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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Where I've been is where I wanted to go

So it's been 3 months since I last blogged here. What?! Yeah, I know. I've been busy! No excuse... I thought I should update what all I've been doing because I've kind of started wondering what the heck I've been doing the past 3 months!

Football Season - I know it's lame for me to say "Oh, well it's football season. Of course I've been busy!" Every football fan who's worth his salt says this. Of course, they're usually just fans who use that as an excuse. Me? I WORK during football season.* If it's a home game, I'm swamped with tailgating orders and coddling fans, not to mention I actually work on game day for 6+ hours feeding said fans (who are now hungry and drunk). If it's an away week, that doesn't mean we've got an off week. No, I'm getting ready for the next home game, catching up from all the work I DIDN'T get done on home game week... Let's also not forget we had the biggest game of the year (or decade in some people's opinions) here in town (LSU vs. UA for all you people who live outside the south (or under a rock)). Needless to say, football season wiped me out!

*Yes, I know you probably work too. Don't come after me with torches.
Babies, Babies, Babies! - Okay, so two. And calm down. None of them were mine. One of my good friends had her baby in October which I was super psyched about! And then a few weeks ago my aunt had her baby, which I was also super psyched about! Although I've had many friends and acquaintances have babies, these were the first two friends (and relative) that have had babies and I've gotten to be a part of sharing in their excitement.

New Ventures - A while ago I decided I really wanted to start a website. I don't know why, I just did. Deep down I knew I wanted to start a book review site because I LOVE book review sites almost as much as I love books. So my want of a website broke two ways:

Cupcakes and Cover Letters - Still in the works, but super fun. A friend and I have always joked about starting a business that offers resume/cover letter advice and cupcakes. I thought it would be fun to at least have a website that offers that advice and talks about cupcakes, so we decided to go in together and create our site. It's still new and we're still working on it (we're both major busy) but I have no doubt it's gonna be great once we finally get our thinking caps on.

The Grown Up YA - This has become my baby over the past month. While C&C was fun, I really wanted my own site that I could devote to book reviews and such. And since I have a slightly sad obsession with Young Adult literature... it was a no brainer what my site should be about. It's been super fun working on it and connecting with others to make it a legit site. Now all I need is visitors...

Getting Ready to Move - Yes, you heard it right. I'm moving. AGAIN. Unfortunately it's nowhere fun. Just back to my parents'. Luckily this time it should only be for a short while. My lease was up and I hate my apartment complex so I decided not to renew and move home for a bit so I could look for something perfect rather than be rushed into another crappy apartment. Upside? 3 hours of driving a day means lots of books on tape!

Netflix - I hoped to teach those greedy so and so's a lesson by cancelling my membership when they price gouged their product. But then I really wanted to watch an episode of Scrubs and I rejoined. Don't judge. Since I renewed my membership I've been catching up on shows I missed seasons of (30 Rock, Parks and Recreation) and finding new shows to be obsessed with (Downton Abbey OMG so good!). I currently am geekily obsessed with Merlin. You're welcome SyFy.

New Baby Kitty - A couple months ago I went out one night to run an errand (ie go get ice cream) and saw a couple of cute kittens playing in the neighborhood. So when I came back they were still there and I wanted to play with them. Long story short, I ended up taking one home with me. What the what?! I have no clue what I was thinking but she has been so much fun that I'm glad I acted irrationally and randomly picked up a stray cat. Oh, and her name is Elliott. This is not weird, despite what the vet said.

General Laziness - Okay, none of these things listed above REALLY kept me from blogging as much as me being lazy did.

So now that I've started back on this blog I hope that I can be a regular blogger here. Blog.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Fun & Fancy Free in Happy Valley!

Well, football season is back and so far everything is rosy for the University of Alabama! Roll Tide! Of course... we've only played Kent State and that was a bust. 48-7. Roll Tide again!
This weekend we go to Happy Valley and play the Penn State... well I'm not sure what they are. Panthers? Patriots? Amish? Who knows?
Funny story about Penn State. When I was interning in Cuba (yes Cuba) this man came into my office and was asking me where I went to school. So I happily replied "I go to the University of Alabama." Because why wouldn't you say that happily? He gave me a funny look and told me to come closer. This sent off major red warning lights, but considering he was older and I was stupid, I moved closer. He was, actually, holding his hand up to show a large class ring. I immediately thought "Great, he went to Auburn. Time for a show down at the OK Corral" but decided to put on my Alabama classiness and smile politely at him. The ring, however, said "Penn State." Enter total confusion and more polite smiles. Apparently he was at Penn State in the late 70s and early 80s. For those of you who do not know your Alabama history, clearly as I did not back then, we beat Penn State in the 1979 National Championship.

This is the second time I will get to see Alabama take on the Penn State... what are they?! I should look this up. Anywho... as I mentioned earlier we will travel to Happy Valley, which reminds me of this Mickey Mouse cartoon that we had on video when I was little.

