Thursday, June 5, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
I’ve missed you, Dear Blog
Well, the brief hiatus from the blogosphere could be attributed to many reasons. One, MoFash was CRAZY. Insane. It controlled my life. I would wake up early before work to work on it, sometimes have to take phone calls and emails during work, and then after work I have errands/meetings or other various work to do on it. Then around midnight or so I would go to bed and do the same thing the next day. But when the day finally came, everything came together. Of course, there were a few glitches and mishaps, but it was a GREAT success. I hope to post pictures soon. However, when it ended I was seriously pooped for like a week and a half. I didn’t know what to do with myself since I was suddenly able to eat, sleep and do whatever else I needed to. But I was so burned out I didn’t do much.
It was then that I tried to write….but I couldn’t think of much to blog about. I made a list, but I didn’t want to write a whole blog about any of topics. Then I tried one that I have been thinking about all the time, but couldn’t remember anything that I had thought to put.
The next reason is that I’ve started a 2nd job. I work from 10-10 M-F now. But THAT is a blog all by itself, so I’ll continue more about that later.
So, here I am. Topicless and blogging away. I love it.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Behold: The future of America’s lawyers!
So working at TestMasters, I come across some truly brilliant people. I’m usually working with students who are studying to get amazing scores on the LSAT in able to get into an amazing law school. For this reason, they normally are pretty bright.
And then there are the students whose well-being I am truly concerned for. The other day I had a student call who was wondering why her online account wasn’t working. Now to access the online account a student must fully enroll. To fully enroll, students must sign a document and email us or fax it back over. Now, this one particular student, we’ll call Jane, informed me that she had sent over the form, and even took a screen image of her computer to prove it. I told her I would look into it and put her on hold. I found the document she sent, opened it, and immediately started laughing. I of course had to stifle my laugh and remain professional when I picked the phone back up and informed her that she could not simply take a picture of the document with her digital camera and send us the image. Her response was, “Oh……really? Oh…okay…” She was very confused and surprised that we would not accept the picture for proper documentation. And yes, she is indeed studying to become a lawyer.
Needless to say, it was the best laugh I’ve had in a long time.
Monday, April 14, 2008
And the BDay goes on...
I like birthdays. No, that's not quite right. I LOVE birthdays. I am a BIG birthday celebrator. Since I was little I have had the belief that on your birthday you should not have to do a single thing that you don't want to. It is your one day off a year. Woohoo! Go YOU.
Turning 21 was no different. I made sure to celebrate as much as I could. And I have successfully extended that celebration to the middle of last week. I am the birthday-extender champion.
See below for validation:
November 7th, 2007 = My 21st birthday.
I took the day off work, went shopping and had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Maggianos, with a couple close friends and with a brother and sister who live here. (And just for the record, the Tiramisu was incredible.)
Kenny, Julie Ann and I. It's so good to have family close by.
November 9th, 2007 = My 21st birthday "Mocktail" Party.
This was one of the best parties I've been to/put together, if I do say so myself. We had it at "The Pricer Lounge" (JLP's place), and we had twinkle lights and candles everywhere....including the walk up to her apartment. We had chocolate and cheese fondue, jello shots, a bowl to people to check in their keys, a bouncer (who was also my body guard), a cocktail waitress, a bartender, and even "tequila" shots to take with salt to sprinkle on our hand and limes for chasers. We closed in her kitchen with a covered board, (thanks Kenny), so it actually looked like a bar, and of course there were various other details.
Jenny Lynne and I.....we make the best party planning team. Here's to us.
Cortney, my bartender did a FABULOUS job. I didn't know him very well when I asked him to do this for me, and he was exactly what I was hoping for.
Tanya was superb at being a mocktail waitress. She would pass out jello shots and call out for everyone do them them on her count. And so we did. And then we did again. And again....
So Blair came to the party with the good intention of saying happy birthday to me, and enjoying the fun. Little did he know that I had been struggling to find someone I felt would make an excellent bouncer. I had high expectations and I wanted the chosen one to be pretty proactive in their role. When Blair walked through the door, and I knew he was the one. I gave him his "BOUNCER" shirt, he put on his shades and accepted the role. He seriously blew me away. A few times he would stop people at the door and come and get me to make sure they were cool enough to get in. I loved it.
