Pet Peeves!

According to Wikipedia, the source of the phrase, "pet peeve" stemmed from the word peevish and the phrase was first used around the year 1919. 


According to me, the source of my two most recent pet peeves has been Facebook! The first has to do with Facebook itself. The second has to do with an event that will be taking place in the near future. 

• Facebook Timeline. - Remember what Facebook looked like when we first started using it? Chances are, you don't. I'm usually not a fan when my social media changes on me and I have to relearn how to use everything again, but I am a fan of Facebook Timeline. I love how everything is archived from the very first moment you started using Facebook and from before that. I've been wanting to Twitter to have an archive very similar to this. 

         
          Facebook Timeline is coming to everyone in the next three weeks. I made the switch a         

          month ago. Now everyone has been complaining that because of Facebook Timeline     

          you're going to see everyone's whole life story on their profile. Obviously these people            

          haven't taken a good look at how Facebook Timeline works. You can only see statuses, 

          posts, photos, etc. from years ago, if you click on a past year on the very subtle sidebar 

          and then click on a month.  

         

          So obviously these complainers just want to complain about something because I don't  

          think they have a very rational argument!

• The Superbowl and Bandwagon Fans - The Superbowl happens every year. It's the championship game between the AFC champion and the NFC champion. With there being 32 teams in the league, the likelihood of your team being in the Superbowl is...well you do the math. Only two teams play in the Superbowl. And come on, you're going to be a lot more interested in the game when you're pulling for one of the two teams. I mean, unless you're Switzerland,  you're going to prefer that one teams prevails over the other. THIS DOES NOT MAKE YOU A BANDWAGON FAN. For instance, I like the Chargers. The Chargers aren't in the Superbowl. So I'm supposed to be completely neutral when it comes to the Superbowl? Ha, you're funny. Obviously people are just bitter because someone who isn't a diehard fan is rooting for the team they liked first. Yeah, get over it. 

Other minor pet peeves (when are pet peeves actually minor?):

• People with click-y pens who feel the need to click them every two seconds. - Really? Really?!
• People who drag their feet. - Your legs do not weigh that much; pick your darn feet up before I pick them up for you.
• When I can hear people chewing their gum - Oh heck no. This makes me sick!

What are some of your pet peeves? Share any pet peeves with me or have opinions on mine? Let me know!  Maybe we can fix the world, one annoying pet peeve at a time!

Nights Out and Days Off

I was sitting at work yesterday and the day was dragging on and on. Now don't get me wrong, I was enjoying my job for the day as school receptionist. Being school receptionist meant I wasn't in a class room for 4 and half hours with 25+ students at a time. But very little was going on for most of the day, so time was moving slowly. I couldn't wait until the day was over; I was looking forward to a nap. 

At about lunchtime, while I was sneaking looks at my phone, I got an invitation to attend a VCU basketball for that night.  Now while that nap was tempting, I value my social life, which has been lagging lately so I took Jim up on the offer!

Luckily since I am still without car, my sister attends VCU and has class every night. Tip off was scheduled for 7 p.m., which worked out perfectly since Dani has class at 7. She was nice enough to take her favorite big sister to Richmond with her. 

Now I've been to very few basketball games in my life. But it's a little weird when you're at a university's sporting event and you don't go to that university. Now we both wore black and gold to fit in but we knew none of the cheers. Especially the "you suck balls" cheer that the students do every time a player on the visitor team is introduced. Next time, we're making up on our own cheers!

But the VCU fans and the pep band are pretty hardcore. It was a good game; basketball is less squeaky in real life than it is on television. VCU played the Hofstra Pride and VCU won by 12 points. Next time I'm going to have to bet money on the game and learn some more about basketball so I can be a little more into the game.

Needless to say, I got home pretty late. I had been trying to suppress the cold I could feel coming on all day. On Tuesday morning I got a lovely surprise! Other than my cold that is. I got a day off! I was planning on telling the substitute caller that I was taking the day off if she called, but she didn't! I got to sleep in until 10:30. (Don't call me lazy, keep in mind I'm a little sick!)

