Going to the Chapel

I wouldn't just comeback and then just leave you again (this is of course assuming anyone reads this which is indeed a long shot)! I'm here...and want to share some details about my upcoming nuptials... I try to be mindful that my wedding is not the most important thing in the world to everyone...but this is my blog and I'll share if I want to!

Here are a couple of things that have been decided for our winter wedding...

Meet the bridesmaid dress, I want one too!
 

Here is where we will be saying...I do! The Biltmore Ballrooms Atlanta.

Our Save the Date...designed by my crazy talented friend Megan...

We're wildly excited and blessed to be able to celebrate with all of our families in a little over five months. I'm so ready to rock marriage with my main man. So far the hardest part has been keeping the dress a secret...stay tuned!

Step into my office...

As per the usual, I have shirked my blogging duties...but it's ok because disappointing my 3 readers doesn't really seem like THAT big of a deal (there's only 3, right?). I tell you what, life has been out of control recently and I mean that in the most positive exciting way. Parties, car woes, applications, acceptances, vacations, birthdays, holidays, Wednesdays, weddings, yard sales, late nights, early nights, fireflies, laundry, jazz, heat waves, oil spills...and it continues well into August.

A couple of big things. I have perfected the shrimp scampi and will be sharing the recipe. Adam was hired! And, I am leaving my job. Most people have a set plan when they leave one employment and move on to different things...but, I have multiple. In addition to all of the life that has been going on, I have been juggling a handful of different opportunities, each unique and more wonderful than the others. I am beyond myself with enthusiasm, up for the hard work that will ensue and hopeful.

I have a list of things to blog about...and I will definitely get to them by the end of this year :)

Charleston...

River Dogs Game

Oz on the Beach

Addy in disguise

Tearing it UP

Addy and I at the Water Front Park

I'm Not Gonna Write You a Love Song

I had one of those days yesterday...the kind where I disasterbate and launch into my quarterlife crisis mode..."Who am I? What do I want? How do I get there? Why can't I get there faster?"

Surely all two of you that read this can identify. Any how, I feel a lot more at peace today. I can't really tell you why...the questions and uncertainty remain, I just feel confident that life will work it out. Plus, I am taking the day off tomorrow...for a mental break, so today is technically my Friday. We don't have a lot of days on this earth. Roughly 30,000 if you expect to live until at least 80 (check out the mister's extremely well written post on it, here). Spending too many of those days stressed out about the subsequent days does seem like a total waste of precious days.

So whether or not the place I am in is right or wrong for me. Whether I end up making everything work the way I plan or wait tables...I really need to take it one day at time. Which is much easier to write than practice!

I'll leave you with this. I love DMB like most 15-35 year olds, been to several shows...and I've heard "You & Me" tons of times before...but this weekend, while cleaning the house with my honey, I really "heard" this song. Such a beautiful love song. I want my life to sound like this song...

The Most Annoying Things on Social Media, ever.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my social media. I’m all about checking status or perfectly crafting the most witty update (lame, but I admitted what everyone else won’t). In fact, I have pretty much made my career out of being really well versed in online marketing initiatives and communication via social media. I’m not calling myself an expert but you can feel free too. As such, because I spend ungodly amounts of time on social media I have an opinion on some really annoying practice that a lot of people do. And because this is my blog and I can talk about whatever I please, I am going to share them with you.

1. ANY VARIATION OF PROPER TYPING REALLY IRKS ME! ArE yOu YeLlInG oR cOnFuSeD?

2. Bogus invitations to attend things in states that I do not live in or plan on visiting. Double annoyance points if you are inviting me to vote for something at a school I don’t attend. Or never did.

3. Club promoters. Sorry dude, I’m not “thirsty” every single Thursday! Geez…

4. Bands that invite you to become a fan of them every single day. That is a great way to get defriended! If I have to reject you every day, we need to seriously re-evaluate our friendship.

