor, but I don't want to stop running.  I need to train man!!

So I'm going to keep running until my foot falls off and then I'll go see a doctor.  After the Half-thon.  But really, I'm going to keep running and see if it goes away on it's own with stretching before and after and ice after. 

Tomorrow is my last day of living with Joe and Max.  I leave Thursday morning to get all my crap out of storage and by Saturday I'll be in my new home!!  YAYYYYYY!!!  I'm looking forward to being settled in my new place and having my dog around.  And having a full length mirror.  Standing on the tub hunched over trying to get a look at yourself in the mirror can be dangerous, especially in 4-inch heels.  AND YET I'M STILL ALIVE!!  It's a miracle, I tell ya!  My momma done raised me right.

Ok, back to work.  I have a million things to do before I have my 6 day weekend.  Yes, you read right.  Six days.  Pretty SA-WEET!!!  If you need me I'll be busy doing nothing.

Monday, August 29, 2011

It was a great weekend

Friday night I had friends over for some homemade chicken margharita pizza.  'Twas delicious if I do say so myself.

Saturday I woke up at Noon-thirty, hung out by the pool with friends and then went on a really fun date.  We had sushi at some fancy place with an automatic door.  Then we went to a bar to have fancy artisan beers.  I got Live Oak Hefeweisen...yum.  And then (yes there's more) we went to the Charlie Robison concert at the Granada Theater.  It was a great show and he was such a gentleman, opening my car door and everything!  Love that!  He hasn't called or texted so we'll see where this goes.  I'm not sure I'm over guy-I-was-hanging-out-with-frequently-in-Austin-but-there-were-no-labels and we have plans to hang out when I'm back in Austin this week sooooo I don't know.  He's in Austin.  I've lived and learned and don't do long distance.  It probably won't work out and I should just get over it.  Here's a picture of the concert!


Moving on.  Sunday I went to lunch with a friend of my dad's.  They went to high school in Michigan together and she now lives in Dallas.  It was really nice to catch up with her and I think we'll make it a normal thing.  She's a really smart woman and we have great conversation.  After lunch I hung out at my friend's dad's awesome pool.  She's house sitting his fancy house and we get the perks of the place!

My stepdad has a really dry sense of humor.  He regularly sends me pictures of my dog, updating me on his adventures.  I get these texts about once a day, sometimes more.  I think it's his way of reminding me that he still has my dog so I don't forget to bring him back to Dallas with me when I finally get a place of my own.  Yesterday he sent me this picture:
It was accompanied with the text "Photo of dog, he ran away"

I start flipping out wondering where the hell my dog is and respond asking him that.

He sends me this picture:
"He just ran to the next room out of the picture"

So my dad was trying to take a picture of the dog and he ran off, yet he still took the picture?!?  Hahaha ridic!!

I can't wait to have my baby here in Dallas with me!  We move into the new place on Saturday.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Oh hey there

Hey there blog!


...Walp, see ya later!

(PS: Dallas is pretty awesome.)

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Why my dog is a badass

Other title options: Everyone who doesn't like my dog can suck it!

Last night Cooper was a badass.  He woke up my mom at 5:30 in the morning barking his head off.  (Wait, it gets better.)  This is sort of normal as my dog isn't quiet.  At all.  Ever.  It's fine. 

She gets up to let him go outside, thinking maybe he just needs to do his business so they can both go back to sleep.  He runs outside, still barking, and then runs straight back inside, still barking.  They go back upstairs and he stares out the window looking into the street, still barking.  My mom sits next to him to see what he's barking at and sees a man get up from behind our car that's parked on the street and run to a car a couple houses down, jump in and take off with the lights off. 

Someone was trying to steal the car and Cooper must have sensed something wasn't right.

He may be deaf, but damnit, he's a guard dog and he's protective of his people. 

I love my little baby and am so proud of him for guarding his grandma while I was away!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Movin' and Shakin'

This is the big day...moving day!  I've "hired" a bunch of friends to help me move all my crap (seriously, how do I have so much stuff!?) to my storage unit tonight.  I'm paying them in pizza, beer and love!

Once that miserable task is over (it's like, the millionth day of being over 100 degrees in Austin) I'm going to play all weekend.  I have plans to go downtown with friends on Friday and Saturday night, and on Saturday afternoon my mom and I are going to see Pooh (she's been begging me to see it with her since she found out about it) and have dinner.  At some point I need to get a haircut too.

Oh, and I think I have an ear infection.  Gross, I know.  Whatever.  I'm going to the doctor tomorrow morning so she can make the pain go away.

