Self Reflection: A Year and a Half Later

A year and a half ago I wrote a post of a list of 100 different things about me. Random tidbits about my personality, likes, dislikes, thoughts, feelings etc... I recently reread this list and while a majority of them are still the same. There are some that I would change now. Call it a self experiment. I copied and pasted the list from my post titled Self Reflection from December of 2008. For the things that I have changed I put a strike through and also edited with some thoughts. I also added in some more comments to the rest with my 2010 views.

1. Blue is my favorite color
2. I will admit that I have a nice smile... my mom paid good money for it to get that way too.
3. I have no regrets in life... yes I've made mistakes but I do not regret any of them.
4. I am a horrible speller.
5. There are some commercials that have brought tears to my eyes.
6. I am very sensitive but I have gotten much better in the last couple of years.
7. I can't believe it's going on 7 8 years that I have been out of high school.
8. The only time I have ever colored my hair was when I was 14 and I thought it would be a good idea to dye it fire engine red.
9. I like to make people happy.
10. Ive been told that I have a huge heart and sometimes I care too much.
11. I miss my family so much sometimes that it hurts.
12. Autumn is my favorite season. Especially in the Midwest.
13. If I could have any car in the world it would be a 69 Mustang and of course it would be blue.
14. I have a really deep passion for film making and one day my biggest dreams will come true.
15. Humor is really important to me in a relationship. D cracks me up daily!
    
16. I am a really fun drunk.
17. I have a bachelors degree.
18. My radio voice is different then my regular voice
19. There is something about strapping a guitar around a guy that makes them extremely hot.
20. Back to the Future has to be hands down one of the best movies ever.
21. I will admit that I am a film snob.
22. I am deathly afraid of needles, snakes, and heights.
23. I would be happy living in a box if I had only a camera. especially a Cannon 7D!
    
24. Sometimes I wish I would get a letter saying that I was really a witch and that I would be attending Hogwarts. My letter just got lost in the mail for 12 years.
25. The Beatles are the best band that has ever lived. And no one could convince me otherwise. I will not listen.
26. I am pro choice. I'm actually not sure anymore. I'm drawn both ways.
    
27. Sometimes I think that I was born way to late. I should have been born in like 1950.
28. I think British accents are SO hot! but the British teeth are not
    
29. I like to sneeze.
30. My niece is the cutest thing ever to grace the Earth and no I am not partial at all!
31. I recently discovered my old diary from middle school and high school... lets just say it was an interesting read. so are my old blogs
    
32. My brother is a freaking rocket scientist... yes a real one! How did he get so smart. To me his is still stupidhead.
33. Sometimes I wish I was 5 again. That was a good age. No real worries.
34. I like that I am a Gemini... Geminis totally rock!
35. My favorite place to be is in my bed. or couch
    
36. My Mom's house still looks exactly the same as it did 10 years ago... and I really have no problem with that.
    
37. No matter how long that I have been away from there to me it is still home.
38. I have always been pretty independent but right now I am the most independent that I have ever been.
39. My first thought in the morning when I wake up is, coffee... I need coffee.
40. It really seems that everyone I know is getting married. Is this a sign that I am getting old?
41. I have realized recently that I only have truly LOVED two men in my life. Make that 3
    
42. When I was in school I thought that I would never be done. Now that I am done I want to go back. and now more than ever. Anyone have $25,000 they want to give to me?
    
43. I have come to the conclusion that having a college degree is totally overrated. I was just frustrated that I couldn't find a job. Now that I have one I do not this it is one bit overrated.
    
44. I wish I could have known my Grandparents better.
45. My one surviving Grandfather is 91 92!
46. I had a Great Uncle who was killed at Pearl Harbor. He was only 18.
47. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.
48. When I was little my Dad used to sing me to sleep. Those are some of my happiest memories.
49. Sometimes when I'm laying in bed going to sleep I create stories in my head but for some reason they look a lot like movies.
50. I think I am a minimalist.
51. Sometimes I wish I had a pet then I realize that I am not responsible enough yet for that. I LOVE having a pet! Chloe can be a lot of work but I am so glad to have her. I'm definitely responsible enough for one now. Look at me... I'm a big girl!
    