5. Status updates 24-7 on Facebook. If you want to tell everyone every step you are taking or what you are eating for lunch, join Twitter, it is better for noise. I don’t need to see you twice on my feed.

6. This one is a bit hypocritical. Complainers! I do in fact realize that I am complaining, but still! Quit complaining! You are on your iPhone complaining about traffic with a full belly, you are doing better than most of the world.

7. Weird baby things. I get mixed reviews on this one, but I really don’t need to see all of your sonograms and your alien child. With the prevalence of parents on the book now, I can see the need. But seriously, don’t need to know that you are about to get induced or see a picture of your first response pregnancy test. It is weird!

8. Ok, no brainer—Farm anything. I don’t want to join your gang, don’t want to water your crops don’t want to make a virtual pie, etc.

9. Countdowns. 76 days to Germany. 75 days to Germany….every single day! Newsflash, no one that is on your facebook is going with you to Germany and needs to know more than once or twice you are going! Boarding the plane to Germany. Gimme a break!

10. Auto reply or auto follows. Swear to god, one day I talk about losing weight and within 5 hours I have 10 new followers that want to talk about weight loss! My lips are sealed, sister!

What do you find the most annoying things on social media? This post?

P.S. Kinda failed at blogging last month, and sort of all year….but I’m bbbaaaaacccckk and I have a sah-weet new computer so expect great things from me (if you already weren’t).

Haterade

"There is a victory ahead with your name on it. Claim it."

Just a Friendly Reminder

Recent observation:

Very, very rarely is a "friendly reminder" that friendly at all.

Am I right or am I right?

Clean.Eat.Gloat.

Busy, busy weekend ahead of me. However it is the weekend and the weather here in Atlanta is AH-MAZ-ING! Totally ready for two days of bliss...just like I am every weekend.

Does anyone else's house have a weekly tornado that runs through it? Somehow by Thursday night my house looks like an Ikean war zone. There are shoes that are MIA and dishes with casualties in the kitchen. Heaps of laundry and an empty fridge. So, lots of cleaning ahead...which I actually don't mind. I have a weird obsession with the smell of cleaning supplies...Windex & Pine-Sol are my favs (sick, I know)...and I love a clean house--but, this weekend is a little different. My parents are coming for dinner Sunday and to see the new house. I feel like the house has to be spotless...like on your knees scrubbing the baseboards clean. My house was built in 1940. I've got years of scrubbing ahead to me. To me, I feel like I have something to prove by the cleanliness of my home...like, "See, I am responsible and neat. Oh my closet??...Yeah, it IS color coded."

Nevermind, that I pay my bills and feed myself these days thank you very much.

This weekend will also leave me a March Madness widow. So thankful that I have the other "girlfriends" to commiserate with. We disguise dinner parties as basketball & beer hang outs. To be honest, I have a bracket but I'm just really not that competitive...until I have a chance of winning.

Finally, I know...I have got to stop with my dog obsession...but Ozzy and Lila became (more) famous this week and won a "Cutest Pet of the Day" contest for PeoplePets on Monday...their winning photo will be on the website this weekend. Here is the photo that swept America (some intern from PeoplePETS ) by storm.


Happy Weekend my (2) Friends!!

I do!

I'm so desperately trying to find my passion.

It's becoming increasingly clear to me that the saying "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life."

And so, it is with slow steps that I take the steps to define and nurture my passions and turn it into a career.

The economy/recession has really changed the game. Instead of landing that dream job or holding out for a position that is right...it's about grabbing the first thing that is offered to you, the first thing that will pay your bills...leaving dreams by the wayside. In a way, I kind of like the way it is making our generation think...it is a very 50's-esque mentality. "I'll do what ever it takes to keep the puggle and I fed."

But, it is also very difficult. From experience, I can attest that it's challenging to get up in the morning not particularly excited about the day. It's terrifying to imagine a life time like that.