Bloggy Bracelet Swap

When I get to Dallas I'll post about the bloggy bracelet swap from my new fancy iPad!  (Mom, please don't tell Dad.  I wanted to spoil me because I got a raise!  Let a girl live!)  Sorry to Tyler and Meredith (I don't know your blog!) for being so behind!!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Ten things about me!

True story: I love questionnaires.  I love filling out forms.  It's strange-- I know this, but I'm never upset at the doctor's office when I have to fill out my medical history.  It's fun for me! 

I found these questions on the Healthy Tipping Point blog.

What do you have next to your bedside table?

My cell phone (which doubles as my alarm clock), the most recent book I'm reading and a fresh glass of water.  Water that's been sitting out tastes funny to me.

Do you have a tattoo?


Yes.  On my left wrist I have a tattoo in white ink that says "TRUST GOD."  I got it in college when I was going through one of the hardest times in my life and needed a little reminder.

Do you believe in abstinence prior to marriage?

With the experiences I've had I wish now that I had saved myself for marriage, but life happens!  I don't look down on anyone who has sex prior to marriage at all and I don't think it's something that can be judged.  Everyone is in charge of their own bodies and their decisions are theirs to make.

What is your worst habit?

My worst habit is not focusing on the moment.  I'm always thinking about the future and I need to relish the "now" more often.

How do you handle finances in your relationship?  Or, how would you like to handle money in your future relationship?

My relationship is me, myself and I (and Cooper) and we'd like to save more but usually spend spend spend and have a ton of fun doing it!  I do plan to start saving for my retirement in 2012 (5 short months away!) but other than that as long as my checking account isn't over-drafted I'm a happy camper.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

I like my name a lot, but I love exotic names.  Mostly supermodels have these like Gisele and Alessandra and Naomi.  I also like classic names like Catherine and Elizabeth. 

Where do you want to go on your next vacation?


Iceland.  Ever since I saw this picture I've wanted to go and recently Melissa of May December posted about her trip so now I want to go even more badly!

What is one political cause you feel strongly about?

Foster children-- the ones still in the system and the ones aging out.  So many children are not well cared for and don't have the necessary support that children with families (even broken ones) have.  My heart breaks for these children and I would love to be a foster mom one day, and I actually would love to adopt as well.  If you'd like to help my uncle's non-profit that benefits children aging out of the system, there's more information here.

Have you ever stolen anything?

I had this stage in sixth grade where my friends and I would go to the mall and steal from lots of stores.  I took some perfume and bracelets and then felt really guilty and gave them to other friends because I didn't want to be caught with them by my parents.

Tell us something embarrassing about yourself.

This is kind of gross but it makes me laugh.  (WARNING: If you don't like fart jokes, stop reading now.)  I was sleeping in the same bed as my then-boyfriend one night and I guess whatever I had eaten for dinner didn't agree with me.  I was abruptly awoken twice in the night by a really loud fart...from me.  I was mortified!!  But looking back it's absolutely hilarious.  Thank goodness he never said anything.  Hopefully he just slept through it!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Planning my life

I don't know why I try.  Every time I try to plan my life I get smacked in the face with some huge change.

Exhibit A: I was totally in love with the college boyfriend and thought we were going to spend our lives together.  Well, that didn't happen and it was absolutely for the best.  Being single post-college has been the best thing that could have happened to me.  I've grown up, learned a whole lot and finally feel secure being a single adult.  I'm happy!

Exhibit B:  I moved to Florida to get away from Texas (post break-up with college bf) and start a new fancy pants career.  Well I definitely got away, but I didn't get the new fancy lifestyle I'd imagined myself having.  I was living with my aunt, uncle and tween boy cousin (do you have any idea how disgusting it is to share a bathroom with a 13 year old boy?!).  I didn't connect with anyone my age at church.  I was depressed and gained weight like crazy.  But what I thought was a terrible move actually made me grow as a person.  I would never have moved there if I had stayed with the college bf.  Florida was where I really learned to be content with being alone and it also helped me realize how much I want to help people.  I love marketing-- it is so fun for me and doesn't feel like a job, but my passion lies with helping people and without the experience of working with a non-profit for foster children I would never have known that.
 And yes, this is an actual picture I took in Florida on one of my last nights there.  I may not like living there but it sure is gorgeous!

Exhibit C:  My plan after living in my apartment for another year was to buy a house in Austin on my own.  I never in a million years would have thought that I would be buying a house all by my big girl self, but after living in an apartment for the past couple of years I'm ready to live in a house!  With a washer and dryer IN the house!  But once again plans change and now I'm moving to Dallas.  Who knows?  I could be buying a house in Dallas in a year, but this was not the plan and that's ok.  I'm so excited to be moving and even more excited to meet tons of new people there!  And I'm trying not to plan too far ahead :)
Congratulatory flowers from my wonderful Florida family!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

New Beginnings

This weekend was absolutely amazing!  My wonderful childhood friend came in town to visit me with her sweet baby boy.  She is incredible.  The woman is pursuing her Masters in Nursing, has a part time job in nursing and has a four month old babe all while her hubs is in Afghanistan fighting for our country.  I am seriously amazed at the strength she has and she is such an inspiring mother.  It makes me tear up because I am so proud of her and so lucky to have her in my life.