52. When I was little my friends used to call me mom because I always was trying to take care of everyone and make sure that they were ok.
53. I have a lot of cousins but I never get to see them. I get to see some of them this summer when we go to Cali.
    
54. I relate times in my life to certain songs or albums.
55. I think I always have a song in my head even when I am sleeping.
56. I wonder sometimes if I will ever get married. I definitely see it in my future now. :-)
    
57. I want to eventually someday. :-)
    
58. My parents made me who I am to today, and I am proud of that. I can only hope I can be half as good as them.
59. Ask me anything about Seinfeld and I can tell you the correct answer.
60. I cant believe that I moved 1000 miles away from home for a stupid boy. I wonder where I would be now if I didn't move?
    
61. 2008 sucked... I really hope 2009 will be better. The second half of 2009 was great! 2010 is looking pretty good so far.
    
62. I was never so proud of myself as when I lost over 20 pounds.
63. I am a severely indecisive person.
64. I have a friend in the Marines that is going to Afghanistan soon and I am really afraid for him.
65. I fall easily for tall guys with cute smiles. I feel for a average height guy with a cute smile.
    
66. Some of the best people watching is at the airport.
67. Edward Cullen is the epitome of the perfect man. I was kinda obsessed with the Twilight Series at the time. Not so much anymore. The stupid teeny bopper craze kinda knocked me out of it.
    
68. I rather go out of my way then make a difficult left turn.
69. Smoking cigarettes is the most disgusting habits ever.
70. I should be making way more money than I am now. I am making way more than I was. Wish it was a bit more. But what are you going to do.
    
71. I didn't pay much for my very expensive education. I was REALLY lucky.
72. I wish I had a Mac book. SCORE!! I got a Macbook Pro for work and I get to use it like was my own.
    
73. My car is very basic. I am just happy it gets me where I need to be safely.
74. I miss dancing.
75. I LOVE musicals. Thank God for Glee! It soothes my need to watch musicals once a week. I am a total Gleek.
    
76. I think I could definitely make it in NYC. While I still probably could, I really have no desire to anymore.
    
77. I had some horrible friends when I was in middle school. And now I am "friends" with them on Facebook. Go figure.
    
78. I have never seen Goonies or Boondock Saints... don't worry they are both on my Netflix queue. And I did. Both very good movies.
    
79. My favorite Christmas tradition is going our for breakfast on Christmas Eve with my Dad.
80. I am so proud of my Mom for everything she has been through in her life. She is a true survivor.
81. I am the cheapest date in the world. It doesn't take much to get me over the edge.
82. I text more than I talk on my phone.
83. It scares me to think if I couldn't text anymore.
84. Sex and the City is one of the best shows ever! And also a very good movie and hopefully sequel. Will find out this Friday!
    
85. Books are an escape into a different world.
86. I think about "the one who got away" at least once a day, if not more. Not so much these days. I actually don't think of him as "the one that got away" anymore.
    
87. I was 0.1 away from graduating with honors.
88. I tried acting once and actually I wasn't half bad. And now I'm trying my hand at becoming a Voice Over talent. I have a coach and I'm working my way to producing my demo.
    
89. I love Christmas lights and fireworks. They make me happy.
90. My Dad's cooking is the best in the world.
91. I cuss like a sailor... I've tried to stop but it's really hard. I'm much better now than I used to be.
    
92. I wish I had a DSLR.
93. Are people with money more happy?
94. I used to love Bert and Ernie. They were so silly.
95. Sleeping and eating are my favorite past times.
96. One time I actually drove threw a rainbow... I am totally serious.
97. I have my baby names already picked out. Well just a girl's name. But I am open to suggestions.
    
98. When I play Guitar Hero I pretend like I am a real rock star.
99. I still sleep with a teddy bear.
100. My favorite book of all time is Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. May he rest in peace.
     

