Day Off!!!

Ahh yes! FINALLY - my long-awaited day off!!!

And what have I done with it?

1. Returned a swimsuit and a dress for two swimsuits

2. Downloaded some much needed songs from iTunes

3. Applied for more jobs.



The first two are much more fun!

Independence Day. Indeed.

A day late, but Happy 4th of July!

Thanks to some quick thinking on my part, I took off the 4th of July quite awhile ago, and it became the best idea I've had all summer. I work so much lately that I haven't had a real vacation day to just chillax and enjoy what Minnesota does best...

...mosquitoes, lakes, and summer.



Of course, the 4th of July in Forest Lake is no joke, so 10k MMA was in the parade this year and we had a blast with it all. We supplied ourselves with candy, and swag from the U.S. Army, the float itself had guys grappling on mats, and others were hitting pads and sparring alongside the float on the street.





You'll notice that Timothy and I are thoroughly engaged in hitting the pads. Having a discussion or argument about the combo? You decide.





The best part of the day was hands down going to the beach after everything. I've needed a day to sit out in the sun and tan (not that I need it), and SWIM!!! How I've missed Minnesota lakes, 'cuz I always end up finding myself working on the best days of the year.



Thanks to the government shut-down, I won't be able to get a fishing license for awhile, but I can come up with many excuses to get on a lake.

Best day of summer. Guaranteed!

Now it's back to the grind. And apartment hunting! (Which I actually looked at five apartments today!) Time is ticking away, and August 1st is ever looming!

More Summer Favorites

I was looking through my dear friend Kristina's London photos again, and was reminded that I have many many things that I miss about London. So...I've come up with another list of things I am in LOVE with this summer. It distracts me from looking at apartments and jobs, but I think I need a break before my head explodes.

1. Hob Nob Vanilla Creams!!!


These things don't look like much, and if you were in a grocery store you'd probably move on to something that looked less healthy for you...but man oh man oh man, these things are tasty. In fact, Kristina, if you came home with some of these from London, that'd be the best thing ever! They're just oat cookies with vanilla in the middle, and the original kind are just the plain oat cookies...but they are delicious. I became obsessed with these cookies and kept some in my purse at all times so if I ever found myself in a park with a book and a free afternoon (that happened a LOT), then I had a delightfully tasty snack.

2. "Calgary" by: Bon Iver



Some things about not having internet at home have proved really useful this summer. For one thing, I get more Starbucks than is probably healthy...but being at Starbucks at the right place, and right time has lead me to this. Now in all fairness, my brother already showed me the full Bon Iver album when it came out, but it was Starbucks that gave me a free download in iTunes so that I could enjoy it ALL THE TIME!!! I even hooked some people up with the code so they could enjoy the free download too.

3. Follow @SororityProblem on Twitter

http://sororityproblem.tumblr.com/


Okay...so you don't HAVE to follow them on Twitter, or Tumblr for that matter...but if you have the same humor as me, you'll find it funny. And I need funny every now and again.
For example:
SororityProblem SororityGirlProblems
90% of the arguments I have with people happen entirely in my head. #SGP
And my personal favorite:
SororityProblem SororityGirlProblems
NEW GAME: every time you hear about another engagement, buy another bottle of wine. Proceed with caution. #SGP

Don't judge. Like I said, this is a list of MY loves this summer.

Summer Lovin'

Here are some things I'm in love with this summer.

Because I have a little too much time on my hands this afternoon. I work all the rest of the week and fantasizing about buying things makes me feel better about dealing with crazy customers the rest of the week.

And because watching music videos takes my mind off the fact that my younger brother will be shipping out overseas in a little over a month's time.

And because applying for jobs day in and day out, and looking for apartments is making every apartment look the same.

So I'm focusing on what I'm in love with instead.


1.

I think Nicki Minaj is better than Lady Gaga. There I said it. Especially this song. Partly because I never met a female rapper that I liked until her, and this music video blends the right amount of ghetto fabulous with bubblegum pop. If you knew anything about me at all, you would know that ghetto fabulous and bubblegum pop are just TWO of my not-so-secret weaknesses.

2.