Enough gushing...let's talk about her little bug!  He is such a sweet baby and we seriously stared at him for longer than is healthy most of the weekend.  We took him swimming for his first time and he floated on his own!  GENIUS, this kid, I tell you!
I died when he laughed.  His smile is absolutely precious!  Ignore the fuzziness...it's hard to hold a baby and take a picture at the same time!
We went shopping at the mall and Whole Foods since there is nothing like that in the middle of nowhere where she lives.  Damage was done.  Also, the Biebs made an appearance at Dillard's!
 In completely unrelated news, I'm moving to Dallas in two weeks!  I came in Monday and my boss told me she needed to see me in her office in 15 minutes.  I was thinking I was about to get in trouble but had no idea why.  It was completely the opposite.  The Marketing Director was on a conference call with her and wants me up in Dallas as the Marketing Assistant.  YES!  Yes, I will be there thank you thank you thank you!! 

I am so happy that my hard work is being recognized by my firm.  I've been here for about a year and a half and everyone here knows I'm not here to be a career receptionist-- I need to do more than sit at a desk and answer phones.  This is so exciting for me! 

I haven't been able to tell my mom because she's in Europe and not answering her cell or email (who could blame her?), but when she gets back and I leave five days later she will surely be in for a shock.  She'll be proud and supportive, of course, but we're incredibly close so this is a huge deal for us.

Now I just need to find someone to take over my lease, find a new apartment in The Big D and get to packing!

Dallas, here I come!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

My current theme song


When I first heard this song I thought it was pretty, but then I listened to the lyrics and it's a good theme song for my life right now-- all about the fun and freedom of being young and single but with a tone of uncertainty.  That's me in a nutshell.

Since I'm turning 25 this year I've been in freak out mode a bit, but I'm slowly starting to come to terms with the fact that it's ok that I'm not where I thought I'd be when I was younger.  My aspirations are still acheiveable, and it's not the timing that I had planned, but I'm incredibly happy, surrounded by amazing friends and family who support me through the good and bad and I'm looking forward to what lies ahead of me.

This is a way healthier place than I was at just last month.  As I get nearer to my 25th birthday, I realize I have so much to be thankful for.  Next weekend one of my oldest friends is coming in town and I get to meet her baby boy!  A year ago she was here in Austin visiting me for a friend's bachelorette party and now she's a mom.  That wasn't the plan.  But it's life and we're living it, and I'm ecstatic to meet her son. 

A strange new experience last night was calling a friend of mine to babysit for when my friend and her baby come in town.  The girl that I called has babysat for me when I was unable to babysit, and I know she's trustworthy because I worked with her during the 2010 election.  The strange part is she is good friends with a girl I babysat for when I was a junior in high school, and she's now babysitting for my friend's baby.  It's a weird world.

Lyrics to "Good Life" by One Republic

Woke up in London yesterday
Found myself in the city near Piccadilly
Don't really know how I got here
I got some pictures on my phone

New names and numbers that I don't know
Address to places like Abbey Road
Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want
We're young enough to say

Oh this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life
A good, good life

To my friends in New York, I say hello
My friends in L.A. they don't know
Where I've been for the past few years or so
Paris to China to Colorado

Sometimes there's airplanes I can' t jump out
Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now
We are god of stories but please tell me
What there is to complain about

When you're happy like a fool
Let it take you over
When everything is out
You gotta take it in

Hopelessly
I feel like there might be something that I'll miss
Hopelessly
I feel like the window closes oh so quick
Hopelessly
I'm taking a mental picture of you now
'Cuz hopelessly
The hope is we have so much to feel good about

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Screw sad

I just read this and now I want to make my own gratitude list.  Ima think about this today and get back to you.

Also, still no pictures.  Blogger is sucking today, but I'm grateful I can tell you that via Blogger!  (See, I'm trying.)

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Wedded Bliss

Julie and Ron's wedding was beautiful.  Julie looked gorgeous.  Ron was absolutely beaming at his bride, and Moxie was running around like a lunatic.

It was perfect.

My favorite picture I've seen from the night is of us girls laughing about "fashionable leggings."  I am so incredibly thankful to have met the girls that Julie chose to share this momentous occasion with, and I'm so happy for Julie and Ronald.

[Photo courtesy of Julie & Ron's friend, Aria]

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Look what I did today!



