Libre Los toros!!

Greetings from Barcelona! I just wanted to write a quick note to explain my recent absence. My Europe adventure has officially begun. Ireland has been covered and I'm now in Barcelona. Next up is Greece in a few days. Traveling abroad for the first time has certainly been an experience and I already have a ton of stories to tell. But I wanted to say that there will probably be radio silence for the next few weeks until I'm back in the states because whO wants to be stuck on a computer when there's so much to see here!

However here are a few of the interesting things I've learned so far on the way...

Wear comfortable shoes!!

Public transportation is acceptable abroad however most people really do walk everywhere. I feel like I haven't stopped walking since I got here and my feet are protesting loudly with another two weeks to go.

Hostels have water timers in their showers. Basically...you press a button into a wall and the water runs for the amount of time it takes for the button to push itself back out to it's starting position...aka about 15-20 seconds. And then you hav to push the button again. And again. And once again. It does make for efficient showers though.

Stick shift + driving on the wrong side of the road = nausea.

People in Ireland wear very strange stockings. And are often hard to understand.

Things are waaaay too expensive on this side of the pond. However wine is often cheaper than soda. Or water for that matter.

While it is apparently technically illegal...no one will stop you from buying bottles of wine or sangria and walking around with them on the street drinking from coffee cups.

Alright friends, I am off. Our first actual vacation day on this vacation starts tomorrow...beach, picnic, shopping, and pub crawls!

Bestie

So one of the things I really want to start doing in my blog is celebrating the most important people in my life. And considering today one of my favorite people on the planet turns 27, I thought I would start with one of my best friends Diana.

Diana and I met in middle school and were always friendly but it wasn't until sophomore year of high school that she became one of my closest friends. She is one of the most caring, giving, generous people you will ever meet in your life. She will do whatever it takes to cheer you up if you need it and goes out of her way to be a good friend. She is one of the few people that I could tell every minute detail about myself to and she would still accept me without question or judgment.

(after a particularly eventful night out in Clearwater...I believe this was about 4 am, we were on a search for contact solution and it was about 15 minutes before we ran into a naked guy in a hotel parking lot)

She is also one of the funniest people I know. And I don't just mean she can tell a good joke...the way she tells a story with such detail and animation will have you rolling on the floor until you think your sides are going to burst. Even the most serious, heavy subjects she can turn into a ridiculous story. More than once I've wished for even a third of the amount of humor she can spontaneously create at any point in time. 

(my 21st birthday...one of my fav pics of us)

Other reasons why Diana is awesome: She's amazingly smart (she's a dentist!). She has fabulous sense of style and likes to flaunt her curves as much as I do. Her mom was Miss Egypt. She's a die-hard Seminoles fan. She'll rock out with me on any dance floor. The top of every single page of my senior year high school yearbook is filled with quotes, inside jokes, and memories she recorded for me. She came back with a country accent after living in Tennessee for 4 years even though she's the last person who looks like they should be busting out with a country accent. She moved back to Tampa this summer for a residency and is planning on sticking around after its over next summer! 

Basically, she rocks my world and I would not be the same without her!

The smell is in the air

No, I'm not talking about fall. I'm more of a spring/summer girl anyway. But what is in the air is COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!

I've got split loyalties when it comes to college football. I'm a born and raised Nole girl. I bleed garnet and gold. I can't imagine feeling this strongly about any other team. But I also got two degrees at UCF and I'm passionate about my Knights as well. Lucky for me, the two have never played each other so I've never had to choose between the two. And hopefully it will be many many years before that happens. When it does I might just have to wear gold because at least then I could plausibly be supporting either team.

So this morning I ran some errands and went to a bridesmaid dressing fitting and then ran home in time to watch the Florida State season opener. It was home at Doak Campbell so I got to see this guy run out on the field:

Something about Chief Osceola riding out onto the field on Renegade and planting a spear on the 50 yard line just gets my blood pumping. Needless to say it was a great game. We played University of Louisiana at Monroe and shut them out 34-0!! Great way to start the season! One of the best parts was this guy's punt return:

Most teams purposefully kick as far away from Greg Reid as possible because he is the king of punt returns but ULM made the mistake today and regretted greatly. I can't wait for next weeks game! Unfortunately I'm going to miss week 3 when we play #1 Oklahoma but I'll be there in spirit. (We're ranked #5 currently and will be going into the game 2-0 so its going to be an awesome game!)

Unfortunately, the UCF game wasn't broadcast today so I'm currently watching like a good little Knight fan on ESPN's game cast. I'm so proud of my Knights. We're currently kicking Charleston Southern's ass 56-0 with 7 minutes left in the 4th. I definitely need to make it back to cheer for my alum sometime this season.

I'll leave you with the beginning of the UCF chant that I've had stuck in my head all day.

U-C-F charge on to the field...

The Alphabet of ME

As I mentioned in my very first blog ever, Imitation is the Greatest form of Flattery, so in upcoming entries I've decided to adopt things from other blogs that I read and enjoy and bring them over to my side of the blogosphere. I came across this in a new blog I started to follow and it reminded me of those chain emails friends used to send in middle school and early high school (which I loved, btw) so I thought I'd slap it on my blog and let yall learn some fun random facts you may or may not know.  