10 on Tuesday

1. What is your favorite piece of furniture in your house?
my couch... it's like eleventy billion years old but it is SO comfortable

2. If it was raining so hard on a Saturday that you couldn’t leave your house, what would you spend the day doing?
Catching up on TV... I have a bunch of shows to catch up on the DVR

3. What was your favorite candy as a child?
Skittles

4. Did you get an allowance? What was it based on? What did you do with it?
Yeah I think I had like $20 every other week. But I had to change the cat litter and take out the recyclables on trash day. I really have no idea what I did with it.

5. Do you have a favorite Etsy store?
I agree with Faith, whenever I decide to go there I just get really overwhelmed by the craziness of it all.

6. Do you prefer time with family or time with friends?
Well none of my family lives where I am, or even close. I wish they lived closer. So whenever family is in town they usually take top priority.

7. Looney Tunes, Tiny Toons, or Animaniacs?
Hard choice! Animaniacs were the best though.

8. Best daytime talk show: Oprah, Ellen, The Doctors, Tyra (ha!), Dr. Oz, or Dr. Phil?
I never get the chance to watch any of those. But if I had to say it would be Jerry Springer (why wasn't that on the list?) ;-) Just kidding

9. Would you rather have the power of invisibility or the ability to fly?
to fly even though I'm scarred of heights. That would definitely save money on air fare.

10. Name 1 thing you love about being an adult.
One word... beer

Chloe

So, D and I had been talking for a while now about getting a friend for his current dog. He's home alone a lot and thought that he would like some company.

A week ago Monday... I saw from a girl that I follow on twitter that she had 7... yes 7... puppies she was giving away for FREE! With pictures. We hadn't planned on getting a dog quite yet but after D and I both saw the pictures our minds were almost 100% made up.



I mean seriously... who could resist that face?

Before we left to go look at the dogs, D says to me, "Now you know Becky that we can't take all of them home right?" Gosh he knows me soooo well. And wouldn't you know it, when it came time to choose a puppy I had to go eenie meenie miney moe because they were all equal in cuteness.

So I did... and chose this little girl.



On the way home we started suggesting names. Of course my first instinct was Beatles songs... but neither Lucy, Michelle, Lady Madonna, or Prudence seemed right. Later that night we were watching the show 24 and a name just poped into my head... "How about Chloe?" D looked at me and said... "Yeah! That's perfect." And it stuck. So Chloe it is.

Here are some more pictures to make your heart melt.




Here she is with Bam...

Ten on Tuesday

1. Do you prefer markers, crayons, or colored pencils?
I would probably go with a nice sharpened pack of colored pencils.

2. As a child, how did your parents celebrate your birthday? (Parties, cake, you pick the dinner, etc.)
yes all of those. My parents were big on birthdays. I always had a party with a pinata, cake, ice cream, the works.

3. How do you feel about leggings?
only if they are worn with socks over them, white Keds shoes, and a big long sweater. Oh and don't forget the Blossom hat.

4. How do you prefer to follow directions? With a map? Words?
I like either step by step directions. And street names. I also like "take a left at the 3rd light"... that kind of thing. That usually works for me.

5. What do you eat for a snack?
lately I have been eating string cheese, yogurt, peanuts or raisins. Those kinds of things really tide me over.

6. Have you ever ordered anything from an infomercial or bought any As Seen on TV products?
Do you remember the Topsy Tail? Anyone? Anyone? My mom bought me one of those when I was like 8. It was awesome!

7. What’s your favorite thing about summer?
Swimming, BBQ's, popsicles, running in the sprinkler, walking barefoot... some of those may or may not be just good memories when I was a kid.

8. Do you have a tattoo? What and where is it?
no... I am deathly afraid of needles. Although I have a pretty high pain tolerance, I still can not stand the sight of a needle. Even if I wasn't I couldn't think of something I would want to put on my body for the rest of my life.

9. Are you good at journaling?
I really used to be when I was younger. I would keep extensive diaries. I still like to go back and read them from time to time.

10. What’s your favorite way to eat a hamburger?
tomato, mayo, ketchup, lettuce.... yummmmm

Oyster Bake '10 (An actual real post!)

Since I actually have stuff to write about... I thought I would take this opportunity to write about Oyster Bake.