I've begun my process. I don't want to reveal too much (to the 2 of you that read)...in case I have an epiphany or win the lottery (ha ha)...but it involves a little more schooling, a mac, perseverance, a lot of choice advertisements, sweat, volunteerism, something borrowed, something blue and (hopefully) a whole lot of different "I do's".

Wish me luck.

Quarterlife Crisis

It is so weird being a college graduate. My days are so monotonous. By Wednesday my skin is itching to do something...anything exciting. Something to cut loose...something to break the mold. I'm just not ready to accept this life. It's hard to imagine that life looks like this.

I think your twenties are about really trying to make it...figuring out that way to make a buck or make life work for you. You see people out and try to make your job sound way cooler and way more important than it is...and then bide your time in interviews desperately trying to convince someone to give you that cool opportunity that is important.

I suppose that I thought the transition would be easier. I told myself I was craving a routine. Tell you what though...6:30 am Monday morning (who am I kidding??)...7:10 am Monday morning is depressing.

"Oh god, I have to do this 4 more times this week."

I have to think that the feeling is not foreign to most recent graduates settling in their first job. Party's over.

So now what??

No Spring Break this year. No weekends that begin on Thursday. Just bills and emails, responsibility and workouts, budgets and weekends. Don't misunderstand me. Life is good. It's just an adjustment...I accept the challenge. Life is clearly what you make of it.

I'll leave you with this.

I'm certain you've never seen such a face.

Profound Thoughts...

And that's really all I have to say about that.

Sleeping to Dream

I frequently have dreams about people that I haven't seen in YEARS. I mean quite a while. Perhaps its facebook...so there is a mental image somewhere in my subconscience I've indexed cette person.

For the most part, I like to think that it is because our paths will cross again. That maybe later on in life there is a purpose for short relationships, random encounters and chance.

It makes it better to think that way.

The Chickens Across the Road

Been contemplating becoming a vegetarian recently. I've thought about it before and even gone as far as trying it out for a short while. The previous trials came from a desire to lead a healthier lifestyle.

This time it is a little different. Clearly, after I got the cutest puggle in world (Oz), I became a animal fanatic. Working for a company that has roots in the animal industry really intensifies that fanatical mindset. I read the most horrific stories about the unjust, disgusting things that people do to harmless creatures. Like sick, barbaric stuff. And ironically, my office is located right across the street from a chicken plant.

The other day, driving to work I was behind a truck of condemned chickens. I felt so badly for these poor chickens...I literally could not look at them. Stacked 15 cages deep, with no room to move, 4 chickens to a cage, raised specifically to be killed. The problem is...that my dilemma seemingly begins and ends with chicken. I love chicken. I could probably give up every meat but chicken (and sausage).

Honestly, I cannot imagine life without another Chick-fil-A biscuit or basket of hot wings.

I am just not sure that living life sans meat is the answer to the animal cruelty or inhumane conditions of meat packing. I do realize that I am talking about two different, but related issues. As it stands, I don't actually eat a lot of meat.

And where does fish fall into this whole thing?

Conflicted. Confused. Thinking about the chickens across the road.

Moving On Up! Really..just moving on OUT

So, another year another move. Or at least that is what it always seems. I’m in this vicious cycle of moving so close to the new year that I just can’t seem to get out of. Let me tell you, it sucks every year. I mean, the moving isn’t that bad…I generally don’t have to do any heavy lifting…it is more of the stress and financial obligations that keep me up at night. Fees, deposits, rent overlaps, boxes, trucks, things needed, time. Did I mention that I don’t make THAT much?

The packing is an interesting part of the whole move. It’s fun to inventory all that you have and see where your life has taken you. I have a passion for picking up new things in geographic locations…thus, making many of the things that I own a memory. There are scattered journals that chronicle different parts of my life—speaking brutle honesty of the emotions and circumstances at the time. I used to keep shoe boxes filled with cards, corks, pictures and miscellaneous junk that was special to me to remind of all of the stories of my life, I just upgraded to a huge box because I had far too many shoe boxes! I cannot wait until I am old and wrinkly to look back at that box to remind me of how good looking I was at 21. Alright…ok, that was a little self-serving. Those things—those journals, those cards, those pictures and ticket stubs are positively priceless though .