My dad was in the Marines before I was born and didn't get out until I was 3, so we moved quite a good bit. When I was 2 he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and, while there, my parents bought several bootlegged Disney movies for me to watch. One of them had Peter Pan, Dumbo and Mickey and the Beanstalk. And in between Dumbo and Mickey was this gem:


Back to Happy Valley. Mickey and the Beanstalk appeared on something called Fun and Fancy Free, which I believe was a video of this man telling a story to this little girl and these creepy puppets.

I, however, am just now learning this as Juicy Fruit took over that part of our bootleg tape.

See, once upon a time, Happy Valley was beautiful, yada yada yada and there was this magic harp that sang. Then a giant stole the harp and the land became poor. We all know the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, so just insert Mickey, Goofy and Donald into the story and it's about the same.

So of course hearing that Penn State was referred to as "Happy Valley" I immediately thought how funny it would be to use Mickey and the Beanstalk for my predictions for the game:

The day before the game the boys of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide are treated to a meal before flying out. While there is a delicious brunch prepared for them, unfortunately some of them will be on very strict diets so as not to weigh them down.

When the Crimson Tide boys get up to Happy Valley, they will be excited because for some of them this may be their first time to ever travel from the state of Alabama, much less so far north.

How pretty Happy Valley is! How lovely it is!


But away games are no picnic. There's lots of hard work involved.

When it comes time for kick-off our boys will be ready!

Ahem... ready!

Roolllllllllllllllll Tide Roll!


And they're off! McCarron throws the ball to someone who catches it... Okay, I haven't learned everyone's name this season yet
.


Touchdown Alabama!

Penn State has the ball.

Sneak attack!


Hightower tackles, fumble!

Recovered!


Touchdown Alabama!

Alabama Wins!


Of course, we can't all be winners. And so, the Penn State boys return home, with good ole JoePa.


As always, enjoy the game and ROLL TIDE!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Dear Future Husband

Dear Future Husband,

By now I am sure that you have accepted all of my odd quirks and love them almost as much as you love me. If you don't, my apologies. You should have thought of that before you gave me the ring. Hopefully you will grow to love my little food songs, my overuse of Scrubs quotes, and my mad desire for Little House on the Prairie marathons. Just as I love how you take out the garbage, don't complain about my cooking, and pick up your socks even though I don't pick up mine.

I know how lucky I am to have you. Never in a million years did I think someone would be okay with a domestically challenged woman as myself but somehow you are. And I love you for that. Even if I'm not able to cook a fancy schmancy meal to show just how much I love you.

Once a very picky girl, I have grown into an even pickier woman who has not always known what she wants. It may have taken me a while to find you, but find you I did. I know that you're healthy, wealthy and wise, with handsome looks and charm that curls my toes. I know that you're the man of my dreams regardless of ever actually appearing in them. I know that one day when we begin our family our children will be beautiful because look at us. We're beautiful. And I know that my life has been enriched just by loving you.

I look forward to spending my life with you, experiencing things with you, growing old with you. I look forward to the day when we sit in our living room fussing like an old Jewish couple and are absolutely precious doing it. Because we will be that old Jewish couple who are absolutely precious, despite us not being Jewish. Unless you are. Then mazel tov. And when you're going through your mid-life crisis I promise not to roll my eyes too hard when you insist on buying that ostentatious cherry red convertable and will put sunscreen on your balding head when you insist on driving it around with the top down. Because I know you put up with me during all my crazy moments and baby, there will be lots of 'em!

Thank you for making my dreams come true, for giving me happiness and laughter, for entertaining my crazy schemes like the dreamboat Desi you are. I know that no matter how awesome I am, it's because of you that I am that much more awesome.

Hugs and Kisses,
Your darling wife

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

May the odds be ever in your favor!

Earlier today I had a brief, humor-laden serious discussion about the current drop in rating the US just received. At least I think that's what it was about. Whatever it was about it led me to say this:
and I think that we've completely [screwed] up this country over the past decade so it's almost beyond repair... like someone's going to have to give and no one is willing to do it
Which led to this gem:
oh god... this is how all those dystopian books start... a corrupt government, overthrowing it by the people... damnit! pretty soon they're either going to wipe us out or we're going to resort to the middle ages and be forced to marry and have babies!

Recently I've somehow subconciously discovered what is referred to as dystopian novels. For those who don't know what this means - don't worry, I didn't either at first - it's basically the opposite of utopian. Don't know what utopian means? What? Did you never see Ever After with Drew Barrymore? Pshh...

Dystopian mainly refers to "the idea of a society in a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian." From Wikipedia. We all know it's a reliable source.

Now I'm seriously NOT a conspiracy theory nut or one of those "keep the government outta here!" type people. I'm really not. I truly still want to ahave faith in the government and believe that it's still "for the people." Although lately our government hasn't given me much hope. And isn't that slowly how dystopian societies in these books start? The people are dissatisfied with the government, they revolt, they riot, they try to overturn the government and either the government wipes them out or the rioters destroy the government and take over. (See Cuba and their happy ending)

Of course I don't see any of this happening in my lifetime or my potential children's lifetime. I just don't. But if these are the types of people our world is churning out (see below), I just don't see how we can stop a dystopian society from becoming our future.