Every year in San Antonio, where I reside, we have a city- wide celebration called Fiesta. The third largest city celebration in Texas only behind The State Fair in Dallas and the ginormous Stock Show and Rodeo in Houston. And 7th largest in the nation. According to their website, "Fiesta is a party with a purpose. Every event is produced by a non profit organization. The funds they raise provide services to San Antonio citizens throughout the year."

So one of the biggest events of Fiesta is Oyster Bake; which all proceeds go towards scholarships. It's basically food, beer, games, music, and rides.

This year, like last, I got to work a shift at one of the beer booths! It was a lot of fun.

Evidence below...

I can't wait for the new iphone backwards cam... self portraits are too hard on the 3GS


It had rained all week so we prepared ourselves with rain and work boots. Mine had the twitter fail whale on them ;-)


The guys hanging out at the "guy table"


These are the best things at Oyster Bake... I think next year I'll venture for one with the sausage. *drool*




No I did not ride this... full belly and spinny ride does not make for a happy Becky.

10 on Tuesday

1. What two cities should be moved closer together?
Can I pick 4? San Antonio, TX, White Rock, NM Chicago, IL, and Omaha, NE So I could be near all of my family and friends.

2. What was the first plane ride you took?
When my Grandmother passed away when I was in 5th grade to Chicago. Not a fun trip.

3. What continent would you most like to visit?
Europe. Definitely Europe. I can't wait to go!!

4. What’s your favorite place to window-shop?
Fancy jewelry stores where everything sparkles. Oh and Ikea! Although I always end up buy something there.

5. What’s the least fun you’ve ever had at a place specifically tailored for fun?
Probably when I was in high school and we went to Worlds of Fun (amusement park in Kansas City) and I got sick on one of the rides. SO not fun.

6. You’re stuck on an island with plenty of food, a companion, and a relatively stress-free lifestyle. What do you say when the rescue ship comes?
CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED ON GLEE?!!

7. Which day of the week do you look forward to most?
Saturday... they are so relaxing and usually spent with the bf and good friends.

8. What’s your favorite place to enjoy the great outdoors?
Anywhere where I can see the stars at night clearly... like last Christmas when I visited my brother in New Mexico... they were beautiful.

9. What’s on your “to do” list this summer?
Sex and the City 2, my birthday, Corpus Christie, Hinchman Olympics, tubing, LA and Las Vegas!

10. Which natural disaster freaks you out the most?
I used to hate tornadoes when I was a kid... since we lived in tornado alley but I think earthquakes would freak me out the most if I ever experienced one.

Ten on Tuesday

This time it's the right day at least...

1. What book, movie or song has made you want to travel to a particular place? (eg. I went to Prince Edward Island because I was such a Anne of Green Gables fan)
Hmmm I've always wanted to go to the Octopus's Garden and Before Sunset made me want to go to Paris.

2. Aside from your significant other, who would you want to take with you on a dream trip?
My Mom... in fact we are going to Europe next winter.

3. Where would said dream trip be to?
That place that is always in pictures of the perfect beach... white sand, palm trees and turquoise blue water... not really sure where that would be though.

4. If you were hosting guests or providing tips, what three things would you show visitors to your hometown? (be it where you live now or where you grew up)
It I were to show them Omaha....
The downtown area, Old Market
The zoo... 2nd best in the country
And of course the slides :-)

5. If you had a long weekend ahead of you, where would you head – beach, city or country/mountains?
Definitely the beach... take a drive to Corpus for the weekend

6. Do you have a passport? If so, did you get it for a particular trip or just to have, in case?
Nope... I've never been out of the states... going to next year though!!

7. Are there any travel souvenirs you collect? If not, is there something else you collect?
I take lots and lots and lots and lots of pictures.... I also like to journal about my experiences while I'm on vacation. It's something I have been doing since I was little.

8. If you could name a paint colour, what colour would it be and what would you call it?
I love deep cobalt blue so I would name it "Becky's Favorite"

9. If you were heading away for a weekend citybreak solo, where would you go? (forget about practicality here and flight times, assume you can get to any city in the world for the weekend)
NYC... I've never been and would love to go.

