24

All birthdays should include:

Chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce.

A hand-picked outfit and awesome accessories.

Boom Kinetic. BTW, I got on the stage, and they sang Happy Birthday to me. It was pretty much the most amazing thing ever. And I'm now BFFs with the band. Love it.

My new running shoes are too legit to quit. Cannot even handle how bad ass they are. I swoon.

The roommate got me the most awesome card, and she finally found a place to make the t-shirts she designed a long time ago. So very cool.

That having been said, I guess now is as good a time as ever to tell you I've been seeing a very, handsome gentleman for almost a month. Things are still very new and exciting, and I'm having a grand ole time getting to know him. I'm pleased to tell you the whole thing seems very promising, and I'm excited about the potential. More on that as it unfolds.

I had a wonderful birthday. I think 2012 and my 24th year are shaping up to be absolutely beautiful. I'm so excited to share it all with you as it happens. Yay for birthdays and new beginnings.

Have a great week!

How was your weekend?

What is one of the most memorable birthday gifts you've ever received?

Short, Sweet and to the Point

• Birthday: T-minus 4 days.
• Birthday Party with Boom Kinetic: T-minus 1 day.
• Needtobreathe: T-minus 20 days.
• New shoes: T-minus 7-9 business days.

That's my list, and I'm sticking to it. But in order to make this post worth your time, let's do a little recap of things I like about the past, which you may have forgotten about. You can thank me later.

• The time I lamented over a cockroach before 8:30 A.M.
• The time I ran 6.2 miles of pure running bliss.
• The time I was sad.
• The time I got over being sad.
• The time I made serious resolutions.
• The time my blog became a toddler.
• The time I got a really awesome fortune.
• The time I willingly let cookies dictate my decision making process.

Dudes, we be growing. Growing and changing. And lovin' every minute of it.

I'll try to check in over the weekend and give you deets about the weekend's festivities, but I won't make any promises. I will promise a full recap of said festivities on Tuesday.

Happy Thursday peeps! Next time we talk I'll be one year older. Yee Haw!

The Last of January

Let me sum this past weekend up with three words: Pizza, running and homework.

I spent Friday morning mulling over school work and trying to get organized to "start" the semester.

The amount of money I waste use on paper and ink is beyond me. But I'm totally one of those weirdos that has to have a paper copy of stuff to hold in my hand. I'm not really a fan of reading everything on a screen. I like to rock out old school. No big deal.

After the homework and printing mania, I decided to go for a little run. I don't know if I've officially told you, but I'm trying to run 3 miles in under 33 minutes. And I was just 39 seconds too slow.

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 33:39
Best Pace: 8:51
Average Pace: 11:13
Calories: 354

I was pretty excited about the time, even though I was just under my goal time. It felt good to be outside. It was hot, and I was really overdressed. Before I took the above picture, I had on a hot pink long-sleeved pull-over. I ditched that after I ran the first mile and about had a heat stroke.

Speaking of the hot pink pull-over, let's talk about how ridiculous I looked on my run. I knew I was going to wear the pull-over. So I put on capris since it wasn't freezing outside. Then I thought Hey, I think I'll wear my purple compression socks to see if I can tell a difference while I run. Yeah, that's a great idea. So I put those on while still wearing the capris, hence the purple shins. And I just happened to put on pink socks.

Basically I threw up every little girls' dream colors as I ran with my pink and purple self. And yes, I went out in public. Totally not ashamed. I owned that run. Pink and purple powers unite. Ok, enough. I know. Whatever.

As an added bonus to this wonderful weekend, I got to have my favorite pizza.

The Queens Deluxe Pizza from NYPD Pizza in West Little Rock. SO SO SO GOOD! Can't even begin to talk about how tasty it is. I love it and would eat it everyday. Literally, everyday. YUMMY!!! And yes, that piece is two pieces that I decided was one piece. Again, not ashamed.

In other news, the countdown begins. Three days until Boom Kinetic and my birthday bash, and six days until my actual birthday. Gots big, big plans this weekend. And I'm so excited I can barely stand it. Pray the week goes by quickly.

How was your weekend?

Favorite pizza place? What do you get there?