And I don't mean that they will be the ones to rise up and overtake the goverment. Not unless they can Facebook about it.

Perhaps a dystopian society wouldn't be so bad. As long as you kept your head down and played by the rules maybe you could have a healthy and happy life. According to the many novels out there, apparently everything's taken care of for you. No longer will we have to worry about what our kids learn and whether one school system is better than the other. Everything is equal. Looking for love will be a thing of the past, if love isn't completely eradicated by then. Mates will be chosen for us and we won't have to stress about finding someone before we get too old. We'll all be married at a certain age anyway.

Yes, I know this all makes me sound like a crazy person. But as my friend Loraine* said: "At this point I'd rather do that then work 14 hour days and make no money. At least making babies requires me to be sleeping with a man which is better than right now too"
*Name changed to protect Emilie.

As long as my futuristic, government chosen husband looks like this:
I'd be okay with making babies for a living too.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Dear Myself

I would like to share a story. If I've already shared this story, then excuuuuuuse me Princess... but this is my blog.


When I was maybe 13 or 14 I decided to make a list of things I wanted to do by the time I was 16. I was going to open it on my 16th birthday in hopes that I had accomplished the things on my list. So I made this list, folded it up and taped it on the inside of my dresser's top drawer (you know it's important and private if it goes in the top drawer). As my birthday drew nearer I grew more and more excited. I even went as far as bragging to everyone about this. I tried imagining what all my younger self had wanted to accomplish, had I accomplished those things, etc. When it was time to read the list I could hardly contain myself. I opened the drawer, ripped out the folded up paper and opened it. And it was....

Something completely different. There was no list. It was like a piece of scrap paper with something random on it. No list. No goals. Nothing.

This really was one of my more embarrassing moments. But still a funny story.

In the show How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) they often have this bit "You know who could handle this? Future us." (note: this is not a direct quote from the show) Since I am one of those people who regularly adopts funny lines from shows and uses them as my own catch phrases (ex. "frick", "awesome", "funsies", "You son of a beetch!", etc.) I sometimes catch myself saying "You know who would be awesome at doing this? Future Candice." Well, Future Candice, you ARE awesome.

When I was a freshman in high school we had to write letters to ourselves that we would open right before graduation. Since mine was so ridiculously dumb, I'm going to refrain from explaining what it was about. This is just another prime example of how awesome Future Candice is. Because Future Candice would never write about lame things like how super cute that guy in band is.

Since Future Candice is so awesome, I wanted to write a letter to her. So here goes:

Dear Future Candice,
Hi! How is it in year 2021 (yes, 2021... because I'm sure this blog will still be awesome then)? Hopefully great!

I hope by now you have found a career that satisfies you and pays your bills. And leaves you lots of money left over for fun stuff... like shopping! Did you ever take that trip to Greece? I hope so because I'm really wanting to go.

I'm also hoping by now you've managed to have a somewhat successful relationship. And I hope that includes with someone other than yourself! Maybe that's a little harsh, but by 38 you should have at least found someone to love you!

There are so many things I hope you have done and discovered by now, such as had your book published and learned how to clean your apartment. Geez I hope you aren't still living in an apartment! Unless it's one in NYC, then that's acceptable. You did move there, right? Please don't tell me I'm still stuck in Tuscaloosa!

Finally, what is your hair like? Did it turn completely grey? Are you still rocking the Stacy London look? Is Stacy London even relevant?

Love and Kisses!
Candice

P.S. Did the last Twilight movies really suck?

Monday, August 1, 2011

You want me to do WHAT?!


Earlier this morning I read this really great article by Marlo Thomas entitled "Passing the Torch... Who's Going to Run With It?" Basically it was about growing feminism for the next generation (or at least that was what the tweet on twitter tweeted about it... tweet). Anywho... here is the link to it. Go ahead. Give it a read. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/growing-feminism-for-the-_b_914380.html

Read it? Great huh? It's really inspiring to know that in today's world opportunities are opening up for women by leaps and bounds. In today's world there's nothing a woman can't do simply because she's a woman.

Growing up I never had a hero. People I admired maybe but never an actual hero. Which, looking back, I find to be a shame because as I was a child women were beginning to take the world by storm. There was no longer an excuse NOT to have one. This got me thinking: If I didn't have a role model or a hero, what did I have?

I just read a blog post about books that changed lives and decided to comment on it. The first book that sprang to mind was Catherine Called Birdy which was a favorite of mine growing up. Not to go into any details, but it was basically about a girl ahead of her time. Another favorite, The Awakening. Again, woman ahead of her time. A Doll's House. A woman ahead of her time. Seeing a pattern here? Me too.