Who wants to get married?  

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Recent Goings On

A lot's been going on lately.  Most of it involves a pool and copious amounts of suncreen and cocktails.

Here are some pics from recently:
 Accidentally brought a little surprise to the office!  It was in my purse from the weekend and made me lolz.  And that damn Netflix!  I never return it and always end up paying, like, $5 for one night.  Argh!

 Found this freaky thing at a gas station.  It reminded me of one my best frands because it is a cat...and has a UT koozie.  She's flattered, I'm sure.

 Made this lil' guy for my work frand and then her bee-eff was jeal, so I made him one too!  Good news...you can make one yourself!  I would recommend rounding out the velociraptor's back, otherwise he looks deformed.

 My sweet baby monster at Blues on the Green.  Bob Schneider played.  It was hot.  There were a ton of people.  It was hot.


 
Sweet glow stick earrings my frand got for me from the mom sitting next to us.  I matched the 4 year olds and looked way cooler than all the 24 year olds.

Besides that I've helped some friends move in 100 degree heat and have been preparing for one of my best frand's wedding this weekend.  It's going to be a blast!  I'll actually take pictures so that you can see how much fun I'm having and not have to rely on weird pictures I take on my phone.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Songs I've been likin'

I'm not the person you go to for the newest song that no one's heard of.  I'm the person that hears a song about a year later than everyone else and then replays it over and over until you're tired of it again a year after you heard it for the first time.

These are the songs I've had on repeat for the past couple of weeks:
 Starry Eyed by Ellie Goulding


Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People (thanks for introducing, Steph!)


If I Die Young by The Band Perry


Cameras by Matt and Kim (again, thanks to Steph.  She has good taste in music!)


Listen and enjoy!  The one by The Band Perry is kind of depressing but really pretty.  The rest make me want to dance!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Swimming in Summer

This past weekend I babysat quite a bit.  I babysit for this wonderful family with the sweetest kids.  I think I say that about all the kids I sit for-- I love 'em so much!

Well, this particular time I babysat for them was quite possibly the easiest job ever!  When I arrived their dad needed to do some work and wanted to get the kids out of the house so we went to see Rio at the movie theater.  It was a pretty good movie and the kids loved it-- see?  Easy!

On our way back home while I was driving the family's sweet Lexus GX 460 (I want one!), the little girl asked me if we could go to the pool when we got back.  Um, yeah!  I wasn't wearing my swim suit for nothing!  Then she asked me what country club pool I went swimming at. 

I actually don't belong to a country club, my dear.  

Then how do you swim?! 

She was so concerned that I didn't have a place to swim, poor girl.  It made me laugh though.  She seriously thought that if you didn't belong to a country club there was nowhere for you to swim! 

I'll be ok though...my apartment has a sweet pool that I plan to frequent this summer.
Yep, that's my pool!  :)

[image]

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Take un segundo...

and vote for this chick's grandmama!  Lauren Modery writes the blog Hipstercrite.  She's really funny, is terrified of living on the East side of Austin and seems pretty cool.  Way cooler than me, that's fa sho.

She nominated her grandma for Good Magazine's People to Admire.  No, I haven't heard of Good Magazine either, but that's not the point.  She post funny stories and videos of her grandma and her grandma's boyfriend who's got Alzheimer's.  She also writes about things the happen around her humble abode (i.e. the East side) and life in general.  It's entertaining.

Just go vote, kthnxbai!

PS:  It's June?  Whaaaaa?

PPS:  This picture.  Jenn, Jess and the chick in purple's face combined with sexay band-aid knee. 

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Fight Club = My Blog?

The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.

Since the internet isn't real life I think of my blog sort of like fight club.  I think that's how most of my life goes.  I want people to want to know and care about my life on my blog, but I don't really want to talk about it when I'm in the real world.  Make sense?  No?  That's ok.  I don't really make sense most of the time anyway.  NBD, yo! 

Know what does make sense?  Brad Pitt betches! 

Why hello there...  (That is Brad, right?  I can't tell through that incredibly brooding expression he's giving me.)

I hope everyone had an awesomely amazingly superb weekend.  Mine was all that and more.

We went to a friend's ranch, shot guns, drank beer, floated in a baby pool, wore American flag bikinis and boots, ate lots of yummy nom noms, had a midnight dance party with glow sticks (and put glow sticks on the barn cat-- MEOW!), played jenga, relaxed in a hammock, made new friends and celebrated America for three days straight.  Thanks to all of the military heroes, you sexay G's...



[image]

Thursday, May 26, 2011

I'm peeved...I think.

Kells, this is a post about my emotions.  Just warning ya!