I've never been a watch gal, but I could be with this rose colored Riley Plated Stainless Steel watch from Fossil. Mmm...I'm talking to you, Tim Burton ; )

3.

Since my bestest friend Kristina Cruz, is having wonderful adventures in one of my favorite cities in the world, I have been stalking her facebook more than is usual or healthy. And that girl has good taste, and I spotted this shoe. She copied my purse, so I can copy her shoe.

4. London. Enough said.

Okay...back to the grind. Back to applying for jobs! Tim and I are moving into an apartment on August 1st whether we are ready for it or not! Wish me luck!

This Is Home

Been having a rough day.

So rough that I just got into the car and went on auto pilot. Of course, I wound up somewhere with the internet and put the ear buds in.

Trying to tune out the world, and focus no what I need to do.

It's been a little hard.

But Switchfoot helps.

New Haircut!!

It is halfway through summer and I FINALLY got a haircut. I've been needing one badly for a couple of months now, but I did it!

It is super short for me, but I had to do it. I've had the same long hair for a LONG time, and have gotten the same haircut for six years. I always wanted to try to go much shorter, but I always chickened out. So I just manned up and told the gal to just do away with it. Seven inches later, I love it. I thought about going shorter, but the chicken in me finally came out.

Oh well.

This summer is going to have many many things happening and I can't wait. I'm anxiously searching for new jobs as we speak because Tim and I will be moving on our own! Of course when I'm searching for jobs, I'm also looking at furniture and inspirations from IKEA.

I can't wait to get rid of all my old college things and start furnishing a real "grown-up" apartment. That means that dear Timothy will have to get rid of a LOT of stupid things.

----

Also, to satisfy my nerd urge...the only thing I want to do this summer is go see Harry Potter. The only thing I want to do in my life is go see Harry Potter. If I could fast forward to LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY...I would do it. I can't even handle this.



I wish someone were filming my reaction to this trailer, just released yesterday. There were literally GOOSEBUMPS on my arms, and I was definitely holding my breath for the duration of the trailer. And the eyes were watering. Good thing no one cares to pay attention to me in Starbucks.

UPDATE:

Literally a minute later, I watched it for a second time. Closer to tears than I should be willing to admit...but I honestly cannot wait any longer. I'm going to burst! Did I mention that I rushed out to buy the Blu-Ray copy of Deathly Hallows pt. 1 a few weeks ago JUST for the special scene of the new movie? Not that I had the money for such a purchase...but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Up Up and Away

Boo on Youtube for not wanting to agree with me today. But I'm super feeling this song on a gloomy Friday.

Kid Cudi: Up Up and Away

Enjoy.

Do Better

Also...words cannot describe how happy I am for Red Wing FFA.



Many of these kids worked their tails off throughout the year and at State Convention, earning RW FFA the honor of 3rd Best Chapter in the State!! WHOO HOO!!!

Supsicle?

Do you ever try to form words out of those "please type this same thing so we know you are not a robot..." boxes?

The latest word I thought I saw in the mire of text: "supsicle".

Considering it is now almost summer...I found that to be entirely appropriate.

New Year: The Solo Ninja

That was the last picture my three siblings and I took together, and I must say we are looking quite dapper. This was taken as our youngest hermano graduated from high school back in June. Who knows when the next time all four of us will be together...

It is the new year, and I am without siblings, but a new roommate.

Josh: off in Washington D.C. having adventures that only he could have. Seriously. Go ask him about the girl he met on the plane. (Just living the dream).

Lani: living large in Mankato and about to finish up her Junior year. She was elected PHC President (it's kind of a really big deal) for the sororities on campus, so she's super duper swamped.

Vinnie: about to graduate from Basic Training at the end of this month and then who knows where the Army will send him to.

And I...am sitting here waiting for my life to begin. About to start school again in the summer...just got to finish up the application process and we will get the ball rolling. (FAFSA here I come!) I am going to start a career in (wait for it...) Cosmetology and looking into the Aveda Institute (don't act so surprised...). It will be a good change, a new fresh start, and the launch into a career that can take me any where.

I do change my mind a lot, but this time off from the U has given me lots to think about, and new perspective.

...

So this is the New Year...