As we quickly approach 2013 (anyone else questioning where 2012 went?!), it’s time to reflect on (missed) resolutions in 2012, and new resolutions to look forward to.
1. Break up with Texting: I can’t be the only one. Especially with iPhone to iPhone, you have no character limit, and I have been known to write a novel or two (I also stick to full grammar, aside from the occasional “LOL.” Never could support “r u thr?”) But that’s no way to communicate with someone. I could never fully resent texting – it’s great for those quick, “what are you doing,” “leaving now,” “good to see you!” conversations, but I’m going to leave the catching up and soul searching for the most unused part of my cellular device – the phone itself.
2. Leave the Discover at home: This is kind of a two-parter, because I want to buy my first condo/townhome/house in 2013, so I need good credit and a stupid large down payment, so I am going to try and work with a cash budget. I’ve got my credit cards paid off (!), and I’d like to keep it that way.
3. Stop keeping things to myself: I’m totally that person that lets things build up until smoke comes out of my ears, and it doesn’t benefit anyone. I don’t want to become a negative Nancy, but if something bothers me, I need to bring it up with that person instead of playing out a billion scenarios in my head.
4. Quit following NHL Lockout negotiations. Plain and simple. They just make me sad, and no one wants to be sad.
5. Visit the new Fantasyland at Disney, Marry David Freese and/or Win the Lottery. A girl can dream, right?
Every morning I listen to Mason & Remy on 93.7 the Bull on my way to work. Lately, Remy has been following the Amanda Bynes blow up – she’s basically gone nuts – as she was his crush in prior lifetimes. It got me thinking about how the posters in my room have changed from being a young whipper snapper to an awkward preteen to an adult. So let’s take a trip down memory lane…
Early 90s: Brett Hull’s Son, Jude Hull: I was 7 years old when Brett Hull scored his 500th goal on a hat trick against LA on Dec. 22, 1996. I don’t remember if this was the event our great city celebrated, but I remember watching Brett, his then-wife Allison, and little Jude walking out on the ice to accept some kind of recognition. I also remember looking at my dad, saying “Dad, I want to marry him.” My dad looked at me, confused, “Brett Hull? He’s a little old for you honey,” to which I responded, “no, his son. Then Brett Hull can be my second Dad!” What can I say, my love of hockey players came early. I find it ironic doing some google searching to find that Jude is actually just starting his freshman year of college, meaning he was easily 5 years younger than me. Whoops.
Mid 90s: Leonard DiCaprio: Sigh. Oh Leo. This may come as a surprise, but I was a bit of a tomboy back in the day. Before viewing Titanic, I would see Leo’s face come across my Teen Beat magazine and say “yuck, Leo DiCraprio!” Then, I saw Titanic, and it all changed. This pretty face was plastered all over the walls of my spare bedroom (because I couldn’t mess up my nicely decorated bedroom). I still think that bitch could have made some room and saved you…
Early 2000s: Nick Carter: Those blonde locks, those blue eyes, that dreamy voice. Be still my heart. Although I liked *NSYNC’s music a bit better, Nick Carter was the bees knees. My first email address was iluvbsb@swbell.net. Just saying. BONUS: Aaron Carter – the man I got my first manicure for. Saw him at Fox Theatre, only a few rows from the stage. Ah.
Late 2000s: Zac Efron: Here we go again with another hottie who made it from the ashes. I refused to watch High School Musical, for the pure fact that I was in high school, in choir, and thought it was idiotic. However, I watched it before heading off to college, shortly before the release of Hairspray, and well – the rest is history. Zac has that perfect level of boyish cute mixed with man hot, and the boy can sing. Let’s be honest – I’m not giving up this crush anytime soon.
2012: David Freese, Ryan Lochte & Andy Parks: I guess I’ve matured, and so has my taste in men. What isn’t there to love about David Freese? World Series MVP, hometown hottie, and a former Tiger. Ryan Lochte won the hearts of many at this years Olympic Games, and I must say I have a soft spot for my Boston loving, beer drinking, video game playing boyfriend . (NOTE: I went through probably 15 photos before finding the perfect one for you, Andy!)
So there you have it – my crush list through the years. Who was your biggest crush growing up?
As you all know, Apple announced the iPhone 5 yesterday. To say I’m an Apple fan is an understatement. The only reason I’m not counting down until pre-order is (1) my dad is an employee of AT&T, so I can’t actually pre-order it, and (2) I need to save money for my grad school class. (Oh yeah, I’m going to grad school. Guess I haven’t blogged in awhile!) However, the iPhone 5 is absolutely on my list of must-haves for 2012, and I will attempt to tell you why.
(1) Presentation: Apple lovers and haters alike must agree, no company knows how to better showcase a product. Whether it’s the creative press conference invitations or the brilliant graphics and charts, Apple can draw a crowd. For those of us who were not lucky enough to attend, blogs such as Mashable had live coverage. Seriously, the phone rose up from the ground in a rock-star like viewing. I don’t see the latest Android phone doing that.
(2) Loyalty: Once you go Mac, you never go back. Seriously – I’ve been working on Apple computers since 2005, and I can’t imagine purchasing anything else. One of the biggest reasons Apple is so successful is because of their customer loyalty. Yes, products can cost an arm and a leg, but they are also made with quality to boot, as any Apple owner knows.