Ambition: happiness and security
Bad Habit: picking at my cuticles
City: Tampa

Drink: Chick-fil-a lemonade
Education: BA in Psych and BS in Nursing
Food: Mexican food or chocolate dessert with nuts
Guilty Pleasure: bad tv
Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida
Ice Cream: prefer fro-yo esp TCBY or my new fav Yogurtology
Jonesing for: a "big spoon"
Kryptonite: having my hair played with
Look-a-like: Amanda Bynes
Movie: The Departed, Pride and Prejudice, The Notebook, Mean Girls
Nickname: Krys, K, KC
Obsession: all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer or written/created by Joss Whedon
Perfume: Provocative Woman by Elizabeth Arden
Quirk: if I drag one foot or bump one arm, I have to do the same to the other side to make it "even"
Regret: For me to know...and to not repeat in the future
Starbucks: Iced Skinny Caramel Macchiato or Nonfat, No whip 3-pump Mocha

Thrift Find of the Year: I don't think I've left Express this year without getting at least 60% off everything I bought
University: UCF! Go Knights!!
Vacation: EUROPE!! 9 days away!!
Wine: Riesling please!
X: On to the next!
Years: J'ai 26 ans. (Just felt like busting out the french for some reason)
Zen: is in my king size bed with sateen sheets and my animals curled up next to me

The Perfect Man

So they say if you put things out into the Universe, oftentimes you get them back. So Universe, this is what I'm requesting of you: my perfect man. He should have these qualities:

*6'0" - 6'4" tall
*brown hair
*brown eyes
*lean, athletic build (think basketball/baseball player)
*great sense of humor
*confident
*ambitious
*intelligent
*loves animals
*liberal political mind
*environmentally friendly
*loves to travel
*extroverted
*good cook
*amazing lover
*enjoys public displays of affection
*wants a family, but not any time soon
*close with his family
*Christian
*a decent dancer
*will pick up a book at least occasionally
*loves surprises (giving and receiving)
*honest
*reliable
*generous
*faithful
*open minded
*good dresser
*passionate
*think I'm pretty much the hottest thing since sliced bread

Not too tall of an order, right? Alright Universe, I'll be waiting!

Dealing with Disappointment

I'm an angry blogger. I know this. The unspoken rule with facebook statuses that sometimes carries over into blogs and other such public forums is to post when your life is going particularly well so everyone sees just how fabulous it is to be you. Or to write about something so maddening that everyone can't help but chime in on and once again...oh aren't you so popular with your 50 replies.

I'm the opposite. I love sharing good news and writing about the highs in my life. But I'm most inspired to blog, or just write in general, when I'm sad/upset/mad/hurting. It's like I mentioned a couple entries ago...for some reason my thoughts and feelings feel like they carry more weight when I can see them spelled out in front of me, whether or not they're viewed by anyones eyes besides my own. And I preface this entry this way because again tonight I was inspired to write because I was hurting. I want to get it all out of my system and just leave it on the page.

I won't describe tonight's inspiring drama. In fact I wrote a few paragraphs before this one and just deleted them because they weren't the point of this entry. My question is...how do you deal with the disappointment? I've never been good at that. I feel like I'm perpetually starting over (in all areas of my life) so why aren't I an expert by now? Shouldn't there be a check list someone's developed by this point? Complete steps one through eight and you're done. I'm impatient and I admit it. I'm tired of going through the trial and error of dating. I'm tired of putting energy into a friendship only to be told my effort into keeping lines of communication open are causing her stress. How do you remind yourself that is all part of a plan when you've never truly, completely believed things happen for a reason? How do you accept being let down and move on from it, a stronger person? How do you remind yourself that the fault is with them, even though you're the one wounded? When someone figures all that out, I'd love to be let in on the secret.

Seventeen days

In seventeen days I will be leaving for a glorious 2 and a half weeks traveling to:

Dublin, Ireland

Barcelona, Spain

Athens, Greece

Santorini, Greece

London, England

Edinburgh, Scotland

Excited doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling!!

New Name, New Outlook

So this blog started out as a list of 25 Things I wanted to do while I was 25. Well, 25 has officially come and gone and I'm now living in the land of 26. So to embrace my introduction into my mid-to-late twenties, I figured I needed to rename my blog and once again start anew. As I mentioned a few entries ago, I went to a Natasha Bedingfield concert in July. Well, one of my favorite of her songs has a chorus that reads:

And if you strip me, strip it all away,
If you strip me, what would you find?
If you strip me, strip it all away,
I'll be alright.


Take what you want,
Steal my pride, 
Build me up or cut me down to size. 
Shut me out, but I'll just scream
I'm only one voice in a million, but you ain't taking that from me

And haven't we all felt that way before? Anyway, the song has been resonating with me for awhile and I've finally decided to adopt it for my blog. I'm only one voice in a million, but its mine and I intend to use it.

Now, to address some things that have been neglected as I've been (unintentionally) neglecting this blog in recent weeks.

First of all...my list of 25 things. You've all seen the list before so I won't list them all out but I need to own up to the ones that I did not accomplish in the last 365 days.