"Dear Brother" and I. He presented me with two large frames of me when I was a baby, and had others make toasts to me. It was great, I felt so mocktail party-ish.
Aforementioned "Dear Brother" insisted I need a picture with my ID. I promise, it says that I am indeed 21....and from Washington.
November 16th, 2007 = My almost trip to Vegas to celebrate said 21st birthday.
But unfortunately, because my beautiful recently purchased car was totaled, the trip had to be cancelled. Never fear.....I celebrated about 5 months later.
April 8th, 2008 = The Birthday Cake that almost wasn't.
Amid the wondrous birthday bliss, I never had a birthday cake. And I almost forgot about it completely. Until I walked down the cake aisle (which I've done many times between my actual birthday and this day), and saw the cake mixes and candles and it hit me. I realized I had to resolve this matter immediately. So i did.
DISCLAIMER: Danielle put the candles in the cake for me so I didn't feel so lame. Then we BOTH sang to me.
Happy 21st birthday to me. Maybe turning 22 will last even longer. :)
Turning 21 was no different. I made sure to celebrate as much as I could. And I have successfully extended that celebration to the middle of last week. I am the birthday-extender champion.
See below for validation:
November 7th, 2007 = My 21st birthday.
I took the day off work, went shopping and had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Maggianos, with a couple close friends and with a brother and sister who live here. (And just for the record, the Tiramisu was incredible.)
Kenny, Julie Ann and I. It's so good to have family close by.
November 9th, 2007 = My 21st birthday "Mocktail" Party.
This was one of the best parties I've been to/put together, if I do say so myself. We had it at "The Pricer Lounge" (JLP's place), and we had twinkle lights and candles everywhere....including the walk up to her apartment. We had chocolate and cheese fondue, jello shots, a bowl to people to check in their keys, a bouncer (who was also my body guard), a cocktail waitress, a bartender, and even "tequila" shots to take with salt to sprinkle on our hand and limes for chasers. We closed in her kitchen with a covered board, (thanks Kenny), so it actually looked like a bar, and of course there were various other details.
Jenny Lynne and I.....we make the best party planning team. Here's to us.
Cortney, my bartender did a FABULOUS job. I didn't know him very well when I asked him to do this for me, and he was exactly what I was hoping for.
Tanya was superb at being a mocktail waitress. She would pass out jello shots and call out for everyone do them them on her count. And so we did. And then we did again. And again....
So Blair came to the party with the good intention of saying happy birthday to me, and enjoying the fun. Little did he know that I had been struggling to find someone I felt would make an excellent bouncer. I had high expectations and I wanted the chosen one to be pretty proactive in their role. When Blair walked through the door, and I knew he was the one. I gave him his "BOUNCER" shirt, he put on his shades and accepted the role. He seriously blew me away. A few times he would stop people at the door and come and get me to make sure they were cool enough to get in. I loved it.
"Dear Brother" and I. He presented me with two large frames of me when I was a baby, and had others make toasts to me. It was great, I felt so mocktail party-ish.
Aforementioned "Dear Brother" insisted I need a picture with my ID. I promise, it says that I am indeed 21....and from Washington.
November 16th, 2007 = My almost trip to Vegas to celebrate said 21st birthday.
But unfortunately, because my beautiful recently purchased car was totaled, the trip had to be cancelled. Never fear.....I celebrated about 5 months later.
April 8th, 2008 = The Birthday Cake that almost wasn't.
Amid the wondrous birthday bliss, I never had a birthday cake. And I almost forgot about it completely. Until I walked down the cake aisle (which I've done many times between my actual birthday and this day), and saw the cake mixes and candles and it hit me. I realized I had to resolve this matter immediately. So i did.
DISCLAIMER: Danielle put the candles in the cake for me so I didn't feel so lame. Then we BOTH sang to me.
Happy 21st birthday to me. Maybe turning 22 will last even longer. :)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Here's to you, Grandpa Kelly.
You taught me how to play Solitaire, with REAL cards. I moved the card on top to the bottom of the deck when you weren't looking. I won. You were amazed and I have never felt so guilty.
