Embarrassing Blunder

All this time I've lived my life singing "sweet sweet medicine baby" at the top of my lungs whenever Mariah Carey's Fantasy plays on the radio (obviously without knowing the song title- I learned it a few minutes ago).  A few minutes ago, I belted out the chorus only to be corrected by my boyfriend.  I insisted that I was correct and even youtube'd the Fantasy video to show him that the song he was talking about was not the same.

If you know the video, it starts out a little weird and I was continuing to insist that this definitely was not the song I was talking about.  Then, that familiar melody started playing and I was speechless. 

I remember this commercial from when I was younger...

I never thought I was one of those people!

Retail Therapy!

Reality of being an adult is setting in big time... I'm having trouble getting a job right now, which is frustrating because I bought a car in December (picture featured in the last post!) thinking I'd be making money in the near future to pay it off quickly.  My dad always used to say, "don't count your chickens before they've hatched" because I always used to plan for the future based on specific details.  In this case, I have to spend money to make money... It's not really easy to substitute teach without a car!  Some school districts are HUGE!

I had a phone interview with a district the other day and my interviewer asked, "So, uh, what exactly have you been doing since December?" and the words bounced around in my head all morning and led to me feeling a little down in the dumps.  I of course explained that my internship ended at the end of January (and I'm sure she wasn't trying to slight me, I just perseverated on the question), but it reminded me of my failure to obtain a job immediately after college.  I really cannot explain why I am so blah about not getting a job yet, it's normal for college grads to experience unemployment for a few months after graduation; heck, my boyfriend didn't find one for a year!  I'm just feeling a lot of self-generated pressure.  Plus, people around me are trying to pressure me into working in California and I just really do not want to take any more exams or jump through anymore hoops at this point.

Anyway, I had to pick some stuff up from the Galleria and wanted to have my bracelet cleaned while I was visiting.  I had two hours to kill while waiting for my bracelet, so I walked around the mall and decided to enjoy my alone time (my boyfriend was at work) and eventually resolved to treat myself to retail therapy!  Before I knew it, my jewelry pick-up time rolled around and I had to leave to beat the afternoon rush hour.

I even did something a little silly.  One thing that really excites me right now is the idea of planning a wedding.  I've actually got an insane wedding board titled "Dream Wedding" on Pinterest.  I walked into Tiffany's and looked at the engagement rings (puh-lease, I already know what I want, it was just for kicks) and then eventually walked into Alfred Angelo's across the street to browse dresses and picked up a couple catalogs.  The saleswoman at Tiffany's was so fun and so nice, it was a nice pick-me-up.  The idea of happiness is enough to brighten any gloomy day :) 

Weird Pics

I was going through my phone this morning and realized that I have a lot of random pics saved to the memory stick...  Here is some of what I found for your viewing pleasure:

Some random turkeys just chilling on our front porch...

A super tacky t-shirt found at Raley's around the Superbowl.

My awesome car!

An unsuspecting cat-lady at the SPCA caught on film loving multiple cats...

The bizarre/mysterious rash that didn't go away for 2 weeks!

On an unrelated note, tomorrow morning I have a telephone interview for a teaching position.  I'm a little nervous, but it's only scheduled for 30 minutes, so I'm not sure how grueling it will be.  Someone was telling me that I'm good over the phone... but I'm not sure if I agree!  One positive thing is that my interviewer won't be able to see me break out into a heat rash...  Wish me luck!

Getting a job related to my degree is actually one of my other resolutions, but I didn't think it was list-worthy because getting hired is out of my control.  I've been filling out applications like crazy though, so hopefully I'll find something sooner than later.

Valentine's Day (Revisted)

This post should probably be titled something like, "jkjk" because yesterday after I posted my bright and shiny entry about V-Day, I ended up having a strangely bad day.  People were driving around like morons and the roads were crowded.  Even people at Homegoods were wacko.  Eventually I just went home and didn't leave the house again after that.

My really cute card that I picked out because I wanted him to have a good day at work

It's a cat. With a heart spot!  Inside it says, "it's not hard for me to have a soft spot for you!"  Duh.

My dream necklace, seriously!  My gift from the bf.

LOL (Lots of Love)

Well, today I am going to continue pursuing my goal of becoming a better friend!  After writing this post, I'm going to head out into the big world and put together a cute little birthday package for my childhood best friend.  Her birthday is tomorrow, so of course it won't get there in time, but it's the thought that counts!  Also, I'll be mailing my cousin's birthday card (I procrastinated by accident, I swear!).