When I went to take the dog out this morning, I wasn't expecting the spring-like weather! It worked out well for some self photography using my camera remote!

This is how I felt about my day off and today's weather! I'm a regular cheerleader...now all I need is a big purple hair bow! =]

2012 Goals and Resolutions!

Source

So it took me a couple of days but I've finally come up with my list of resolutions, goals, etc. for 2012. I'm ready to make this year the best year of my life, no matter what ups and downs life throws my way!


Fashion

• Dress better -I need to find clothes that look good on me. I get bored with my look a lot and rarely do anything to change it!
• Get rid of clothes that I do not wear - Make room for the new clothes!
• Finally find the best makeup, nail polish, and lip color for my complexion and skin tone
• Don't be so lazy with accessories - I wear the same earrings for weeks on end, then I'll switch earrings and wear them for weeks on end. I am so boring!

Social

• No more boring weekends - I'm tired of sitting at home every weekend! I'm young! I need to get out before I get old!
• Be a better friend
• Don't force people to be in my life
• Give back and appreciate those who are good to me - I need to be sure that those that do so much for me know how I much I appreciate them!

Fitness

• Exercise more
• Run some races (including an 8K that's taking place in February)
• Use the Wii Fitness games I have while I have access to a Wii - Just Dance 2,3; Michael Jackson Experience for the Wii, EA Active 2, and Zumba!

Nutrition

Source

• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Take more vitamins and get more vitamins and minerals naturally by eating better
• Stop drinking caffeine after 3 p.m. - I had been doing really good at not drinking as much caffeine back in 2010 but getting up early for work and having long crazy days has got me back drinking way too much caffeine.
• Drink more water 
• Cut down on sweets - I definitely had way too many sweets when fall and winter started. Someone I work with recently mentioned that I put on weight and I decided that maybe I shouldn't eat as many sweets as I do. Not that I'm overweight, because I'm not. Just due to my multiculturalness, this home girl puts on most of her weight in three places: the chest, the booty, and in between the two, which will eventually make me look like a raisin with legs!
• Try out more recipes - I get bored eating the same things over and over again.

Life

• Get a job - Need I explain why this must happen this year and soon? I'm trying to apply to at least one job everyday. At least for the next 30 days. 
• Get an apartment (with an awesome roommate!)
• Get a car 

Creativity, Hobbies, and Interests

• Try more art projects - Thanks to Pinterest I've seen about 10000 things I want to do. Now to find the time and the money!
• Finish all the projects that I start - I am queen of starting things and not finishing them!
• Start on my scrapbook - I've had this scrapbook for at least a year and it has 0 completed pages!
• Work on my photography - I got 3 awesome photography books for Christmas and a monopod! I can't wait to take some awesome photographs and completely redo my portfolio!
• Practice Spanish - Being able to converse in Spanish is going to come in handy one day, I know it. So far I've found that random people just ask me to help them get their phone out of Spanish when they accidentally change the language on their phone. Plus I don't want to lose my Spanish-speaking skills. 
• Work on my writing (creative and non creative) - I need some good writing samples for some of the jobs I apply to. And I'm going to try writing a novel
• Read more than I watch TV (keep a list and write book reviews)
• Blog more!!!

Financial

Source 

• Start couponing - This will come in handy when I finally live on my own. I'm gonna be the queen of couponing!
• Save money - I got a coin counting money jar for Christmas! I've always wanted one of those!
• Pay as much on my student loans as I can - Curse you student loans, I don't want to paying you all my life! 
• Pay back my mama for my car repairs

Travel

• Add more states to my list of states visited - I just want to go places! I need new scenery and new experiences! Going somewhere? Take me with you!

What are your resolutions and goals for this year?

Bye Bye Betsy

It took awhile for me to get into the Christmas spirit this year (well, technically last year now) because I had A LOT going on!


