That (Sometimes) Funemployed Life

As I sit here outside of Starbucks on this beautiful day in sunny California, my friends and family on the east coast await a blizzard of historic proportions.  It's times like these when I know I made the right choice.  They weren't lying when they said the weather here is amazing.  I'm not entirely sure who "they" are but my guess is people from California.  I've been here almost 2 months and I don't miss the east coast weather at all...but I do miss the east coast.
I'm still working on my friend game here.  Also working on the job hunt.  Also working on the relationship of living with a boy/my boyfriend for the very first time.  Believe it or not, I think that's the easiest of the 3.
Everyone freaked me out that we wouldn't be ready for such a big step in our relationship considering we had only been dating for about 6 months when I moved here.  It's been challenging for sure but we are making it work.  We're not even sick of each other yet!  In fact, I look forward to weekends so much just so I can hang out with him more.  It helps that he's such a stud.
He works at LinkedIn so during the week, I have to find ways to entertain myself.  So far, I've done a lot of crafting.  That's an understatement, actually.  I go to Michael's so often, we have started referring to "Michael" as my other boyfriend.  I've crocheted, I've wood-burned, I've painted, I've scrapbooked, I've made jewelry, I started an herb garden, I've made things for the walls, I've made things on Pinterest that I've always wanted to make.  If it's possible, I've almost crafted myself out.  Hence, why I'm blogging.
It hasn't been easy so far.  It's hard to complain though, especially because nobody feels bad for me.  I quit my job to follow my heart and be with my perfect guy in his perfect apartment in a perfect-weather place that includes a heated pool and various hot tubs throughout.  Our complex has a gym so I also work out.  Ohhh girl look at that body.  Ugh.  Girl look at that body.  Sorry, I get easily distracted.
So any who...the other night I was in the hot tub doing some thinking (it's a rough life, I know.)  It's frustrating as hell applying for/getting rejected by what seems like thousands of jobs at this point and it doesn't help when people ask about it, either.  I guess I just thought by having worked at ESPN and having my Master's, that it wouldn't be this hard to find something.  It's also the fact that I don't know exactly what I want to do anymore that adds to the frustration and confusion.  I started to cry thinking about it.  Then, I wanted to slap myself in the face.  How can I feel bad for myself while sitting in a hot tub?!
So I know it's not exactly "whoa is me" but transitional phases are no walk in the park (although that's exactly what I'm about to do.)  Not having any friends is the worst.  My live-in lover is amazing but it's just not the same watching The Bachelor by yourself and commenting to your cat how crazy these bitches are.  Speaking of terrible television, another way of keeping myself occupied has been binge-watching Pretty Little Liars.  I'm not even embarrassed about it.
But this is where my life has taken me and I'm going to keep "struggling" to make the best out of it and continue smiling at as many dogs as I can find. :)

You'd like to see what I've been crafting?  Oh, ok.  I'll show you...

Key holder (My first wood-burning project)

Maine nail/string outline + wood-burned hoME

Herb Garden (wood burned + mason jars where herbs will live)

Dreamcatcher Bracelet

Crocheted headband

Crocheted Placemat

Crocheted fingerless gloves

Back By Popular Demand: THE BACHELOR NEWSLETTER

So I know I said I wasn’t going to watch this season of The Bachelor but I couldn’t stay away...at least the first episode anyway.  I say that now but I might just have to watch it.  The disasters that step out of those limos are my favorite part of the whole season.

Before I start my judgments, does anyone remember Jamie from Ben’s season of The Bachelor?  You know, the girl who was the most awkward, weirdest kisser & got kicked off immediately following their kiss.  Still not familiar?  Well, she also reprised her role on Bachelor Pad (season 2?) & was one of the many played by Chris Bukowski (you know him from leaving with crazy pants Elise on Bachelor in Paradise.)  He called Jamie desperate & based on the preview that I have just seen, she has taken it to a whole ‘notha level.  She is now on a show called Married at First Sight.  It is a show where 2 people enter into an arranged marriage & know absolutely nothing about their spouse & never even see them until they are walking down the aisle.  Hi, nice to meet you. I’m Amy. I do!  So yea...gotta love the winners that The Bachelor casts.

Speaking of!  If we were doing a draft, here are my pre-show thoughts based on photos alone:

My #1 pick: Tracy fo sho.