Over the past few years I've started to become more aware of the advances of women in both the workforce and in the world. It wasn't too long ago that I remember telling my grandmother that I didn't think a woman would do well as a president. I really wish I could go back and slap that version of me. On second thought, maybe not; that would hurt. My point is, why would I think that? Why would I tell myself, and firmly believe, that women can't do what men can?

The truth is I don't know. I could say that I thought the world wasn't ready for a female president of the United States. But why not?! Other countries have women leaders - Germany, England, Liberia, Finland, India, Argentina, Australia... the list goes on! Why not us? Why not the US? Okay... off that soapbox.

My point is and original reason for writing this post is that today's women can do anything, be anything, achieve anything. Our mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers fought and pushed to get us to where we are today. If anything, I wish I could tell girls how successful they can be, how beautiful they can be, etc. and that they don't have to be Snookie or whatever crap MTV pushes out to be awesome!

I think Reese Witherspoon summed it up best (ironically at the MTV Movie Awards) “I know it’s cool to be bad; I get it,” she said. “But it’s also possible to make it in Hollywood without a reality show.” It's also possible to make it anywhere.

Note: I should let you know what brought on this girl power rant. Last week my boss told me that he wanted me to clean the office really well because one of his bosses is coming back into town and wanted to make sure the office looked good for him. Apparently I work on the set of Mad Men. However, according to my friend Emilie, if I did work on Mad Men haha well on Mad Men I'd "at least have a really attractive... boss who might bang you on the side." Thanks Emile Bunle for putting that into perspective.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

If I could write my own job description... It would be awesome

It's a funny thing, really, when you think about your job. What it is you ACTUALLY do vs what you were HIRED to do. I often wonder would I have even applied for my job had I known exactly what all it entailed.

Thinking...

Thinking...

Thinking...

Yeah, I probably would still have applied. I was that desperate back then.

In hindsight, which IMO is the best sight to have, the job hasn't been that bad. I've learned a lot, I've grown somewhat of a backbone, I've learned not to let little things get me down. But, just in case there is something better just around the bend *coughNewYorkcough* I've decided to create a more accurate job description for the person who one day takes my place

Event Coordinator Job Description


Office Equipment Repairperson/Guru - The Event Coordinator is required to know all facets of the office equipment, including but not limited to Fax Machine, Copier, Laminator, Scanner, etc. Should the Event Coordinator for some reason not know the reason behind malfunctioning equipment, whether due to overusage or ignorant employees who don't know how to use said equipment, he or she must figure out how to fix said equipment so ignorant employee can continue with their job.

Information Specialist - The Event Coordinator must be familiar with all internet websites that may contain any information others may need at any given time. He or she must always be able to find answers to a variety of questions, including football/commencement/academic/Prince William's schedules; phone numbers to clients who had an event that one time three years ago; and why Vanderbilt is the Commodores.

Psychic Medium - Must be able to see into the future and forsee all needs and wants of anyone at any given time. Whether they are a client or not. This may also include knowing what type of salad Nick Saban enjoys.


Historian - Ability to keep impeccable records of all events dating to before Event Coordinator graduated from high school. Prefer person who is able to recall dates at the drop of a hat and provide facts regarding said dates.


Therapist/Psychologist
- Provide free services for customers and co-workers with various problems and disorders. These may range from "my boss just told me we need cookies for this afternoon," and "but only 8 of my 10 guests showed up and I don't want to pay for 10" to "my husband pissed me off this morning so I'm going to take it out on you." Therapist license preferred but not required.

Detective - Ability to research and provide facts from mulitple months or years prior, including what type of spice was used on that thing with the brown stuff on top that was served at the event that was back in 2007 or 2004 when that man with the grey toupe sat at the third or fourth table and ordered a glass of water.

Miracle Worker - At any given time miracles must be performed. These are not limited to Annie Sullivan miracles but may also include miracles of the Biblical kind.
Yes, yes you can add water at the last minute! W-A-T-E-R!


Sound like an interesting job? No? You're right... it's actually not. Except for the miracle working part. That's pretty awesome.

Friday, July 15, 2011

7 Favorite Harry Potter Moments #5, #6 and #7

Today's the day. The day it all ends. The final Harry Potter movie is officially out in theaters and in a few hours my sister and I will be sitting in our awesome D-Box seats waiting to watch our three favorite wizards try to destroy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Today will prove to be a very non-productive day... as if any of my days really are!

#5 - That moment of "huh?" that I had after watching HP:OOTP
Yeah, I know that doesn't sound like a very memorable moment on the surface, but trust me, it was. After watching Order of the Phoenix I remember leaving the theater thinking "okay, I am TOTALLY lost here." So I decided to finally read the books. I was unable to put them down. As I am a super-reader, I'm pretty sure I went through books 1-6 in like a week. So thanks whoever wrote, directed, produced, whatever the 5th installment. I owe you one!



#6 - That time Hermione grasped Ron's hand
Who DIDN'T squeal when this happened? Okay... maybe no one did. Maybe I didn't either. But it seriously was cute.