A Tale of Good Fortune

School has officially started again, as in last Thursday. There are four people in my class, one of which I know from a previous class. And while I'm excited to start this semester, the excitement comes from seeing it come to an end. This is the last semester I will take classes EVER. So Thursday was my very last first day of school. Everybody scream.

Now let's talk about what the semester will look like. I'll definitely be stressed out trying to get all the HUGE assignments done each week. The book is as thick as a dictionary and reads like one, too.

Clearly, the class would be a lot more interesting if the words "critical approaches" were not in the title. Yikes. After my first class, I'm pretty sure my brain went into shock. I haven't seen such a demanding class schedule in a while. Like I said, something huge due every single week for the next 15 weeks. And it all comes together to be a paper, which will be a chapter in my thesis.

But enough with the boring graduate school talk, on to something more exciting.

I made a creamy mushroom pasta dish with roasted broccoli for dinner the other night. And it was amazing. It was super easy and looked very fancy. It will definitely become a regular at my house. So good. And let me also just say this: Roasted vegetables of any kind are absolutely delicious. When in doubt, roast em.

The other night at dinner, I got a pretty awesome fortune in my fortune cookie. I usually get the absolute worst fortunes. I mean all my friends will tell you the same. Pretty sure one time I got one that said something about orange being a good color to be around. Nobody knows what that's suppose to mean.

But the other night I got this beauty.

I've been saying 2012 was going to be the year of really awesome things. And I'm pretty pumped about my 24th birthday coming up in two weeks. So I'm hopeful this fortune won't be a fluke. And if the fortune wasn't good enough, the word on the back was February, which is my birthday month. I think it's a sign.

What's new with you?

 

A Big Important Day

Happy Birthday to my blog!

It's two years old today.

Can you believe I started writing this blog two years ago? It's crazy how time flies. Because it's my blog's birthday, I thought it would be a good idea to take a little stroll down memory lane and see what I thought was so important that I couldn't not share it even though it probably wasn't that big of a deal was worth sharing with you the past two years on this day.

The First One was the first one I ever wrote. Clearly I was a confused, stressed neurotic college kid trying to figure out how to act like an adult. It makes me laugh because stress is what fueled that first post. I needed an outlet. While I still use the blog as an outlet for my stress, it's evolved into something more.

In 2011, I had a bad day. When I read it now, it all sounds so trivial, but back then it was like the end of the world. Notice that it was published on the 19th instead of the 18th since the Internet was down at work on my blog's first birthday.

But here's the thing.

Look how beautiful it all is. I have written somewhat regularly for two years. I have documented my life for two years. Good and bad. School stress. New adventures. Moving twice. Running. Running a 5K and a 10K. A year and a half of graduate school. Reflecting on relationships. Friendship break-ups. Friends' birthdays and weddings. It's all right here in one place.

It's almost like you and I get to watch me grow up as I write it. It's crazy how I've changed. What was important to me in 2010 may be different in 2011 and 2012. It's really cool to me to see how I've evolved as a person.

I've changed. I've grown up. I'm a strong, independent woman. I have some of the best friends any person could ever have. I have a job that allows me to support myself comfortably. I've almost completed the two hardest years of school that I will ever complete in my life. I try new things and take risks, even though I don't know what will happen. And I've realized I really can't please everyone all the time, and that's ok. I've finally got it together, and I'm proud of the person I've become.

I see big things happening in 2012. I don't really know why I think that, but I love that I think that. And I can't wait to share it all with you. So get your party pants on because when I said this is going to be good, I've got a feeling I'm going to be right.

So here's to another year of writing, storytelling, music loving, school finishing, party going and celebrating this beautiful life God has given me. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE IT ALL WITH YOU!

Now everybody go outside and scream just because you can. (I would, but I still don't have a voice. #day5)

A Boom Kinetic Day

Greetings Friends. Today I'm thankful for this blog because I have lots of stories, and no voice to tell them. Why don't I have a voice, you ask? Well, I sang my little heart (and apparently voice) out during Boom Kinetic's show at Sticky Fingers on Friday night.

But before I get into all that, I have to tell you about the two miles I ran without stopping in the freezing cold Friday afternoon.