Call me a narcissist but I’m a sucker for a gal with dimples & green eyes.

Carly is the sister of Zak W. (from Des’ season.)  So maybe she has a bit of the inside track.  Could be a sleeper pick.

Bo is a plus-sized model & is fearless.  I’m glad the casting people are branching out a bit into the plus-sized arena.  And she wants to have lunch with Beyonce so she’s A’s in my book.

I think I’d pick Nicole last...

Just because.

Or maybe Kara...

What is that shirt all about?!  And you’re afraid of sweating on a date?  Wear deodorant.  Don’t wear gray.  Problem solved.

Mackenzie is only 21 & she has apparently not yet learned how to use a straightener.  She is also afraid of her dates smelling bad.

I think we can also cross off any city girls too, because odds are they don’t want to move to Iowa (sorry Courtni) or marry a farmer.

As I was clicking through the contestants, I started reading all of their biggest fears on dates & noticed a trend…

Becca: Having stomach issues and clogging up a toilet, a la Dumb and Dumber

Brittany: Gas or violent diarrhea

Kelsey: Diarrhea

Tara: Me having bad gas during the date and he catches on to me.

And then I got to Trina. Trina, Trina, Trina...Eating something that gives me "di-di"...for saying that, she should die-die.

I had no idea diarrhea was such an epidemic.  Perhaps you should postpone the date if such a thing is happening to you that day.  Common sense, girls.  COME ON!

And now onto the piece de resistance…
I started to watch the show sober & just couldn’t do it so even though it’s 2pm here in California, I’m drinking wine.  This is what happens when you don’t have a job.

Drink for farming broll.

Also drink whenever there’s a FarmersOnly.com commercial.  I haven’t seen any of these yet but you know they’re coming.

Amanda scares me.  Why are you single? Because I’m f’ing crazy.  You’re not supposed to say that on TV.  Secret Admirer might’ve been a good idea if you didn’t have CRAZY EYES!  I hope I’m not just creepily staring at him.

Was Mackenzie on teen mom?  Is alfalfa organic?

I think Alissa is funny.  I like her cheesy flight attendant routine.

Kelsey has the sob story.  LOVE her blue dress.  She looks like she makes it far based on the preview so a solid draft pick.

Whoa whoa whoa.  We weren’t the only people who did Fantasy Bachelor??? I thought we made it up.  Copy cats.  I asked Brandon to make me a draft/newsletter website so I might have to watch now. UGH.

Also drink whenever he talks about the harvest.

Holy awkward hug, Britt!  Seems a bit nutty but I like her.  Got a little ahead of herself but who knows...that first impression rose could be a big deal.

I like Whitney’s shoes.

Reegan is weird.  Not in a good way.

Tara is probably his best match.  Great idea with the shorts & then 2nd impression.  GF likes to drank though.  I was proud of her that she didn’t fall down during the rose ceremony.  That’s what happens when you cast girls right out of college, though.

Kaitlyn has a pretty rockin’ bod.  You can plow the f outta my field anyday.  She’s got some f’ed up teeth though.  I think her tight seal joke was funny.  I also think she’s got some funny comments in general. #TeamKaitlyn

I’m so glad I picked Nicole last.  Pig nose.

Ashley = the crazy one.  Wtf with the onion?  She got picked & that Yoga instructor babe didn’t?!  Now I need to watch next week’s episode to see what happens.  DAMN YOU BACHELOR TEASES!

This show SUCKS when you watch it by yourself.  This was once the highlight of my week just bc it was an excuse for everyone to come over & drink wine.  I NEED GIRL FRIENDS!!! I miss you guys!

2013: A Year in Review

Facebook has their link on your profile that says "See Your 2013 Year in Review". So I clicked on it.  It's been a really good year. You forget about a lot of things that happened. So I was just thinking of writing my own "Year in Review".  Consider this your Christmas letter from me, updating you on my life.

This year has given us the Beyonce Superbowl Halftime Show (shocked I listed that first?), an *NSYNC reunion (albeit not all we were hoping for) and a Miley Cyrus performance that is unfortunately burned in all of our minds forever. I personally went to quite a few concerts this year.  John Legend made me remember why I love him so much.  Justin Timberlake reminded me that he still is, always has been and will always be my #1.  Oh yea, Jay-Z was good too.  There was also Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5 and of course, Bruno.

