Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving

Okay, maybe not as flirty as I would like to be but definitely the other two. I am finally feeling that 30's confidence and pride in myself. Not simply being a woman but a woman who knows herself well, has the confidence to try anything and the pride in how I look and represent myself. Really, why doesn't think come sooner in life?

Since I have been home, it has been non-stop. I have been running errands, returning emails, desperately praying my boss doesn't hate me for taking on two other jobs in the fall and also trying creating a home. I finally have an apartment that I want people to come and see! I also got a great haircut (finally) the other day and it just made me feel good. It has taken me such a long time to realize that spending a little money here and there is good when you are buying some quality things. It is little things, too, like shampoos, mascaras, facial moisturizers and even knick-knacks for the apartment.

Here are some of the improvements I have made:

The living room was very blah and lacking any sort of "style" (okay, using that word subjectively). I changed a lot around so that I can actually look outside and not get any weird reflection on the television. I am in love with my little pink vintage chair!

Can you tell I wasn't using this room for the last year?? My ultimate plan is going to be gray and yellow (hence the rug) but for right now everything is going to be put to great use. I pulled the large black iron clock from the living room and put that above my bed now which compliments the black bookcase. The wall to the right of the mirror will have a collection of smaller vintage mirrors and I am also creating art for the far wall in grays and yellows to pull things together. Only piece of furniture I need to buy for the apartment is a dresser!

Crash, Bang, Wizz

Lots has been going on! Not terribly exciting to write about but in reality, the last few weeks since I have been back in Michigan have been hectic. Scratch that. HECK.TICK.

1) Laptop went CRASH as in hard drive crash and had to get that fixed up right quick.

2) My sleeping pattern has been great for consistency purposes but I cannot survive on six hours a sleep a night. Now I know. Lack of sleep causes me to be dragging by 2pm and I am becoming a bit more clumsy than normal. BANG.

3)  Time is going by way, way too fast. I am working full-time which is crazy right now with students registering right up until the last minute. Add in my responsibilities for the student organization and teaching for the Fall and I feel a little overwhelmed. All do-able but just.....have to get there. WIZZ.

I have a big bike ride scheduled for Saturday through Wheelhouse Detroit and I am scared absolutely shitless. An unsuccessful bike ride in Miami earlier this summer makes me just that much more nervous. I had no idea it was a long, long bike ride. I have also prepared myself to be very, very sore come Sunday.

In addition to my lack of sleeping skills, my appetite has also been challenging. Besides the required iced coffee each morning, I just don't want to eat. I found some great calcium and vitamin D gummies so at least I am getting nutrition there! (j/k) I went to Sam's Club the other day and spent $50 way too much money but it was all on produce, string cheese and orange juice. You bet your bottom that I am going to make sure I eat every single thing I bought!

This week was also the last orientation for those back at UCF. I texted with many of them throughout the day to see how things were going. It totally hurt my heart to not be there with them! I really miss that crew and their wonderful smiles. 

Back in the Saddle

Today marks my official return back to my Michigan life. I am back at work, my apartment is no longer a gigantic mess, and I remember how to cook! Ah, how I missed you chocolate chip cookies and pasta salad.

Good things so far today:

• The new office for the GAs (four of us share one room) includes my own desk (finally...again!!) and a view of the outside world. I really couldn't ask for anything more. 
• I got dressed this morning with no outfit changes! That never, ever happens. I just pulled things out of my closet and wore them! 
• I packed an awesome, awesome lunch full of all sorts of goodness. Two hard-boiled eggs, cucumber slices, grapes, baby carrots, GF multi-grain crackers, diet Pepsi and two Fig Newtons. I felt like taking the snack platter approach today

Dinner tonight at Tower Inn with the HESA board and then continuing my obsession with Grey's Anatomy reruns on Netflix!

Life is good.

One state at a time..

visited 23 states (46%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

These kind of things have been all over the internet but after my little excursion last summer, I wanted to see what my new map of the visit United States looked like. I just love that I have a lot on the east coast and west coast then a swath of states through the middle and now Florida. There are a few states that I have had layovers in or have driven through on the way to other states (Indiana) but since I didn't either step out of the airport or spend significant time there, I don't count it. I do hope to get to a few more states within the next year but as of right now, I just have plans for Kentucky and most likely Chicago again, soon. 

Free Will Astrology Mild Sexual Innuendo?

Aries Horoscope for week of August 4, 2011

Symbolically speaking, there is a Holy Grail hidden close to you, and you know it, but you haven't been able to find it. The Grail is a golden chalice filled with medicine that could open what needs opening in you. Luckily, you will soon come into possession (symbolically speaking) of a big, thick magical wand that can give you a new advantage. Here's what I conclude: Use your wizard stick to locate the cup of wonder so you can take a big sip.



There are a lot of great things coming up in the next few months. I had so many amazing opportunities given to me this year and every day I am truly amazed at what my life has become. All that crappy boyfriends, unemployment, and completely rock-bottom broke situations are all worth it since those are what have guided me to where I am now. I can't wait to see what that "cup of wonder" is like!