Beach2Battleship

Today my good friend Adam and I watched our other good friend, Mark, compete in the Beach2Battleship half ironman. We met up with his wife, Adrienne, and their daughter, Taylor, early this morning to catch the first leg of the race - the swim. (You can see him in the picture above. He's totally visible. Open your eyes!) After that we headed to the transition area where we saw Mark run from the end of his swim to the transition area where he had to locate his bike in the sea of metal and wheels. He came around the corner, running like the most excited child on Christmas Day. After swimming 2.5 miles. (I personally would have thrown in the towel at about 100 meters.) The guy is always so full of energy and enthusiasm and he never ceases to amaze me with all that he does.

Adam and I didn't make it downtown to see the run portion of the race, but Adrienne did tell me that Mark completed the entire half ironman in 6 hours and 50 minutes!!! The guy is amazing, as is everyone else who competed in this race.

He absolutely motivated me to get out and run. But I have to finish watching Julie & Julia first.

Cacaolat Cookies

I am addicted to these cookies. I want to call them wafers, but they're really not. They are 2 cookie-like wafers with a chocolatey paste between them.

I discovered a similar product while in France but I can't remember the name of it so I can't show you. The wafers were shaped like pieces of toast. The toast was actually a little toasty man who smiled! It was delicious and cheery.

I am in love with European sweets - chocolate, pastry, bread (ok, so that's not sweet but you get the point)... If I lived there, I'd probably weigh 200 lbs. instead of my 150.

Oh how I long to be back in France. Sigh.

Due Date

I went to see Due Date yesterday, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis.

While it wasn't as funny as The Hangover, I do enjoy Zach G. and will watch almost any movie he is in. His walk and dog make the movie. Seriously.

cancer

Just yesterday I was talking to a couple of coworkers about lung cancer. I don't even remember how the subject was brought up. I actually ended up telling them a story about a woman who got lung cancer due to second hand smoke; she had never picked up a cigarette in her life. Well, then today, I stumbled upon this article. Coincidence? I think not.

I'm not one to tell people how to live their lives. Do what you want. To each his own. Only you can be responsible for your own actions. Blah, blah, blah. I will, however, tell you that I have seen first hand what cancer can do not only to an individual, but also to a family. It is not pretty and I do not wish any sort of cancer upon anyone - not even my worst enemy.

I urge all of you to pay attention to your body. You know your body better than any doctor. After all, you're the only one around you all day, every day! If you don't feel well, rest. If you continue to not feel well, go to the doctor. Most of us are so busy these days that we brush aside our health. Please don't. If you wait too long, it may be too late.

Paranormal Activity 2

Well, I finally went to see Paranormal Activity 2. Or rather, it was finally released into theaters. I feel like I've been waiting years to see this movie, but it's really only been a week or so.

As you recall, I saw the original PA last weekend. We were going to see PA2 at midnight, but then found out that they had a 10 p.m. show. SOLD. (After all, we are old and require at least 8 hours of sleep per night.)

I peed twice before the movie and didn't drink or eat during it because I didn't want to have to get up and leave! While I expected more from the movie, I still enjoyed it. It has a lot of the same "actions" as the first movie so it's not like there's anything new to see in that department. I really liked how they tied it into the first movie though. It explains everything! And I cannot wait to see what they do with the third, which is being filmed in Japan so you know it's going to scare me half to death.

All in all, I give it two thumbs up. I can't wait to hear what everyone else has to say about it!

Punkins!

Last weekend, Kristi and I went to the white church and purchased pumpkins for carving. (White as in that's the color of the exterior of the church, not as in that's the color of the people who go there.) We only spent 30 minutes searching for the perfect carving pumpkins; we budgeted an hour. Then we went to the UNCW women's volleyball match to watch an atrocious spectacle but I won't get started on that sour story.

It took another hour to clean out the pumpkins - my least favorite part. We both had to draw our own designs and transfer them so that took some time as well. Kristi chose a whale tale, similar to a drawing done by her favorite artist, Wyland. I chose a skull and crossbones with a bow (which I imagine being pink).

In my opinion, both turned out lovely:

Kristi had purchased last year at Walmart these handy dandy electronic pumpkin carvers. They made carving so much easier and less painful :)

After the punkin festivities, we decided to make it an official fall day and have a bonfire! The fire lasted a couple of hours and we had no problems staring into it for that period of time. It was so relaxing.