Today is Valentine's Day and I love Valentine's Day.  There are a lot of anti-Valentine's Day folks out there (maybe reading this blog right now), but let me explain to you why this day is so wonderful.  First, although this is a purely commercial holiday, I love seeing everyone express their love for someone (whether it be significant other or friend) together.  It is endearing and sweet on many levels; to think of an entire nation celebrating love when we're constantly fearing some kind of war... C'mon!  Okay, I get it, you're bitter about being lonely... Celebrate your love for anything.  Donuts, shopping, YOURSELF... You get the picture?  Celebrate love for the heck of celebrating!

From my boyfriend!

Speaking of love, some people that I love are getting married this summer and I can't wait to celebrate their love with them!  I'm going to a wedding early June and then flying home to Ohio later for another wedding.  It's got me all twitter-pated and excited for the time when I'm in their shoes!  I love love!

My very special Valentine :)

First "official" update on Resolutions!

I have totally 100% fallen off the wagon with my weight resolution.  I need to get my butt back into gear and get into the gym or go outside and get active!  I spent a week house sitting and kinda threw caution to the wind for some unknown reason and didn't get back into gear when I came back home this past Wednesday (or was it Tuesday?).  I've been thinking more and more about creating a sticker chart...  I'll print it off and show you later, dear reader.

Whenever I type "dear reader" into a blog post or write it in my personal diary, I think of this series of videos:

 
Anyway, back to my resolutions... I'm almost too lazy to constantly post updates, like once a month...  Maybe that would be helpful?  Let's do it!

 1. Lose one pound a week- slow and steady wins the race, right?  Since I have been slacking, I think I owe a few pounds.  I guess as long as I lose 50-52 pounds by January 1, 2014 I'll be satisfied.  My boyfriend's mom just made some super delicious ginger cookies, so I'll have to practice some major self-control (HA!) to lose something this week!

2. Make a better effort to keep in touch with family/friends- well, I just officially blew that a little... My cousin's birthday was yesterday and instead of getting my lazy butt off the couch and at least texting her, I watched movies... Literally all day.  I didn't even change out of my pajamas.  The steps I've taken so far:  I bought an address book, sent a Facebook message to some people aaaaaaanddddd... that's it.  I'm not too sure on what my next step should be, but I'll let you know when I find out.

3. Plan a road trip to break in my new car- no job = no money.  I'm working on a job, though, so we'll see what happens.  I've still got time!

4. Try something new at least once a month- DONE!  So easy, seriously.  I didn't realize how many new things I try on a weekly basis until I started thinking about my resolutions.  I'm not going to stop and I've decided that no matter how many "new things" I try in one month, it only counts for the month it happens in and doesn't count towards future months (it makes sense to me).

5. Write for fun at least once a week- eh.  This resolution is the least important one in my opinion, but I am keeping this blog to track my progress.

All-in-all, not bad for mid-February.  By this time of year, most people have already forgotten their resolutions.  I just need to stay motivated with #1 and think of what's next for #2. 

Last Friday Night

Every time I hear that song by Katy Perry, I can't help but smile. I'm not exactly what you would call a KP fan, but I have so many good memories attached to that song; including the story my boyfriend told me about his summer in Santa Barbara two summers ago.

It especially reminds me of my summers at CTY. Every Friday, the students would have themed dances. Just imagine the three best weeks of your life minus your parents as a thirteen year old and you'll understand! Anyway, being a resident assistant is at times stressful but really fun and through CTY I've met some pretty wonderful people. I've worked at the same site the last two years and I'm going back this summer, too...except hopefully as a senior resident assistant this year!!! My interview is on Valentines Day and I haven't told anyone because some of my friends are also returning and I don't want to be embarrassed if I don't get it!

Here's to good memories that take place every day of the week, a good attitude in the present, and optimism for the future!

TB test & Books

As part of a job requirement, I had to get a TB test this afternoon.  I visited a quickie station located inside of a Rite Aid (yeah, they still exist!) a week ago, but there were a couple of people exhibiting flu-like symptoms and I would have had to wait an hour, so I peaced out.  I finally went back to this place and it turned out to just be a different day, same story (with folks that seemed to have more mild flu-like symptoms).  So, although I was just planning on getting a ten second poke, I waited about 45 minutes.  

I planned ahead a little and brought my boyfriend and my Nook.  No, I have not finished my book about why I am a picky eater, I can't remember where I left it laying around.  I have a hard time making long-term commitments to books, so I'm not sure when/if I'll ever finish my picky eater read.  It is currently in line to be finished with The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, A Song of Ice & Fire: Storm of Swords, and some educational non-fiction books that I purchased while applying for Teach for America because I wanted to sound more pretentious and intellectual (example: Everyday Anti-racism).  

Anyway, to keep me company while waiting, I started Wheat Belly.  I've actually wanted to read this book for a little while; I first saw it at Whole Foods on some random end-cap and then I kept seeing it online and in other stores.  The cover was appealing to me and like every other American, I'm looking for some scoop on the next trend that will thin me out in the blink of an eye (hehe).

