So first let me just say...holy cow where did time go?! I cannot believe that 2014 is here already, and that I survived 2013, it was a very strange, stressful, and wonderful year. That being said last year I only set one goal for myself and I now deem it pathetic and worldly, and it was to lose weight. I did not succeed in this goal. Okay that's not true, I did back and forth several times I've fluctuated between the same ten pounds all year. But I would get so stressed out over not losing the weight, or what "being healthy" meant that I really was going down a bad path. Almost self destructive in a way.
I was obsessed with the idea of being skinny, and not model skinny, but skinnier than I am now. For awhile all I talked about was the gym, and I started doing Herbalife nutrition supplements, tried to become a vegetarian, and set unrealistic "fitness goals" for myself, which I never achieved and then became depressed when I didn't achieve them. Which here starts off my list of goals for 2014;
1- This year I'm taking a different spin on being healthy, and actually learning how to be healthy. Introducing myself to new foods, and cutting out processed food! The words low fat do not mean a damned thing if there are no vegetables and a ton of preservatives in the stuff. This year I am going to teach myself how to really cook, and how get the best nutrients I can out of juicing fresh veggies and fruit. Thanks to my boyfriends mom that is going to be breeze.
Also in steps to being more healthy, sleeping habits. Actually having them. I started on a really good path this summer, where I would make myself tea, grab a book and read before going to bed. That is going to happen again. I slept so much better then. Also with that. I will not sleep past 10 anymore unless I was up until 5:00 a.m. for some reason the night before. Massive sleeping in days are over because it always keeps me awake at night. So here's to a happier, healthier, well rested 2014.
2 - Learn Spanish - I live in LA, it needs to happen. Plus I have a giant set to learn. I am going to learn spanish.
3 - Relearn Sign Language - Once upon a time I could actually hold conversations with the deaf. Now forget about it, I can spell and that's about it. This year I will become fluent in both languages!
4 - Watch one new movie per week - I want to be an actress. Yet I am horribly lacking in film knowledge. My boyfriend however is a film fiend, which is one of the things I love about him! I think this goal will help me know more about the industry I so desire to become a part of.
5 - Read One book per month - Since the discovery of the internet, social media, smart phones, and all of those things, books have almost become a thing of the past. I love to read so this is a sad, sad fact of my life. Less internet, more books!
6 - Go Home - I have not been to Pennsylvania since July 2012...enough said. It's happening.
7 - Get Head Shots - This is getting done. No more putting things off! Time to fight for the career I want.
8 - Less Smart Phone more guy time - I am one of those people that is always on their phones. Even when I am with people. I want to spend more quality time with people, especially my guy, without having my phone be a distraction. Challenge accepted.
9 - Accepting my body - I was really mean to myself mentally this year. I became really depressed over the way I looked. Convinced myself that I will never work, because in the industry I am considered fat. While by societal standards I could stand to lose a few pounds, I am learning to love myself the way I am. I am already a great deal down this path but still have ways to go. Having a boyfriend who constantly reinforces that helps a lot too! He really is wonderful.
10 - Spend one hour or less mindlessly surfing the net - Again internet is an issue. I will sometime sit and stare a facebook for hours, procrastinating on things that I could actually be doing, like reading, going for a walk, cooking, something! I think this will make me realize that I have a lot more time in my life, than I think I do.
11 - Read my Bible everyday - This is a hard one for any Christian, but it can be done! I started a Chronological reading plan months ago and did really well with it for about a month...then I failed. Time to get back on the horse. I want to know what God is saying!
12 - Take an Acting Class - Yes this was my whole college career, but I could use a brush up for sure!
Alright 2014, bring it on! I'm ready!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Top Ten Carrie Underwood Songs Part 2
Continuing on;
05 - Look At Me - As much as he doesn't like country, when the boy and I get married, this is playing at some point. This song pretty much exemplifies what I feel every time I look at him. Yes even when I'm mad at him. It has been this way since the second I realized I was in love with him, which wasn't long after we met. I appreciate this so much more I think because up until the past two and half years, our relationship was NOT easy, and I heard this song for the first time shortly after he and I reignited our relationship, and I cried because it was so true. Sometimes when I look at him this song just plays in my head.
04 - Play On - Yay Carrie for having inspirational songs with a good tune. This one is about moving on from things that are already over. I have a hard time with moving on from anything. With people, I always want to believe that friendships last forever, and am heartbroken when I realize they won't. I hate it when I'm doing a show and it ends, it feels like someone has ripped part me away. I dwell on my mistakes, hardcore, I agonize over every detail, and never let it go inwardly. This song reminds me that yes, these things are hard, but you have to keep moving, eventually you move on and grow from the experience.
03 - Crazy Dreams - This song is me. It's about chasing your dreams no matter how crazy they may seem to anyone else. I want to be an actress. I get told I'm crazy about three to four times a month. It's really annoying. I love this song because she tells you to chase them because even crazy dreams come true with some effort. I haven't even started to audition yet because of a few obstacles that I keep running into. Also it's terrifying to actually chase your dreams, but this song is one that makes me feel like anything is possible. When ever I feel like throwing in the towel I listen to this song and remember that it will happen!