Here is a photo of Carter taking in the sights and keeping his little nose warm:

THEN we decided to put the feather in the fall hat by watching Paranormal Activity. I had never seen it and Kristi hadn't seen it since it was in theaters. I figured that since we had planned to go see PA2 with some of her coworkers, that I should probably see the first one so I know what I'm in for. I must say that it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be, but my heart rate definitely increased. It wasn't gory or gross, but it did allow for your imagination to wander. And that is the worst part. Because you never know who or what was in your house before you.

Lo siento.

Holy cow.

I just realized that I haven't uploaded a blog post in almost 3 weeks! My sincere apologies to those readers whose lives hang on the edge of a cliff waiting for my blog updates.

As most of you know, I went on a 10 day vacation to the FL Keys with my good friend Kristi. Before I could leave, however, I had to knock out 5 exams and 7 projects/homework assignments for class. Working full time and going back to school full time sounds lovely, doesn't it?!

Anyways, because I had all of that to do, in addition to prepping my office for my departure, I didn't post before I left. And I haven't posted since we returned because I've been busy adjusting to being back in reality. It took me 4 days to catch up on things at work. I've only had one day of classes due to Fall Break, so I'm still not in the swing of things in that department.

Oh, and my suitcase has thrown up all over my bedroom floor. The nerve.

But, I promise that I will post about our adventures sometime soon. And when I say soon I mean before the year ends :)

Operation Salsa Drop

"Operation Salsa Drop has been formed by Jay and Amy Muxworthy, owners of Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn and Flaming Amy's Bowl of Wilmington, North Carolina. They intend to sell retail shelf stable versions of their salsas in order to send the same salsas to the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq free of charge."

Please check out their website for more information. Soldiers like salsa too!

Banzai the traveling feline

I dragged my suitcase out of the storage closet the other day to pack for my vacation. Banzai decided that I didn't need to take clothes; all I need is a feline.

rats with wings

My best friend Megan lovingly refers to seagulls (or any type of bird for that matter) as "rats with wings." I must say that after years of thought, I thoroughly agree with that statement. Not only do they look dirty, but I think that they really are dirty. They rummage around in trashcans, eat food out of stupid tourists' hands, and squawk like a dying beast.

For some reason, tourists at the beach are fascinated by these birds. (I am not amused. I am also deathly afraid that one will poop on my head.) Tourists cheerily feed seagulls Cheetos from their fingers and take pictures of these dirty things swarming around their children. I'm waiting for one of these birds to fly away with someone's finger as their snack. That'll teach em!

No matter where I am on the beach, these guys always seem to find me. Case in point... my view today:

Seagulls are really just of no benefit to society. And it is illegal to intentionally murder a seagull... so I get really excited when I see one as road kill :)

My Current [Food] Obsession

I present to you my current food obsession.

I often get in moods where all I want to eat are a few certain foods for months at a time. Kristi often does this with sammiches; I do this with candy.

My Milk Dud kick has lasted all summer and it shows no signs of letting up any time soon.

We went to Costco the other day in search of items for our vacation. Milk Duds were on the shopping list. Did we find them? No, of course not! Because that was the one item I wanted (aside from Sugar Free Red Bull, which we did find in large quantities).

Now I must brave the insanity that is WalMart and purchase large quantities of Milk Duds. Because you know, they don't sell them in Key West.

Eat, Pray, Love - Part 1 (India)

Over the Labor Day holiday (read: when procrastination set in), I was finally able to pick up one of the books that I've been itching to read for years: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. As I'm sure you are all aware, this book has recently been made into a movie starring Julia Roberts. You should all also be aware of my refusal to see a movie before I read the book. I do believe that this movie was released well over a month ago, and to my knowledge it's still showing in theaters. At the rate I'm going with this novel, I may just be able to catch Julia on the big screen (although I don't feel as though it is mandatory for this novel).

This book is split into three sections based on the author's travels to Italy, India, and Indonesia. She writes of her revelations and experiences during her journeys. I knew from the get-go that I would adore this book because not only do I adore traveling, but all I do while I'm traveling is immerse myself in the culture and meditate about my life. (You know, exactly the same thing Elizabeth Gilbert does! Only she's much better at verbalizing it.)

