Day 14 – What you wore today, in great detail

Today I am wearing on of my favorite outfits. We are doing pseudo job interviews in my business writing class, so it worked out quite well.  I am wearing my white "pirate" blouse from Ann Taylor (really, there are ruffles. I like it a lot. Although, if I am having a bad day, I sometimes feel like this guy: 

 

...especially when the wind blows in the wrong direction.) I have a cute black sweater thing because my blouse is sleeveless, but it is not enough to protect me from the stupid wind chill that seems to be more and more prevalent these days.  I brought along my black dress jacket, which I will probably have to drag along all day until it actually gets cold later tonight. I bought a pair of brown/gray (still not sure what color...) dress pants that I like, particularly because they are already ironed. Also, they work for when you need to tuck in your blouse. Sadly, I already dropped an overly ripe banana piece on them. I am not really sure at this point if it will stop me from wearing them at least once more this week. I also have on my favorite red sling-back shoes, which I really like because they are not heels.

In other news, I started my media diary yesterday. I was floored when I realized I consumed THIRTEEN hours of media in a day. I had guessed 30 hours in five days. I am going to burn through that much in like two days. It also freaks me out how much music I listen to. Often times, it is simultaneously done while I am doing other things. 

The other day, I noticed about five students in my various class (who are also my age) use hearing aids. It really scared me. It occurred to me that youth doesn't make you as impervious to ailments as I thought. On the bright side, the "aids" aren't nearly as noticeable as they once were.

Profoundity

This week, I have discovered many things about myself. For one, I am 98% positive that I am lactose intolerant. But that is not going to come between me and my boyfriends Ben and Jerry. I promise that this is not a moment of hypochondriac. It is true. WebMD even backed me up.

Secondly, I can run a triathlon. And maybe the distances were 1.8 miles running, 6.7 miles biking and 200 yards swimming, but it is still a triathlon. Next week I am going to run a 5k, bike 10 miles and swim 500 yards. One of these days, I daresay I will even do the Ironman. Or maybe just a marathon. Regardless. It is on my bucket list, so it will happen one day.

Thirdly, I enjoy writing papers, I think. One of my professors recently wrote at the bottom of my (perfect score, I may add) paper that I must a) really have enjoyed the video I had to analyze or b) really enjoy writing papers. I certainly didn't enjoy the video, so it must be the latter.

I was going to write the next meme, but I have an outfit picked out tomorrow that I want to share, so I am saving it for then.

Day 13 – This week, in great detail

EDIT: I wrote this nearly a week ago, but there is no way I am going back to think about the week... again. So this is what you get. I thought I would finish it, but midterms and school are getting in the way. So Friday and Saturday... leave it to your imagination. I went out on a hot date. (Bahaha.)

Seeing as today is Wednesday, it feels very odd to be writing about the last week. I'm pretty sure my mind resets after every weekend, because I don't really remember what happened last week. Other than that, I have a brilliant  memory.

Tuesday. I had the intent of writing in this blog, but I somehow never got to it. I went to school and work from 9-5, and then vegged out on the Internet for two hours (for the record, they were all helpful photography...things). Next week, I need to do a media log of all media I come into contact with. Perhaps I will post it here. I'm sure it will be ridiculous. I also went grocery shopping because the only thing I had in my fridge was an onion.  I spent an inordinate amount of money, but I guess that is what happens when one doesn't grocery shop for a month. I mostly spend the last two weeks on free coupons, discounts and free food. It really is amazing how much I can eat without spending a dime. I call it resourcefulness. My friend Margarita came over and we exchanged music, which was ironically the topic of my Communications lecture that morning. We ate healthy food.

Monday. School and work from 10-7. Missed out on FHE because everyone left at 6:30, although it was worth it because it was Bro Bott's Mission Prep class. Contemplated going on a mission again. Currently undecided. After briefly coming home, I went back to school to study at the library for a few hours. Fell into an exhausted heap promptly after coming back home at 11pm.

Sunday. Woke up in my bed at my parent's house, disoriented. Decided I wanted to go to my church which started at 1, instead of my family's meeting at 9. Drove back down to my apartment. Got dragged by my friend Jen to go on a drive up a canyon, where I became very car sick. I think it brings back traumatic flashbacks from when my family got lost in the Black Hills in South Dakota for three hours vainly looking for the site of Custer's Last Stand. Little did we know, the entire forest was the site. I was so angry.