10. Is there a song or a smell or something that you strongly associate with a particular holiday/place/time, such that it always takes you back?
There are so many smells... my grandparents basement I associate with summers as a kid, the way my parent's houses smell makes me feel safe, my grandmother's perfume, mountain laurels make me think of spring time, and this is weird but I love the smell of D's deodorant

And songs... well the list is also very long... "Take Good Care of My Baby" by Bobby Vee because my dad sang it to me growing up, this song called "Red Red Robin" because my Mom would sing it to me to wake me up (still does when I go visit), "Smash" by The Offspring because it reminds me of Jr. High, "One Step Closer" by Linkin Park because it reminds me of sophomore year of HS, "Don't Stop" by the RHCP because it reminds me of freshman year in college... the list goes on and one....

10 on Tuesday

Yes I realize it's Wednesday... oh well...


1. If you could travel back in time, would you? What decade would you visit?
I would probably go back to when my parents were young. The 50's and 60's. I've always been obsessed with that era.

2. What was your best Halloween costume? (fun to make? most creative?)
When I was little I used to have awesome costumes. Some of my favorites were a dead hippie, black jack dealer, mime... one year I was a baby and wore a pink leotard, my mom made me a bonnet, and I had a giant blow- up bottle.

3. Do you like your name? If you weren’t called by your name, what would you want to be called?
I actually really like my name. No one usually messes it up and it's super easy to spell. I used to hate it when people called me Becca, but when I worked with kids they said it lot so I just gave up hating it.

4. In the past year, what is the BEST recipe you made. Please share it!
Oh I dunno!!! Probably the new meatball recipe I found. It consists of ground beef, stove top, water, and egg. Super good!

5. Look around – what is the nearest object or picture hanging on the wall?
My Beatles drawing that D got me for Christmas. It's a beautiful pencil drawing that I love to just sit and look at when I'm bored at work.

6. What was the last movie you saw in a theater? Would you recommend it?
We saw Alice in Wonderland last weekend. It was ok. The special effects were really good. But I dont really like when a movie is all special effects and nothing else. SPOILER ALERT: and it was weird how it was like a squeal and I agree with Faith... I didn't really like how Johnny Depp portrayed the Mad Hatter.

7. Did you go to summer camp? Will you/do you send your kids to camp?
I went to one week long sleep over camp. It was really fun! And I went several years in a row to the YMCA day camp. I loved it, except for the ghost stories that they told us. I was little it really freaked me out... Yeah I would definitely would want my kids to go... if they wanted to. Summer camp is something that they will remember for a long time.

8. What kind of ringtone do you have?
I have different ones, my main ringtone is The Beatles "All My Lovin'" For D, I have this weird one that came with the iPhone that sounds like a robot. For my Mom I have Crosby, Stills, and Nash's "Teach Your Children" and my Dad I have the The Beatles singing " Take Good Care of my Baby"

9. Where is the farthest away from home you have ever been?
This is pathetic but the east coast... DC, Orlando... but next year my mom and I are going to Europe!

10. Has anyone ever written a song or a poem for or about you?
Not officially... D sings me silly/ sweet songs all the time

Recap in pictures...

After over 6 years as a Texan I finally saw our state capitol in Austin!



I got to go to SXSW Interactive Conference for work! I learned so much and had a blast!






I also went to Houston and Dallas for a couple of work trips!





Plus... the bluebonnets are finally in bloom here in south Texas! As well as the Mountain Laurels which make the air so sweet!



Plus why not... beer, AWESOME pizza, Bam, and me being rebellious!

I'm a weiner... I mean winner!!

On a whim I entered Jen's Sex and the City Contest to win tickets to the official Sex and the City Manhattan Tour and I just found out that I won!!! All I had to do was leave Jen a comment with my favorite SATC quote. Of course I put my favorite...

"Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous."

Thanks so much Jen and On Location Tours!!!

PS: I'm getting totally psyched about the new SATC movie in May!!

10 on Tuesday

1. Of your current hobbies, which would you choose to spend more time, money, and effort on? Why?
I wish I had more time/ money to learn to be a better photographer. It really was my first love. And I think if I became a better still photographer it would work it's way into become a better filmmaker.

