It's Bettin' Time!

It's official. I'm obsessed.

All right - for those of you who watch The Bachelor: Paris, it's time for us to make our predictions. I'm sure even for those of you that don't watch, you know the premise of the show is that one guy gets to pick his potential future wife from a pool of 25 woman. Group dates and backbiting ensue. Usually the relationship fails within 3-6 months of the finale. (FYI: Please take what I say with a grain of salt...I'm sure all the girls are very nice people.)

We are now at the part of the season where Dr. Travis goes and meets four families on hometown dates. Here are the girls left:

Sarah (Tennessee) - I don't care what Travis says. I see zero sexual chemistry between these two.
Sarah (Canada) - I have maintained since the very first episode that this girl is a major pothead. One side of her mouth doesn't even work.
Susan - She looks like a cat and wants to be a famous actress.
Moana - All the other girls are hatin' on her.

Here are my predictions:
I think Sarah (Tennessee) is getting cut after the hometown dates. However, it was apparent from the preview that someone's parents are PSYCHO. I'm guessing Sarah's parents are not psycho, so I could be wrong. I just think she's the next to go because I don't see them together at all.

And then there were three...
I think after the fantasy overnight dates, Moana is probably getting cut. She is my favorite now; I don't care what you say. I just think Dr. Travis has so much of a fairy tale built up in his head that he looks more at the exterior than interior. Moana has some issues. I'm just sayin'...he may prove me wrong. I hope so.

After meeting Mom and Pop...
I think Sarah (Canada) is going to win. She's a natural beauty, and Susan looks much more high maintenance. Sarah is also more outdoorsy. They will break up in Summer '06.

Anyway, I am probably completely wrong, but I'm dying to know what you other Bachelor fans are thinking. Come on, pleace your bets!

I freaking love this show!!

The New Addition

My house is clean and waiting for its new addition - the perfect red couch! After months of searching, she has been purchased. Tomorrow, she shall come home.

And then I will have the cutest living room ever seen in a duplex.

Is furniture an addiction? It seems once you start updating your house, you just don't want to stop! Has anyone seen the new Asian-inspired home decor section at Target? I really had to run out of there before I dropped some major dough.

That was the big excitement of the weekend. Saturday, I helped out with Habitat for Humanity and me and my fellow Jr. Leaguers did three yards. Exhaustion.

Don't laugh that I did manual labor.

Anyway, the weekend wasn't long enough. Everyone's getting skinny on Celebrity Fit Club 3, and it makes me feel the need to shed 10 lbs. ASAP. Does anyone else watch total trash on Sunday nights? I do, however, REFUSE to see Flavor of Love.

Good weekend. I love my husband. And I'm about to love my living room!

In The Eye Of The Beholder

I was reading my friend Kassi's cute post about "The Levels of Lovely." I think she picked some great people for her levels, except I'm not a big Debra Messing fan.

However, now, of course, I could launch into a discussion about how our society places too much emphasis on physical beauty, but I won't do that.

I'll tell you a story instead.

I was nine years old, and in fourth grade. During recess, sometimes I'd go hang out with the popular girls. This was the age when kids would talk about stuff like sex and cuss on the playground. I mean, really, at nine years old, we thought we were soooo grown-up because we knew all about Blueberry Hill and the word bitch. Kids are crazy today, so they probably have these same discussions in Pre-K now.

Anyway...

We were all sitting around, and one of my friends got the bright idea to rank all of us based on looks. She acted like Scarlett O'Hara and made a big ol' fuss saying she was so ugly and how we were all cuter than her. Her name was Tracey.

So Tracey ranked us...Emily was first, Amber was second (Her best friend, so she had to apologize to her), then some other girls, then this VERY NOT CUTE girl named Brenda and last, yours truly.

Of course my feelings were hurt. I wanted to pull out all their stringy blonde hair and kick them right in the ass of their Guess jeans. But I didn't. I was quiet and shy. I never told one dirty story; I just listened to them - trying to soak up their coolness. But I really wasn't cool -I was the teacher's pet and a good student. I was friends with many different groups of people. And back then, I really didn't care about being "popular." It's amazing how people are smarter as little kids than as teenagers, isn't it?

Well, I don't know what happened to most of those girls, but I know for a FACT that I was prettier than round, chubby, Mexican Brenda. I'm sorry, but I just know I was.