The point being, moving—inevitably blows. Still, its fun to reminisce and see where your life has taken you. Last year I was in Greece, in Charleston, in Love, soul searching, in school, in limbo, curious, searching for a dog, going to the fair, playing in the snow, poppin' champagne, in Phoenix, in Austin, at my parents, growing older....last year... I was.

Right now, I can’t wait to see what the next year has in store.

2010 Lifestyle Adaptations

With such a “Debbie Downer” post yesterday…thought I would publically (and therefore also hopefully adding accountability) announce my 2010 goals and action plan for meaningful living.

1. Fitness- college, holidays and excuses have gotten me out of shape and more cushy than I’d like to admit. I am making a commitment to fitness. I’d like to restart Bikram Yoga…however, due to a 8-5 work schedule, budget and dogs that need to see the light of day…it will probably have to be a weekend thing. So long walks and slowly, pick up running again. This also means saying goodbye to my Camels. Doctors appointment for Chantix.

2. Food- in general, less of it. This one clearly goes hand in hand with the fitness. Adam and I will be going back on a low carb, high veggie, high H2O diet. This will mean that we will have to cut out Little Caesar’s nights, Chinese Movie Nights, popcorn, cookie making and pretty much all of our fatty habits(we are both fat kids at heart). He and I have both done it before and we rise victorious again! I foresee a reset in my calorie calculator app on my iPhone.

3. Devil’s Water- putting it all away. Plain and simple. Time to find enriching ways to spend time…not destructive.

4. Intellectual- plans to invest in some graphic design classes. I’m tired of conception without creation. I have the $$ (thanks to graduation!) for a Mac. I want this one. New job offered to pay for some training. I just graduated but need to continue my skill set, so someday I can strike it rich (or at least strike it totally off of mom’s tab). More frequent blogs…to continue my online presence and keep me in the mix. Also, must play around with Google Wave. Reading! I have already, but must get back into books.

5. Spirituality- this one is a little more personal. I have been slowly searching of something to speak to my soul. I believe I am close but want to continue seeking.

Reflecting on the year was a downer. Looking at accomplishable goals makes me enthused and energized. New Year’s will go out with a bang up in the mountains…lots of friends, laughter, food, drink and fun. Then it’s business time literally and figuratively!

Swan Song:2009

With a New Year quickly approaching, it seems fitting to reflect upon the last year and oneself. I don’t believe that I am alone in saying that 2009 was a difficult, trying year.

Clearly, the economy was a huge downer. There were many that struggled far more than I and it was heartbreaking to hear the hardships of the people I know and love in addition to millions of Americans suffering.

I can’t say that I am really reflecting on the weight of the world right now…more of the weight of my world. It seems like such a long year, one that that has dragged on. Last winter seems like decades ago, even though it wasn’t. I feel as though I have been spending this whole year in limbo…waiting for my life to change. Waiting to graduate college, waiting to land a job, waiting for everything to fall into place.

In that time of limbo, I believe that I have settled, made excuses for myself and given myself contingencies… “ when this happens…then I will do that.” It is no way to spend a year. It is no way to spend a life. I do not look fondly upon this year in terms of my own action and growth. I have not grown as a person. There were certainly things beyond my control in 2009 but many within…

There were many positive things. I became a dog owner, I saw a close childhood friend get married, loved my family, made new friends, explored Greece, graduated college and found that job. However, I would like to feel overall positive instead of only being able to highlight positives.

I’m determined to change in 2010. I’ve spent all of December thinking of it. I am determined to regain control and live a life I’m proud of. Right now, I don’t feel like I’m living it right…and that is my greatest fear—to waste life away.

I’m scared. I’m terrified of failure. I just know, deep down inside, that I this is the year I become an adult. This is the year I take control.