However, it was beautiful weather and great lighting for a few pictures. I edited for an hour and then I went to a really good church meeting. After getting home, we had a break the fast meal which was delicious, mostly because of these amazing breadsticks and even more awe-inspiring cookies by my roommates. They had four sticks of butter in them, but it was worth it. I spent the next (I don't really want to admit the number) hours editing all my pictures in an attempt to declutter my inbox, which had just multiplied by eight because of my photoshoot from the day before. I'm still not done.

Saturday. I

Friday.

Thursday. This is the day I found out I had two cavities. It kind of put a damper on the rest of the day. It didn't help that both of my classes were cancelled on this day. However, instead of being productive, I mostly moped around, upset about my teeth. I took a test for my Comms test (which I passed with flying colors, by the way), and then I went to work. I meant to go to this homecoming event at school, but I decided to look for a date less than an hour before (I am a procrastinator extraordinaire), however it didn't end up mattering, because my car was having issues. I was shocked.

 Carl has never in my entire career of owning him (four years) had a problem. It wouldn't start and I started to panic because I had a wedding the next morning. I ended up knocking on a ton of doors in my complex to find someone who knew something about cars. By some miracle, it started again, but I was too scared to use it until I took it to a mechanic the next morning. In retrospect, it was kind of a no good, very bad day. But I didn't really realize it until now...

Wednesday. I don't really know what I did on this day. I probably went to school, work and studied in the library.

Day 12 – What's in your bag, in great detail

Today is Monday. You may wonder how I know this. Today at 4 pm I looked down and realized for the first time that my pants were on inside out. I remember thinking there was something funky going on with my buttons when I put them on this morning, but I quickly brushed off that idea much to my detriment. I still can't believe no one told me, or noticed (?). Frankly, I think it is hilarious. Who does that? 

I'm taking a break from watching this documentary about the WMD crisis of 2007 if you are curious.

This question here is going to be messy. But the meme asked, so I will answer. Currently, I am in constant companionship with my backpack instead of my favorite yellow purse of the summer. I've noticed that I consistently carry heavy things thus drastically decreasing the cushiness (spell check tells me this isn't a word... but I beg to differ) of the straps. Probably it will break and I won't even be surprised when it does. 

Evian waterbottle. I know it spells Naive backwards, but I don't even care because the water is so dang good. Also, the bottle has this sucking mechanism that makes me feel like I'm using a sippy cup. It even makes the satisfying sound of water leaving the premises, which is lovely, especially in dead quiet libraries.

Gloves. Because you never know when it will get cold. I'm particularly scared of being cold for no explicable reason, even to myself.

Two packages of Kleenex. Mostly to prevent the dreaded drippy nose syndrome, which always tends to happen to me when I don't have a tissue handy.

Mirror compact. I just know it was free. I don't really use it as much as you would think. I just wait for people to tell me I have food on my face.

iClicker. This is a cool remote control that enables one to answer poll questions in class. Formerly my astronomy class, which I was forced to drop due to the lack of time I had for doing my homework. I keep meaning to return it, but I know I'll need it next semester when I add the class again. And yes, I go through that same thought process every time I see it.

Bag of goodies. This include cold medicine, throat lozenges, motrin and moleskin. You can never be too prepared.

B&B Hand Sanitizer. I read an article that stated, much to my dismay, that it doesn't do much in the face of a cold. But it certainly smells nice.

Pencil Bag. Three Uniball Vsion Exact Pens (which the Bookstore no longer carries. I keep using the pens only for really special occasions. And as a good luck charm during tests.) Three Bic pens. One multi-color pen in one. My BURT'S BEES CHAPSTICK. I was seriously looking for this sucker all day long! I knew I had some chapstick in my bag. Drat. My SoftLips chapstick. I will say it again. Drat. I even bought a ridiculously overpriced Blistex stick because I thought I was going to die. Two overly sharpened pencils. To be brandished if I am ever attacked whilst walking home. One mechanical pencil.

Wallet. You don't want to know what's in here.

Italian Dictionary. Today I found the F-word in there. I feel like it's wrong to see it printed in a public piece of reading material.

Book of Italian Conjugations. It has a cool picture of a Roman Soldier on his cell phone, smoking on the cover. Really brings the Italian culture home.