We watched Willow...again and again. I still love that movie.
When I was about 5 I gave you a speech about how smoking was bad and that I didn't want you to do it anymore. That speech carries more weight now.
You took me to the Sit 'N' Bull restaurant. I called it The Sitting Bull and I loved it.
You made the best homemade french fries. I remember telling that to my Mom once and she tried to compete. Sorry Mom, but I stand by my word. Grandpa, I still crave yours.
You always asked my why I straightened my hair, and complimented me when it was curly. You never thought I should cut it.
I had a growing post in the kitchen. You were surprised when I trustfully let Leonard come at me with a knife to take my measurement.
Last Christmas you asked me if I had a cell phone. You asked me if it worked. Without realizing what I was walking into, I replied the affirmative to both. Then you asked me why I didn't use it to call Grandma some days. Good job Grandpa, I think I'll call her today.
Among other things, I remember your cowboy boots, the shoe drier I was constantly mesmerized by, your amazing quilts, your beautiful birds and your laugh.
Thanks for the memories Grandpa, I love you and I'll miss you.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Happiness Is......
....finding NO parking ticket(s) on your car.
It is the purest form of joy there is.
I used to think that if I read the million, (seriously...you may think I'm kidding but there is on average 2-3 different signs on a single post telling you when you can't park on that street), "No Parking" signs and I followed the rules then I would never get a ticket.
Ahahahahaha....WRONG. Oh how naive was I? I have now learned to be in constant fear of the rules I apparently should know and apparently do not. Thanks LA.
It is the purest form of joy there is.
I used to think that if I read the million, (seriously...you may think I'm kidding but there is on average 2-3 different signs on a single post telling you when you can't park on that street), "No Parking" signs and I followed the rules then I would never get a ticket.
Ahahahahaha....WRONG. Oh how naive was I? I have now learned to be in constant fear of the rules I apparently should know and apparently do not. Thanks LA.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Ice Cream Cones are Healthy.
(Firstly, you may hold all remarks about my title. Brady makes plenty fun of me for saying it:) )
I love ice cream. A LOT. You could even put it forth that I am an Ice Cream Connoisseur.
If you know me, you know that if I have not decided beforehand, I will take at least 30 minutes in the ice cream aisle choosing what two flavors I want. If you know me, then you'll also know that I am a bit of a ice cream flavor buff. I can tell you the difference between all 5 types of Vanillas, (and Dave can vouch that I have indeed done this.) If you have ever lived with me, you know that on average I go through 2 half gallons of the creamy, dreamy dessert every other week. Sometimes it only takes a week. I feel incomplete if I do not consume ice cream at least once every 24 hours. Usually I try to wait until the end of the day so I don't go for it twice, which has happened on more than one occasion.
In any case, I figured that having a heaping bowl of ice cream everyday was probably not the most healthy thing to do. So I've tried various methods to get my ice cream intake down to a more reasonable proportion. I've tried buying the little Ben & Jerry's or Haagen Dasz containers and have told myself that when it's gone I can't have anymore until the next time I go grocery shopping. Unfortunately, this proved to make my ice cream habits worse. Because the container was small, I wouldn't bother with scooping the ice cream out into a bowl and therefore would eat almost the entire pint. Then when I ran out in a couple days, I would crave ice cream so badly that I would run out to the store and get more.
I've also tried using a paper cup to ensure a smaller portion. But then I would pack the cup as full as I could and therefore wouldn't be limiting myself very much at all. And then one day it hit me. I was walking down the ice cream aisle, (naturally), when I saw the ice cream cones. I got so excited about having an ice cream cone that I grabbed a box and went home to have one. (I know some of you are wondering, and YES, I did get the sugar cones....let's all be honest, its the ONLY way to go). It was when I was scooping ice cream into my cone and only being able to fit a few small spoonfuls in that I realized that THIS was the perfect way to limit my serving size! I would stay with it because, well, who DOESN'T want an ice cream cone instead of a plain old bowl?!
So now, with the exception of a few bad days in which I will grab a bowl instead of a cone, I have mastered the art of ice cream serving size consumption. It has been a terrible feat, but one that I am proud to have overcome. Goodbye, huge bowls. Hello, delicious cones.