#7 - Tie between waiting for the Inferi to grab Harry's hand and waiting for my sister's shock when Snape killed Dumbledore, both in the Half-Blood Prince
This is probably one of the drawbacks to reading a book before seeing the movie based off it. You know what's going to happen before it happens. Of course, when you know it's going to happen and it's something that you know is going to startle you, that does make it even more exciting. When we were watching HP:HBP I remember sitting in suspense, waiting for that deathly hand to pop out of the water and grab Harry. And then it did! Yikes!


The next thing I was really looking forward to was Snape killing Dumbledore. Unfortunately when I was reading the books I read something about how Dumbledore had been killed, so I knew it was coming. However, I didn't know Snape had done it and it was a very definite "whoa!" moment. So I knew that in the movie this scene was going to be very similar for my sister. I kept glancing over at her during this whole scene to get her reaction. Boy was she surprised!


Whew, at least she didn't act like this!


So there it is... my 7 favorite Harry Potter moments. And so as to not leave on a sad ending, here are two of my favorite Harry Potter videos.


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Is there such thing as a 1/3-life crisis?

I'm pretty sure there comes a point in everyone's life where they stop and think "Is this really my life?" Maybe it comes earlier in life, fresh out of college, sitting in your parents' living room in your pajamas watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch at 1:00 in the afternoon while eating a bowl of cereal out of a big cup because you just woke up 20 minutes ago. Maybe it comes later in life, while you're sitting at your kid's soccer game and watching him kick the ball into the other team's goal and forcing yourself to clap for your semi-special little man who just lost the team the game.

Or, if you're like me, maybe it hits you every time you take a shower. Or go to bed. Or wake up. Or sit at your desk at work pecking away on your blog.

I just finished reading a post on HelloGiggles (one of my favorite new sites, check it out if you haven't already!) entitled "Being a Professional Adult." In this post the writer listed ways she would know when she was an adult and I really found myself agreeing with her on most things. She wrote about when she bought her first winter coat how she felt everyone would know she was an adult. I think I go through that a lot to. Not with coats, mind you, because I have a mild obsession with them and have a different one for every day of the week, plus a few extra for costume changes mid-day. But there are times (rare times) when I actually put effort into getting dressed and think "I'm wearing heels! My hair isn't in a ponytail! I'm not wearing sweats! Look at me! I'm a grown up!"

Of course, I pretty much cancel out all grown-upness out when I get home, kick off my heels, pull my hair up, put on some sweats and turn on Wizards of Waverly Place.


Lately I've been looking at my life and thinking "Is this really my life?" You hear all the time about the existential woes of the twenty-something, scraping by on a meager salary, eating Spaghetti-O's for dinner, having massive credit card debt due to shopping too much... It's kind of funny, always good for a laugh or a quirky rom-com. But in real life, not so funny. And somehow, in the past year, this has become my life. Minus the credit card debt. Yay me.

Now, I've never felt like I was the girl who always "had it together" but I've also never felt like an incredible train wreck. There's really no point in searching for the "how" or the "why" - such as I took a job that was incredibly low-paying and in Tuscaloosa in hopes that it would lead to a better job. Pshh...
Now that I've gotten all my Negative Nancy out, maybe I should focus on how to combat said train wreck and get myself back on course.

Set goals - I would like to move somewhere new by 2012. (NYC please!)
Manage money better - Prepare budget and stick to it. Cut excessive crap spending.
Clean apartment - No explanation necessary
De-clutter my life - Do I really need 9 coats? In Alabama? (yes... yes I do)
Make goals happen

Will these things make me feel better about my life? I have no idea. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. But maybe they'll let me stop eating Spaghetti-O's. They're honestly pretty disgusting.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

7 Favorite Harry Potter Moments #3 and #4

My friend Emilie went to the NYC premiere of Harry Potter last night and I'm fairly certain my skin is slightly tinged green with envy. But no matter... only 4 days until I get to see it!
I thought it would be fun to have some HP-themed snacks for my sister and me to enjoy before we go see the movie so the first thing that came to mind was Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans. Let me tell you... this was like trying to find a needle in a haystack! I still haven't found them... so we may not get to feast on "chocolate and peppermint, and... also spinach, liver, and tripe." However, after work today, the search will resume!


And now for more of my favorite HP moments!

#3 - The hotness of the Weasley twins
Who would have ever thought that two gangly gingers would turn out to be so hot? Not me, that's for sure!



#4 - Any scene that Helena Bonham Carter is in
I don't really remember much about Bellatrix Lestrange from the books, mainly because re-reading them I haven't gotten that far (I'm still working on GoF). But I do know that casting HBC as Bellatrix was a total WIN. The first time we were introduced to her was like whoa... she's one crazy you know what.

Monday, July 11, 2011

7 Favorite Harry Potter Moments #1 and #2

With almost a 10 year age difference between my sister and me there really are very few things we've shared over the years. But when our mom forced me to take her to the movies 10 years ago to see Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone, who knew that would be the start of something special?

