Monday, February 28, 2011
I Got A Late Start ♥ 7:30 AM
I promised myself I'd be a little more active this year, and so far, I haven't been keeping that promise.
Yesterday, though, I took my dog out for a long walk; something both she and I needed! I tell myself it's the first day of an every day thing; I get up, have breakfast, putter around on the computer, catch up on my morning Travel Channel (duh), then take Soleil on a long walk.
She adores the outside, something I'm going to have to accommodate in the months to come while it's still warm. I'm thinking the first couple of weeks, we'll get my momentum back power walking, then I'll take her to the beach for the first time, something I know she'll be excited about. =0) Let's see how long this lasts. Ha! I'll make an effort. I promise. If I can make it a week (unless it rains), I know I'll be on the right track.
I applied for a teller position at Wachovia bank the other day, so keep your fingers crossed. I like the job I'm in, but I need structure and organization and the ability to move within the company. Since the restaurant is so new, and it's not a franchise or chain, I'm literally stuck. Plus, I think they're messing with people's paychecks. No bueno, people. An I also don't get benefits, something I have to have. I have chronic anxiety and I'm perpetually sick, so I need to have regular visits to the doctor's office, and not having insurance can get expensive. Plus, I need dental and vision, too. Working at the bank will not only promise my well being, I can take paid vacations! Yay! Which means I can visit my family longer when I drive to Orlando once a year.
Anywho, I hope everything works out. I missed out on the last interview because I was out of town. I'm hoping they're willing to talk to me again!
The End.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Broke Again? ♥ 7:17 AM
I have this terrible habit of spending money whenever it comes my way. I'm a terrible saver. Oh, I make sure my bills are all paid, and yeah, sometimes they're a bit on the late side, but it gets done. When I got my taxes back, I tried really hard to save, because I still want to move to Europe and that's not exactly cheap! Unfortunately, I'm back to square one, scraping by paycheck to paycheck because I splurged a little. Okay, a lot. I did, however, spend some of it on three birthdays, and these are three very important people in my life.
My biggest thing is clothing and shoes. I'm just addicted! I spent about 71 dollars in Urban Outfitters in Charleston, bought two new pairs of shoes (Jessica Simpson! One pair was 26 dollars and the other was 16 dollars!) and a new top and earrings from Banana Republic. I also added a couple more tights in my collection and dropped about 110 dollars at Express... I had a coupon. I did, though, justify that I hadn't shopped for myself in a long time, and I also needed to update my wardrobe for spring. I spent 2 1/2 years working for P.F. Chang's (no more!) and the majority of what's in my closet is black.
I bought three tickets for myself, my brother and friend to see Young the Giant at HOB...and food...I did buy a lot of food. Bad going-out food and now I regret it since I have to start exercising more. I do plan on taking Soleil for more walks now that the weather is warming up. Mommy and puppy will both get some running time in.
Maybe instead of teaching I'll just transfer with Banana Republic overseas. It is a guaranteed job, and will be considerably less expensive...like two thousand dollars less expensive. Yes?
The End.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Chuck Town! ♥ 6:03 AM
I spent the day in Charleston yesterday with my friend, Adrienne, and my brother. Well, almost a day. By the time we dropped the dogs off at doggy day care, filled up the gas tank, grabbed a bite and headed on the road, we really didn't have much time. It was still a lot of fun, though. We actually spent the majority of our time in Urban Outfitters, where I snagged some really cute tops and a libra key chain, all for less than 75$! We ended up eating at a really good Asian place, and just strolled around Charleston aimlessly. It's one of those "walking cities" where you really don't need to drive around to do your shopping. It's beautiful-very historic, and the old houses and tree-lined streets just make it the perfect backdrop for casual shopping. And since it's off season, I felt like we had the entire city to ourselves. Next time, though, we're going to leave earlier, and maybe leave the pups home so we have more time.
On the way home, we were pulled by a state trooper doing random licence checks and my brother and Adrienne both got seat belt tickets! Not I. I'm a law abider. ;0) It's 25$, which isn't bad, but the delay cost us to be a little later picking the dogs up. At least the trooper was hot. And he was seriously nice, too. Not an asshole like troopers tend to get sometimes.
Well, it's off to get ready for work. I'm pulling a 12 hour shift today and I'm going to need a gallon of coffee to get me through the day.
The End.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Sound of Music ♥ 8:38 AM
I've decided this will be the year (other than getting my shit together and moving to Europe), that I will be a concert whore. It's one of the few things I actually enjoy doing outside of holing myself in my apartment and reading/researching/baking.