However, I remember wanting so desperately to be beautiful ever since that moment. Struggles with my weight, clear skin and the like have plagued me. Finally, I don't have any zits (I'll probably be completely broken out tomorrow, so I hope I'm not jinxing myself), I'm a semi-decent weight and you know what - I think I am pretty.

So there, stupid Tracey.

My husband thinks I'm beautiful. And I like who I am. I don't know how Tracey would rate me today, but I don't care anymore.

Well, at least, not as much.

The New Meme Thingie

Got it from Stephanie...

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what did you think? I wish it was Payday because I really need to get my eyebrows done!
2. How much cash do you have on you? It is so rare I have cash on me! I rely heavily on my debit card!
3. What is a word that rhymes with "TEST"? best
4. Favorite planet? Captain Planet...he's our hero...gonna take pollution down to zero! I used to have a love/hate relationship with that cartoon.
5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? Naima's cell (my cousin's wife)
6. What is your favorite song right now? "Stay Fly" by Three Six Mafia and "Reptilia" by The Strokes
7. What shirt are you wearing? white collared sweater from Ann Taylor Loft
8. Do you "label" yourself? There are certainly labels that fit me. I try not to label myself something or another though, because I'm always growing.
9. Name the brand of shoes you're currently wearing now: Report (brown sparkly flats)
10. Bright or Dark Room? Depends on what I'm doing...for sleeping or watching a movie, I like it dark. For reading, I like it bright.
11. What were you doing at midnight last night? Looking at the clock, trying to fall asleep and get warm under the covers
12. What is a saying that you say a lot? Foreals, It really gets on my nerves when...
13. Who told you they loved you last? Bert
14. How many days of work did you miss this week? None so far!
15. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed? No clue...if I started looking through drawers, I'm sure I'd find some!
16. Favorite age you've been so far? This one - 25.
17. What is your current desktop picture? I don't know how to get it on here, but it's the Autumn one with the orangey tree and leaves all over a sidewalk...it's in Windows.
18. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly, which would you choose? A million bucks...SHOW ME THE MONEY!!
19. Carmen Electra or Pam Anderson? Tara Patrick, of course! (Carmen)
20.Who would you love to reunite with? An 18-year old version of myself and try to talk some sense into her!
21. When was the last time you said, "I am sorry?" probably yesterday...who knows...I'm very polite.
22. Who has the cutest blog in your click? Ginger, blog designer extraordinaire!
23. What did you eat last? Body for Life Cookies & Cream bar
24. What kind of car do you drive? white Honda Accord LX
25. What do you plan to accomplish this year? I hope to further my career and find a balance between all that I have going on. I plan on being the best wife, daughter and friend I can be!

I know Blogger's Block is going around, so feel free to use this meme! :)

A Full Life

Having a few moments to breathe and just get to play on the internet is actually relaxing again. I've gone from being bored to being busy, and I've began to reflect on what makes our lives full.

When I didn't have as many commitments, I was able to go to the gym more often and blog more often. I didn't always have some place to be or someone's phone call to return. I had more time to relax and recharge.

Now, I'm often running from one thing to the next and agreeing to take on even more. It's not that I have trouble saying no - it's just that I've been faced with some great opportunities and I want to say yes, even if I'm not sure I truly have enough time.

But no more. I truly can't say yes to another thing! Well, they also say never say never!

Being busy has made me more productive. It's made me become a more well-balanced person. It's made me less able to spend time thinking about me and my problems. I heard someone once say your mind is your own worst enemy. I truly believe that people who don't have enough to do make up things to be upset about. I've seen many people whose lives aren't full spend time causing drama and being so negative. But those who are busy just seem to find more time to give and to better themselves. I am at a point in my life where Bert and I are both busy, so here's my chance to become active in the community.

Sometimes I look at my day planner and wonder if I've taken on too much. I went from feeling like I didn't know anyone here to having four social events in a week. It's hard to know where to find that balance. It's hard to know where to cut back, especially when you feel like you just got started. I just want to be everywhere and do it all. And I know that's impossible.

For now, I'm going to take each day as it comes. I am grateful for all that I have in my life, especially when I get to go home at the end of each day. Because my accomplishments wouldn't matter if someone didn't ask me how my day was when I walked in the door. In fact, having that moment every day is my greatest accomplishment.

I'm All Growed Up!

I am the proud owner of a new leather chair! I feel like a true grown-up now that I have handed over my plastic and purchased my very first piece of furniture. It's dark brown leather, and is a recliner. However, it doesn't look like a recliner, which I was very excited about!