Stride Gum. This is my favorite gum because it has two compartments, for when you finish half of it. Also, it's the longest piece of gum out there, so I can eat half and have the thing last twice as long as any other brand.

Cell Phone. With who knows how many messages and missed calls. I never look at it.

Moleskine Planner. I like it mostly because it's sleek, chic, and has a band over it. I sadly forget to use it quite often.

Teatreo, Prosa, Poesia. Italian textbook that has frayed corners already and smashed at the bottom of my bag.

Box of index cards. For this grammar test I need to take next week. I am absolutely determined to get a solid A on the test, instead of a dismal B-.

AA Button. And no, it is not for Alcoholics Anonymous. It was for an art exhibit at the place where I work and it was free. I'm all about free.

Writing and Speaking for Business. Textbook I think I will actually keep.

White legal pad. I take all my notes regardless of class here and later transport them to my binder where everything is organized.

Binder. This has my semester planned out on the front. And all information for all my school inside. It also features a rad doodle I did while waiting for the super slow laptop I had to use at work during the summer. I would be lost without it. The binder, I mean.

Newspaper clippings. Of recipes I want to try sometime soon. Yeah. I'm becoming domestic.

Folder with dividers. This contains 200+ voter registration forms. And only six completed. I'm trying really hard to get as many people as possible registered to vote, because it is an important thing to do.

iPod. Features a pretty rad Graffiti cover. I'm considering transferring all my music to it (120 GB!) and deleting it from my laptop because it's taking up a lot of space. My laptop is seriously giving me so many problems, I am going to switch to a Macbook Pro next time. Or an iPad if it ever comes down in price.

Day 11 – Your siblings, in great detail

Luckily for everyone out there (read: my sisters) I just finished killing my pointer finger editing what feels like a million pictures. (For more information, please see my website or my Facebook)This is reason number number 10 why I hate my laptop. . This also means much appropriate visual fodder in this post.  


I'm the oldest of four girls. Growing up, I used to compare us to "Little Women," my favorite book at the time. Except I always just assumed I was Jo instead of Meg. Ha. 


More and more, I really appreciate my sisters, especially since I no longer live at home. The other night, Sam, Saige and I went out to dinner and it was really nice to "hang out" with them. I'm looking forward to the future when we all go out to monthly lunches as cute little old ladies or something along those lines. 

This is Samantha. She is 17. She is in high school. She also plays the violin, if you couldn't tell. When we were little, I remember frequently referring to her as my "best buddy." Later, Saige and Shenae adopted a similar title between each other: "Best Sissies." Samantha has had to deal with me bossing her around for pretty much forever.  Also when we were little, I would always assume the role of the protagonist (i.e. Pocahontas) and she would always be my sidekick (i.e. Meeko) when we played around. This would include jumping off semi-high surfaces to re-create the beginning scene of said movie, among other things. She also co-operated and was a supporting proponent for when I decided to make all the neighborhood kids perform a stage version (on the basketball court) of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."  (If you couldn't tell, I was a little bossy as a child.) 

I was the one who came up with the half-baked ideas, and she was the one who entertained them. Sometimes, I'm not sure if she knew better and indulged me, or really thought I was a genius. I prefer to think the latter. Every time I got in trouble (which frankly, was kind of often back then) and went without dinner, she would sneak a dinner roll to me. I knew she always had my back. I remember Samantha always being incredibly patient. I "risked" her life a few times (see below) but she never held it against me, which I appreciate immensely. I feel like Sam and I can relate well these days, especially since the younger ones are in their "terrible teens" (the early-mid teens). Sam is talented and smart, probably smarter than me. She consistently gets 4.0s and is involved in so many extra-curricular activities, work and AP classes, that I am surprised she hasn't had a mental breakdown yet. She has more drive than me and I really respect that about her. Sam could probably do anything and be successful at it. I'd bet my money she'll be the family doctor. 

This is Saige. She is 15. She is also in high school, which frankly scares me a little. I feel like I was just in her place not too long ago, and it makes me feel old. She is also a cheerleader. When we were little, Saige and I fought. A lot. I'm not entirely sure why, but it probably has something to do with her extraordinary physical prowess. My dad used to call her names that varied from "Thunder Thighs" (she was a very cute, pleasantly plump toddler) to "Speedy Gonzalez." In short, she was very active (still is) and surprisingly strong. I remember chasing her (and vice versa) many many times, to the dismay of my mom. One time, I think she even bit me, although I'll admit it was provoked. She and I shared a room for a while, which in retrospect was the worst idea/combination of the family at the time. 