10. Complete 3 consecutive months of p90x/get back into a regular exercise routine.
15. Get SCUBA certified.
16. Finally get that last tattoo I want.
19. Kiss in the rain.
20. Be an extra in another film.
22. Go horseback riding on the beach.

So only 19 of 25 was accomplished. Which equals out to 76%. I'm a little disappointed, but at the same time still very proud of what I was able to take care of. So those last 6 now go on my Lifetime Bucket List which I am currently in the process of making. Luckily I expect to cross a few of those off my list very soon. I am getting that last tattoo and I know what and where but unfortunately I've lost the exact design so I'm in the process of trying to find it again and then I'll get it done. Definitely by the time 2011 is over, but I'm hoping maybe before Europe next month. Also, my friend in small group was talking about going horseback riding on the beach with her friend in Jacksonville sometime in the future so if she makes that happen I may just have to make a trip as well, if only to cross that off my list. And finally, I know I talk a big game about this all the time, but I've been continuing to surround myself with fitness and exercise oriented people lately so I am absolutely determined to resubmerge myself in a regular fitness routine. It will happen. It will it will will. It must. So hopefully those 6 things I wasn't able to cross off my list this year will very shortly be down to three.

Speaking of fitness...my Europe diet has not exactly been going as planned. As my lack of blogging in the last few weeks probably indicate, I have been extremely busy, have had very little time to work out, and have been eating out way too often. So I am now embarrassed to say I am officially back at my starting weight. Europe is 3 weeks and 3 days away (!!!) so while I may not be at my goal weight, I am determined to get back on the bandwagon and at least lose and maintain a 5 lb weight loss by then. I'm trying to set realistic and attainable goals here. So here goes...

When I say I've been busy these past couple weeks, its not a lie. TGH goes live with an electronic medical record (EMR) on October 1st and the whole hospital has been getting trained on that so I've been going in an extra day each week for classes. Plus my birthday was 2 weeks ago and I took some time off to celebrate with friends and my family who drove down to spend the weekend with me. I took them to Busch Gardens where my lovely roommate gave us the opportunity to chuck meatballs at tigers (who hasn't wanted to do that? lol) and we intended to go on the safari so my mom could feed the giraffes but unfortunately the typical Florida mid-afternoon monsoon occurred and we weren't able to do it. But we had a good time regardless. Here are a few pics from the weekend:

A few of the girls after dinner on our way out for drinks

Mom and Dad at Busch Gardens

My birthday cake :)

Another super fun thing that happened recently is one of my good friends from nursing school got hitched! Three of us from my nursing class drove down to Captiva Island last weekend to watch her tie the knot with her man on the beach. It was an absolutely gorgeous wedding and she looked beautiful. I've missed my nursing girls since I moved to Tampa and I love any opportunity I have to catch up with them. A couple pics from the eve:

Beautiful ceremony on Captiva Island

Terri, me, Kathleen, and Erin

I caught the bouquet!

Alright, thats enough from me for now. But I promise it won't be 3 weeks until you hear from me again!

Backstreets Back -ALRIGHT!!

So I realize that my most recent post was only about an amazing concert that I attended but get ready...because this one is going to be the exact same.

Some background: since the tender age of 11, when I first heard them on the radio I have been obsessed with the Backstreet Boys. CD playing on loop, European import buying, VHS behind the scenes viewing OBSESSED. Unashamedly. Luckily my best friend Alyson has been exactly the same. BSB was actually a significant portion of our bond. We loved the music and the harmonies and discussing how, when we finally met them, Kevin would fall in love with her and Nick would fall in love with me (obviously). In 9th grade we were actually able to get tickets to the Atlanta BSB show but unfortunately our ride fell through at the last minute and we weren't able to go. Finally, in our senior year of high school, Nick Carter was touring for his solo album and came to a small theme park a couple hours outside of Tallahassee. So the morning after our senior prom Alyson and I, along with our friend Megan, woke up early, drove to Valdosta, GA and I finally got to see 1/5 of the Backstreet Boys in person.

Fast forward to 8 years later and BSB is back on tour again and there is no way in hell that Aly and I were missing them this time around, no matter what the cost. And it was worth every penny.

Matthew Morrison (Mr. Shu from Glee) opened the show and did a fantasic job! He sang a number of Glee tunes as well as some songs off his new release. Then was the moment we'd been waiting for: Backstreet Boys (and New Kids on the Block, but they were slightly before my time) hit the stage. I can't even describe the show except it was everything I ever dreamed it would be when I was 13. And I definitely reverted back to my adolescent self with the amount of screaming and jumping up and down that I did. They sang a good number of their most popular hits, some of the most recent ones, and to my absolute delight they even sang a song that was never even released on a US album (but of course Aly and I knew bc we imported everything that wasn't released here). I have to give NKOTB a lot of credit too. I knew their most popular releases but never really counted myself as a huge fan. But they also put on an amazing show! So they may have come out of that concert with a new fan.