Danielle and I have gone to see every Harry Potter movie together over the years and, in 5 days, it will all be over. So, rather than get all weepy now, I wanted to discuss my favorite moments over the past 10 years. And, in keeping with Harry Potter, I've decided to list my favorite 7.

#1 - The midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
By this movie our sisterly tradition of going to see Harry Potter had really taken root and we both were excited about it so we decided to go to the midnight premiere. This would also be the LAST midnight premiere of Harry Potter that we would go to. Danielle fell asleep during it. I was constantly having to wake her up. She thought it was boring. I still tease her about not being able to handle staying up late.

#2 - Harry Potter costume = fail
I thought it would be funny to dress up in a Harry Potter costume before going to the movies to see what my sister would say. So I put on my old black graduation robe, a scarf and my glasses and went to sit in the living room to wait on her. My mom laughed but when Danielle walked in, she took one look at me and said "Okay, are you ready to go?" Apparently she didn't think it was funny...

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Summer Reading

A few weeks ago I decided to tap into my inner school-girl and give myself summer reading assignments. I created a not-so-short summer reading list that I figured would last me 3 months. Of course, being the Speedy Gonzales of reading, I realized I'd probably zip through that list in 3 weeks rather than months. Seriously, I read like it's going out of style.
Anywho... I'm SO glad I made this list. Although I haven't gotten very far in it - considering I keep adding books to it rather than reading the ones already listed - I have come across some absolutely fabulous reads and wanted to write down my thoughts of them.

Hunger Games Trilogy - OMG... I NEVER thought this would be something I liked and OMG was I wrong! OMG. haha. While I love reading, it generally takes a lot to really get me invested a book and let it become a part of me. These three books totally did that after only a few chapters. I found myself wanting to kick Katniss and hug her at the same time. I fell in love with Peeta even before she did and threatened to throw the book across the room if she ended up with Gale. I wanted to kill... Okay, you see my investment here?

The Sky is Everywhere - I'm not really a crier when it comes to books. In fact, there really aren't many I remember crying over. And I don't mean tearing up. I mean, CRYING. Curling up in the bed and soaking your pillow crying, hating the book and the writer for making you cry but wanting to go on because you owe it to the character to hear her story. Yup... this book is the culprit for making me cry. The plot is pretty simple: girl's older sister dies unexpectedly and she deals with the aftermath. Already that's sad! Add to it that the girl's mom ran off when she was little, she's making out with her sister's boyfriend and the new guy in town is in love with her but dumps her because she's making out with her sister's boyfriend and whoa... emotional roller coaster for me! Oh, and did I mention all the poetry she writes about her dead sister at the beginning of every chapter? I know this sounds like a terrible book, but trust me when I say all the crying was well worth the read.

Starcrossed - I was SO excited when I finally got this book! I had been waiting weeks to read it and it was so worth the wait! I was still in love days after finishing the last page. I wanted to read it again and again the second I closed the cover - in fact, I did go back and re-read some parts. Just to make myself happy. The story follows Helen, a girl who doesn't quite fit in, who finds out just why she doesn't fit quite in: she's the child of a demi-god. And there are others out there, just like her. Including Lucas, the dreamy guy who just moved to town. But when they find out that they are reincarnations of Helen of Troy and Paris, they realize they cannote be together or risk starting another Trojan War. Ohhh.... this book was so good! Only downside... the sequel doesn't come out until next YEAR! Ugh!!! This is why I don't get into series at the beginning; I HATE WAITING!!!

There have been several others I've read so far this summer, but these are the ones I've loved best so far. It's gonna take a lot to top them! Happy Summer to all!

Friday, June 24, 2011

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I'll be the first to admit it: I have a LOT of pet peeves. People leaving the copy machine up. People taking my pens at work. My sister singing in the back seat of the car. The list could go on and on. Today's pet peeve comes from a blog post I read earlier written by a 23-year old woman about how she loves the 80s and it was her favorite decade and she wishes she could go back in time and be 23 in the 80s. Now, maybe I get what she means. Perhaps the 80s were awesome. Perhaps it really was a good time to live. I mean, I enjoyed it. But I was a kid. I think I would have enjoyed any decade. This girl, however, was maybe 3 at the end of the decade. THREE! I suppose I just don't understand this kind of nostalgia. I mean, when I get nostalgic for a past time in my life, it isn't nostalgia for stereotypes of that era. I'm not nostalgic for big crimpy hair, jean mini-skirts and bangles up to my elbows. I'm not nostalgic for dancing around in the mall or going to see whatever John Hughes came out with this week. I was a KID! I didn't do these things, I didn't wear these things and I don't remember these things. AND NEITHER DID YOU 23 YEAR OLD WOMAN!!!

That being said, I am getting slightly nostalgic for the 80s. Here are some things that made up my childhood that I suddenly miss:

Alvin and the Chipmunks - This was my absolute favorite! Although, for some reason, whenever the theme song came on I would apparently hide. No idea why.