I love ice cream. A LOT. You could even put it forth that I am an Ice Cream Connoisseur.
If you know me, you know that if I have not decided beforehand, I will take at least 30 minutes in the ice cream aisle choosing what two flavors I want. If you know me, then you'll also know that I am a bit of a ice cream flavor buff. I can tell you the difference between all 5 types of Vanillas, (and Dave can vouch that I have indeed done this.) If you have ever lived with me, you know that on average I go through 2 half gallons of the creamy, dreamy dessert every other week. Sometimes it only takes a week. I feel incomplete if I do not consume ice cream at least once every 24 hours. Usually I try to wait until the end of the day so I don't go for it twice, which has happened on more than one occasion.
In any case, I figured that having a heaping bowl of ice cream everyday was probably not the most healthy thing to do. So I've tried various methods to get my ice cream intake down to a more reasonable proportion. I've tried buying the little Ben & Jerry's or Haagen Dasz containers and have told myself that when it's gone I can't have anymore until the next time I go grocery shopping. Unfortunately, this proved to make my ice cream habits worse. Because the container was small, I wouldn't bother with scooping the ice cream out into a bowl and therefore would eat almost the entire pint. Then when I ran out in a couple days, I would crave ice cream so badly that I would run out to the store and get more.
I've also tried using a paper cup to ensure a smaller portion. But then I would pack the cup as full as I could and therefore wouldn't be limiting myself very much at all. And then one day it hit me. I was walking down the ice cream aisle, (naturally), when I saw the ice cream cones. I got so excited about having an ice cream cone that I grabbed a box and went home to have one. (I know some of you are wondering, and YES, I did get the sugar cones....let's all be honest, its the ONLY way to go). It was when I was scooping ice cream into my cone and only being able to fit a few small spoonfuls in that I realized that THIS was the perfect way to limit my serving size! I would stay with it because, well, who DOESN'T want an ice cream cone instead of a plain old bowl?!
So now, with the exception of a few bad days in which I will grab a bowl instead of a cone, I have mastered the art of ice cream serving size consumption. It has been a terrible feat, but one that I am proud to have overcome. Goodbye, huge bowls. Hello, delicious cones.
Friday, March 28, 2008
How do I turn it off?!
It's funny. As soon as I'm away from the computer I'm thinking of all these things I want to blog about. Then as soon as I sit down...nothing!
Well, I finally was able to come up with something. It's a problem that has been getting increasingly worse the last couple months. It won't go away, no matter how much I hope, pray and wish that it would. It consumes my life entirely. When I'm at work, when I'm at the grocery store, when I'm reading 'The DaVinci Code,' even when I close my eyes to go to sleep!! It's a curse, a blessing, a plague, and a revelation all at once. It's relentless in it's efforts to control my thoughts.
IT is creativity.
Now if you know me, you know I'm not the most creative person out there. Sure I've got a million ideas, but none of them are terribly different from anything else out there. I usually see something and want to edit it and tweak it to take it from being something okay to something SPECTACULAR.
However, lately I have found myself becoming more and more immersed in fashion. I had thought that since I had pretty much decided NOT to go into the fashion world while working at Guess?, that these dreams of creating my own line would disappear. I was wrong. Terribly wrong.
So, I went about drafting out a business plan and researching how to start my own line. I was giving it my all, and had put a lot of work into it. But since I was giving roughly 5 other HUGE projects my all, I got burned out. I didn't want to do anything. My dreams and ambitions vanished. All I wanted to do was go sit on a far away beach and never have drive or determination again. But obviously I don't have the financial ability to retire at the ripe old age of 21. So I cried, continued to work on my other projects dropped the fashion line idea and cried some more. Danielle (my room roommate) said, "Laura, why don't you just work on it a little here and there?" But I was done with having a dream, so I told myself that I was putting it on the back burner....but didn't really want to ever pick it up again.