Backstreet Boys came together in Orlando, where the concert was taking place, so they threw in a couple extra surprises for their hometown crowd. Most notably they brought in a surprise guest performance: Boyz II Men!! All of my guy friends in high school were obsessed with that old school R&B so I have a special appreciation of B2M and was ecstatic that I got to see them in person. They sang "Motown Philly", "I'll Make Love to You", and "End of the Road." BSB also came out at the end of the concert in Orlando Magic jerseys, while NKOTB came out in their hometown Boston Celtic jerseys.

And yes, just because I know you were wondering, Nick was just as sexy as ever in person.

Here's a few pictures of what has quite possibly been my favorite night of the year so far:

Super excited, waiting for Backstreet to come on!

Boyz II Men!!

Nick was obviously thinking about me at this moment.

Oh yes, we got shirts!

Slacker

I know, I know, its been much longer than it should've been since my last post. And even more importantly, I missed my two-week weight check in. So instead, here's my 18-day check in. I got on the scale this morning and I've lost three pounds, not too shabby! I'm not going to put my measurements up because I know they haven't changed, but I will check them again at the next check-in point. And hopefully my dedication will have improved by then. I've been great about watching what I eat and cutting out some of the extra calories but I haven't quite made significant strides in my work out plan. But I found what seems like a really great, simple work out that I can do at home in Women's Health so I'm going to try to kick that into gear after these next two days at work. But right now, I'm going to be happy with my 3 lbs!

I had the most amazing day last Thursday. To start it off, one of my absolute favorite artists, Kate Voegele, came to Tampa on tour with Natasha Bedingfield so my roommate and I went down to Ybor for the concert. It was in a smallish, standing room only venue which I love because it gives off such a more intimate vibe. We went early and had a few "Pocketful of Sunshines" (the drink special of the day, ha) and then ran to stage as soon as the doors opened. We managed to grab spots right at the stage, in front of the mic. An artist named Andy Grammer opened first. I'd never heard of him before, but he was certainly easy on the eyes and a lot of his stuff was really catchy. Certainly worth a download and another listen. And it was all I could do to keep Meagan from jumping on the stage and on him!

Next was Miss Voegele herself. If her name sounds familiar, she occasionally guest-stars on One Tree Hill and has for a number of years. Thats how I first discovered her years ago but my appreciation for her voice and song-writing ability has grown so much. Her third album came out in May and its amazing. She mostly sang songs off that album but a couple from her previous two. The girl is maybe 5'2" and weighs possibly 90 lbs soaking wet but such a powerful voice comes from that little body!

And finally, the fabulous Natasha Bedingfield took the stage. I've always enjoyed her music (Pocketful of Sunshine has been one of my phone's most used ringtones for the past number of years) but have never given her much thought past what I heard on the radio. I have to admit, she absolutely blew me away in person. Her voice was crazy powerful and she had great stage presence. I'm definitely a fan now!

But the absolute highlight of my night was that after they sang, Andy and Kate came out to meet the fans, take pictures and sign autographs. We went to meet Andy because he was out first and Meagan had to see her 'future husband' up close. Plus, hey, he could be a big deal one day and then we can say we met him way back when! This pic of the three of us actually ended on his facebook page so we're famous! Then Kate came out and I must have elbowed a crowd of people out of the way, haha. Most of the time I'm too nervous to say anything but "great show!" to artists I meet but I actually made an effort to be coherent and got to talk to her for a minute. She was so cute and sweet. I'd stolen her set list off the stage after her set and got her to sign that and her CD. I hope more of the world hears of her soon and begins to appreciate her as much as I do!

And we can't forget the final piece of excitement that night: the final Harry Potter film! We actually had to leave the concert before Natasha's set was over because we wanted to make it back to the theatre a couple hours before the midnight show started to get good seats. And after meeting up with Meagan's coworker and spending the next hour and a half discussing the previous night's So You Think You Can Dance episode, the moment I'd been both waiting for and dreading begun. And it was fabulous. A few minor changes that didn't deviate too far from the books and all of the major highlights we'd been waiting to see ("Not my daughter, you bitch!"). I can't believe its over and now I want to go back and reread the entire series. And rush back to the theatre as soon as possible. Harry has been a part of my life for the last 15 years between the books and the movies...what am I going to do without anything new to look forward to?

31 days to go...

So here we are, July 5th, exactly one month from my birthday. My birthday is my favorite day of the year (because its all about ME of course!) and I'm excited its come around once more. However, this also means that I have only 1 month left to complete my 25 Things to do while I'm 25 list and its not looking like I'm going to be able to finish it. But here's an update on what I've completed and what I still have to go:


1. Start a new career.

2. Move to a new city. 

3. Donate blood. 

4. Blog. 

5. Begin learning Spanish. I've started very slowly, and just with a few words/phrases that are helpful at work, but I'm definitely planning to continue!

6. Take dance classes again. 

7. Get more stamps in my passport. 

8. Read more of the classics. 

9. Learn to cook new dishes. 

10. Complete the full 3 consecutive months of p90x. Alright, so I didn't do this, but back in the fall I completed the first full month and I've now got my work out motivation back, which is basically what this goal was all about. So if I can keep my dedication for my Europe diet through my birthday, I'm going to consider this accomplished.