Of course, reading this book was kind of like reading the writing on my soul and mind. I've expressed some of these thoughts before, but they are listed again based on some quotes that I've found in this novel. Please read below and laugh, cry, argue, and enjoy!

This is probably my favorite quote thus far in the book, and is stated before Elizabeth leaves for her trip to Italy: "Having a baby is like getting a tattoo on your face. You really need to be certain it's what you want before you commit." She was very unhappy in her marriage and felt that society (and her husband) were pressuring her into something that she didn't want - a baby. I, of course, can relate. Everyone is settling down, getting married, and having kids. While this isn't direct pressure, it is indirectly saying to single people everywhere: reproduce and follow others' examples. I want to do none of that. Everyone says I'll change my mind. I won't. I don't want to. Don't force me.

Speaking of "examples," EG quoted The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Indian yogic text: "It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of someone else's life with perfection." Now who nailed that one on the head!? (That quote also reminds me of another one of my favorites from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.") If I need to explain that quote to y'all based on what I said in the paragraph above, then you have issues...

...which leads me to another revelation EG had in her book. When discussing marriage and life with her mother, EG realized that she did not have to be "stuck" in her marriage, or anything else in her life for that matter. She asked herself, "...What are my choices to be? What do I believe that I deserve in this life? Where can I accept sacrifice, and where can I not?" (I really do think that EG and I were friends in a past life, although I, of course, was the more mature friend. I say this only because it took her to the age of 31 to ask herself these questions; I've been asking myself these questions since I was 13.) If you haven't pondered these questions for a few minutes and you're over the age of 25, I highly suggest that you do. You'll be a stronger person because of it.

So, as you lay in bed tonight and think about absolutely nothing but how wise I am and how my blog just completely changes your life, also think about this: What do I deserve in this life?

Scientific "theories"

I saw a bumper sticker on student's car today that read: Evolution is a theory, just like relativity.

I literally said, "REALLY!?!" aloud for all to hear.

One would think that since this bumper sticker owner is in college that they are somewhat educated, albeit probably liberal. But being the scientist that I am, I must argue with this bumper sticker and its owner. Not only is evolution a proven scientific "theory," but so is relativity. These two confirmed events were only coined as theories because at the time of discovery (you know, before TV and the internet, which I'm sure kids these days couldn't even fathom), they could not be proven. Through many experiments and much research across many decades, both evolution and relativity were confirmed. I do believe that folks even won Nobel Prizes for some of their discoveries. Imagine that!

FYI - all scientific discoveries are considered theories until they are proven facts. Sometimes, the "theory" part of a statement/discovery sticks because the ideas spread so rapidly.

If you don't believe me, then head on down to the library and do some research. Like, using books. And another FYI - google.com is not a book.

Beer me!

Today in my microeconomics class, the professor asked for an example of a "good" beer for use in one of his on the spot made up graphs. In my head, I'm thinking, "Ok, what about an IPA." Until one of the 18 year olds yells out, "Corona!" (She was so proud and excited about her answer too! Almost as if to say, "I can afford better beer than everyone else in here." You know, because Corona is so expensive.)

Anyways, her response made me think about a few things...

1. I was so fortunate in college to have parents who were able to provide for me. While they did not provide me with a lot of extra spending money, they were able to provide me with money to attend school, pay rent and utilities, and to eat. They also paid for my car payments, insurance, and cell phone bill - but only while I was enrolled in classes. If I wanted money to spend on my sorority, vacations, going out, drinking, etc., then I was expected to earn that money with a part time job. The only time I did not have a job in college was during my freshman year (I had to get acclimated, you know). But I will say that prior to that year in college, I held 3 jobs, attended high school honors/AP classes, and played volleyball and basketball year round. I also went home often during my freshman year and worked almost every waking hour at the vet's office that I so loved. (My younger brother, on the other hand, is a completely different story. To this day, the kid has only worked maybe 20 days in his entire life. Although he was required to cut the grass weekly once he was "of age.")

2. I am still so fortunate now to not only have a job, but have a job with a reputable company that I so adore. I've been very blessed in the job arena since graduating from college. I have always had a prospect or job waiting for me, no matter which city I chose to live in. When I made my final move from D.C. back to Wilmington, my old boss always said that I'd have a job in D.C. no matter when I chose to come back (if at all, which I won't, but it's a nice gesture). People like that make me believe them when they say that I'm a dedicated and passionate worker. I don't see it some days; I just think of it as getting the job done. I like to think that I have a good work ethic, but I don't really see it until someone else points it out to me.