So THIS is when the dreams should have stopped, right? I mean I literally go to sleep and have dreams about clothes, but since I felt defeated those dreams should stop, right? WRONG. Even when I'm awake, images will pop into my mind. VIVID images of perfectly detailed outfits and pieces of clothing will explode into my consciousness with NO invitation whatsoever! Even last night, I was exhausted, (it's been another busy, busy week), and I felt asleep before I even got home. And yet, as I closed my eyes to say my prayers, BAM two outfits flashed through my head. I exclaimed, "Danielle!! It's happening again! Please make it STOOOP!!!" (Danielle is very well aware of this increasingly worsening illness of mine.) She responds with her usual, "No, it's a GOOD thing Laura." I mumble something about how, yeah I know, but it's annoying and how I can't draw so I can never remember what I've envisioned, and blah blah blah. I say my prayers, lay down to sleep and then....can't. SERIOUSLY?! Like...whhaaat? I was SOO tired, and here I am thinking and thinking and thinking. I finally understand what Mom was talking about when she would be up at 1am or 2am typing away on the computer, trying to get out her ideas. Thanks for the gene Mom...
So here I am. I've been burned out. Slammed down, defeated by the idea entirely and yet...something inside me is pushing through. Reaching towards who knows what. I had given up entirely on ever wanting to accomplish this in my life and yet something inside is fighting for a chance. I guess that should tell me something. If I did everything to NOT pursue this dream and it pursued me...then I guess I have no choice. God must be telling me something. That I have this desire for a reason, and I need to continue to work on it. And I KNOW that I might not ever be great at it. I might not ever have my own successful line. I might not even sell one piece of clothing. I might only design for myself. But for some reason, this is a dream and a passion of mine and right now I'm supposed to keep at it.
P.S. (That was the intended end of the blog.....)
I actually just made the FIRST item of my new line, (called 'Divided.') and it was pretty much handed to me. Literally, it fell into my lap. Stacey, (one of my roommates) had a craft night in where you cut out a stencil and lay it on a tshirt and spray it with bleach. (I know it's super simple, and I shouldn't even be taking credit for designing them, but I am). I designed two shirts (I used images already created, and then changed them slightly). It was SOOO exciting to wear something that I could say I did. Now I just have to tell people that I did it and offer to sell them one. I probably won't sell any but either way, I think it's pretty cool.
(Pictures to be posted soon...PROMISE).
Well, I finally was able to come up with something. It's a problem that has been getting increasingly worse the last couple months. It won't go away, no matter how much I hope, pray and wish that it would. It consumes my life entirely. When I'm at work, when I'm at the grocery store, when I'm reading 'The DaVinci Code,' even when I close my eyes to go to sleep!! It's a curse, a blessing, a plague, and a revelation all at once. It's relentless in it's efforts to control my thoughts.
IT is creativity.
Now if you know me, you know I'm not the most creative person out there. Sure I've got a million ideas, but none of them are terribly different from anything else out there. I usually see something and want to edit it and tweak it to take it from being something okay to something SPECTACULAR.
However, lately I have found myself becoming more and more immersed in fashion. I had thought that since I had pretty much decided NOT to go into the fashion world while working at Guess?, that these dreams of creating my own line would disappear. I was wrong. Terribly wrong.
So, I went about drafting out a business plan and researching how to start my own line. I was giving it my all, and had put a lot of work into it. But since I was giving roughly 5 other HUGE projects my all, I got burned out. I didn't want to do anything. My dreams and ambitions vanished. All I wanted to do was go sit on a far away beach and never have drive or determination again. But obviously I don't have the financial ability to retire at the ripe old age of 21. So I cried, continued to work on my other projects dropped the fashion line idea and cried some more. Danielle (my room roommate) said, "Laura, why don't you just work on it a little here and there?" But I was done with having a dream, so I told myself that I was putting it on the back burner....but didn't really want to ever pick it up again.