You know that old phrase, "don't judge a book by it's cover"?  Well, I totally do and will never stop.  Honestly, judging a book by it's cover has never lead to a disappointing read.

I've only read through the first chapter, so I don't have much to report.  One thing that's important to note, though, is that the author is mean.  Okay, so he's just blunt, but if you can't handle someone being raw and honest about how they perceive body image (or their perception of other people), this might not be a great book for you.  I'm going to keep reading because I'm curious and I like the way the author writes.  That's that.

Unfortunately, at this time, I have nothing to say about my resolutions!  Good day and happy reading!

Obligatory Superbowl Post

If you are an American, I'd be inclined to guess that you're going to be watching the Superbowl today.  It's like the epitome of everything American; football, over-indulging in gut-busting food, obnoxious tv commercials... Okay so I can say whether the commercials are really an "American" thing, but it is an American tradition to watch the Superbowl simply because of the commercials.  Even if you do not have any interest in the Superbowl, you are probably gearing up for the big game.

Personally, I am a Bengals fan.  I don't know the first thing about their team this year, but it's a Cincinnati team and that's all that matters.  Plus, it's my dad's favorite team and based on the rules of fandom, I'm doing what's right.  Anyway, I'm not sure anyone could ever call a Bengals fan a bandwagonner, simply because I'm not sure people would truly want to claim them (my dad calls them the "Bungles" for a reason, folks!).  Fun fact: my high school prom was held in Paul Brown stadium and it was awesome.

This Superbowl, I'm rooting for the Niners for the following reasons:

1. Colin Kaepernick- I know him! (think of Elf when you read that statement, that's how it sounds in my mind.)  We are not friends or enemies, but I have met him a few times with no significance.  We both attended the University of Nevada and as a Nevada alum, I wanna see my school shine and if somehow Kap's presence at the Superbowl makes my degree more valuable, I'm all for it!!!  
2. When I moved out west, I wanted to enjoy sports.  In Cincinnati, the only games that matter are Reds/Bengals games.  While I am still devoted to Cincinnati teams, I prefer the Giants and 49ers on the west coast.  Yeah, I'll say it- I'm a bandwagonner.  Who wouldn't want to root for the winning team for fun?  Plus, the A's have a crappy name and the Raiders are tacky on multiple levels.

In preparation for the big game, my boyfriend and I bought a huge bag of wings from Costco, some Sierra Nevada, and I'll be making Trailer Trash Dip a la Patty.   If you're wondering what the heck I'm talking about, it's a block of Velveta, a can of Rotel, and some spicy sausage- grab some Fritos scoops to make it tasty.  Yum!

Good morning!

Meet my life after college.  A teacher's schedule is not kind to the night owl types.  Luckily, I am (and always have been) a morning person.  I love everything about mornings; silence, crisp air, sunrise, how empty the roads are, morning radio shows, etc.  No matter what time I go to bed each night, my eyes naturally pop open around 5am each morning and when I'm lucky, I can force myself to go back to sleep.  Sleeping past 7am is often considered a small miracle!

After wild and crazy college nights out on the town, I have been telling myself that I am too old for that kind of crap anymore.  Although I'm at the ripe ol' age of 24, I'm feeling older and older each day.  I am so old that I enjoy eating supper at five and can never finish an episode of 20/20 because I fall asleep half-way through.  Friday I complained while falling asleep that 20/20 comes on too late... FYI, it comes on at 10pm on Friday nights!

I am such a morning person that I always scheduled the earliest classes possible in college, never required coffee to function, never hit the snooze button, smile and sing when I wake up (most days), and do some of my clearest thinking and best decision making in the morning.  I went through a one-week phase where I was determined to integrate coffee into my morning routine because I wanted to appreciate it a little more, but my boyfriend asked me to stop because I was so freaking obnoxious (he most definitely is NOT a morning person...).

If I wasn't a morning person, I wouldn't have snapped these beautiful pics:

An early morning rainbow! (Unedited)

A beautiful sunrise- it seriously looked this vivid! (Only slightly edited using Instagram)

Not only am I an extreme morning person, but I am devoted to breakfast.  I think I could probably count on both hands the days I've ever skipped breakfast...  I can skip lunch easily, but if I don't eat breakfast within 30 minutes of rising and shining, I'm not really shining anymore.  I actually dread sleeping over at other people's houses because I feel rude for demanding breakfast bright and early.

I don't think I've ever known a morning person that I didn't like!  Even when morning people have off-days they are still a whole lot more easy to deal with than non-morning people.  Life isn't easy for us... we're a misunderstood group of wonderful, friendly, and cheery people!