You know how there are those families that always seem to have drama going on?  That's my family.  We could be on Springer, no joke.  Both sides too!  I come by my crazy honestly.  :)

A cousin of mine is getting married this weekend in Houston.  The entire family was invited...except me.  I am literally the only other family that they have in Texas.  Everyone else is in Michigan, Illinois, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

We had a falling out after I moved out of our apartment my senior year.  Then when my dad died it brought us together again and it seemed like we had moved past what had happened the year before.  Long story short, money can make people do really dumb things.

I thought that while we weren't friends anymore, we were family and that meant that we were invited to family events like weddings and reunions and births and deaths.  Obviously I was wrong. 

[Sidenote: We have daily family emails updating everyone on what we're up to.  Some of my family members get really tedious and include what the weather is like in their town and what they made for dinner.  It's cute and makes me laugh.]

In an email a while back my aunt told the family that my cousin was engaged and was getting married in May.  I didn't think anything of it when I didn't get an invitation because honestly, I had forgotten when her wedding was going to be.  Then this past week everyone keeps talking about going to Texas and wedding and congratulations to her.  It was then that I realized that my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail.  I should really write a strongly worded letter to the postal service.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

A little tip for salespeople

...Don't ask me how I'm doing.



Me: "Good afternoon.  [Insert name of company]."

Them: "Hello there, ma'am!  How are you doing on this fine day?" 

Me: (Oh great, a sales call.)

No one cares how the receptionist is doing today.  Why not just start out like all the clients do and ask for the person you want to talk to?  No, I won't let you talk to them, but I will send you to their voicemail.

So, how you doing today?

[image]

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Where's the faith?

I feel like my generation has a serious lack of faith.  It's not just Christianity but any religion.  Most of my very best and closest friends are Atheists.  We've had the talk or have silently come to the conclusion to not discuss religion, just like I don't talk politics with friends who vote differently, so I'm not going to go into my thoughts on some of my best friends not being religious at all.

It's so weird to me though how a large number of people in my generation don't align with any religion.  My Jewish friends are Jewish-ish.  Sure, they were raised that way but they don't go to a synagogue nowadays.  And a handful of my Christian friends attend church or bible study, but even I don't attend regularly.

I'm at the point dating this guy that things like religion are popping up in conversation.  He doesn't believe in God.  I do.  Wholeheartedly.  I don't think it's going to work out since we have such opposite views.  I mean, he thinks I'm worshipping nothing, right?  If Atheists believe there is no higher power then essentially he would think I'm completely foolish for attending church and going on mission trips and even reading the Bible.  Can it work out if you have different religious views?

Not to get all future-y on you, but I plan on raising my children in a Christian household.  What would he say to that?  Why doesn't the perfect (and I mean perfect) guy just fall out of the sky?  I've been praying long and hard for that.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The only thing to do when you're broke...

Stop spending and make more money!


That means I have to get a second job.  I've been trying really hard on not spending any more money, but with all of my bills (four different student loan payments [Yes, I've consolidated as much a possible.  No, no one told me you couldn't consolidate private loans.], credit card payment, rent, electricity, car and renters insurance, phone) plus food and gas, there isn't much money left over.  And I'm just making the minimum payments!

My new job (technically I still have to train for it and see how I like it/if they like me, but I'm not worried about it) is cocktail waitressing at a popular bar downtown.  I actually really like the bar and go there with friends when we go out, so I'm hoping it's going to feel more like a party than actual work.  I know I'll have to deal with obnoxious drunks and standing on my feet for a couple hours a night, and that could get really tiring but I hope overall it's a good experience.  My friend who works there didn't have anything bad to say about the job.

Oh!  And I get to wear shorts and tank tops!  Or basically whatever I want as long as I can wear a walkie talkie and move around.  I think it'll be a really good thing for me to be busy on weekend nights too, because I won't be out spending money-- I'll be making it! 

Money money money...money! 


I've recently started tracking all of my spending thanks to a gift from Kellsey.  I spend a lot of money going out.  A lot.  A lot Alot.  I honestly don't know how to not spend money when going out.  That sounds ridiculous.  I'm aware.  But it is seriously so hard to not spend money.  Everything I want to do costs money!  I guess my only solution is to not be available to go out and work instead!  :)  Whatever works, right?

Friday, April 22, 2011

This is a perfect moment

It embodies complete happiness to me.  I love the yellow dress of the woman and the genuinely surprised smile of the bride.  It's wonderful!

Says the bride: “This was the only moment of anxiety all day: I was late to make my entrance into the church, and everyone was waiting. The street was empty except for this vibrant stranger, an old lady who was clapping and shouting ‘Congratulations!’ over and over. She made me smile."