2. List the two other hobbies/habitual activities (not chores) besides the one listed above that you regularly do now and didn’t choose in question one.
Practice the guitar. I'm still learning the fundamentals. Slowly... very slowly getting better. And cooking. It's something I've done for a while but need to do more. I am trying new things though.

3. Why are you spending time on the above two hobbies/habitual activities at all if you really wanted to spend your time on the first one you chose? …or to put it another way, what are these two hobbies/habitual activities fulfilling that the first one doesn’t if you don’t want to put all your effort into the first hobby?
Well, I already have the guitar (and the instructor) so money isn't needed for that. Just time. Same goes for cooking. The price of cooking doesn't compare to semi decent DSLR camera.



4. Read John 3:16 in the bible… In what way does this passage affect you? What are your feelings towards these words, positively or negatively?
I like the Bible... I do. It's actually a really good book. I don't quite understand it all yet. And actually this passage is the one I am having the hardest time with right now. Was Jesus the son of God? I dunno? Maybe. Sometimes I really want to believe it, I just don't yet. Maybe sometime in the future I will.

5. M&M’s: nuts, no nuts, or peanut butter?
Nuts! So much better with nuts ;-)

6. Putting away the feeling of pride being a bad thing; what secretly/openly are you proud about yourself?
I'm good at my job. I've learned so much in the past 6 months that I've been here. It feels good when other people ask me how to do something or ask me to help them with their social media/ networking issues.

7. Given one room in the house to do with what you want, not changing the actual size of the room and with all the money you would need, what would you do, and be specific? (this can range from bouncy floor,walls & ceilings; to hard wood floor with wood paneling and purple ceiling with a chair; to nothing)
Well considering I'm moving in a couple of months I will be changing all the rooms. What I want to do with the living room is make it "movie" themed, but not cheesy. Like a couple of cool movie posters. And I have these cool old antique cameras that I want to display. Maybe with floating shelves.

8. What’s the next movie you’re going to see? Not what you’d LIKE to GO see, but the next movie you realistically are going to watch.
I saw the one that I really wanted to see and that was "Shutter Island." Umm oh "The Hurt Locker." Now that it won best picture.

9. Use the keyboard only and make your best smiley/funny/cool face –> like this! 8^)
>:-(

10. What makes you cry? What makes you pray? What makes you laugh?
Recently: When D offered to pay for part of my voice over lessons because I had to shell out a grip load of cash to get my brakes fixed. (I wouldn't have been able to take them if he hadn't offered.)
I pray at church. Or when my life is in disorder.
Everything makes me laugh. Especially really corny jokes.

10 on Tuesday

1. If you were given an hour to use a $200 Amazon gift card, what would you buy?
The Beatles Remastered box set... that was easy

2. Are there any fairly common foods that you’ve never had?

I've pretty much have eaten everything... I like trying new things.

3. What was your favorite way to use your imagination as a kid?

I played house a lot. My brother and I used to play submarine and airplane on our swing set when we were kids.

4. What’s your favorite state? Why?
New Mexico... I love that state.

5. If it was our culture to have our parents choose our spouses, do you think yours would make a good choice?
Probably... my parents know my type... weirdly enough

6. What’s your favorite herb?
Love basil

7. If you could have dinner with one celebrity, who would you choose?
Paul McCartney... that would be my life long dream come true.

8. What’s your favorite Disney movie?
The Lion King or The Little Mirmaid

9. If you had to listen to the same song over and over for 24 hours, what song would you choose?
Any song would drive me crazy that many times....

10. How do you order your steak?

medium

10 on Tuesday.... or uh Wednesday

1. If you could open any type of store/place of business (money is no obstacle), what would you open?
I would love to run a successful business. The thing is getting it to be successful is the part that sucks. I would run my own production company. Movies, commercials, PSA's that type of thing.

2. If all jobs paid equally, what occupation would you want? Why?
I have a couple of dream jobs. To be a radio DJ or be a photographer for Rolling Stone magazine. I was a DJ in college and absolutely loved it. I totally felt a calling. Same with photography. I've always had a passion for it and Rolling Stone is the end all be all of music photography.