02 - Nobody Ever Told You - This was originally at number 3, but I moved it up because it deserves a higher spot. Really it could number one too. This song is about telling girls they are beautiful, to get rid of the make-up, you don't need, you are gorgeous the way you are. Body image is something I struggle with greatly. This past year I obsesses about my weight and I think that it made me gain more weight, because I was depressed with how I looked in the mirror. But I'm starting to realize that what I see isn't necessarily what other people see. I heard this song, I thought it was the perfect song to remind us that we don't need some societal standard to tell us we are beautiful. We already are.
01 - Lessons Learned - It's another song about being able to move on from one thing or another. However, this one reminds you that everything you have gone through has taught you something. My childhood from the age of 11 to 18 was not the easiest, it wasn't the worst either, but it wasn't easy either. I have gone through several things in my short adult life that have brought me to my knee's, but I am thankful for every single thing that has happened, because it has shaped me into the person that I am. I wouldn't change that for the world.
So thank you Carrie Underwood, you will probably never see this, but your songs (especially these) have influenced my life in more ways you can imagine.
05 - Look At Me - As much as he doesn't like country, when the boy and I get married, this is playing at some point. This song pretty much exemplifies what I feel every time I look at him. Yes even when I'm mad at him. It has been this way since the second I realized I was in love with him, which wasn't long after we met. I appreciate this so much more I think because up until the past two and half years, our relationship was NOT easy, and I heard this song for the first time shortly after he and I reignited our relationship, and I cried because it was so true. Sometimes when I look at him this song just plays in my head.
04 - Play On - Yay Carrie for having inspirational songs with a good tune. This one is about moving on from things that are already over. I have a hard time with moving on from anything. With people, I always want to believe that friendships last forever, and am heartbroken when I realize they won't. I hate it when I'm doing a show and it ends, it feels like someone has ripped part me away. I dwell on my mistakes, hardcore, I agonize over every detail, and never let it go inwardly. This song reminds me that yes, these things are hard, but you have to keep moving, eventually you move on and grow from the experience.
03 - Crazy Dreams - This song is me. It's about chasing your dreams no matter how crazy they may seem to anyone else. I want to be an actress. I get told I'm crazy about three to four times a month. It's really annoying. I love this song because she tells you to chase them because even crazy dreams come true with some effort. I haven't even started to audition yet because of a few obstacles that I keep running into. Also it's terrifying to actually chase your dreams, but this song is one that makes me feel like anything is possible. When ever I feel like throwing in the towel I listen to this song and remember that it will happen!
02 - Nobody Ever Told You - This was originally at number 3, but I moved it up because it deserves a higher spot. Really it could number one too. This song is about telling girls they are beautiful, to get rid of the make-up, you don't need, you are gorgeous the way you are. Body image is something I struggle with greatly. This past year I obsesses about my weight and I think that it made me gain more weight, because I was depressed with how I looked in the mirror. But I'm starting to realize that what I see isn't necessarily what other people see. I heard this song, I thought it was the perfect song to remind us that we don't need some societal standard to tell us we are beautiful. We already are.
01 - Lessons Learned - It's another song about being able to move on from one thing or another. However, this one reminds you that everything you have gone through has taught you something. My childhood from the age of 11 to 18 was not the easiest, it wasn't the worst either, but it wasn't easy either. I have gone through several things in my short adult life that have brought me to my knee's, but I am thankful for every single thing that has happened, because it has shaped me into the person that I am. I wouldn't change that for the world.
So thank you Carrie Underwood, you will probably never see this, but your songs (especially these) have influenced my life in more ways you can imagine.
3 Things (Wednesday) - Upworthy.com, Conversational Kids, Opening up
1 - So recently I have discovered the glory that is upworthy.com. It is a website about just really post videos promoting good things happening in the world. Sometimes those videos can be depressing when you hear someones story, but for the most part is shows someone doing something good, or saying something uplifting. In light of so many negative, gross, hateful things that happen every day it's great to see someone focusing on positive things, we really do need more of this. The link below is the video that was my favorite today.
"Nobody gets to be you but you." - Neil Gaiman
http://www.upworthy.com/haterade-got-you-down-heres-a-tall-glass-of-sweet-encouragement-juice-instead
2 - Tonight at work, a little girl came up to window, with her mom. She just had to tell us about her American Girl doll, and how she had picked out the glasses, the outfit, and shoes herself. To make it better she did not match her doll (I find it annoying when they dress like their dolls), but the doll had a completely different outfit. Back to the point, she was so excited to tell strangers about this awesome thing she had just done. She also made it a big point to get her brother, dad and friend a cupcake. On my home I started to think about this little girl, what if we were all more like this? More open, less afraid to just be who we are, in essence like kids. I feel like when we're growing up and finding ourselves, we also lose ourselves a bit in trying to fit in societal standards. I want to be more like that little girl. Maybe people wouldn't hate on each other so much if we a little more open. Some people may think this is a naive way of thinking, but I think those people are usually the who are afraid to be who they really are.