We've already picked out a new couch also. I can't wait until the red couch joins the new chair. Bert and I spent time cleaning and rearranging this weekend in preparation for the new chair to join our family. It is sooooo comfy, and I am so pleased with our purchase!

We've been looking at furniture for several months now. Yesterday as Bert relaxed in the new recliner, I said, "Happy Valentines Day/Happy Birthday/Eid Mubarak/Merry Christmas/Happy Anniversary!!!"

He said, "Same to you!"

Yes, I am extremely excited about our new furniture. I feel so proud of our cute little living room.

Times Are A Changin'

As you can probably tell, since I started Graduate School, things have been a little different around here. I've been trying to decide if I wanted to continue blogging, and if so, what changes would need to be made.

So far, I've been posting every weekday, unless I was off from work. With school, agreeing to be a sorority adviser, work, the newspaper, Junior League and my personal life, I've become busy. Really busy.

Therefore, I wanted to let all of you readers know that I will continue to update my blog, but not every day. I have enjoyed blogging so much, and the only way for me to continue that love and enjoyment is to cut down on the frequency that I blog. I don't know how much I'll post right now, but I'll just do it as I'm able and as I'm inspired.

I enjoy the blogging community, and I don't want to give it up. However, my life has changed, and my blog has to as well. But don't worry...I'll still post! I'm entirely too outspoken to keep my opinions to myself.

Mind in the Gutter

So, I was reading Lindsay's post about her new 20Q. I immediately thought to myself, "WTF is a 20Q?"

This is where Google comes in.

And then this is where I became obsessed with the site http://20q.net

You think of something and then the site has 20 questions to figure out what you were thinking. For me, it missed tulip, business card and comedian.

But it got paint and dildo.

Yes, I know sometimes I have the sense of humor of someone in junior high. So sue me.

It's just like the time my physics teacher said the word "erect" in high school and I giggled. I can't help it!

My mind is a little fried from reading a bunch of stuff about fundraising for non-profit organizations and the role of politics in public administration.

So I gotta get my laughs from somewhere!

Weirdness

Thanks for the idea, Catrina! I hope many of you will post a little list about yourself!

A Great MLKJ Day

I'm reading bajillions of pages for my classes in between working, and I'm going to head to class fairly soon, so I don't have much time to check in today.

I will say, though, that I had a WONDERFUL weekend with Mama and Daddy visiting. Between shopping, eating, bowling, playing Rook and talking, it was pretty much perfect. It sure is nice when you become an adult and you actually realize that your parents know a thing or two about life.

Please Just Pretend To Care

My doctor's office really frustrates me. Here's what happened.

Last week, I was getting ready to call in my acid reflux prescription, which costs $25 per month with my co-pay. I decided to ask the pharmacist if there was a generic alternative, which would only cost me $10 per month. She said that my doctor would need to call in a prescription for Prilosec, which has a generic and then I'd be good to go. I even called my insurance company to be sure they would cover this medication.

So, my doctor never calls it in. Four days go by, and my tummy hurts and I have constant heartburn. I call back and am told that he wants me to try Prilosec over-the-counter.

"Ma'am, to be honest, I want the generic because of the huge savings. Prilosec over-the-counter only saves me $5 per month."

She finally understood.

So...they call in a prescription for a crazy high milligram of Prilosec because they didn't know that a lower milligram of Prilosec is the equivalent of a higher milligram in my medication.

Good Lord.

Finally I think I have this straightened out. All I wanted was them to call in a comparable acid reflux medication so I could get the generic and save $180 per year. Why not save all that money for the same thing? I thought this was a very simple request. I'm not asking for Loritab!

Why the hell are doctor's offices so incompetent?

And watch this freaking medicine not even work...

Timeline

Thanks, Aisha! Feel free to do this on your own blogs; this is a meme I hadn't completed before.

25 years ago: I was a little baby! I don't remember a thing. I was a very cute baby, although I was not nice at all to strangers. I've still got a pretty good combo of cute/mean going today. :)

15 years ago: I was 10. That would make me a 5th grader, and Mrs. Rochelle was my teacher. Girls started being mean. I made best friends with one of the new girls at school who turned out to be mean when I went to a private school.

10 years ago: I was 15. I was a sophomore in high school and finally had good girlfriends! High school is such a time of insecurity and coming into your own, but I was really fortunate to go to a good school with good people.

5 years ago: I was 20. I was finishing up college, and I was trying to figure out who the hell I was. It took me about 4 years to figure it out! I was very busy with school, working and extracurricular activities. I desperately wanted to be in love.