11. Buy art. 

12. Do something completely out of character. I think at least half of this list counts for me!

13. Make new friends. 

14. Keep in touch with old friends. 

15. Get SCUBA certified. My friend and I are trying to get this done before Europe but I don't think its going to happen unfortunately. But if I am able to even schedule these classes before my birthday, I'm gonna say it counts!

16. Finally get the last tattoo I want...or decide I'm too old to get a new tattoo. I think I'm getting it. I think. Now I've just actually got to do it!

17. Date more. 

18. Actually train my dog to do something.  I've got him to army crawl to me whenever I get on the floor, its just not actually on command. Does that count??

19. Kiss in the rain. Why is this so impossible???

20. Be an extra in another film. Alas, not going to happen. It will be a future goal for sure though!

21. Change someone's life for the better. 

22. Go horseback riding on the beach. Another one that will have to go on a future list...

23. Come to peace with last March, and all things from the past. 

24. Save a life. 

25. Kick a USF fan in the shins. 


So 1 month to go and 6 things left to accomplish. Two that won't happen for sure but I should be able to accomplish the others! I hope! And technically I did add numbers 26 and 27 after the fact, so if I trade those out for the two that I won't have time to do...does that still count as 25 things?? Hmm. I've got some work to do!

Time to buckle down

Today is July first. And for those of you who don't know the significance of that, today is the day that Meagan and I's Europe Diet officially begins. It's taking on different forms for each of us...Meagan's going to try to eat better, while I'm going to try to work out more/better/at all. But regardless, we have 2 months and a week before we have to impress some sexy European men and we have some work to do!

Normally this is not something I'd broadcast (I mean really, what girl wants to talk about her weight in a public forum?) but I thought that maybe being open about where I'm starting and what my goals are might hold me more accountable than if I kept my progress (or lack thereof) private. So here it is: my starting statistics.

Height: 5'7" (okay, not like thats going to change, but it gives your a reference point)
BMI: 22.1

I'm not saying I'm some fat, hideous creature, but I also know that this is far from my physical ideal and there is a lot of room for improvement. I'm not in nearly the shape I used to be in. And while I would like to lose a good 10 lbs, its more important to me to exchange some fat for muscle and improve the overall shape and tone of my body.

So here's the plan: I have 9 weeks. I work twelve hour shifts 3 days a week so lets be honest, I am not getting my ass to a gym on those days. So that leaves me with four days off a week. My goal is to kick my ass at the gym 2 of those days, do a decent work out the third and at least do something physical in my apt the fourth...be it a p90x video, crunches while I watch a show, whatever. I know that once (if) I start to see results it'll become addicting to me. Once I get in a routine its very easy to continue and even increase my dedication. But what I'm worried about is keeping my commitment prior to seeing any results. It's not that I really expect to see a big change in the numbers on the scale, but I just want to have that slight change in how my clothes fit that will give me that feeling of accomplishment in the initial weeks.

I'm going to try update yall every 2 weeks to hold myself accountable. Here's hoping the threat of public humiliation is a positive motivator for me!

What's currently circling my brain

I get questioned by people sometimes about how I am able to open up about some personal things on my blog. I try to leave out names and situation specifics depending on what I'm talking about, but when it only refers to whats going through my head, I don't always feel the need to censor. I'm not sure why that is. I've never been a person who is particularly private with most aspects of my life. If you want to know something, I will usually be up front with my thoughts and opinions. This blog has simply become an extension of that. I'm not sure why my thoughts seem as if they have more validity to me when they're shared. But sometimes when things run through my head a lot, the only way I can seem to progress to the next thought is to share them with the world. And I guess I preface this blog with those thoughts because I feel the need to purge whats been circling in my brain once again.

There's a couple things I've been struggling with lately and they're not things I like to dwell on. The first is that I find myself rather envious lately and that is not one of the seven deadly sins that I often struggle with. There's one thing in particular this envy has focused on but it has taken other forms as well. It's not an emotion I'm comfortable or familiar with and therefore I'm having a hard time finding the tools to overcome it with.

Another problem I've been having is trying to break bad habits. I am a creature of routine, immediate pleasure, and comfort. I admit it. I like the easy, obvious pay off. But I have a few things in my life at the moment that need to change or that I need to give up and I'm having a hard time accepting that. How do you give up something that you know will ultimately be disastrous when it makes you happy in the moment? And how do you convince yourself to put all the hard work in now, and to stick to it, when you know you won't see the fruits of your labor for some time to come?

I know this was a particularly abstract and vague post but I don't think its necessarily fair or appropriate to share all the details in this type of forum. For those of you that pray, I would appreciate your thoughts in helping me become stronger in these current struggles. And for those that don't...a simple pat on the back and 'you can do it!' will suffice! :)

I Wanna Do Bad Things to You

Many of you know that I have been a loyal fangbanger (to borrow a term from a certain popular tv show) since before I'd even hit my teen years. Which, is to say, before vampires were the "it" topic and before they ever sparkled in the sun. So it may not surprise you when I admit that I added HBO to my cable line up last week purely to catch the True Blood premiere Sunday night. Unfortunately I have little to no time to write tonight, but for those of you who didn't catch the episode I wanted to share my favorite parts with you. And don't worry, I brought something for everyone...fangbangers and those who's tastes run a little more toward the warm-blooded (though future were-panther) variety.