3 - This one kind of applies to the one above - I have been working at the cupcake shop for about two and a half months now, and tonight was the first night I think that I really opened up and just let myself be who I am. I am weird, and usually for no reason, I am okay with that, but for some reason I wasn't letting that out. It felt good. I'm going to be afraid of that anymore!
"Nobody gets to be you but you." - Neil Gaiman
http://www.upworthy.com/haterade-got-you-down-heres-a-tall-glass-of-sweet-encouragement-juice-instead
2 - Tonight at work, a little girl came up to window, with her mom. She just had to tell us about her American Girl doll, and how she had picked out the glasses, the outfit, and shoes herself. To make it better she did not match her doll (I find it annoying when they dress like their dolls), but the doll had a completely different outfit. Back to the point, she was so excited to tell strangers about this awesome thing she had just done. She also made it a big point to get her brother, dad and friend a cupcake. On my home I started to think about this little girl, what if we were all more like this? More open, less afraid to just be who we are, in essence like kids. I feel like when we're growing up and finding ourselves, we also lose ourselves a bit in trying to fit in societal standards. I want to be more like that little girl. Maybe people wouldn't hate on each other so much if we a little more open. Some people may think this is a naive way of thinking, but I think those people are usually the who are afraid to be who they really are.
3 - This one kind of applies to the one above - I have been working at the cupcake shop for about two and a half months now, and tonight was the first night I think that I really opened up and just let myself be who I am. I am weird, and usually for no reason, I am okay with that, but for some reason I wasn't letting that out. It felt good. I'm going to be afraid of that anymore!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Twisted Words - In Defense of Mr. Robertson
So today there was an article posted on Phil Robertson, from Duck Dynasty's supposed Anti-Gay comments, and with that followed an uproar from GLAAD, many from the gay community.
Here is the exact quote from GQ Magazine:
“Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong,” he says. “Sin becomes fine.”
What, in your mind, is sinful?
“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men,” he says. Then he paraphrases Corinthians: “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
Here is the exact quote from GQ Magazine:
“Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong,” he says. “Sin becomes fine.”
What, in your mind, is sinful?
“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men,” he says. Then he paraphrases Corinthians: “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Top Ten Favorite Carrie Underwood Songs Part 1
So a long time ago I said I would write a top ten Carrie Underwood list well, well I finally finished the first half. It's not long I just kept putting it off. Also in light of recent event's (The Sound of Music) and how unnecessarily mean people were about her performance I wanted to write this little bit to show some support for Carrie. So without further ado I give you part one. Part two to follow tomorrow. I swear.
10 - Jesus Take the Wheel - This is the first song I heard from Carrie Underwood. If you've been listening to her since the beginning, it's probably the first one you heard as well. This is the song that hooked me and made me say "I need to listen to more!" So that, beyond the fact that this song reminds you where you should turn when things are getting tough, is why it makes the top ten for Carrie.
09 - The More Boys I Meet - This song first is just fun, but during some crappy times with guys in my life I would crank this song up to make myself feel better. Because there definitely was a point where I felt this exact way. When the boy and I went through one of our break up stints, and it seemed like every time I met a guy he was a big giant doucher, who only wanted to get in my pants. Which I was 21 and in college, so no big shock right? But I definitely, would always want to cuddle up with my dog Lucky who was back home in PA, but this song cheered me up and made me laugh every time I listened to it.
08 - Mama's Song - I admittedly never really listen to this song because I cry every single time. Every. Single. Time. My mom and I have a loving, but complicated relationship. Growing up I was Mama's little girl and never wanted to leave her side. When Thomas and I started dating, things started to become strained, I would pass on some of my immediate family events to go to his family events or to go see him. My priorities were changing, and whether she will admit it or not, that was hard for my mom to deal with. This song came out and I played it for her one night and we listened to it and cried together. My mom drives me nuts sometimes, but she supposed to isn't she? That's the mothers duty! But she will never lose me. And I found what she wanted for me.
07 - I Ain't In Checotah Anymore - I moved from a town much like the one describe in this song. So this one sticks with me, I now live in L.A. and where ever I end up, will be another city. This song to me, also shows a bit of Carrie's personality in her song. Small town girl, who is loving big city life, but misses her roots. That is me in a nutshell. I come from a one stop light town, literally, and some of the things described in this song are exactly how I feel living in LA sometimes. Especially working at the Grove. "You can get anything you want here, except a Walmart store." There is a Walmart here, but you might die if you go to it. I miss the simple things in small town life, but I do love the city.
06 - Change - The beginning of this song get's more than anything because this is how I feel every time I see a homeless person in LA. The message in this song just tells you basically how I feel about life. The smallest thing can make a difference. A conversation, a smile, that dime in your pocket can be the difference in someone having even just a hot dog from seven eleven that night. Another reason I love Carrie, she makes songs like this and it shows that she really is a genuine person.
Now I enjoy all of these songs for vastly personal reasons, but I think that is great. I think that as a singer you need to be able to touch your listeners, music should have a message, which is something lacking these days. Plus the girl is a great belter!