I tried out my new compression socks my dad got me for Christmas. And I honestly don't know if they did anything different since I only ran two miles. But I'm hoping to see some differences once I work up some higher mileage.

I was really the most excited to be done with the run because my throat was seriously hurting, and I felt like I could barely breathe the entire time. And it shows in my stats.

Distance: 2.00 miles
Time: 24:10
Best Pace: 11:00
Average Pace: 12:06
Calories: 222

I'm looking for a redemption run tomorrow afternoon.

But back to Boom Kinetic. I was at the very front and center the entire time. I got a picture of the set list, and I have made the most awesome playlist in the history of all the playlists. Two songs you need to get right this very second are "Electric Feel" by MGMT and "Walking on a Dream" by Empire of the Sun.

"Electric Feel" by MGMT

"Walking on a Dream" by Empire of the Sun

And just so you know how amazing and excited I was about the whole Boom Kinetic show, I'm going to show you this.

I am the girl just to the right of the guy singing. This was taken by Boom Kinetic's drummer. And I sang every word to every song for three hours straight. And they will be playing in Little Rock on my birthday weekend.

And we (Jodi, the roommate and I) may or may not have talked to the lead singers of the band after the show was over. And now they know who we are and that it's my birthday the next time they come to play in Little Rock.

How was your weekend?

Any new songs I need to know about?

Resolutions and Reminiscing

Well it's January. We've made it to 2012. Holla! And I've gots lots to tell you guys since I've been away. But we will get to that in due time. Today I want to talk about my New Years Resolutions and tell you a little story about the past two New Years Eve experiences. I'm thinking story first, resolutions second. So let's go. P.S. I've missed you guys!

This is us last year (2010) on New Years Eve. It was a good time with good friends. But one unfortunate decision was made on my part that has yet to be discussed outside my group of super close friends. But since it's 2012 and I'm less embarrassed...I'm gonna tell you this funny story.

On New Years Eve 2010, we went to Cajun's to celebrate the roommate's birthday. And after one too many Play-de-doos, the speciality drink that tastes of juices but is really straight up alcohol, I thought it would be a good idea to juke around on the dance floor, which is usually always a good idea.

As I was juking around in my black dress that was fun to spin around in, I spun into a very nice looking guy. I thought hey, why not. So we started dancing it up. And then being that it was New Years and all, we smooched. Just a little kiss. NBD.

Unbeknownst to me, pretty faced guy only had one hand. Yep, just one. Now I need to clarify that I was inebriated so my decision making process was not at its best. As I juked around the dance floor some more, I realized said pretty faced guy had just the one hand. The other one was just a nub in his suede jacket.

So I started 2011 off with a kiss from a guy with a nub. Not saying that's why 2011 wasn't the best year for me, but I'm not gonna deny it either. So take that as you will. (I need to say that I have nothing against people with missing appendages. It just caught me off guard in my drunken stupor.)

This year we went back to Cajun's for the roommates birthday after we ate dinner at Yaya's in West Little Rock. I was the designated driver, but it was still a really great time. Like last year, the night was filled with dancing, Play-de-doos and too much fun. And I am happy to report my New Years Eve kiss was with a very attractive gentleman whose hands were both fully intact. Score! I think I'm starting 2012 on the right foot.

Resolutions
I have quite a few resolutions this year. All of which are things I think can be accomplished in a year's time. And I'm pretty excited about them.

• Run a half marathon.
• Attend yoga classes three times a week.
• Finish my thesis by December 2012...and graduate in December 2012.
• Eat healthier meals at home (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• Run on a regular basis again aka every other day.
• Make an A in my last real graduate class.
• Float the Buffalo.
• Take a roadtrip.
• See Needtobreathe and The Fray in concert.
• Drink 64 oz. of water each day.
• Only have "skinny" beverages at Starbucks...(I found out my favorite drink was 420 calories a pop.)
• Bake my own bread.
• Volunteer.
• Figure out how to open a bakery...(this could take a few years, but I really want it to happen.)
• "Dress for Success" for work everyday. (By this I mean hair washed, make-up on, and wearing work clothes.)
• Reconnect with old friends/make new friends.
• Redesign the ole blog.