Thursday, April 21, 2011

"It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live"


I never thought I'd be where I am right now struggling to pay my bills, living on my own, dating and not married.  I had this perfect vision of my life that I'd carried with me throughout high school and college.  In fact, when I was in high school our teacher my junior year had us write a letter to our future self outlining the dreams and aspirations we had five years down the road.  And in my letter?
  • college degree
  • married
  • living in my own house
  • great job
  • maybe kids
That's obviously not the case now.  Currently I'm
  • a college graduate
  • single
  • renting an apartment with a roommate
  • great job, but I have to get a second one to cover my bills
  • four-legged child
So I'm 1 for 4.  I'm not happy where I am now, but I'm not too upset about it either.  I would say I'm more complacent.  I enjoy my life.  I have a wonderful group of friends, and while they have no idea what I'm really going through, I know that they're supportive of me.  I also really love my job and the people I work with.  I've been given wonderful opportunities at work and the doors keep opening for me to continue to do more.  That is such a blessing.  And I've dated great guys, but it's never worked out.  We either grow apart or, all too often, live apart.  I like a guy right now so much, but he lives in a different city.  I don't see how a relationship can blossom when I see the dude once a month, if that.  Plus, after my last relationship I told myself I'd never be in another long distance relationship.  This is never where I saw myself when I was the idealistic, carefree high school and college student.


I think I need to get out of this rut I'm in.  A big help would be to decrease the stress level, and that will come with a second job.  When I'm not constantly stressing over my money situation and having to borrow from my mom, I'll feel more independent.  Right now there's a tether continuing to hold me to my parents because I have to rely on them for gas, groceries and care for my dog.  I also think going to church more than once a month would be a big improvement on my attitude.  Church makes me happy.  Art also makes me happy whether I'm creating or enjoying it.  And singing!  Singing probably makes me the most happy.  I sing to my deaf dog all the time.  He loves it.  I swear.

Wish me luck on my job hunt for a second job!  It'll only be part time.  I'm thinking either bartending or working at a boutique.  It doesn't really matter what it is as long as this girl makes some money!  And fast!

[Quote from the late, great Albus Dumbledore; photos from We Heart It]

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

I love the sky

I don't think many people know that about me.  I think it's the most beautiful thing on Earth-- the sky. 

There's endless mystery.  I love that about it.  There could be worlds out there that could hold all the answers to all the questions we have here on Earth.  Is there a God?  Is there a cure for cancer?  For AIDS?  How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

This video inspires me.  It's focus on the awesomeness of the sky, night or day, is stunningly and beautifully captivated by Terje Sorgjerd.

Enjoy.

The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Bad mood

Why is that I can have an awesome weekend, a great end to the weekend and still wake up in a terrible mood?  Actually, I think I woke up in a good mood, but then as soon as I got to work, looked over my miserable finances for the rest of the month and got sass from a co-worker my mood did a 180 degree turn.

I'm so annoyed and angry right now.  My mom called and told me she didn't want to go to my favorite restaurant (Frank's) because she doesn't like hotdogs.  That made it worse.  Basically anything anyone does right now will probably piss me off.

You should probably stay away.  And I'll listen to Eva Cassidy's and Alex Park's covers of "Imagine" on repeat until I'm in a better mood.


Friday, April 15, 2011

Da EFF Bomb

I'm going to consciously try to not curse anymore.  I know, I know...Lent is almost over.  But this is more of a lifestyle change than a 40 days and 40 nights and then I'm going to start dropping Da EFF Bomb everywhere again.  Nope.  I'm going to try to never curse again.

I really like the F word though.  It's so incredibly useful to describe a multitude of feelings.  It's an adjective, verb and noun.  I love that. 

But alas, you have to quit sometimes, and today is that day. 

It's also Tax Day, so that's fun.  This article was really interesting.  It's about the crazy spending Congress is doing and their complete lack at actually making any budget cuts.  I don't want to get into politics, mostly because I don't feel like dealing with discussions with family that go round and round and don't matter anyway, but something has got to change.


Happy Friday!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

I want to change up my apartment

My room used to be very girl meets "antique-y leopard print" in college, and then when I was tired of that I changed it to girly meets really girly and spray painted a bunch of my stuff hot pink.  I loved it for about nine months but now I want to change it up again.

I'm thinking I want a white washed theme to my entire room.  I'll paint my furniture white and glaze it to give it a worn-in look.  Holly from Life in the Fun Lane is a blogger who has the cutest style and an even cuter little girl and makes the most gorgeous furniture.  She takes furniture she finds at thrift stores and makes them into works of art.  I'm taking my inspiration from her.  I don't think I'll be able to make my furniture look as fabulous as hers, but I'm going to give it a try!

I also want to try to DIY a mirror like this:
It's made with starfish, but my lovely friend, Lauren, suggested I spray paint sticks to achieve the same look.  I think that's a great idea!