May I introduce Alexander Skarsgard...

...and Ryan Kwanten.

Sweet dreams ladies :)

So YOU Think You Can Dance

There are many reasons why summer is my favorite season...beach time, my birthday, no school (unfortunately that one no longer applies to me)...but one of the top reasons is that my favorite show is back on tv: So You Think You Can Dance.

Those of you who know me know that I was a dancer for about 12 years at a dance studio in Tallahassee and was on my high schools dance team for 4 years. I was on competition teams for each and was co-captain on dance team my senior year. So I grew up around dance and still can't get enough. I haven't missed one single episode of SYTYCD for 7 (now on its 8th) seasons. The obvious reason is that the dancing ability and level of choreography on the show far surpasses anything else on tv. But another reason I love it is every year I come out of a season with a small handful of unique songs that I would not have discovered anywhere else and that I relate to in very strange, personal ways. Last year was the first year that my favorite song of the season actually became popular and got radio play. Some of you may recognize 'Jar of Hearts' by Christina Perri. Last fall she made a music video for the song and those more astute viewers will recognize SYTYCD alum Alison and Katherine featured in the video. Here it is for your viewing pleasure:

Other favorite songs from past season that are worth a download...
The Nicest Thing - Kate Nash
Where I Stood - Missy Higgins
Gravity - Sara Bareilles
The Garden - Mirah
Breathe Me - Sia
Dancing - Elisa

But of course I can't write a post about SYTYCD without showing you some of its best products. So here are (what I consider to be) the top 3 dances from the past 7 seasons.

Chelsea and Mark: Bleeding Love (Lyrical Hip Hop)

Kayla and Kupono: Gravity (Contemporary)
I think its important to understand the "story" behind this one. She is an addict and he represents the drugs/addiction.

Janine and Jason: If it Kills Me (Contemporary)

And a freebee just for fun to show that not everything is so serious and there is lots of fun to be had as well...

Robert and Dominic: Scars (Hip Hop)

Best way to make it rain?

Wash your car of course! My dad always used to joke about this growing up because it always seemed to be true for him...he'd spend the afternoon detailing his car (aka his midlife crisis) and it would pour later in the day. Apparently I've borrowed that special gift from him. I had my car washed today (though, lets be honest...I didn't personally detail it, I ran it through the gas station's car wash) and then looked out my window this evening into the rain. Oh well, maybe everyone's cars needed to be washed too.

Recently I've been reading a new trilogy called The Hunger Games and have become completely entrapped in this world. I finished the second one this afternoon and am now lamenting that I work all weekend because I'll have barely any time to spend with the third. The premise is this: It's an undisclosed period of time in the future and North America is now a country called Panem that consists of a capitol and 12 districts. Seventy-four years ago the districts tried to overthrow the capitol and failed. To punish them, each year the capitol forces each district to randomly draw the name of one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-18 to compete in the Hunger Games, which is a televised fight to the death with only one victor that everyone in Panem is forced to watch. The victor's district then receives foods and goods for the rest of the year, which are desperately needed because the districts are extremely poor. In district 12, a twelve year old named Prim's name is drawn and her sister Katniss volunteers to enter the games for her. This is where the first book in the trilogy starts.

A lot of people look at me weird when I try to describe the premise because they think it sounds like some sort of futuristic Lord of the Flies. But it is nothing like that. (And for the record I hated Lord of the Flies. That book will forever inspire memories of my English teacher Mrs. Dunlap talking about Piggy dying and how the crustaceans form a halo around his head because he was The Christ Figure. Apparently every single book of literary significance had a Christ Figure. Who knew?) These books grab you from the beginning and even when you think you've figured out one or two of its secrets, there's 3 more you don't expect. They are found in the teen fantasy section, but don't let that fool you. There is blood, starvation, torture, and death. But you want to fight for these characters and you become extremely invested in their outcome. I'm just starting the third and I can only imagine where it goes. So if you need an exceptionally engrossing read this summer...definitely pick up The Hunger Games.

My roommate and I joined a small Christian study group through a church she's been attending on occasion. Unfortunately with my work schedule I've missed about as many meetings as I've been able to attend, but so far we're really enjoying both the subject matter and the company. This past week was one that I had to miss because of work, so I thought I would take a minute and reflect on what I thought was an interesting question posed the week before. But I'm going to open it up for all belief systems and just mention the most basic idea behind it. What 'body part' prevents you from being your best self? Is it your mind? The way you view the world with pride or self importance? Is your mouth and what you say to others? You really could find an example for any part of the body. But as soon as the hands were mentioned, I knew that was my weak point. More specifically, the things that I do, or don't do, don't always line up with the person I want to be. I always have the best intentions in my mind, but I don't always take the time out of my day to act in accordance of my thoughts. I decide the fact that I feel a certain way should show enough about who I am, I shouldn't have to take time out of my day to turn good intentions into a physical act. Or sometimes it takes the flip side. I do something I know does not represent the person I want to be, but physical temptation has always been a weakness of mine and I decide the fact that I know its not right should partially make up for the actual act.