For me, 2012 is about embracing the person I am right now. To be honest, I kinda like where I am. Everything is not perfect, but I'm happy. I love all the people I surround myself with, and I love the things I get to do. I'm really very lucky I get to spend time with people I care about and do things I want to do, and for that I'm so very thankful. More thankful than I can ever express.

So let's see what happens. I will be as transparent as I can be, and we'll go from there. I can't wait to see what this year brings for me. Bring it 2012. I'm ready for you.

What are your New Years Resolutions?

Tell me about a New Year's Eve kissing incident that was great or not so great.

A List of Rando Things

1. Today is Logan's birthday. She is 24. It sounds really official, and I guess it is since it's her special day. Don't worry Logan. Give me 4 months and I'll be right there with you. Not really sure, but somehow we've aged. But really, on a true life note: I hope you have the best day ever. You deserve it! Heart you.

2. It's October, and I haven't started writing my thesis proposal. I tell myself it's pay back to UALR for the last year of hell, but in reality I'm just making myself a new hell by putting it off. Seriously, it's gotten out of hand. Someone please help me.

3. We got a completely unnecessary Coke machine at work. How is it that we are building programs promoting healthy lifestyle choices for children and youth and yet provide them with a highway to sugary, carbonated beverages? Seriously something is wrong with that. Oh hey kids, drink water. And there is no water in the Coke machine. WTF?

4. I get to see Needtobreathe again tomorrow night. I think you all know how I feel about that.

5. I haven't run in a week. Because it's fall and the trees are shedding their acorns and leaves, there is a much larger chance that I could run and slip on a shiny leaf with an acorn under it and go face first into the pavement. I already have one cracked tooth. I don't need another.

6. On the note of the cracked tooth, my dental anxiety came back in full force last night when I went to bed. The obsessive thought I keep having is the tooth will disintegrate, and I will have to rock a Hillbilly smile because I don't have $4,000 to get a new tooth. Please pray for my insane dental anxiety and the sanity of my mother who has to hear my rants about losing my tooth forever.

7. I woke up with a massive headache this morning. It's gonna be one of those days where no amount of Advil and caffeine can fix.

8. I need a haircut. When it gets caught in the window that was just rolled up, hung up in the seatbelt and/or the bangs become random hanging strands of hair, something needs to be done. My ponytail's been looking like a well taken care of horse tail. And by that I mean I brush and wash it daily. But something's gotta give. Time. For. A. Haircut.

9. I'm out of things to add to this list. So I'm gonna call it day. I hope you guys have an awesome day.

Slowly Killing the Roommate

As most of you know, my birthday is coming up very soon...as in Sunday. I am getting pretty excited about it. I love an excuse to celebrate something, and this time it just happens to be my special day.

My roommate MT has been been begging me for the past couple of days...I should say at least a week now for me to open my gift from her. It started on the 28th to be exact. And I told myself I had to wait because it was more than a week until my actual birthday.

For those of you who don't know MT, she has a serious problem when it comes to waiting to give a gift. For the past three Christmases, we have exchanged gifts at least two weeks early. Because 1) she hates waiting, 2) the excitement of giving the gift literally is painful to her and 3) she is always concerned she won't actually see me on Christmas day, which is normally true. So we usually open Christmas around December 10-15.

I want to say that all my birthday gifts have been opened early due to the same three reasons listed above. But this year I had to be strong. So last Friday when she asked if I wanted to open my present (which she had just finished making/wrapping), I said no. "It's not my birthday MT. Not for another week."

We had a little friendly tiff, but she dropped it. Only for it to resurface on Sunday and again on Tuesday. Tuesday was the worst so far. Let me just tell you a little bit about her.

MT is one of the funniest people I know. Most people thinks she is quiet and sweet, which is true apart from the fact that she talks all the time. But you do have to get to know her for a while before you get the good funny stuff out of her.

Unlike me, MT does not cuss. Sometimes when we drink, I try to use peer pressuring tactics to make her say shit or damn. So far I have been unsuccessful.

But the other night while we were arguing over when was the best time to open my birthday present, she made me an offer I almost couldn't refuse.

After five or so minutes of persuasive raised voices of "Open Your present!!!" She looked at me and said, "If I cussed, would you open your present?"