I am not an "activities" person. I'm Irish and hate the sun, so even though I live 5 minutes from the beach, I don't go. Bugs love me, so I don't camp, or boat, or anything that requires "outside". I abhorre the sun and everything that comes with it-heat, humidity, sweating...you get the idea. I do, once in a while, head to the driving range to drive out some frustration, but not often.
I am not a club person. Drunk people irritate me and I'm no freestyle dancer, so...yeah. That's out. I also don't drink often enough to consider myself a bar fly.
Sheeseh, I sound like a bore, don't I? =0) I do love to shop, and go to the movies, and I'm constantly looking for a new, non chain restaurant to check out, but I don't get out much. Seriously.
I do, however, consider myself a music person and really enjoy seeing live shows. I've seen quite a few shows, but they're always spread out and I really want to make an effort to attend more. Flogging Molly was super fantastic, and I just purchased tickets to see Young the Giant and Awolnation. Both are awesome bands I'm excited about seeing. New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys are touring together, and yes, I will be going to that show as well. No making fun. I have a friend that wants me to go to Warped Tour, but I only know two bands playing and (a) I don't want to go if they're not playing at our venu and (b) it's an outside thing. In July. Amidst masses of sweaty humans. >=0( That one is still up in the air.
Living in Myrtle Beach makes it difficult to see the bands I really like because of the lack of huge venues. We have HOB, and not many bands travel down this way, usually opting for the lager cities, which means I have to take time off from work and travel. This, of course, is another reason why I want to move. Better concert opportunities. I have been keeping track of upcoming shows, though, and will still support our rinky-dink little venue. =0) I'll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, check out http://www.youtube.com/user/awolnation and http://www.youtube.com/user/youngthegiant.
The End.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Happy Flogging Molly Day! ♥ 7:40 AM
I have been waiting for this day for more than a month! One of my favorite bands, Flogging Molly, is coming to Myrtle Beach tonight at the House of Blues. I saw their show last year and LOVED it. I'm super stoked. Two of my friends and my brother (who doesn't get out much) will be going with me. =0) Woot.
The puppy got her nails clipped for the first time yesterday. It actually went better than I thought it would. I do think it was because the other dogs distracted her into behaving. She's a diva. She loves the attention. I want to take her to the beach today, but I have so much cleaning to do I just won't have time. Maybe next week, if it's warm enough.
I got my tax return back (!) and was going to use part of it to get my passport, but I had three March birthdays to take care of, plus I had an Express coupon and I needed to get a couple of things for work, so you know how that goes. ::sigh:: Maybe after the summer, when my hair's a little longer so I can take a better photo, I'll go ahead and purchase one. It will be done this year, I promise.
I was supposed to go to Charleston on Saturday to visit the Art Institute's Culinary kitchens, but I have to work my second job, and that never happens. It would freakin' figure, right? Ah, well. Maybe there will be another open house soon. =0(
The End.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day. I guess. ♥ 8:39 AM
I'm single, and I suppose it's only natural for me to despise Valentine's Day. I do think, however, I would still see it as some commercial, asinine holiday even if I wasn't. I'm not the best person to judge anything that has to do with love seeing as I'm part cynical, part realist, and I'm not too big on affection, but I think if you love somebody you shouldn't have to use February 14th as a reason to show it. You shouldn't be required to buy presents, and if the other person feels different, then bye-bye. Kick their ungrateful ass to the curb. Saying "I love you" should be an every day thing, not a once a year thing, and if you really did love the person, taking a random date night here and there throughout the year is all you should need. If you didn't do it on V-Day, does that mean you're not loved? Or that you don't love your other half? I don't think so.
I know if it were me, I wouldn't expect anything because, well, it's expected. Think outside of the box, people. Go against the grain. Dare to be different...and all that jazz...Be in love because you're in love, not because your calender tells you to be.
If, by chance, you need a little inspiration for a Valentine's play list, here are some non sappy songs that are great, and still get the message across:
*I Melt With You- Modern English
*Sweet Child O' Mine- Guns N' Roses
*Underneath It All- No Doubt
*Love Song- The Cure
*Friday I'm In Love- The Cure (double duty!)