Crest Sparkle Toothpast - Weird, right? But who didn't love sparkly blue toothpaste that tasted like bubblegum? And it was star-shaped at one point!



My Little Ponies, Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, Pound Puppies/Pound Kitties... these were my toys in the 80s! We really did have cool toys back then. I'm pretty sure I had most of the toys on this site: http://www.liketotally80s.com/80s-toys.html

One of my favorite toys on this list was the My Child Doll. I had one... I named her Maria and she wore a lot of my old baby clothes. She now lives in the attic. Naked. Ah, Maria!

Dirty Dancing - Yes, I know this is NOT an appropriate movie for children, even now. And no, I don't really remember actually seeing the entire thing. Just the ending. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." Then the awesome dance. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey singing "I've had the Time of My Life." Baby's really awesome dress from the 80s. My mom telling my dad that was the kind of moment all women want. Ahh...


Sunday Braids and Ponytails - I'm pretty certain we were the only family that called this hairstyle "Sunday Braids" and "Sunday Ponytails" but that's what they were. (PS after googling Sunday Braid, I found out that it's a type of boot)


Jellies!!! - I LOVE LOVE LOVE these shoes! They were oh so cute. Only downside... little rocks would get stuck in the bottom of them. But who didn't love pulling them out?!










So that does it for my little trip down memory lane. I'm sure I can think of a million more things, but those are just the ones that popped into my head while I was bored at work and writing this.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Guest Blogger: Emilie Bunnell - She speaka de Spanish good!

In response to my previous post regarding my fears of moving to New York City, my good friend Emilie has decided to give a rebuttal and feature as a guest blogger on the awesomeness that is my blog. So without further ado...



I realize that its a daunting experience packing up your things and traveling miles and miles into a crazy and unknown city. As a real New Yorker I have a few rebuttal comments to your fears about moving to the city to help ease your nerves.

1. All the superheroes live in new York for the most obvious reason - the fairest damsels in distress reside here. What do you think all the explosions, destruction, and bridge dangling is caused by? Same reason for the troubles in Troy - beautiful women. (The spandex they wear is for the woman to make sure there is no false advertising in our superhero crushes.)

2. Giant marshmallows are delicious. What you missed is everyone plucking a piece for their hot cocoa on their walk around the city in the winter. The Statue of Liberty was clearly being kind to tourists by walking to Times Square making it easier for them to find her. And that giant ape you saw was really just a window washer.

3. First, better the hero then the villain, right? Also, how amazing would that proposal story be? "So how did he propose?" "Well I was hanging by the ankles from the Brooklyn Bridge when he swung in, kicked a green goblin's ass, kissed me upside down as he pulled me to safety, then dropped to one knee and proposed as he pulled off his mask." Ahhh romantic.

4. Hate in NYC? River of slime?? What are these things you speak of? NYC is the city of love. The city of friendship. Its the place people dream of moving to. Its romantic, and exciting, and full of opportunity. It's the thing of movies and music and art. There is no city better!! That bit of slime is from New Jersey. Not all states can be great.

5. Rats are to New York what cows are to the country. Next trip I will teach you rat tipping.

6. Stabler, Caffrey, Ames, Flack, Reagan...the list of attractive men fighting crime in this city goes on and on. Safety and eye candy. What more could a girl ask for?

7. Don't worry about dancing gangs. Life in New York is like all the great high school movies from the 90s. When the music starts everyone knows the dance!! It's part of your initiation to the city. And if you are lucky Neil Patrick Harris is in the dancing gang. I mean who wouldn't want to be in a dance gang with NPH?!

And thus ends my rebuttals for why New York is the city. Have no fear my friend. Falling in love with a spandex wearing employed superhero will be the least of your worries when you start apartment searching and realize your budget only allows for places that have either a shower or a toilet. Shacking up with Spidey might look like a good idea then.”


I sort of hate her for this...

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

This Mr. Stay Puft's okay! He's a sailor, he's in New York; we get this guy laid, we won't have any trouble!

A while ago I emailed my boss asking if we could set up a time to discuss my future with the company and what I would like to eventually do with my career. After an initial reaction of "OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE I ACTUALLY DID THAT I'M GOING TO VOMIT" I decided to become confident, non-self-concious woman rather than scaredy cat girl. Which led me to ask the big question: What DO I want to do with my life?

Over the past few years I've really had this annoying hankering to move to New York. It's unheard of, unthinkable, and quite honestly the biggest thing I think I could do short of moving to Greece and opening a cupcake shop. In other words, it would be awesome.

Aside from the fact that I'd have to find a new job, find a new place to live, learn how to hail a cab, figure out bus schedules, and invest in walking shoes, there really are a lot of things that seriously worry me about moving to New York.