3. With all that being said, I think credit is due to my parents. Mainly my mom for keeping us all so grounded. Since my parents divorced when I was so young, and since I spent most of my free time with my mom, one would think that I'd grow up to be damaged and somehow dysfunctional. But I'm not. My mom provided me with a completely normal and loving environment growing up, and my dad was still 100% involved in my life. My grandparents were also a heavy influence, as I spent almost every weekend and summer at their house. This is how I acquired my work ethic and love of reading, nature, and science. Suffice it to say, my grandparents are just as important to me as my parents.

You're probably wondering how I could get to thinking about all that from the mention of Corona, and I'll attempt to explain it as best as I can...

First I got to thinking about the beer I drink now and then I pressed the rewind button in an attempt to remember what I drank in college. That then got me to thinking about how my experiences in college were probably so different from kids' experiences now, and how those experiences probably stemmed from the way I was raised. (Aside: I feel that kids these days have absolutely no discipline or self worth, and that's due to the lack of parenting. I honestly feel that my generation was the last to truly be raised correctly, and even a few of those slipped through the cracks. Whatever we're doing now to raise kids just isn't working.) This then transgressed to thinking about my family, our ethics and morals, and expectations out of life.

And then came this blog post.

P.S. - I just realized a funny fact! And yes, I literally laughed out loud... my microeconomics professor asked about beer. His last name is Beer. HAHA!

Mother's Wisdom

When I was a kid, my mom would sometimes remind me, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then you shouldn't say anything at all."

I have tried to carry this motto into my adulthood but from time to time, it just doesn't work too well for me. Sometimes people just need to be told how dumb they are!

Am I wrong here?

Yeah, I didn't think so.

Found: Hairdresser

A small miracle has occurred... I have found a new hairdresser - a hairdresser that I actually like!

Kristi at Harbour Club Day Spa & Salon was recommended to me by multiple friends, without any prompting from me or others. (Another stylist at the same salon came highly recommended, so I figured this place was a safe bet.) It turns out that Kristi and I have a few mutual friends in common, and she also knows my boss. I would say that it's a small world, but we all know that this town really is small.

Kristi gave me a great trim and even gave me some pointers for styling my bangs. I can just never seem to get those right! She also dried and styled my hair faster than anyone I've ever encountered. My appointment was at 5 p.m. and I was out of there by 6. That is absolutely unheard of! But it worked perfectly for me since I had a girls night planned that involved yummy chicken curry and wine :)

Aside: Recall that back in June, I had written that my hairdresser, Andrea, was about to move to San Diego. (She's doing fabulous and loves it there, by the way!) I am so glad that I've found someone to replace Andrea, although no one can really replace her.

26 hours in a day

If there were at least 2 more hours in each day, I think the probability of me surviving the next 3 months would exponentially increase.

When I was in undergrad, I never understood how people would work full time AND attend classes on a full time basis (some also tended to families). Now that I have become one of those crazy adults, I still don't understand how people do it. I've only made it through one full week of classes and I'm not quite sure how I'm still functioning.

I have somehow managed to [almost] close out everything at my soon to be "old" job, get things in order for my "new" job, attend 3 classes on campus, "attend" one class online, do homework and read for said classes, work out, and play volleyball. Phew.

Notice that I didn't mention sleep. That's because I haven't gotten any. (I also didn't mention showering or eating, but rest assured that those tasks are being taken care of.) Between working 60-70 hour weeks and keeping up with schoolwork, there just isn't time to sleep. And I love to sleep.

Last Saturday, I had to attend a board meeting for work for close to 7 hours. I barely had time to get home, shower, change clothes, and get my butt across town for a bartending gig. I attempted to meet some friends for a few drinks downtown, but barely made it through one. I collapsed into bed around 1 a.m. and slept until noon on Sunday. WHO DOES THAT?!?! Apparently, I needed the sleep. But I haven't slept much since then. WHO AM I!??!

School really isn't the issue. I can easily make time to study on my lunch break, before bed, or even during class. It's work that's killing me. A normal work week consists of 40 hours. But because our staff is so small, and because events season is starting again, and because I'm attempting to tie up loose ends before I leave, I have been working 60-70 hour weeks. For those of you who know me well, you know that I am absolutely miserable doing this. For those of you who don't know me well, I will explain to you why...