*Lay Me Down- Dirty Heads
*Slide- Goo Goo Dolls
*With Or Without You- U2
The End.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Mmm...pastries ♥ 8:11 AM
I seriously want a pastry. Samantha Brown was in Prague yesterday and she bought this behemoth of an apple pastry that was probably a foot long...for a dollar. U.S. Though, the episode was shot in 2005, so who knows if the price is the same, but still. A dollar. There's also a cafe there that allows you to throw stale donuts at people. That's right: for 60 U.S dollars, you can buy a bowl of rock hard, stale donuts, and throw them at whoever you want. All legal. If that's not reason enough to move to Prague, I don't know what is.
I suppose doing some research on France hasn't helped my craving for pastries. I don't want some knock-off, I want the real thing, and I want it now. Unfortunately, hopping on a plane to sample world famous desserts isn't in the cards at the moment, but my time will come. Hopefully soon.
I really am considering just moving to a random place, snagging a job, and putting my certification on hold until I can save a little more. I did the math, and I'll need to save at least 5k to cover the plane ticket, accommodations, and tuition...plus I'll not be working for at least a month, so putting deposits down for an apartment and not being employed right away is pushing it. With the money I do save, I'll be able to live comfortably, and work on the certification or any other degree once I decided on where I want to go. =0)
If you have any ideas, pass them along, please.
The End.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Sweden? ♥ 8:48 AM
I have found, doing my research on Sweden, that we should all lead by their example.
The nation as a whole is very active and family oriented.
The images I've seen are beautiful, and the country looks so unspoiled! I think I would have a hard time adjusting to the extreme winters, since I was born in Florida and currently live in South Carolina.
Also what I noticed is everyone seems to speak English, or so I've read from every article or blog I stumbled upon. I'd still take the time to learn the language, though, out of respect. I'm sure menus and things are all in Swedish.
I've only came across one negative blog from an expat, and she seemed like a spoiled, ignorant brat so I will not take her post seriously. Even the comments from her readers pretty much told her she was.
From what I've gathered, the Swedes are a quiet, polite, tolerant people who seem to get along with everyone. And for a society who shuts down a half an hour a day to enjoy a sweet and some caffeine, well, who doesn't love that?
The End.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Spring Cleaning! ♥ 4:49 PM
Yesterday, my brother and I gave our apartment a serious scrub down. It actually looks hospitible...and it only slightly smells like puppy (who also got a much needed scrub down!). I just have to tackle my room and bathroom and everything will be one hundred percent clean.
One more week until I get to see Flogging Molly! I've been looking foreward to this show for a long time! I saw them last year and it was one of the best shows I've seen. Great band!
Ugh, I'm still super tired from my nap. I had to wake up early for my second job, and I haven't had to do that in a while. My brain's all meh. I'll probably end up going to bed early tonight. I don't think I slept long enough.
The End.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
=0( ♥ 5:40 PM
Wasted the day away. Started to get a migraine at about 2 this afternoon. It's now almost 9 p.m. and it's still lingering. I've run out of migraine meds, which pretty much sucks. I hope pizza will do some good for me.
The End.
Monday, February 7, 2011
GO PACKERS! ♥ 7:54 AM
Sweet! Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl! To all the Steelers fans: insert foot in mouth. Ha. Shit talking will get you nowhere. Soleil is happy they won, too. =0)
Okay, I'm done. Back to business.
Apparently, I can buy a castle in Germany. This seems like a pretty good idea. How many people can say they live in a castle? Though I would probably just use mine as a "summer home" and whatnot. Not sure how electricity and indoor plumbing would fare. And the drafts in the place? Please. There are some pretty awesome views, though. Country-side Germany is quite breath taking and I look foreword to visiting as soon as I get my broke carcass over there.
Today I'll be researching Italy. I think that's the one place I'd live in a cardboard box if I could just eat the food every day! I'm not exactly the pickiest of people, but I like fresh fruits/veggies, cheese and pasta...I try to stick to the vegetarian diet when I can just for health purposes, so places that specialize in heavy meat dishes would not be ideal for me to live (Germany, for instance, will more than likely not work). I do love seafood, especially shellfish, and anything cooked with olive oil. The other night I made a delicious dish with ahi tuna that I seasoned with Cajun seasoning and olive oil, wild mushroom rice, spinach and potatoes. Yumm-o!
I suppose that is all. I have the next two days off, so I am going to buckle down and start exercising! I need it! Bikini weather is right around the corner!
The End.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Are You Ready for Some Football?! ♥ 7:26 AM
It's Super Bowl Sunday, an event probably more holy than going to church itself (which I don't anyway). Unfortunately, my team, The New England Patriots, are not playing, so I'm not all that excited about it, but I am going to send some good voo doo vibes for Green Bay and its delicious QB, Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburg is seriously obnoxious and so are the fans, so...yeah.