10 - Jesus Take the Wheel - This is the first song I heard from Carrie Underwood. If you've been listening to her since the beginning, it's probably the first one you heard as well. This is the song that hooked me and made me say "I need to listen to more!" So that, beyond the fact that this song reminds you where you should turn when things are getting tough, is why it makes the top ten for Carrie.
09 - The More Boys I Meet - This song first is just fun, but during some crappy times with guys in my life I would crank this song up to make myself feel better. Because there definitely was a point where I felt this exact way. When the boy and I went through one of our break up stints, and it seemed like every time I met a guy he was a big giant doucher, who only wanted to get in my pants. Which I was 21 and in college, so no big shock right? But I definitely, would always want to cuddle up with my dog Lucky who was back home in PA, but this song cheered me up and made me laugh every time I listened to it.
08 - Mama's Song - I admittedly never really listen to this song because I cry every single time. Every. Single. Time. My mom and I have a loving, but complicated relationship. Growing up I was Mama's little girl and never wanted to leave her side. When Thomas and I started dating, things started to become strained, I would pass on some of my immediate family events to go to his family events or to go see him. My priorities were changing, and whether she will admit it or not, that was hard for my mom to deal with. This song came out and I played it for her one night and we listened to it and cried together. My mom drives me nuts sometimes, but she supposed to isn't she? That's the mothers duty! But she will never lose me. And I found what she wanted for me.
07 - I Ain't In Checotah Anymore - I moved from a town much like the one describe in this song. So this one sticks with me, I now live in L.A. and where ever I end up, will be another city. This song to me, also shows a bit of Carrie's personality in her song. Small town girl, who is loving big city life, but misses her roots. That is me in a nutshell. I come from a one stop light town, literally, and some of the things described in this song are exactly how I feel living in LA sometimes. Especially working at the Grove. "You can get anything you want here, except a Walmart store." There is a Walmart here, but you might die if you go to it. I miss the simple things in small town life, but I do love the city.
06 - Change - The beginning of this song get's more than anything because this is how I feel every time I see a homeless person in LA. The message in this song just tells you basically how I feel about life. The smallest thing can make a difference. A conversation, a smile, that dime in your pocket can be the difference in someone having even just a hot dog from seven eleven that night. Another reason I love Carrie, she makes songs like this and it shows that she really is a genuine person.
Now I enjoy all of these songs for vastly personal reasons, but I think that is great. I think that as a singer you need to be able to touch your listeners, music should have a message, which is something lacking these days. Plus the girl is a great belter!
3 for Tuesday - John Scott, Hallelujah, Janet talks
1 - WhoisJohnScott.com - So I was on the subway today, and this man get's on and he has the most intriguing sticker on his briefcase. It said WhoIsJohnScott.com. I found this very interesting so earlier this evening I sat down to look at the website and what I found cracked me up. This guy is either a big genius or a big scammer. I'm going to go with genius, because that's nicer. Anyway, he literally just created this whole idea for a business based around finding his identity. People pay one dollar to purchase a Who Is John Scott bumper sticker, his line has expanded to hats, patches and a few other items. I just thought that this was really fun, and cool way for this man in his seventies to make a living. Check the site out here
2 - This Song. Someone was playing it on their guitar in Hollywood tonight, and it was so peaceful and this video is is lovely too.
3 - Janet Talks - So I am extremely blessed in the sense that I LOVE my boyfriends mother. There are so many women out there that are not lucky enough to have the same kind of connection I have with her. Since day one she and I have always clicked. She and I don't talk often but when we do talk it will be for a really long time, tonight's conversation was almost an hour and a half, and it's both talking back and forth to each other which I love, because I am a talker and I love some one who can talk back. Also she is just such an awesome mom in general. My mom isn't around really right now, and it's nice to have that mom figure there. Even though I am at the point in my life where I don't need a mom to tell me what I need to do to figure out my life, sometimes it's nice to have that connection. That's what makes Janet talks so special, I consider her my second mother, but she's also a great friend.
3 - Janet Talks - So I am extremely blessed in the sense that I LOVE my boyfriends mother. There are so many women out there that are not lucky enough to have the same kind of connection I have with her. Since day one she and I have always clicked. She and I don't talk often but when we do talk it will be for a really long time, tonight's conversation was almost an hour and a half, and it's both talking back and forth to each other which I love, because I am a talker and I love some one who can talk back. Also she is just such an awesome mom in general. My mom isn't around really right now, and it's nice to have that mom figure there. Even though I am at the point in my life where I don't need a mom to tell me what I need to do to figure out my life, sometimes it's nice to have that connection. That's what makes Janet talks so special, I consider her my second mother, but she's also a great friend.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Three things for Yesterday - Titanic, Electric Reindeer, and Once Mid-Season Finale
1 - Titanic - This movie is so wonderfully, brilliantly awful, and fantastic at the same time. It really is the epitome of "chick flick." The dialogue makes me want to smack James Cameron, I mean come on, how many times can Jack and Rose seriously say each others names in the same conversation? The overall story of the movie is very touching, I cry every single time Rose realizes Jack is dead. Also part of the enjoyment of this, is my boyfriend's groaning reaction to me watching it, then laughing at me for crying, I'm also laughing at myself, cause this movie really is bad, but I love it so much! It also inspired me to research Titanic again, just to really know what it's about, and remember that it wasn't just a love gooey love story. It happened.