So thats my new challenge. Try and make my physical actions line up better with what I know is the right thing and the person I want to be. What about you? Which 'body part' is your personal hurdle?

Apologies all around

I've been an absentee blogger for a few months now and I apologize. I've been adjusting to my new work and trying to throw myself into other things, and sadly my little pocket of the web has been badly neglected. But I am back with some new outlooks! Plus, I've discovered a few friends with their own little corners on here and I so enjoy being a voyeur into their worlds its given me more motivation to give you a bit of a peak into mine.

So where to possibly begin? I am officially a full-fledged Neuroscience nurse at TGH now. I spent just over a month with my awesome preceptor, Rabina, as she tried to adjust me to the world of paper charting (which is an incredibly foreign world for me) and then with very little warning I was pushed from the nest! Things have been going well though. The girls on the floor were all very welcoming and I'm comfortable going to them with questions. The hardest part for me is always learning the doctors and knowing who to call in the right situation and that just has to come with time. I can't believe I've been there for 2.5 months already! So stayed tuned to see how work continues to pan out!

Life socially has also been good. Last weekend for Memorial Day one of my best friends from back home came to visit all her friends in the Bay area and I got to spend some quality time with her and a few of her sorority sisters from college. Here's us in downtown St Pete:

I will never have enough good things to say about my Alyson! We have been close since we met in second grade and she's been there for me through thick and thin. Of all of my friends I know that I can tell her anything and it will not change our friendship. She might whip me into shape or tell me what I'm doing wrong but it won't change our friendship or how she sees me. Which is pretty much the best quality you could ever ask for in a friend. And lucky she did come down, because I may have needed a little Aly beating! Ha. Another fabulous thing about Aly is she was just as obsessed with Backstreet Boys as I was circa 1999 and this July we will finally be seeing them in concert - something that has been at least 12 years in the making! Oh, yeah NKOTB might be there too, but who really cares about that part??

Other exciting friend news...most of you should know, but I was a sorority girl in college. Yes, I was one of those girls. An Alpha Delta Pi Diamond to be exact! And I just found out last weekend that my "Big Sister" in ADPi got engaged! I'm so excited for her!! And what makes it even more exciting (for me, ha) is that she asked me to be a bridesmaid! Lisa and I have always had a really good relationship and we're always there for each other but we always had a lot going on in our lives and different social circles outside the sorority so we've never been constant in each others lives. But the love is definitely still there and I feel really honored that she's asked me to stand up with her on her big day. It's funny because I was actually talking with my sister this weekend about weddings and being a bridesmaid because some of her friends from college are getting married and I mentioned that I can't think of the next time I would have the opportunity to be in a wedding...that it certainly wouldn't be for a long time. Boy was I wrong! So I can't wait for the wedding festivities to begin!

One of the most fun things that's happened to me lately...I went to the Taylor Swift concert in Orlando this weekend! Awhile back I posted about my love for Ms. TSwift and I was so thrilled to be able to attend the concert. My parents and sister drove down for the event and we each invited a friend. Of course I asked my country-loving roommate to tag along! She put on an amazing show and I was so happy to hear all of my favorites from the new album played. The best part is that I've been able to put most of memories I connect with her songs away for the concert and just enjoy the moment. Though I can't deny a few tears escaped on Last Kiss. Damn that song! Here's some pictures from before and during the concert.

Well I think that was plenty from me for now! Now its time to start preparing for Book Club tonight and then hopefully fitting in some Bachelorette viewing before bed tonight!

My current favorite song

If only it were true!

DirecTV has these new commercials out about a Russian who has a pet mini giraffe and now they've gone so far as to make an actual website where you can "watch" Vladamir their bull giraffe on a live cam and get on a wait list to purchase your very own Petite Lap Giraffe. Oh, if I could only have my very own Russian-born lap giraffe who knows how to blow kisses at me!

To see the "live web-cam" and the commercials "starring" Vladamir go to:
http://www.petitelapgiraffe.com/

One year later

Sometimes you just have to pray for people...

Fresh Start #2

So 7 months ago I moved my life over to Tampa but the transformation has been incomplete because I'm still commuting to Orlando for work which has made it hard to feel like a true Tampa citizen and meet new people. Well, I can now announce that in 3 weeks I will officially begin working for Tampa General Hospital in their Neuroscience Unit and will no longer have to commute. Its a bit bittersweet for me because I've only had the opportunity to work at ORMC for 6 months and I feel bad for leaving so soon and will miss my coworkers a lot, but I'm excited to actually be working where I live and be able to sleep in my own bed every night. I think this will be really good for me. So here goes fresh start #2!