And I love the look of this all white on white bed.  It looks so calming and serene--I need more of that in my life.  I'm a constant stress ball of emotions.

That's what I'm thinking so far for the bedroom.  I also want to tackle this project for my balcony.  I think I need some color out there.  Some bleeding hears and violets should do the trick, along with some pretty ferns.

Now to find the time to actually do all these projects!

Photos from Centsational Girl-- a great place to get inspiration!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

So your friend's _______ died...

What do you do?

Don't tell them it's all in God's plan.  It's all in His hands.  That very well may be, but your friend just lost his dad/mom/aunt/grandpa/pet/etc.  That is not what they want to hear.  In fact, they probably don't want to hear anything.  They just want a hug.  Maybe if you're best friends you can say something like, "This really sucks.  I am so sorry," and then hug them.  Hugs are good and hugs are required.  Just hold your damn friend because their world was just ROCKED.

Another thing.  If it's a young girl or boy that has lost someone, DO NOT say something about how well adjusted they are or how they're handling it so well.  In fact, even if this person isn't young don't say that.  Death sucks and they're not bawling their eyes out because you're there, and most people don't like to show emotions to strangers.  They're not crying in front of you because they don't trust you, but they are not well adjusted to this SHOCK and they ARE NOT handling it well.  I promise.

DO NOT dismiss their emotions or lack thereof.  Death sucks.  Losing someone you love sucks.  And all your friend wants is your love and support in this shitty time.

[Inspired by this post and my own experience.]

Monday, February 21, 2011

Sometimes friends are bad at being friends

I know my friends love me, but they're so good at hurting my feelings sometimes.  I walked into dinner tonight and my friend asked me what I did to my hair in an extremely condescending tone.  Immediately, I wanted to turn around and leave.  It didn't get much better from there.

Once some more friends showed up they started poking fun at me.  I'm all for joking around, but when it gets to the point where you're the only one that's the butt of the jokes it starts to suck.  Tonight sucked.

I'm sure I'll be over it in a day or so, but I'm going on vacation with these people in three days for four days.  There will be nonstop friend-time with them so I think I'm going to need to break it up a bit.  I'm planning on bringing a set or two of workout clothes as well as a book so when I need some alone time I can go get lost for a couple of hours.

And can I just say I really like the color of my hair right now.  Sure, blonde is fun, but I think I make a pretty brunette as well. 

Friday, February 11, 2011

Love Stories

It is February after all--the lovers month--and I absolutely adore love stories, especially when it's old peoples' love stories.

This is one of my favorite videos of a sweet couple, Danny and Annie, that interviewed with StoryCorps to tell their love story.  It's heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.

Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

This collection of photos of old couples who have been married 50 years or more is sweet.

Now to start my own love story :)



[card from here]

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

Big change

Things are changing in my life.  The second I think I've got the answers, that I know how my life is going to go and start making plans God changes things.  I'm so thankful and at the same time so mad that I can't make things go exactly how I want to. 

"I understand that life, and family, does not always look the way we thought it would." from here

This song is inspiring me right now.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Why I'm Single

I think I've discovered exactly why I'm single.  I won't put up with guy's crap. 

I can't stand when they get pissy over stupid things.  Por ejemplo, a friend wrote on her blog about her boyfrand getting upset with her because he couldn't get in touch with her when her phone was malfunctioning, even after she had tried to contact him via every other social media outlet possible...and there are a lot of those.  Eff that.  I do not need you attitude, mister.  You can take that attitude with you out the door and not come back.  I don't deal with the kids I babysit being crybabies and I sure as hell won't deal with you being one. 

I need attention and I need a lot of it.  If you're not calling me to see how my day's going on the reg--if you're not telling me I'm pretty and that you love me--if you don't open my door, offer to pay for dinner (or lunch or breakfast or coffee--it's a meal, not a freaking engagement ring), or do something utterly gentlemanly then I truly want nothing to do with you. 

After talking to my baller frand, C-dawg, he came to the conclusion that sometimes I lower my standards but still hold high expectations.  I end up hurt and calling him crying telling him all guys suck.  So that's healthy.

But he's right.  I do lower my standards and allow myself to get hurt and then I get pissed off when I review the situation I've gotten myself into and realize exactly where I gave the guy the go-ahead to treat me like crap--aka where I decided my standards, the ones that I know I have and that make me happy when I uphold them and find a guy who actually adheres to my standards, were null and void and no longer mattered.

But no more.  I'm swearing off guys for at least a month.  Maybe two.  And during this time they might hit on me each time I go out and I'll just say, "Nope, I'm not seeing anyone right now...including you."  Or maybe no guys will talk to me, ask to buy me a drink, ask for my number.  And that's okay too because I'm just completely sick and tired of males and their bullshit and I'm tired of me dealing with it.