2 - Electric Reindeer Wine - So I wrote about World Market last week, and how amazing it was. One of my purchases was a cheap wine called Electric Reindeer. Obviously I picked it due to the Christmas theme. To add to my cliche of being a girl last night while was watching Titanic, I decided to have a glass of Red Wine. This is probably the best cheap wine I have ever had! If not for the adverse effects it would have had, I would have had the whole bottle! By adverse I mean, I would have been a drunky pants, and quite frankly I'm not about that these days. But it was actually pretty good, and you could tell it was a cheap wine, which I found charming but, it didn't make me gag. Plus it's a cab. Can't really go wrong there in my mind.
3 - Once Upon a Time Mid Season Finale - Oh. My. Goodness. I had so many feelings, I laughed a few times, I yelled at the screen, and I cried...a lot. Season three of Once has been on the slow side, and the episode 10 of the season was not good. But last night I watched the mid-season finale, and boy oh boy did they redeem themselves. Regina is my favorite character, there is no doubt about that, so in the final scene, when most of the emotional stuff was happening revolved and relied on her story, I was a mess! I'm not going to say too much just in case anyone else watches the show.
So yeah a lot of crying happening yesterday, but all over things that I loved.
2 - Electric Reindeer Wine - So I wrote about World Market last week, and how amazing it was. One of my purchases was a cheap wine called Electric Reindeer. Obviously I picked it due to the Christmas theme. To add to my cliche of being a girl last night while was watching Titanic, I decided to have a glass of Red Wine. This is probably the best cheap wine I have ever had! If not for the adverse effects it would have had, I would have had the whole bottle! By adverse I mean, I would have been a drunky pants, and quite frankly I'm not about that these days. But it was actually pretty good, and you could tell it was a cheap wine, which I found charming but, it didn't make me gag. Plus it's a cab. Can't really go wrong there in my mind.
3 - Once Upon a Time Mid Season Finale - Oh. My. Goodness. I had so many feelings, I laughed a few times, I yelled at the screen, and I cried...a lot. Season three of Once has been on the slow side, and the episode 10 of the season was not good. But last night I watched the mid-season finale, and boy oh boy did they redeem themselves. Regina is my favorite character, there is no doubt about that, so in the final scene, when most of the emotional stuff was happening revolved and relied on her story, I was a mess! I'm not going to say too much just in case anyone else watches the show.
So yeah a lot of crying happening yesterday, but all over things that I loved.
Monday, December 16, 2013
This weekend - Christmasing with the some of the family!
This weekend was kind of just magical so I am having trouble picking things so I am going to focus on the best ones.
B and N came to visit us for and early Christmas this weekend, and we had a blast. I cannot express enough how much I love these two.
I will actually write tomorrow. But right now I am watching Les Mis and it is literally angering me. So here are some pictures.
B and N came to visit us for and early Christmas this weekend, and we had a blast. I cannot express enough how much I love these two.
I will actually write tomorrow. But right now I am watching Les Mis and it is literally angering me. So here are some pictures.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
9 things Wednesday, Thursday and today
The last three days got a little hectic, but I'm going to post for all three days!
1 - So I have be fortunate enough to have someone to ride the bus home with most nights since starting my new job. Her name is Carly and she's probably the cutest little New Yorker you've ever met. She sounds like it for sure. The best part about the bus rides with her is that we are both talkers so when we are around each other, we have the best conversation. This particular night we were talking about body image. Carly is a dancer and is in great shape, it always baffles me when a girl who looks like her can still be insecure, but she's confident enough to not care at the same time. Carly is one of the sweetest, people I have ever made, and I'm glad we get to ride the bus together.
2 - So the whole pay if forward thing that I wanted for Christmas? It totally happened right in front of my eyes. A girl was in line at my job and had ordered but then started looking for her wallet and couldn't find it. Without hesitating, the man in front of her offered to buy her cupcake! How cool is that?! We ended just giving her one anyway but still, that was cool.
3 - This article from Huffpost 11 Body Image Heroes of 2013 - Shailene Woodley keeps surprising me!
4 - Last Christmas by Wham is always apart of my Christmas and for some reason I didn't listen to it until yesterday. But when it came on it made me smile
5 - There is a 24 hour donut shop, literally less than 2 blocks from my house. I had never gone because it looked sketch, as do many things in K-town. But I had to do laundry at the laundry mat the other night and my friend Ben went with me. This was the best crappy donut place...ever. I got a hot chocolate and a raspberry filled donut for $2.25. These thing just don't happen anymore. Part of the perks of living in the city I guess.