These days, Saige has really grown up. She and I really connect, perhaps because of our lack of complete dedication to music, which seems to take up a lot of Sam and Shenae's time. Saige is incredibly caring, which I immensely admire. I remember when she was little, she would be dropped off at Grandpa's house to be babysat for a few hours while Sam and I were at school. Every time, without fail, she would be thoughtful enough to take a few extra Tootsie Rolls and keep them in her sweaty little palms until we got home. There was a similar experience when I was in second grade and was denied school lunch due to insufficient funds. My mom, upset and angry with the administration headed straight to the principal's office after I tearily explained the situation over the phone. Saige was with her, and I remember she had half a quesadilla in her hand for me. With Saige, I can share my guilty pleasures without feeling guilty, such as Justin Bieber and our former infatuation with the Twilight series. She is also a Daddy's Girl to the max. Whenever there is a choice, my dad always chooses her to go with him to sporting events, which is just fine by the rest of us. I'm glad my dad has someone, since the poor guy only has girls. 

This is Shenae. Also known as Nae Nae. She is 12 and the baby of the family. She also plays violin and her commitment to music is incredible. Shenae and I never really fought, because of our huge age gap. I guess we all kind of pick on her a little, but she is also babied by our parents to make up for it. Shenae is our go-to person. She will always be the person who will fill up your water cup or grab the Redbox DVD from upstairs, much to her disgust. 

Shenae has always been the littlest in her age group. One time, she fell in the toilet at a Burger King, and I remember being the first person alerted to the emergency. I was so incredulous and doubled up in laughter that I was completely ineffectual in fetching a clean pair of underwear for her. 

Shenae is really sweet. I remember she would miss me the most whenever I would go away for an extended  period of time at debate camp, college, trips, etc. She always had the creative idea in welcoming me home with handmade signs plastered on my door, which I always appreciated. 

Day 10 – What you wore today, in great detail

I'm writing two posts today for reasons that are three fold.  First, I have a test I need to take in the next three hours and I am blissfully procrastinating that hour of truth. Second, I am far behind in this 30-day meme, which at the rate I'm going is going to take two months instead of one. Third, I have two cavities, which I am very depressed about. Last year, I won the drawing for no-cavities. I guess you need to be consistent with the flossing thing. Which makes sense. For years, it kind of felt like I won the lottery when I didn't get cavities, because I never did anything different. No worries, my crazy dental hygienist set me straight. P.S. I brush two/three times a day if you're concerned about my hygiene habits. I'm not totally disgusting. I am worried I will become a social pariah after that admission though... 

Today I am wearing a white tank top with my favorite pink sweater. It is the same sweater that now features crumpled up flowers because I put it in the dryer due to my lazy nature when it  comes to laundry. I am also wearing pin-strip black pants. It is the first time I have worn pants in months. I normally wear skirts, which I much rather prefer, but the weather is forcing me to adapt. My pants are also un-ironed, much to my mom's dismay. Honestly, I don't see the point. 

Currently, I am in my comfortable moccasins I bought for $7 at Shoe Carnival because of that cool buy one get one 1/2 off sale. I love that sale. My shoes have this cute pink leather bow on the toes, but I made the mistake of untying it one time. Needless to say, they were not the normal tie because they frequently come untied and often at the most inconvenient time. Like when I am walking up the giant Incan stairs to school, and trip because I have to concentrate really hard on my feet when I walk to prevent said things from happening. Later I will have to change  into my high heels for work, which hurt a lot, even though they were quite comfortable in the store. When I shop for shoes, it is an ordeal in it of itself. I spend an average of 2.5 hours and end up with one pair of shoes. I have a rigorous test in making sure that the shoe is comfortable and that I can walk around in a power strut. Unfortunately, I didn't take into account the damage my knees would suffer from such high shoes. Oh well. The things one does for height beauty. 

Day 09 – Your beliefs, in great detail

I believe in God and an afterlife where everyone will experience happiness much greater than anything experienced here. I believe in Christ. 

I believe in love, and I believe everyone can find it. 

I believe in helping everyone and the power of selfless service. 