(3) Look: The iPhone is a thing of beauty. From it’s sleek curves to it’s textured back, it’s the Ferrari of cell phones.
(4) Panoramic Camera: OK – yes, Android phones have this. iPhones didn’t. Now it does.
(5) I’m Eligible for Upgrade: So why the hell WOULDN’T I get it?
Are you pre-ordering it? What features are you most excited for?
Jenna Marbles is a female god. If you haven’t watched her videos, just get off my blog. JK – but really, watch the below videos for my inspiration.
NOTE: I am basing this off of things the men in MY life don’t understand. (Sorry Andy!) Feel free to add your own in the comments.
1. Hobby Lobby: I could craft 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if I had the budget and time. Girls want things to look GOOD – i.e. why we buy insane amounts of clothing and take two hours to get ready. This means we will spend 3-4 hours wandering through a Hobby Lobby, debating over the perfect shade of rose and the perfect size pumpkin. As Andy says, Hobby Lobby is my Bass Pro/Golf Discount/ETC. Just remember that.
2. Planning: Yes, I keep a planner, physical calendar, digital calendar and notes around. I will absolutely plan out our weekend plans by Monday, and you can bet I’ve had a three week notice of your family party. I know exactly when that game, birthday or movie release is, and I’ve already talked to my other female planner friends to involve their boys, too. Someone has to keep everything in line.
3. The Bachelor/Bachelorette: You have fantasy sports teams, we have Bachelor brackets. And yes, we absolutely get too involved with the characters, develop a deep hatred for bitchy girls and fall into mad showmances with rich, damaged guys with six packs, and cry when they don’t get a rose. Most of this is due to the copious amounts of wine we drink during the two-hour show.
4. Pinterest: Is it safe to say that Pinterest is female porn? It’s like once you get your first look, you’ll never stop going back. So what if I have been planning our wedding long before you even consider an engagement. Maybe I do have a thousand work out plans I’ll never try. So I started my Christmas List six months early, no big deal. As long as I keep putting delicious food on the table, keep your mouth shut – don’t act like you don’t know where I got those recipes.
5. Target: I mean, seriously. I have never gone into Target and only bought what I came for. The place screams “buy me.” Of course I needed two new tanks, a pair of shoes I’ll never wear, three new nail polishes, throw pillows, and a kitchen gadget I can’t even pronounce. At least I get 5% off with my RedCard – that makes it ALL better, right?
SO – after nearly crying over Gabby’s engagement story and realizing just how great her blog really is (not like I didn’t know!), I’m going to TRY and get back into the twice-weekly habit. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try.
Without further ado, let’s do the top 5 things I haven’t blogged about in the last 20 days!
(1) Big Brother 14: Is anyone else obsessed with this show? Andy made me watch it two summers ago when we started dating, so I saw the formation of Brenchel, and it’s just been growing on me! Plus, this season has Brittney again, and I just feel like the two of us would be great friends. It’s hard to find crude, sarcastic, peppy girls to hang out with!
(2) The Color Run: is 9 days away. NINE. And SHOCKER – I’m totally not trained. Hopefully everyone else got use out of my schedule! However, my new office (!) has a gym, so I’m just going to bust ass during the week here, and run at OHS on the weekends. I’m gonna try, that’s for sure! Is it bad that i’m already looking into doing the Glow Run 5K in October?
(3) New Job! Monday was my first day at Marcone Supply, an appliance part supply company located in City Place (Olive & 270). Seriously, the campus is beautiful, and I have my own office cube! It’s huge! My official title is Communications Manager, and i’ll be running all communication through our member website, social media, and more.
my gorgeous view at lunch
Lilly, Blues & Tigers. Yep.
(4) The Lockout: Yes, casual hockey fans, this season poses another lockout threat. Gary Bettman has stated that if an agreement is not reached by Sept. 15, he will cancel the season. After the effect of the 04-05 no-season, this could not go worse for the sport. The NHL is towards the end of their rebuilding stage, even gaining fans in sunny California after the Los Angeles Kings took the cup home. Taking a season off after televising every playoff game will just send all of those casual fans back to their NFL and NBA caves.
(5) Hot Wheels: Andy & I were able to visit with my Aunt & Uncle last weekend at their home in southern Illinois. Little did Andy know, he was heading into an adult playroom. My Uncle Roger has collected hot wheels and model cars since he was a child, and his collection of model cars is currently around 700. Mind you, his office is also the coolest thing EVER. Needless to say, this inspired the boyfriend to start collecting this favored childhood toy. We’ve got 49 race-able (see below) and about 25 in the package ready to be saved. And you know what? I LOVE IT. I was raised to be a motor head, and vividly remember a birthday party in which my older cousins Joe & Drew (Joey & Andy at that point) convinced me that the big box with my name on it was a hot wheels track. You can imagine my disappointment when it was a My-Size Barbie.
So there it is – everything you might have missed! Don’t judge me for my random tagging.
. (NOTE: I went through probably 15 photos before finding the perfect one for you, Andy!)