6 - World Market, where has this place been all my life?! I am now in love with this place. It's just a big store that has foods and stuff from all over the world. And cheap goods. I finally have wine glasses in my place because they had them for two dollars! Two dollars, and they are not all the flimsy either. It was nice to go into this store because Ben and I went to Sur La Table to look at possible gift things...that was a stupid idea. That store is as pretentious as pretentious can be. But World Market is a god of sorts. I mean I got a wine called Electric Reindeer!
7 - Fast work days - I worked a straight 6 days this week and now have two days off. But today just flew by, maybe it was the excitement of having the next two days to spend with my boyfriends sister and her hubby (which I am unbelievably excited for), regardless I was really thankful it went quickly.
8 - Reorganizing my life a little bit today, this week kind of got away from me. But because I got out earlier, I was able to come home and put things back where the belonged. Also I came home thinking that I was going to have sooo much cleaning to do. Had to clean the bathroom, dust and vacuum the living room and bedroom, and bunch of other things, but my awesome boyfriend had already done most of it! All I had to do was the bathroom and my side of the bedroom. It was really nice.
9 - So Delicious Nog - I can't believe I didn't write about this sooner. So I am a big fan of egg nog, except that when you drink it, it makes your breath reek, and it's pretty bad for you. Then I found this brand called So Delicious at the grocery store, and what they do is take normal drinks and create vegan friendly versions of some things, so they use coconut milk instead. I. am. obsessed. It tastes just like the real thing. I don't think I can ever go back now. Ever. It's so perfect and I drink more than a small glass before my stomach gets mad. Seriously try this stuff.
1 - So I have be fortunate enough to have someone to ride the bus home with most nights since starting my new job. Her name is Carly and she's probably the cutest little New Yorker you've ever met. She sounds like it for sure. The best part about the bus rides with her is that we are both talkers so when we are around each other, we have the best conversation. This particular night we were talking about body image. Carly is a dancer and is in great shape, it always baffles me when a girl who looks like her can still be insecure, but she's confident enough to not care at the same time. Carly is one of the sweetest, people I have ever made, and I'm glad we get to ride the bus together.
2 - So the whole pay if forward thing that I wanted for Christmas? It totally happened right in front of my eyes. A girl was in line at my job and had ordered but then started looking for her wallet and couldn't find it. Without hesitating, the man in front of her offered to buy her cupcake! How cool is that?! We ended just giving her one anyway but still, that was cool.
3 - This article from Huffpost 11 Body Image Heroes of 2013 - Shailene Woodley keeps surprising me!
4 - Last Christmas by Wham is always apart of my Christmas and for some reason I didn't listen to it until yesterday. But when it came on it made me smile
5 - There is a 24 hour donut shop, literally less than 2 blocks from my house. I had never gone because it looked sketch, as do many things in K-town. But I had to do laundry at the laundry mat the other night and my friend Ben went with me. This was the best crappy donut place...ever. I got a hot chocolate and a raspberry filled donut for $2.25. These thing just don't happen anymore. Part of the perks of living in the city I guess.
6 - World Market, where has this place been all my life?! I am now in love with this place. It's just a big store that has foods and stuff from all over the world. And cheap goods. I finally have wine glasses in my place because they had them for two dollars! Two dollars, and they are not all the flimsy either. It was nice to go into this store because Ben and I went to Sur La Table to look at possible gift things...that was a stupid idea. That store is as pretentious as pretentious can be. But World Market is a god of sorts. I mean I got a wine called Electric Reindeer!
7 - Fast work days - I worked a straight 6 days this week and now have two days off. But today just flew by, maybe it was the excitement of having the next two days to spend with my boyfriends sister and her hubby (which I am unbelievably excited for), regardless I was really thankful it went quickly.
8 - Reorganizing my life a little bit today, this week kind of got away from me. But because I got out earlier, I was able to come home and put things back where the belonged. Also I came home thinking that I was going to have sooo much cleaning to do. Had to clean the bathroom, dust and vacuum the living room and bedroom, and bunch of other things, but my awesome boyfriend had already done most of it! All I had to do was the bathroom and my side of the bedroom. It was really nice.
9 - So Delicious Nog - I can't believe I didn't write about this sooner. So I am a big fan of egg nog, except that when you drink it, it makes your breath reek, and it's pretty bad for you. Then I found this brand called So Delicious at the grocery store, and what they do is take normal drinks and create vegan friendly versions of some things, so they use coconut milk instead. I. am. obsessed. It tastes just like the real thing. I don't think I can ever go back now. Ever. It's so perfect and I drink more than a small glass before my stomach gets mad. Seriously try this stuff.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Old books, Dog's dressed up like Santa, People helping each other.
1 - Old Books - So you might think I'm weird because of this, as I was getting off the bus today, I got a sudden whiff of something very sweet and familiar. It took me back to being in the library in elementary school, and the excitement I had over reading. There was a man reading an older paperback book. I don't know what the title was, but the pages were yellowed and the print was small, and I could smell it just walking past him, it made me extremely happy.