One thing thats just been haunting me lately is all the changes I went through a year ago and how all of that happened because I wasn't this flexible, adventurous person. I've never been someone who believes things happen for a reason, I think we create our own fate. At the same time I try not to focus on things that have already happened because you can't change them. But I think these instances in particular have been haunting me lately because I have grown into the exact person that I needed to be last year. I feel like I'm more accepting, more willing to try new things, more willing to experiment, and more flexible than I was last year. If I was a person who thought things happened for a reason, I would think I went through that to become this person so I wouldn't lose something so important to me the next time around. But being me, all I can do lately is lament that it took losing so much for me to realize what's important. Sticking to what you know, whats safe and familiar isn't so important. Getting that verbal commitment out of someone isn't so important when actions are telling you everything you need to know. I know its not good to dwell in the past, but somethings holding me back. I guess I just to have to try and accept the lesson learned but its hard when reminders keep invading your dreams. Literally. I miss what I lost and I don't know how many times I have to mentally accept that before I can move on.


But on a happy note...my family comes to visit next weekend! My sister has been to visit a few times but my parents haven't been to Tampa since before I moved in so I'm excited to get to show them my apt and where I live. I think we're going to go to the zoo, the Dali museum, and maybe try to hit up the beach. I can't wait for the Clark Family invasion!

Why I date like a boy

In the year I was single before my last relationship and the year I've been single since, I've made an effort to date and have fun but not get attached to every guy that comes along. The way girls approach dating is dumb. You're not going to be swept off your feet by a guy every time you go out to a bar and he's definitely not going to make you priority #1 over everything else in his life after date 2. Thats ridiculous and unrealistic.

Guys have it figured out. You should go out and have fun with your friends at every opportunity. If you meet someone, take advantage. But live in the moment, instead of looking toward the future. If you find someone you click with, great. Hang out, get dinner, go to a bar, hook up, watch a movie but don't try to turn it into something more than it is. I've found that finding someone I can get along with, enjoy spending time with, and have sexual chemistry with is more rewarding than getting all wound up about worrying about labels and exclusivity. Trust me, if a guy is only about you, he'll make it plain as day eventually. But having a casual relationship in the meantime can still help you feel smart and fun and desired with the added benefit of still being able to have your girls nights out, and not having to schedule your calendar around someone else's schedule, and be free to meet any other guys that you might have something equally as good or better with. I've met some people who don't understand how I'm able to spend time with someone or hook up with a guy and stay unattached, but for me I don't understand why every encounter has to be so life-changing. I'd rather get what I can out of people at that moment, have a blast, and then part on equal and happy terms.

I'm not completely cynical. I'll meet someone that will change my way of thinking eventually. I have a few times in the past so I know eventually I'll meet someone that will make me forget anyone else with testosterone even exists. So if you've met him, great. But my Be All is still elusive so until then I'm going to continue taking a page from the Male Handbook and just have some fun.

Bloody hell

Since 1999, while watching season 4 of Buffy, I've been in love with James Marsters. My heart officially broke this morning when I learned of his marriage. If he wanted someone half his age, he could've had me! Ah well, life goes on.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20463697,00.html

Touching base

So I've been a major slacker with this blog and my list lately. *slaps self on the wrist* But I have been accomplishing things! So here's an official update with newly checked off accomplishments:

1. Start a new career.

2. Move to a new city. 

3. Donate blood. I've done this twice now! Yay me!

4. Blog. 

5. Begin learning Spanish.

6. Take dance classes again. 

7. Get more stamps in my passport. So technically I didn't get a stamp but I DID travel out of the country to the Bahamas during December. Not sure what was up with that no stamp bs. But I'm counting it anyway bc I SHOULD have gotten a stamp!

8. Read more of the classics. Technically I can't cross this off yet, but I got a stack of classics for Christmas, so that strike through is coming soon!

9. Learn to cook new dishes. 

10. Complete the full 3 consecutive months of p90x.

11. Buy art. 

12. Do something completely out of character. Still having trouble deciding how to complete this one.

13. Make new friends. 

14. Keep in touch with old friends. 

15. Get SCUBA certified. 

16. Finally get the last tattoo I want...or decide I'm too old to get a new tattoo. 

17. Date more. 

18. Actually train my dog to do something. 

19. Kiss in the rain. 

20. Be an extra in another film.

21. Change someone's life for the better. 

22. Go horseback riding on the beach. 

23. Come to peace with last March, and all things from the past. 

24. Save a life. 

25. Kick a USF fan in the shins. I have to say that I am most happy to check this one off my list. But I will also say that I probably didn't make the best first impression with this person considering this was pretty much what I led with when I met them, haha. Oh well, it needed to be done! haha


So fourteen down, 11 to go! And I still have 6 months left. Not too shabby.


In other news...theres been a lot of fun to be had lately!! My roommates birthday was a week ago and we threw a whole nautical themed birthday extravaganza in Orlando complete with hotel rooms, Margaritaville, and City Walk. Then this past Saturday was my very first Gasparilla! One of my besties from childhood came down and I spent the day with her and some of her sorority sisters. The weather was breath-taking and I had so much fun seeing all the people dressed as pirates and catching beads. It was a blast and I can't wait til next year.


Other fun highlights...I've met a boy. I've been trying to be active in going out and meeting people and going on dates, but I've finally found someone that I get excited to talk to and want to spend most of my free time with. It's exciting to feel something again. It's still super early to determine anything, but I'm happy and right now that's all that matters. 


Well, I'm currently being distracted by my roommate and the Bachelor, so I'm going to give in to my trashy tv temptation. But never fear, I'll be back before another month goes by!