I got to see my Yankees play while in LA. Not only did we beat this year's NL Cy Young winner, but I also saw Mariano pitch in person for the last time.  My annual Miami football game was a bit of a wash...literally.  I did get to see us win a game though in North Carolina (while getting paid for it!)

This year, I laid by the pool. A lot. I discovered Gokul, the little Indian speller that changed my life. #Gokul2014. Texas Willie ran in a race, so there's another chapter of his book. I got tossed upside-down by a stripper and then ran away from him down the hallway (I wish I was kidding.) I got glasses. I finished a FitAthlon and then called out from work the next day because I couldn't get out of bed. An elephant snuck up on me.  I really wanted to try out for The Bachelor but would've had to quit my job.  Thanks a lot, Disney!

I switched departments at my job and have never been happier work-wise.  I bought a new car, which I love and got a new roommate, who I love even more. I made new friends and said goodbye to others.  I saw some of my very best friends in the world get engaged, married and even have babies!  I fell even more in love with both of my nieces and realize now more than ever how important family is.

Lastly, this year I discovered Game of Thrones and whoa my God, how my life has changed!  I was the baddest bitch ever for Halloween and Lily was a dragon. I don't really know how you can top that. 2013. Best. year. ever. Merry Christmas!!

Ladybugs

When I was a Freshman at Marist, I lived in a single.  As soon as it started to get warm out, I would literally have a swarm of ladybugs every morning in my room.  I'm not talking a couple, I'm talking like 20+ ladybugs every morning, flying into my face and waking me up.  I'm sure I ate more than a few.  It took me a long time to get over that and I HATED ladybugs for a while.  I would see them and say, "Ugh!" and spray them with Windex.  Eventually I started to show my merciful side and let them live.  A number of years have passed since then, and now when I see a ladybug, I don't think of that awful experience; that fades quickly.  I think of the experience of living in that room in Champagnat.  Oh, that room.  511.

I love to think about that room.  I remember all the memories that were made in that room and the friendships that are still going strong that began to take form there.  That, of course, always leads to me thinking of the other places that I lived with those same girls and the other friendships that were born along the way.   The places always changed but the friendships and the love has only grown.

One of those girls is getting married this weekend!  I cannot wait because every time I see these girls, I think of how unbelievably lucky I am to have them in my life.  (Should I call us women now or will you always be "the girls"?)  I look at the way our lives have turned out and despite everyone going in different directions, whenever we get together, we're always on the same page and it's always one of those nights that you can't help but love.  I see them and my heart fills with so much joy and I know that's super cheesy but it's absolutely true.  They are the greatest group of individuals as well as the greatest group of friends that a gal could ask for.  Love you bitches with all my heart.

But so anyway, ladybugs...yea, just saw one.

Andddd yea, thinking of getting a small ladybug tattoo with 4 dots (R4 duh), perhaps behind the ear.  Anybody in? Real talk.

Soothing the Savage Beast

I've been searching for a new apartment & it's such a pain in the ass. I've kind of reached my boiling point with it & have been in such an awful mood all day thinking about it. I decided to download some new music & it is amazing how much better I feel. I haven't gotten a bunch of new music in a while so it was time & it was such a good idea! I don't frequently write about music but I'll open up to new horizons because it is one of the great loves of my life.

Isn't it fantastic how music can totally change your life (cheesy but true!) I just discovered Laura Izibor & I am in love. She's got the same kind of vibe as like a John Legend, Alicia Keys, India Arie type. Oddly enough, I found out about her by watching One Tree Hill. I like her extra because I feel like she's all mine. I like to have favorite artists that nobody really knows about because I feel personally attached to them. That's how I feel about John Legend except now everyone knows about him. He's still mine though.

John Legend is the musical love of my life. My college roommate turned me on to him when his first album came out with "Ordinary People" (my 2nd favorite John song ever. If you guess the 1st, you win a prize.) I cried when he played O.P. at his concert & then when I told my mom about it, I cried again. I'm pathetic, what can I say? It's true love.

But the thing about music that I love the most, is the way it makes you feel. Certain songs bring you back to times in your life or remind you of people or places or times & that is what I love about it. There really is a soundtrack to our lives. I love listening to my iTunes & seeing what comes on. I frequently sit in the dark listening to music & close my eyes & see where it brings me. Maybe that sounds weird but I don't care. I also break out into dance parties on a regular basis. Get over it.