So THIS is when the dreams should have stopped, right? I mean I literally go to sleep and have dreams about clothes, but since I felt defeated those dreams should stop, right? WRONG. Even when I'm awake, images will pop into my mind. VIVID images of perfectly detailed outfits and pieces of clothing will explode into my consciousness with NO invitation whatsoever! Even last night, I was exhausted, (it's been another busy, busy week), and I felt asleep before I even got home. And yet, as I closed my eyes to say my prayers, BAM two outfits flashed through my head. I exclaimed, "Danielle!! It's happening again! Please make it STOOOP!!!" (Danielle is very well aware of this increasingly worsening illness of mine.) She responds with her usual, "No, it's a GOOD thing Laura." I mumble something about how, yeah I know, but it's annoying and how I can't draw so I can never remember what I've envisioned, and blah blah blah. I say my prayers, lay down to sleep and then....can't. SERIOUSLY?! Like...whhaaat? I was SOO tired, and here I am thinking and thinking and thinking. I finally understand what Mom was talking about when she would be up at 1am or 2am typing away on the computer, trying to get out her ideas. Thanks for the gene Mom...
So here I am. I've been burned out. Slammed down, defeated by the idea entirely and yet...something inside me is pushing through. Reaching towards who knows what. I had given up entirely on ever wanting to accomplish this in my life and yet something inside is fighting for a chance. I guess that should tell me something. If I did everything to NOT pursue this dream and it pursued me...then I guess I have no choice. God must be telling me something. That I have this desire for a reason, and I need to continue to work on it. And I KNOW that I might not ever be great at it. I might not ever have my own successful line. I might not even sell one piece of clothing. I might only design for myself. But for some reason, this is a dream and a passion of mine and right now I'm supposed to keep at it.
P.S. (That was the intended end of the blog.....)
I actually just made the FIRST item of my new line, (called 'Divided.') and it was pretty much handed to me. Literally, it fell into my lap. Stacey, (one of my roommates) had a craft night in where you cut out a stencil and lay it on a tshirt and spray it with bleach. (I know it's super simple, and I shouldn't even be taking credit for designing them, but I am). I designed two shirts (I used images already created, and then changed them slightly). It was SOOO exciting to wear something that I could say I did. Now I just have to tell people that I did it and offer to sell them one. I probably won't sell any but either way, I think it's pretty cool.
(Pictures to be posted soon...PROMISE).
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The day has arrived.
I knew this day would come. It was inevitable. The day that I yielded to the subtle inclinations I have had to start writing in my new blog. I kept putting it off. I kept conjuring up various excuses.
"I don't have the time! I don't want to! I'm not as creative as everyone else! I can't write well enough! I just want to read other blogs!"
But sure enough, here I am typing away. I am sure there will be days that I write a book, and other days that I write a single word. Nonetheless, it has begun.
I can't help but think that when Kenny reads this he will be finding all my grammatical errors. I am sure I will even hear about a few. But I also know that my Mom won't care. (Although we all know that Kenny's blog will be her favorite...whatever ProTigal son :) )
I also have the feeling that this blog business will be addicting. Already I'm thinking of a million things I want to write about. Things that have been on my mind for quite sometime, and things that randomly pop into my head. Like how I really like Strawberry Milkshake Oreos and how I wish they weren't a limited edition that is no longer in production.
Since many have expressed how much they enjoy my Gchat status messages, even suggesting that they could be a TV sitcom of their own, I hope you will enjoy the blog. I'm trying to think of it more as a really long status message, rather than a creative writing assignment from the days of schooling.
I hope this will live up to my Gstatus par. It will prove to be a difficult task. I guess we'll all have to see....
"I don't have the time! I don't want to! I'm not as creative as everyone else! I can't write well enough! I just want to read other blogs!"
But sure enough, here I am typing away. I am sure there will be days that I write a book, and other days that I write a single word. Nonetheless, it has begun.
I can't help but think that when Kenny reads this he will be finding all my grammatical errors. I am sure I will even hear about a few. But I also know that my Mom won't care. (Although we all know that Kenny's blog will be her favorite...whatever ProTigal son :) )
I also have the feeling that this blog business will be addicting. Already I'm thinking of a million things I want to write about. Things that have been on my mind for quite sometime, and things that randomly pop into my head. Like how I really like Strawberry Milkshake Oreos and how I wish they weren't a limited edition that is no longer in production.
Since many have expressed how much they enjoy my Gchat status messages, even suggesting that they could be a TV sitcom of their own, I hope you will enjoy the blog. I'm trying to think of it more as a really long status message, rather than a creative writing assignment from the days of schooling.
I hope this will live up to my Gstatus par. It will prove to be a difficult task. I guess we'll all have to see....
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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