3. If you could be any animal in the world, what would you pick? Why?
I've always said a bald eagle. Just because they are so graceful and I always have thought that it would be cool to fly.

4. If offered one “service” free of charge, which would you choose? (chauffeur, maid, personal shopper, chef, etc.)
Nutritionist or Personal trainer. Someone that plans all my meals, maybe cooks them for me and kicks my butt into gear to exercise. Isn't that how all the celebrities lose weight?

5. What is one habit, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to break?
Ugh freaking junk food. I did at one point then reverted then stopped for a while then went back again. It's like a bad relationship that you just can't seem to break.

6. What is one thing that no matter how many you own, you still love to buy all the time?
I really don't spend a lot of money on non necessities. I really can't think of any. Wait does beer count as a necessity? Yes... I think it does.

7. Out of all the game shows (past and present), which would you want to be a participant on and play?
Probably Legends of the Hidden Temple from the 90's on Nickelodeon. I used to love that show. It didn't look too hard. I don't even remember what they won. But it looked like so much fun.

8. If you could play the lead role in any movie that’s already been made, which movie would you pick?
Lucy from Across the Universe. That is one of my favorite movies. And it looked like so much fun to make.

9. Name 5 things on your bucket list (things you want to do before you die).

1. Go to Europe with my Mom
2. Meet Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr
3. Go to NYC... probably doing that this summer
4. Go scuba diving
5. Be on a real Hollywood movie set
   

10. Which one of your birthdays was the best? What did you do that day?
Ummm... probably my 4th birthday. My family and I took a trip to South Dakota. I wanted this baby doll SOO bad and when I went into the cabin that day they she was sitting on my bed. It was pure excitement and happiness. I mean there was my 21st birthday but nothing compares to that childish joy I had that day.

Guitar Lessons

So, D has been giving me guitar lessons. He actually bought me my own for Christmas.



I love it! Now, while I LOVE music and know a lot about it, I'm not all that musically gifted myself. I love to sing, but I'm not that good at. But, since D bought me the Fender and he has been playing for a long time, I thought I would give it a shot. It's a lot harder than it looks. I have been practicing and trying to get the basics down.

D's a FANTASTIC teacher. He is very patient and encouraging. When I get frustrated he just says, "play it again." The other day, I was getting SUPER frustrated and just said, "relax, no one is judging you here. And I think you are doing really well."

Knowing my love for The Beatles, he taught me the intro to Day Tripper and called it "my incentive to practice."



And it really has encouraged me to practice. I can actually hear the song when I'm playing it!

He also taught me the guitar rif to In da gadda da vida by iron butterfly. Now that's rock and/ or roll!!

Awesomeness

I've been reading Sleepy Jane's blog for a while now and have always wondered what she did to make her pictures look so unique. To me they look kinda vintagey. She posted morning, as a side note, how she got them to look the way they do. It's a website called rollip.com. It is SO easy and I love it. Here is an example of how you can add different effects to your pics.


In fact I love it so much, I thought it might be a cute idea as something to give D for Valentines Day.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Fill in the blank. Sometimes I wish my life was more ______.
adventurous. I'm really happy, but I wish I could go on more adventures. Like randomly jump on a plane and spend the weekend in NYC or something.

2. How do you cure the hiccups?
Make myself burp. It's gross but it works every time.

3. What are three of your favorite indulgences?
Jackie Collins novels
Beer
Fast Food

4. Where is the most exotic place you would like to travel to? The most mundane?
I always thought it would be cool to go on a safari in Africa.

Back to my hometown or to visit my Dad in Chicago. Anywhere that my family is.

5. Does having your time planned out stress you or relax you?
I definitely like to plan so it relaxes me. And it's so nice to have my significant other be a planner as well. I've never had that before. In fact. He's more of a planner than I am. At the beginning of each month we go through the calendar together and write out important dates.

6. What are your favourite fabrics to wear?
Usually anything comfortable. But I wore a pair of silk pj's once. It felt so awesome. I felt like royalty or maybe Hugh Hefner.