1) Crime - I know everything says that crime has gone down over the years in NYC, but really... if it's gone down so much why do all the superheroes live there? Spiderman, the Fantastic Four, Captain America... And have you seen what happens in the movies? Explosions, buildings destroyed, damsels in distress; I could easily be kidnapped and hung upside down over a bridge while a spandex onesie wearing man flys around for an hour fighting another spandex onesie wearing man.

2) Various giant beings are an every day occurance - A giant marshmallow man is coming down 5th Avenue? Pshh... no big deal. The Statue of Liberty strolling down Madison? Happens every day. Giant ape climbing the Empire State Building? Really? Again? Are New Yorkers so jaded that this doesn't faze them?








3) Superheroes - Okay, I know I just talked about them, but here is my other issue. If all these superheroes live in New York, and no one knows their identity, what happens if you meet one on the street and end up going out on a date? Now, I know the chances of me going out with someone who is a secret superhero are slim to none, but I'm sure Mary Jane Watson didn't think she'd be dating Spiderman. I'm sure MJ didn't ever consider the fact that maybe, just maybe, the reason she keeps nearly falling off buildings or getting kidnapped is because her boyfriend is really Spiderman. I personally don't want to fall of buildings. Maybe it's just me.

4) All the hate in NYC creates a giant river of slime - Disgusting! That's all I have to say about that.



5) Rats - During my trip to NYC my friend Emilie told me about a game they play called "Spot the rat" while in the subway. Yeah, I won the first round having spotted a giant rat the second she finished telling me about the game.



6) Sick, twisted SVU crimes - I know I mentioned crime as the first thing that worries me, but have you noticed that just about every Law & Order takes place IN NEW YORK CITY?!?! Wow... I mean, c'mon... crazy crimes like that happen EVERY SINGLE WEEK? Good thing I'll have Benson and Stabler watching my back. Although I wouldn't mind watching Stabler's back...




7) Singing Street Gangs - Okay, maybe this one is a little far-fetched, but for some reason I'm not really scared of legit gangs... Not that I'm really scared of singing street gangs, but only in NYC could they exist. I do worry that I might get caught in a rumble and will have to pick between the Jets and the Sharks. Also, I probably should work on my grand plies just in case.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Picture Challenge!!! Or I had nothing else to do at work

A picture of yourself with 10 facts
Awesome, Smart, Witty, Beautiful, Domestically Challenged, Quirky, Caring, Snobby, Super Hair, 2+2=4




A picture of the person you have been closest with the longest
I speeka de Spanish good!



A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Elliot: Carla, if your wedding ceremony's gonna be in Spanish, how will I know that you're officially married?
Carla: [sarcastically] Cause all my cousins will throw tortillas in the air and fire their guns.
Elliot: Really? God I wish I was ethnic.

A picture of your favorite night

Drinks, dancing and 80s/90s music... could life get any better?!

A picture of your favorite memory

Roll Tide!!!!!

A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Okay... I wouldn't trade places with Lea Michele. I would trade places with Rachel Berry. Mainly so I could make out with Finn. And then I think we would have a little scene that went something like this:



A picture of your most treasured item

So TECHNICALLY my dog isn't a "thing" or an "item" but she is treasured. Look at that face! How could she NOT be!!!

A picture that makes you laugh


or



or



A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

I heart LC!

A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with

I wouldn't really say I do the most ****** up things with Lauren, but I do manage to get into trouble whenever we hang out! Mostly my fault though... I'm no spring chicken!

A picture of something you hate

Blech! Cooked bell pepper!

A picture of something you love

Nom nom nom... tiramisu!

A picture of your favorite band or artist

I don't know if they're still my "favorite" band, but I do love some SP!

A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

My mom! She's sort of my best friend.

A picture of something you want to do before you die

No comments needed.

A picture of someone who inspires you


A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Hello friend!

A picture of your biggest insecurity


Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?


Maybe it's dumb... but I'm kind of insecure about the possibility that if I ever get sorted into a house I'm going to get put in Hufflepuff. Despite Cedric Diggory being in this house...

A picture of a letter

What yourself Selena...

A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Duh

A picture of something you wish you could forget

That says "Harris Hall" - I'd love to wipe away my memory of that place.

A picture of something you wish you were better at

Dancing... I mean, I'm totally stellar at home, but not so much on the dance floor.

A picture of your favorite book

Fantastic read! Read it! Read it! Read it!

A picture of something you wish you could change

One day...

A picture of your favorite day

My birthday!!!

A picture of something that means a lot to you


A picture of yourself and a family member

Or 3...

A picture of something you're afraid of

The first (and only) time I watched Gremlins was when I was maybe 4... it came on TV and my parents let me watch it. I was, of course, scared... and was petrified there were gremlins under my bed. Didn't help that my mom, upon checking, pretended that they had gotten her and she was being pulled in under the bed. I may have to rethink that "best friends" thing...

A picture that can always make you smile

It's kind of tiny, but I'm making this adorable devil child face... Also, check out my aunt's knee socks.

A picture of someone you miss

My fabulous sparkle!!!