- working that much does not allow me time to work out

- nor does it allow me time to sleep

- nor does it allow me time to keep my life in order (read: my closet tends to throw up all over my room)

- the people I work with drive me insane

Thankfully, I work half a day tomorrow (Friday), a full day on Monday, and half a day on Tuesday. That's roughly 20 hours of time I have to spend in my office with a staff that has slowly started to drain my soul. No no, I'm not counting down or anything.

However, I will say that last week was a bit out of character for me. I was house/dog sitting; I had to work 2 events for work; and I had a bartending job that isn't normal for me. So I was veering away from my usual routine. Even if I veer away the tiniest bit from that routine, my whole week is thrown off.

Anyways, this week has been somewhat more normal. My sleep schedule is almost back to normal although I still don't think I'm getting enough. I'm just ready for my new job to start so I can kick these work outs up into high gear.

20 more hours, 20 more hours, 20 more hours...

Sassy & Single

This article made me laugh. And not because it sounds like something I would do. But because these women sound like they could be two of my friends.

While they bring information to light that some may be unaware of, I [sadly] have already figured this out. Sometimes I'm just too smart for my own good. :)

This article also made me further realize that I have absolutely no desire to date. Anyone. Period. For a long time.

Call me broken, scarred, bruised - whatever you want. But that isn't the case. Apparently some think that I'm abnormal because I'm completely content not being in a relationship. I'm sorry, but last I checked, that was called "being comfortable with myself."

It amazes me how some of my friends long to be in a relationship and "with" someone. We all have those friends who bounce from relationship to relationship, regardless of whether or not it's in their best interest. These people are no weaker than I am; I have simply chosen to live my life differently.

I have found that I am:

1. comfortable enough with myself to be alone

2. too completely consumed with my career and school to worry about someone else

3. having too much fun being single (i.e. able to do what I want, when I want)

I don't know what my future holds so I really try not to say things like "I don't ever want to get married." (Unfortunately, I misplaced my crystal ball in 1993 and therefore lost my ability to look into the future.) I'm simply saying that for the next 5 to 10 years, I am completely content continuing as I always have: alone.

Reality Is Sinking In

HOLY CRAP.

I quit my job.

Granted, it was a week ago, but it's finally sinking in. I wish I could tell some glamorous story as to why I quit my job, but I really can't. I wish I could say that I've quit so that I can travel the world for a year, or so that I can go back to school for my Ph.D, or so that I can move to The Keys to work in a dive shop under every tourist's beck and call. But alas, I cannot.

I am simply moving to another department on campus. However, I am VERY comfortable with my current job. I have molded it the way I want it and completely reorganized everything in that office. All that is left to do is maintain it. Maintenance bores me. Hence, the job search and me stepping outside of my comfort zone.

I would randomly apply for jobs here and there, mainly at the suggestion of a co-worker. The job that I accepted and will start September 1 had completely fallen off of my radar by the time I was called for an interview.

I was interviewed on a Thursday morning. My boss was called Friday morning for a reference. The woman conducting the interview was on vacation the following week. I was offered the position the next Monday and I accepted on Tuesday. I told my boss the following Monday, giving him over 3.5 weeks of notice (which he greatly appreciated). The posting to find my replacement was posted online today (and yes, I wrote it).

Now, the reason I say it's just now finally sinking in is this: I have an incredible amount of work to do to prepare my replacement for the daily tasks of my job. I thought a month would be plenty of time to work the 6 events that we have planned, conduct my normal daily duties, plan a BOD meeting, and compose a job manual for my position. Boy was I wrong!

Per usual, random "emergencies" keep popping up on an almost hourly basis which tears me away from my daily tasks which in turn tears me away from composing the job manual.

On top of all of this, my full time classes start on Wednesday. What on Earth was I thinking?!?!

Clearly, I am Superwoman.

The Rat Race

Holy cow! Has it really been 2 weeks since my last post?! Oh how time flies...

As I was leisurely driving to work this morning (read: going the speed limit), there were multiple cars who sped by me at least 15 mph faster than the rest of the vehicles on the road. But guess what? I met up with them again - at the stoplight. Is it really necessary to go 60 mph on a little country road, just to sit at a stop light with everyone whom you passed 5 seconds ago?

Call me crazy, but I am in no rush to get to work in the mornings.