I believe that hard work will always surpass talent, when talent fails to work hard. 

I believe that everyone just wants to feel loved and/or wanted. 

Day 08 – A moment, in great detail

One of the most striking moments of my childhood was when my sister Sam and I were harassed by a pair of giant Great Danes on our street.

Except instead of being friendly and somewhat approachable like the white dogs pictured here, they were huge black dogs that I swear were the spawn of Satan. It didn’t help that their names were Zeus and Hades.

Most of the time, they were tied up in their garage with long 10-ft ropes, which often times barely seemed to keep them at bay. I know what you're thinking... isn't that the distance to the sidewalk?  Yes, yes it was.

While walking home from the bus stop, I was forced to walk past those terrors that barked like mad every time someone passed by. On my first day of kindergarten, my mom made me promise that I would walk on the other side of the street every time I passed by the dogs. Which I still do to this day.

Anyway, my sister Sam and I were walking home from a neighbor's house which also unfortunately meant a walk past those stupid dogs. Me being the brilliant older sister that I am proposed we walk from the backside as in through everybody's backyard, which, back in those days, was not gated. As I was congratulating myself on the wisdom I had exhibited, we heard the familiar bark accompanied by a sudden drop of the stomach.

It was Zeus and  Hades all right and they were inexplicably in the back yard. One glance at those dogs and I bolted home without looking back. I practically ran into the door in my haste to be in the realms of safety when my mom asked me where my little sister was.

Puzzled, I realized she had fallen behind and proceeded to tell my mom what had happened. I hadn't even finished the story when she ran out of the house. I felt terrible. I was positive those dogs had eaten my sister and that it was all my fault.

Turns out, Sam had tripped and fallen in her haste to get away and started crying. She was walking slowly home amidst crazy dog barking when my mom found her, shaken but fine.

Let me tell you: I got in huge trouble. I have always felt terrible about leaving her and ever since, I have been careful to know exactly where my sisters are and ensure they are safe.

Day 07 – Your best friend, in great detail

Hello world. It has been a long time. Last week was kind of crazy mostly because I spent an inordinate amount of time procrastinating my homework. 

In conclusion, my blog and my grades suffered immensely, but it is now a new week and things will be different this time. It's funny how you can feel so on top of the world and homework one minute and three hours later be completely lost in life. Anyways. Onward:

Your Best Friend, In Great Detail 
(I just finished reading this chapter in my business writing textbook about utilizing headings among other things)

To be frank, I don't have just "one" best friend. Often times, as soon as I admit that I have one "best friend," the relationship is never the same. Mostly, it's because I have commitment issues as a result of a "falling out" in elementary school. She suddenly became socially cooler than I had due to recent upgrade to contact lenses. I was subsequently left in the dust. It probably didn't help that I was more or less a social outcast back then, and even today, sometimes it resurfaces. Ha. 

Anyways, my commitment issues will definitely make for an interesting dating life in the future, whenever I get around to being serious.

Um. Let's just ignore my creepy smile. 

I still have many good friends. I would love to devote an entire post explaining each and every person's value to me, but we would be here all night. I will say this though: every person I've considered a friend has influenced me for the better. 

My friends have helped shape who I am today regardless if we are still close today. There is this one quote:

 "Best friends isn't about being inseparable it's being separated and nothing changes."

(Not sure how grammatically correct it is, but whatever) This quote I feel, exemplifies many of my friendships. I have friends from all over and sometimes it puzzles me as to how I still connect with some of the busiest people out there (including myself). Just when I think our friendship is hanging by a tenuous thread, I always end up having a lunch with that person or chatting on the phone and things are just the same as before. 

I feel very blessed to have met the friends that I have today, for it would be very lonely indeed. All of these people have helped me during those times when I felt completely alone and I am eternally grateful for them. 

I've heard people say that you can make friends wherever you go, and although that may be true, I think there is something to be said about long-term friendships. 

My dad, for instance, is very good with keeping in contact with people. (Perhaps, it is where I got it...) Every Christmas without fail, his best friend from his college days brings over a package of nuts and a warm visit. My dad is also still close with two friends from days of his boyhood, which I find incredible. I hope that as I get busier I will be able to maintain all these ties that have been so dear to me. 

"Sometimes people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints in our heart and we are never, ever the same." 

P.S. Whatever happened to Myspace?