2 - Santa Dogs - Again I love my job. So the bakery I work at sells cupcakes that are dog friendly. Well today they had a promotion going, and if you brought your dog dressed as Santa (or just dressed) your pup, got a free puppy cupcake! We actually didn't have as many as we would have liked to have seen, but I saw THREE bulldogs dressed as Santa. Week made.
3 - So this kind of diverts to my blog about Christmas. Today I got to witness a few people reaching out to someone else and it warmed my heart to see that not everyone in LA is heartless and unfeeling. I was on the bus home (lots of things happen on the bus) I was sitting across from an older gentlemen and he had few bags full of canned food, and other food items. Somehow he dropped all of the contents in his three bags, just a stroke of bad luck really. What was cool is that everyone that was around him, including myself, immediately started to help him pick everything up, all he had to do was hold the bags open. It was something so simple, but I think people take for granted how much an action like that can impact someone. It was a great note to end the night on.
2 - Santa Dogs - Again I love my job. So the bakery I work at sells cupcakes that are dog friendly. Well today they had a promotion going, and if you brought your dog dressed as Santa (or just dressed) your pup, got a free puppy cupcake! We actually didn't have as many as we would have liked to have seen, but I saw THREE bulldogs dressed as Santa. Week made.
3 - So this kind of diverts to my blog about Christmas. Today I got to witness a few people reaching out to someone else and it warmed my heart to see that not everyone in LA is heartless and unfeeling. I was on the bus home (lots of things happen on the bus) I was sitting across from an older gentlemen and he had few bags full of canned food, and other food items. Somehow he dropped all of the contents in his three bags, just a stroke of bad luck really. What was cool is that everyone that was around him, including myself, immediately started to help him pick everything up, all he had to do was hold the bags open. It was something so simple, but I think people take for granted how much an action like that can impact someone. It was a great note to end the night on.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Slow days, bus conversations, and hot chocolate
Okay so in starting to write again, I am going to attempt try my (or Barbara's rather) three postive things about my day again.
1 - Slow days at work - I love the place I work now, I mean LOVE it. It is so much fun and the people I work with are genuinely nice people. It is a very busy location, so I don't always have time to really bond with my coworkers. Tonight we were extremely slow, and while we continued to try to find things work related to do, it was a fun night, because we all just had fun conversations, and got to goof around a little more than the usual, it was definitely a bonding night.
2 - Bus conversations - I take the bus to work. On the way home tonight, I was playing with my phone which is the norm, cause smart phones. An older man sitting beside me politely and very sweetly asked me if that was the internet on my phone (I was on Facebook), to which I replied that it was, we had a small conversation about the way phones had changed, then stopped, and I started going back to my phone. Then it hit me, that my phone was taking up too much of my attention, so I locked it put it away and started up a conversation with the gentleman again. He got off the bus shortly after, but it was nice to put my technology away even for a second to connect with another person. This usually happens when I take a book and am reading, that I need to do more of.
3 - Hot chocolate - I headed to the grove an hour and half before my shift tonight to get some Christmas shopping done. Now I don't care what anyone else says, fifty degrees in LA is cold. There is something about it here that makes it that much colder. But I digress, I was cold and was going to be outside, so I wanted something warm to drink. I don't drink coffee anymore, so hot chocolate is becoming a love of mine, especially this winter. So I found a little place inside the Farmers Market, it was probably the best hot chocolate ever, I don't know what was different, but it was great. It really made my night, and it made the shopping thing so much more enjoyable.
1 - Slow days at work - I love the place I work now, I mean LOVE it. It is so much fun and the people I work with are genuinely nice people. It is a very busy location, so I don't always have time to really bond with my coworkers. Tonight we were extremely slow, and while we continued to try to find things work related to do, it was a fun night, because we all just had fun conversations, and got to goof around a little more than the usual, it was definitely a bonding night.
2 - Bus conversations - I take the bus to work. On the way home tonight, I was playing with my phone which is the norm, cause smart phones. An older man sitting beside me politely and very sweetly asked me if that was the internet on my phone (I was on Facebook), to which I replied that it was, we had a small conversation about the way phones had changed, then stopped, and I started going back to my phone. Then it hit me, that my phone was taking up too much of my attention, so I locked it put it away and started up a conversation with the gentleman again. He got off the bus shortly after, but it was nice to put my technology away even for a second to connect with another person. This usually happens when I take a book and am reading, that I need to do more of.
3 - Hot chocolate - I headed to the grove an hour and half before my shift tonight to get some Christmas shopping done. Now I don't care what anyone else says, fifty degrees in LA is cold. There is something about it here that makes it that much colder. But I digress, I was cold and was going to be outside, so I wanted something warm to drink. I don't drink coffee anymore, so hot chocolate is becoming a love of mine, especially this winter. So I found a little place inside the Farmers Market, it was probably the best hot chocolate ever, I don't know what was different, but it was great. It really made my night, and it made the shopping thing so much more enjoyable.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Spread the Love
Going back a few...a lot...of days. I can't really say that things have been too crazy, more that I have been increasingly lazy about the blog. So I do apologize. Also I have been a bit of a Negative Nancy lately, and no one really needs to read about that. So I am returning to the blog world with my attitude geared in the right direction, and also writing about the stuff that makes me happy, usually helps me out.