3 years ago: I was 22. I lived in Washington, DC and worked on Capitol Hill. I learned so much about myself from this experience, but I wouldn't relive it for all the money in the world.

1 year ago: I was 24. I had been married for just a few months and was adjusting to that. I had a part-time job I hated, but the one I have would be offered to me shortly.

This year: FINALLY. That's the best word to describe it - finally. This has been a good year. I'm happy, I'm employed, I'm in graduate school...things are finally falling into place.

Yesterday: It was insanely busy. I had night class after a long and busy day at work. I watched "Dark Water," and didn't even have trouble sleeping or anything. I get traumatized very easily from movies, so this one must not be scary at all.

Today: I read a bunch of stuff for my Fundraising in Non-Profits class. I'll do some housecleaning over lunch, go to the gym and try to relax tonight.

Tomorrow: I'll probably read a bunch more stuff for class and get ready for my parents to come visit this weekend. Mostly, though, I'll just be so happy that it will be Friday, and I'll have a three-day weekend in store!

My Beautiful Orangey Hands

Today has been so crazy.

Between catching up from work yesterday, doing all the monthly financial stuff, printing out a gazillion pages I need to read for class next week and writing my newspaper column, I've had hardly a moment to catch my breath.

Don't worry - I know about Brangelina.

Anyway, I enjoyed my first class. There was a lot of discussion, so I was glad it wasn't just a three-hour lecture. Within the first ten minutes, all the classic students were in place...you know, the girl who asked ten questions and kept feeling the need to repeatedly contribute to classroom discussion, the guy who rolled his eyes at her, the guy who acted like he knew more than the professor, etc. etc.

I was the girl in the front row, three minutes late, with the strange orange designs all over her hands. That's my mehndi, or henna, I had done to my hands for Eid yesterday. It'll last about two weeks, and maybe after that, I'll have mastered this crazy schedule of mine.

The Man Who Was God's Friend

Tomorrow is Eid al-Adha, or literally the Festival of Sacrifice, for Muslims all over the world. As I reflect on what tomorrow means, I am moved by the complete trust Prophet Abraham put in God so long ago. Currently, it is the end of the annual pilgrimage, Hajj, and the pilgrims in Mecca are also remembering Prophet Abraham.

And "We made him (Abraham) pure in this world and in the hereafter; he is most surely among the righteous. When his Lord said to him, 'Submit,' he said, 'I submit myself to the Lord of the Worlds.'" (Qu'ran 2:130-131)

Many people know the story of God asking Prophet Abraham to sacrifice one of his sons. However, in Islam, we believe Abraham was asked to sacrifice Ishmael, not Isaac. Of course he didn't actually have to kill his son, because the sacrifice was that he was simply willing to do so. Obviously, he was much more willing to surrender than the average human. Can you imagine being willing to kill your own child? God wouldn't expect that of us, but he did of Abraham. He knew how far his faith could be pushed.

And because God could put his complete trust in Prophet Abraham, He called him His friend. Can you imagine?

Anyway, we remember this incident and think of all the pilgrims tomorrow. A family usually has an animal slaughtered and has God's name said over it. Unlike the horrible treatment of animals in many slaughterhouses, this is done with respect and dignity to the animal. It is a reminder that life is sacred. Part of the meat is for the family, and part is sent away to the poor.

I pause to think of the pilgrims, the poor and Prophet Abraham. I am glad that our holidays include helping to feed the less fortunate. I hope I can one day travel to Mecca and experience what awaits. I remember Prophet Abraham each and every day, as part of the daily prayers include asking God to send His blessings to Prophet Abraham.

I guess Eid al-Adha means different things to different people, but to me it serves as a reminder to live my life in such a way that God would want to have me as a friend. This goal will consist of my faith and deeds over a lifetime, but I'm just glad to be on the journey.

Eid Mubarak, everyone! I will be in Atlanta celebrating tomorrow with family. I will return on Wednesday.

Uninspired

As of late, I just haven't been all that inspired on what to write about. Life's been crazy, I'm taking on the new challenge of graduate school and I'm dealing with personal issues.

And if that wasn't enough, I had to put on my fat jeans today.

*Sigh*

So I'm going to take this weekend to rejuvenate, work out and count my blessings. I get to go buy new school supplies, buy overpriced textbooks and hope this freaking arm heals from that tetanus shot.