Unfortunately the week before Christmas, I was in a car accident. =[ My precious baby, Betsy was totaled! Luckily, I didn't suffer any injuries (other than some soreness in my wrist, which was probably bruised), except the whole being-afraid-to-drive-again thing.


The accident wasn't my fault as the other drive lane changed into my car. Thank goodness, he had insurance.

I'm really sad because I figured Betsy and I had a few more good years together. Especially since we just did such expensive repairs to her back in August. (Remember?) I've been driving her since I got my license in 2007 (if you're doing the math right now and laughing at me, shut up!). 

How many of you have lost your first love car? How did it happen? (Want to sell me your cars?)

Top 11 of 2011

I would say that it seemed like it was just yesterday that we were ringing in 2011, but in reality it seems like it was a long time ago!


I decided to make a couple of lists to commemorate 2011.

Top 11 Books I Read During 2011 (in no particular order)

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Read it now if you haven't already.
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanna Collins
4. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe - One of the best classic novels I've ever read
5. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
6. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
7. Something Blue by Emily Giffin
8. Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee by Hoda Kotb
9. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
10. Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow
11. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Top 11 Roadtrips of 2011 (in no particular order)

1. Maine (July) - By far this was the best roadtrip ever! I am so grateful to Patti and her family for taking me. I got to spend a week with one of my most favorite families that treat me as if I am their own!
2. Harrisonburg (April) - I had the opportunity to meet one of my tumblr friends and tour the new performing arts center. I gotto attend two of Beau's baseball games and hang out with some of my absolute favorite JMU/Harrisonburg loves.
3. Charlotte (April/May) - Though I was down there for a job interview, I got to spend time with my old roomie, my birthday twin, and my boys! And I actually got to stay in the city this time and see more of Charlotte.
4. Arlington (January) - I brought in the new year with my roomies and got to go to Tyson's, which reminds me - I need to go back there.
5. Harrisonburg (August) - I always love going to Harrisonburg for fantasy football weekend. On this particular weekend, I got to catch up with one of my MCCs, go to the book fair, and go dance like a crazy fool at The Blue Nile, which was the absolute highlight of my weekend!
6. Norfolk (May) - I traveled down to Old Dominion University, a place I always feel at home, to celebrate my little cousin's graduation! A good time as always!
7. Arlington (August) - It was my first time in Northern Virginia during the warm months in years! I had a blast walking around D.C. in the heat and visiting museums and monuments!
8. Arlington (September) - I went to D.C. for some job interviews and it was the first time I rode the metro by myself and I did it correctly!
9. Harrisonburg (October) - Homecoming 2011 was amazing! I got to surprise my favorites! And watching the game with Jim in the brand new stadium was AMAZING!
10. Arlington (February) - This trip happened so long ago that I can't remember what I did. But I do remember not having to spend Valentine's weekend alone and I got to see my Bea! I think I also went to Potomac Mills and IKEA for the first time ever!
11. Blacksburg (August) - Moving my sister into college was fun because it brought back memories of my 4 wonderful years at JMU! And I got to spend time with my Little Duke turned Hokie, Tori. 

Top 11 Moments of 2011 (In no particular order)

1. My little sister being crowned Miss DHS in March.
2. My little sister graduating as valedictorian of her high school class.
3. My cousin graduating from Old Dominion University.
4. Watching my JMU Dukes beat those Richmond Spiders as my first game in new stadium for Homecoming 2011.
5. Watching the Dinwiddie Girls Cross Country team become regular season district champs and win the district championship. And I was there every step of the way!
6. The birth of my niece, Raina...but maybe not the part where I was actually in the room for it.
7. Being invited to vacation in Maine with Patti and her family! I swear the whole week before I went I was so excited, I'd just say Maine and smile like a goober because I could not wait!
8. The Earthquake of 2011
9. Seeing Wicked at the Landmark Theater
10. Having two articles and photos published in The Progress-Index
11. That moment when they announced that there was actually was going to be football this year, which led to me drafting not one, but two fantasy football teams!