First off Thanksgiving was awesome, I had 13 people in my house, and while I was friggin' exhausted by the time it was all said and done, I was so happy it happened. Something I am learning about myself...I really like to entertain, in the sense that I enjoy having people over.
Now even more important...IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME Y'ALL! This is my favorite time of the year! It always has been, since I was a little kid. I love the music, the lights, the smells, the food (which is part of why I will probably never be smaller than what I currently am), I genuinely am a cheery Christmas person. Sometimes I'm obnoxious with it, and I don't care, if you don't like Christmas that's you're own prerogative! I really could not give a crap about gifts. I like to find things for other people, this year, I'm looking harder to really find things that are really special for that person, but as far as getting gifts, no matter how much I like them, I don't get that excited because this holiday isn't about that for me. It's about love.
Many of you that know me, know the basic story of my upbringing. We went through some very hard times, money was always a problem, and still is for my family, but this time of year was always magical, and it wasn't because of the gifts that were under the tree, it was because of love. No matter how much we fought, and wanted to strangle each other, my family loved each other. Christmas was the one time of year, where nothing in the world outside of us being a family mattered. As kids we usually liked what we got for Christmas, but honestly I think we liked looking at the tree with the presents under it, because it was sooo pretty. My sister and I would continuously play the Disney Sing-A-Long Christmas tape, and dance to it, mom and I would always make cookies and inevitably burn at least one tray. My dad was always in charge of the lights, and putting the angel on the tree. And yes every year, we always watch all of the silly 1960's claymation movies, because they are awesome.
Now for my point of all this. Christmas is about love. I have been asked countless times already "What do you want for Christmas?" I really don't like this question because, honestly, I don't want anything. Yes there are things I need, and I struggle very much with money, but I have enough. I have a boyfriend that loves me more than I think I comprehend sometimes, friends who would do anything for me, food in my refrigerator and a roof over my head. There are so many people that don't have even one of these things, and I am grateful that I do have so much. I miss my family more than anything this time of year, but the void is being somewhat filled this year by four other people that have become my Los Angeles family.
This year what I want people to do for Christmas is simply do something for someone else, and spread a little love around. It could be something as simple as buying, the person behind you's coffee at Starbucks. Reach out to someone less fortunate than you are, they may just want someone to talk to that day. That is what I want for Christmas. Spread peace, joy, and love.
As I am writing this my all time favorite Christmas song started to play on Spotify, and it is perfect, I tear up every time I hear it. Take a listen.
First off Thanksgiving was awesome, I had 13 people in my house, and while I was friggin' exhausted by the time it was all said and done, I was so happy it happened. Something I am learning about myself...I really like to entertain, in the sense that I enjoy having people over.
Now even more important...IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME Y'ALL! This is my favorite time of the year! It always has been, since I was a little kid. I love the music, the lights, the smells, the food (which is part of why I will probably never be smaller than what I currently am), I genuinely am a cheery Christmas person. Sometimes I'm obnoxious with it, and I don't care, if you don't like Christmas that's you're own prerogative! I really could not give a crap about gifts. I like to find things for other people, this year, I'm looking harder to really find things that are really special for that person, but as far as getting gifts, no matter how much I like them, I don't get that excited because this holiday isn't about that for me. It's about love.
Many of you that know me, know the basic story of my upbringing. We went through some very hard times, money was always a problem, and still is for my family, but this time of year was always magical, and it wasn't because of the gifts that were under the tree, it was because of love. No matter how much we fought, and wanted to strangle each other, my family loved each other. Christmas was the one time of year, where nothing in the world outside of us being a family mattered. As kids we usually liked what we got for Christmas, but honestly I think we liked looking at the tree with the presents under it, because it was sooo pretty. My sister and I would continuously play the Disney Sing-A-Long Christmas tape, and dance to it, mom and I would always make cookies and inevitably burn at least one tray. My dad was always in charge of the lights, and putting the angel on the tree. And yes every year, we always watch all of the silly 1960's claymation movies, because they are awesome.
Now for my point of all this. Christmas is about love. I have been asked countless times already "What do you want for Christmas?" I really don't like this question because, honestly, I don't want anything. Yes there are things I need, and I struggle very much with money, but I have enough. I have a boyfriend that loves me more than I think I comprehend sometimes, friends who would do anything for me, food in my refrigerator and a roof over my head. There are so many people that don't have even one of these things, and I am grateful that I do have so much. I miss my family more than anything this time of year, but the void is being somewhat filled this year by four other people that have become my Los Angeles family.
This year what I want people to do for Christmas is simply do something for someone else, and spread a little love around. It could be something as simple as buying, the person behind you's coffee at Starbucks. Reach out to someone less fortunate than you are, they may just want someone to talk to that day. That is what I want for Christmas. Spread peace, joy, and love.
As I am writing this my all time favorite Christmas song started to play on Spotify, and it is perfect, I tear up every time I hear it. Take a listen.
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