I'm going to sleep late tomorrow, go to the gym and then shop. I'm going to watch whatever garbage I choose to see on TV, whether it be in the form of entertainment news or chick flicks. I shall cash in a mani/pedi gift certificate this weekend. I am going to do whatever it takes to recharge.

I'm going to look around my cute little duplex and be happy that all's well within those walls. My home is a happy place. And for that, I am so grateful.

Serenity Wanted

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Cannot change - I can't change that some other people are mean, hateful, horrible, awful, dishonest and terrible.
Courage to change the things I can - I can hold my head up high to those aforementioned mean people, not stoop to their level and retain my dignity.

I can only control me.

Now, God, please help me to never actually say to Bert's sister that she has a mustache that rivals Tom Selleck's.

Deep breaths, deep breaths.

Tired Student!

I'm tired.

I've been running back and forth between work and grad school all day long. I also had to make an unplanned trip to my doctor today for a tetanus shot so I could register for classes. In Mississippi, I just needed two MMRs, so this was overlooked and now my arm is killing me.

I haven't eaten either, so I am super tired.

But super excited!

I will go to my first class next Tuesday from 3:30 PM-6:15 PM, and then I'll be a real graduate student. I'm sure this weekend will be filled with the insanity of purchasing textbooks. I miss it when my parents used to buy my textbooks, but I would keep the refunds for Christmas money. ;)

Anyway, I am tired and rambling. Of course this would have to be the one busy day at work ever, so I had tons of messages, etc. to deal with in the middle of the tetanus belligerence.

Life's about to get crazy, isn't it?

New Year, New Meme

I got this one from Aisha!

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before? I went to Savannah, Georgia and began to learn the routines in step class at the gym.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Yes, I did. And for 2006, they are: lose 15 pounds, pray more, buy more cute pajamas, do well in school and be more positive!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? One of my dear friends, Kendy had a baby girl named Eliza Kate.

4. Did anyone close to you die? No, but now I'm all freaked out because on Ginger's blog, she posted New Year's superstitions and one said that if you do laundry on January 1st, people will die. And I did two loads! God forbid anyone close to me die this year!

5. What countries did you visit? I stayed in the US all year.

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005? Hmmm...I guess to read more. I am actually almost done with Michael Moore's Dude, Where's My Country?, which I just started last night. It's fascinating.

7. What dates from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? I guess my birthday, June 22. I love birthdays!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Having a regular newspaper column.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not losing all the weight I wanted to!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I'm a little bit of a hypochondriac, but all my visits to the doctor showed that I was OK.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Bert an iPod for Father's Day...he was so surprised, and that gift showed him that I also think his role as a father is very important.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? In this day and age, it's a huge milestone to reach a one-year anniversary!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? All the stuff in Michael Moore's book and the way the US handled Hurricane Katrina. I can't really comment on it, but I am extremely appalled at the way some people have acted recently. I gotta let go of all this hatred!

14. Where did most of your money go? Like Aisha said, bills and gas!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Going on trips! I loved all the short day trips and longer trips I went on this past year.

16. What song will always remind you of 2005? "Golddigger" by Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx and Johnny Cash songs because "Walk the Line" was so amazing.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? happier b) thinner or fatter? thinner c) richer or poorer? richer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Living in the present.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Holding grudges.

20. How will you be spending Christmas? That morning, Bert, Ariana and I opened all our gifts. Then, we drove to Mississippi and ate with my entire family!

21. Did you fall in love in 2005? Every day.

22. What was your favorite TV program? "Laguna Beach"

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Oh yeah.

24. What was the best book you read? Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Johnny Cash

26. What did you want and get? I wanted an iPod mini and then it got stolen and I really wanted it back, and it was indeed returned to me. Thank God!

27. What did you want and not get? I didn't win the lottery!

28. What was your favorite film of this year? "Walk the Line"

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? For my 25th, Bert and I went downtown and ate fabulous food.

30.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? A more satisfying career.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? All I know is I shop too much, so I must've been in style. :)

32. What kept you sane? Prayer, talking, exercising

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Chris Martin of Coldplay because I have never enjoyed a concert so much!

34. Who did you miss? My sister.

35. Who was the best new person you met? All my new friends!

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005. Like I talked about in my last post, just the full realization that regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or whatever, people are just people and have feelings.

37. What political issue irked you the most? I am super fired up right now because of the book I'm reading. I am really pissed off because our government could be tapping my phone, reading my email, etc. just because I'm Muslim.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "She will be loved" - Maroon 5. Because that I was.