See ya in a month or two, dudes.

Friday, January 28, 2011

I want to win a trip!


I entered a giveaway that I'm truly in no way likely to win.  It's a giveaway for a trip for two to Panama City, FL and it includes all sorts of romantical things with it like dinner for two, massages, etc.  But us single girls like a free trip as well, so I decided to enter.

Here's my haiku:

A trip for two, eh?
Single girls like the beach, too.
A could bring a friend!

Hey, it's the best I could come up with in five minutes at my desk.

If you want to enter go here, but know that you have to take me since I told you about it!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Dear future children,

...I am so sorry...


...that you're going to have the most awesome mom EVAR! I realized this during my lunch when I was singing a little ditty to my pup.  He may be deaf, but that dog loves when I sing to him.  I swear.

Anyway, my song of choice this afternoon?  None other than this:



Bee-duble-ee-duble-arryewenn Beer Run

That's what my future babes have to look forward to.  Songs like this.  Because while "Wheels on the Bus" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" can get the job done, I prefer to sing songs that I enjoy.

And if I recall correctly (and I do), my mother's lullaby of choice for me was Guns 'N Roses "Sweet Child O' Mine," and look how I turned out!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Lesson Learned

At times I couldn't stand being in a sorority, but a handful of the friendships I made are so strong and the women so beautiful inside and out that I know that even though there were bad times (and oh, were there), in the end it was one of the best decisions of my life.  Weird that it took almost two years after college to realize that.  Thanks to my sisters who stuck with me through all the ups and downs.  I'm so glad that you're a part of my life.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Cherish your parents

...because one day they'll be gone.

I saw this video on this blog that I read and it's so incredibly sweet.  You can see the adoration the little girl has for her dad--how she lovingly looks up at him, tries so hard to get all the words right, asks mid-song if he can teach her to whistle.  Oh, and I love how she mimics how her dad whistles with his teeth.  Her dad obviously loves her, too.  He looks like such a caring, patient father while he's playing with his daughter.

<a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&from=en-us_msnhp&vid=ea6fa596-ec9f-4c7b-9422-2474408660bf&from=en-us&fg=dest" target="_new" title="'Home' By Dad And Daughter">Video: 'Home' By Dad And Daughter</a>

Now I swear I'm not getting all soapbox-preachery, but I think we take out parents for granted more often than not.  I know I'm guilty of doing so, and I've lost a parent so you'd think I'd know better.  But love them.  Because they love you so much.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Who knew folding T-shirts could be fun?

After watching this video I now want to go home and refold all of my t-shirts!

New Year's Rezzies -- Revisted

My 2011 resolutions were a bit of a fail from Day 1 (except for the bed--Thank you so much Dawn and Matt!!).  I'm going to continue to work on them though, but I also have some that I want to add!
  • Learn all of the words to "Devil Went Down to Georgia" -- I know, I know...I have lofty goals
  • Rid my life of flakey people and not be flakey myself. 
One of the things that most annoys me is people who say they're going to do something, and then they don't.  I realized (thanks to a wonderful old friend coming to my birthday party) that if someone says they're going to attend something or do something, then they should follow through and do it.  Even though my friend had clicked "Attending" on the Facebook invite, I expected her to not come because we hadn't seen each other in so long and the time before that we had seen each other had ended terribly with both of our feelings hurt.  It was such a lovely surprise to have her there after not seeing her for over two years.

The second part of my resolution will be harder to adhere to because while I get annoyed at people not following through, I find that I do the same thing.  Not cool, Nicole!  Not cool at all...  So from now on I'm not going to say I'll do something unless I know 100% that I can do it.  This also means I'm going to have to be more organized with my time.  I guess I'll have to get a planner or something.  Or maybe just use the calendar on my phone instead of ignoring it like I have for the past 6 months.

I've really been digging this song today.  It's so beautiful!
 

Oh!  I didn't even comment on my New Year's weekend!  It's was wonderful and crazy fun! 


There were about 20 of us that rented a lakehouse on Lake Travis and we had a ridiculous amount of champagne.  One refrigerator was completely full of just champagne.
 That huge straw in my mouth was what we all drank with.  It was hilarious to see people try to catch the straw with their mouth and have to hold their cup down so low.

We had a masquarade party on New Year's Eve and everyone dressed up.  Please excuse my sassy face.  Leopard print shrug courtesy of Kellsey!
The weekend was perfect and I hope every New Year's Eve in the future is just as wonderful as this one, if not more!

[Thanks to Steph for pictures 1-3 and especially for planning a fabulous weekend!]