I said, "Depends on what word or phrase you use."

She said, "What about 'Open your dang present', but without the dang...you know what I mean?"

I laughed a little and said no. I told her if she was going to cuss she better string together all the profane words she knows, otherwise it was not worth it.

You would have thought I had killed her. I mean she made me an offer I almost couldn't refuse. But I held strong. Tonight after class, I will put her misery to rest. I am going to open her gift, which I am sure I will love. And she will be happy. And all will be right with the world. Yay for birthdays and gifts and friends that offer a cuss word as an incentive to open a present.

Until next time...

Sometimes Crying Feels Like the Best Option

I don't really know how to explain what I feel like today. But I can give you a pretty good idea.

It started last night while I was watching Will and Grace. They got into a fight, and I cried, just a few tears. Then Grace got married, and Will felt left out and stuff. Then I cried again. So the crying is in my near future. Then I drove to work this morning, and I had a whole new level of ill feelings toward the drive.

I am a commuter. So I drive with 98357925 other people from Conway into Little Rock three days a week. This morning was nothing out of the ordinary. Same amount of cars. Same amount of time spent driving. Same everything, except for the fact that my emotions were holding on by a tread.

Most mornings are just normal. Cars dodge in and out of spaces they can barely fit into to begin with, and unexpected stops are made almost every 10 minutes. Like I said today was nothing out of the ordinary. But I just wanted to cry. It's sad, but true. I am an emotional wreck for some reason.

I really hate the commute. I don't like worrying if I will make it to work on time (which I mostly always do). I think I am to the point where I need to have a good cry. All girls know what I mean when I say this. Sometimes you just have to get it out. Yesterday I didn't feel good, and I haven't been sleeping well (or not enough). I'm sorry for being a whiney girl today. But this blog serves as some kind of outlet for emotions. So here is the disclaimer*** Sometimes I will whine. Not often. But sometimes.***

Now that that is cleared up...If anyone has any advice on how to get over the mid-week blues, I am all ears.

On a happier note, my mom and I discussed my birthday cake. Let me just tell ya, this cake is going to be oh so good. Homemade chocolate cake with homemade chocolate icing...with an additional caramel drizzle to top it off. Chocolate is one of my all time favorite things, as is caramel. So I thought why not put them together to make the ultimate gooey birthday cake. I mean it's a win-win situation, at least for me.

I am getting more excited about the birthday. After 21, the birthdays just don't seems as big a deal. I just it's all down hill from there. This year I turn 23. It doesn't really seem like a big deal, but I am still thankful to see another year. But 23 doesn't sound very fun. Cause pretty soon 23 will be 25 and then 29 and then 35. Eekk!! I freak myself out when I do that. This is the last time I talk about my birthday in a negative way...No more talk of the years to come. It is just too overwhelming.

Hopefully something funny or great will happen today or tomorrow that I can share with you. I hate being a Debbie Downer, but somedays you just don't feel like being perky. Hope all is well with you guys. Until next time...

Dark Days are on the Horizon

I have officially started school. And I say this because I have a syllabus for every class. So that means what little bit of a social life I did have is now over.

Going into the semester, I knew I would have to write a 20-25 page original research paper. I did not know I would have to write a 15-20 page term paper in another class. So needlesstosay, my social life is over until May.

There is one small glimmer of hope. My birthday is two weeks away. Usually by now I am so excited people can hardly stand to be around me. This year I have planned my birthday events around my school workload. It's a sad day in paradise to admit this sorry fact. But this is how I know I have gotten old.

Birthday celebration consists of: Friday, a trip to Cajun's Wraft for too many Play-de-doughs and dancing, Saturday, a day at the horse races in Hot Springs with beer and hot dogs, and Sunday, my actual birthday, a "Superbowl/Birthday extravaganza". So it should be a pretty eventful weekend. I guess homework will be designated to Friday day and Monday. I am looking forward to it.

I hope everyone else has a better looking semester than the one that is staring at me. A much needed break in the homework pace will be provided thanks to a birthday celebration. Then it is all up hill until May. I am trying to stay optimistic, but it is tough when 40 pages of work fill the days ahead. Until next time...