7. Do you sleep through the night?

Usually. Unless I have a bad dream.

8. When you were younger, what did you think you would be doing at this age? How close is that to what you are doing?
I really don't know. I changed my mind so much on what I wanted to be when I got older that I can't really say. Honestly, I couldn't really picture myself past college. It just seemed SO OLD! lol

9. What has surprised you most about growing up?
That it's definitely not as easy as I thought. I never knew how hard it would be to find a job after college. I really learned that. I've also learned that it never gets any easier. Only different. But, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

BTW... you know when you were a kid and people asked you what you wanted to do when you grew up? Well, are we "grown up" now? If so, I really don't feel like I am.

10. Are you good at keeping secrets?

Yeah I am. Although I am a horrible lair. So, if the secret involves me having to lie in an elaborate way I'm basically screwed.

Finding a Balance

When I was single I did what I wanted, when I wanted. Spent time with my friends, went to work, cooked myself dinner. Everything. Now that I am in a relationship I spend most of my time with my boyfriend; I guess maybe because it is still a relatively new relationship.

But, I know from experience that he can not be my whole life. I don't want him to. I don't want to lose my friends or myself. He wouldn't want me to either.

So, right now I'm struggling to find a balance. I say struggle because for some reason or another, I'm having a hard time with it. I absolutely do not want to be like that friend that we all know that can't do anything without her boyfriend. That WILL NOT be me. But yet I am becoming her.

I also know that I want to be a better friend. I realized recently that a lot of what I know about my friend's lives is from their Twitter posts. I should not rely solely on their facebook/ twitter/ blog posts to inform me of how they are and whats going on in their lives.

It's all about finding a balance. A balance between all the loves in my life. My lovely lady friends, myself, my family and my wonderful boyfriend. I know tomorrow is February, but this is my new, new years resolution!

Since Faith totally called me out for not blogging enough... I suppose I better thank her for my awesome award :-) Thanks Faith for the Happy 101 Award. *tear* I didn't even have an acceptance speech prepared!


So as part of the Happy 101 here are the rules:

1) List 10 things that make you happy
2) Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day
3) If you are one of the 10 bloggers awarded, link back to my blog and continue brightening people's day!

Ten things that make me happy:

1. The Beatles (I can tell what song it is just by the first note)
2. Coffee (I have no idea how else I would wake up in the morning)
3. When D calls me (yeah I still get excited)
4. Facebook (it's my job to be on it all day and I love it... not to mention Sorority Life... I really do like playing that game!)
5. Going out to eat (I love food)
6. Metallic blue 1965 Ford Mustang convertibles
   
7. My beautiful niece Zoe
8. When D tells me he loves me!
9. Spending quality time with my good friends
10. Making movies

10 bloggers that brighten my day

1. Chelsea from Chelsea Talks Smack
2. David from The Rest is Still Unwritten
3. Sleepy Jane
4. Jen at Welcome to the Jungle
5. A Damn Good Shot
6. Ashalah Blogs
7. Jenn at Living Life
8. Julie from The Ordinary Days
   
9. Stephanie at Bits and Pieces of My World
10. Erin from Mama Said No!
    

The Traveling Necklace

So many people ask me about this that I thought I would share the story on here.

A couple of years ago my Mom and I took a vacation to Santa Monica, CA for my cousin's wedding. One of the days that we were there we went shopping. And at a little boutique we both came across this necklace at the same time. We both REALLY liked it. So we bought it.



As some of you may or may not know my Mom and I live about 1000 miles away from each other and only see one another a couple of times a year. We are also really super close. Probably as close a mother and daughter could be.

So, when it came time for me to back to my end of the country and her to hers, we discussed who would get to keep the necklace. We both really like it and wanted to keep it. So, my Mom came up with an idea!

"Whenever we see each other, we will trade the necklace. For example if I have it when I go to visit her I will give it to her. Then next time we see each other she will give it to me. We call it the traveling necklace"

Both of us get SO many compliments on it. Even before people know the story behind it. It was probably less than $10 at a little boutique in Santa Monica that I can't even remember the name of, but yet it has come to mean so much; to both of us.