Anywho, I was a slacker yesterday and did not get a chance to do any of my research on a new country...if you call scouting out a bank open on a Saturday (3 tries!), grocery shopping, going to Petsmart to replace the collar my puppy chewed through, and re-signing my apartment lease slacking. I did manage to snag lunch with my friend before work (Thai Cuisine in Myrtle Beach...go there.) and I also got to hang out with a couple of other friends while I waited for my brother to get off. But today, Germany, it's your turn! Let's see how you look!
Arielle's art showing was a blast. I got to see a bunch of my friends, look at amazing art work, and just relax. My kind of night. She used this picture of me in her show. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariteer/4990193374/in/photostream/. Love ya, lady!
The End.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Spain-glish ♥ 8:14 AM
I did a little research on Spain yesterday. I'm going to try to research one country per day and see which one I fall the most in love with. Spain is undoubtedly beautiful, with its gorgeous landscape and warm weather, and I think picking up on the language wouldn't be that difficult (I grew up in Florida and have worked in restaurants for the past three years. You figure it out).
I haven't really felt that tug, though, that little pull on the heartstrings that says "ah! this is it! This is going to be home!". I'm still holding out hope, though, and maybe it's something that will devolop with time, but so far I'm thinking "nah". I'd love to visit, though. Maybe what I should do is just...travel around for a bit and see where I adapt. I think I'd need double what I'm saving, though. Hey, I could always sell a kidney, right? =0)
One of my very good friends, who also happens to be a very talented artist, is celebrating her birthday today, and she is also having an art show, which I'm very excited to attend. She hasn't held one in a while, and she's using a photo of me in the show! Yay! Still need to get her a present. It has to be awesome since she is including my portrait, right? I'll update when I find the perfect gift!
The End.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Ah, L'amour! ♥ 1:51 PM
I was watching an older episode of Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown today. Before I go any further, y'all need to know I am obsessed with the Travel Channel, usually opting to sit for hours watching food shows, travel shows, ect.-re-runs or not-, rather than big network dramas and sitcoms (except for Castle and Psych. LOVE them both), so a LOT of my discussions will be based off inspiration from the awesome network.
Anywho, my girl, Sam, was in Paris (France, not Texas), and though the food and sights alone were educational, a very important topic was discussed I feel everyone should know: the French are not all assholes. A French gentlemen on the plane ride over explained to her that the French were a lot like coconuts: hard exterior, but once you crack them open, very sweet inside.
If you take the time to try to speak a little of their language instead of assuming everyone outside of the states speaks English, and embrace what they're about, they're actually a very warm, welcoming people.
One thing you need to know is they take their food seriously. Remember, they set the stage for all that is gourmet and is considered to be the best in the world. You don't need to spend an arm and a leg to enjoy classic French food either. Stopping in one of the many bistros in Paris, like http://www.chezpaul.com/, where Samantha stopped to eat, you can sample hearty, simple French food that's pretty inexpensive. Expect to spend a couple of hours in a restaurant. They believe in taking their time, enjoying their food and good conversation, rather than hurrying through a power lunch. The wait staff very rarely checks in with you, something that is considered rude in the States, because they expect you to camp out and enjoy yourself.
I guess since I'm mostly French, and I've always been in love with the culture, I feel like I have to defend the country and the people that live there. If you just show a little respect, make an effort to speak a few phrases here and there, you'll learn the French can be as hospitable and friendly as any American family (and let's face it: not everyone in this country is as warm and fuzzy as most of us like to think we are). And if you think about it, it's pretty much what any of us would come to expect, isn't it?
The End.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Brand New Day ♥ 7:25 AM
It really sucks that I picked today to start my new, positive outlook when it's so shitty outside. It feels like an ominous foreshadowing that'll fail before the thought is finished, but I promised myself this year I will try.
I've been wanting to travel for a really long time, and I've recently found the perfect excuse to do so: teaching English as a second language. I have a really bohemian friend that taught in Korea for two years and absolutely loved it. She's currently in Costa Rica and I breifly thought of abandoning everything here and going with her. The only problem: I'm broke.
So, though I have a huge issue with shopping, I have decided to really buckle down this year and just do it. Save money and hop on a plane at the end of the year and just go.
It's a new year, and I have a brand new outlook to go along with my determination. There are a few unsupportive people out there I have to prove wrong, so I pretty much don't have a choice anyway. =0)
Labels: english, language, new year, overseas, teaching, travel
The End.