Oh how I wish I had something witty to say....alas here are my drugs. Uh I mean obsessions. Currently.
1. Being sore. Alright let's be honest. Being sore hurts. It makes me grouchy that my knee is swollen, that I'm covered in bruises, that I can't stand up correctly, and that it hurts when I laugh. But that grouchiness is small. I adore being sore. It's the embodiment of the feeling that I have done something. I have used my body to do something it was meant to do. I'm sore because I'm not used to it but my muscles remember what it was like to be in shape, and they crave it. So they remind me to stretch them and work them more often. I highly recommend doing whatever it is you want to do to make yourself sore ;).
2. Cooking. When I was an undergrad I didn't do much cooking. I always had friends or family to go to eat with and honestly I much prefer my restaurants than to things I make. But since moving I have been alone a lot more, and going out to eat when I'm alone is just not fun. Also saving money to go shopping is better than eating alone any day. So bottom line, I've done more cooking. I've made lots of things that I love, like meatloaf, enchiladas, pancakes, cookies, whatever strikes my fancy. Have a craving - fulfill it. It's a beautiful process.
3. Coach's Fall Line. Right so I'm not going to be getting one of these now, much less from Coach online, I only shop outlet. But these purses are absolutely gorgeous. Okay some of them are butt ugly, but some. Oh some. Are almost my dream, if I were to design purses. I will perhaps have to pay a visit to one of the three outlets within an hour of me....sometime.
4. Boots. I love boots. I wish I wore them more often. But I have recently acquired some Ugg knockoff style boots that I cannot wait to wear! I am in the market for some other knee high boots, probably suade scrunch style. But regardless of what I'm looking for specifically, looking is just oh so much fun. I warn you though. It's dangerous.
5. Pictures/Photography. Pictures are my favorite. On the side of my computer I have a scrolling show of all my pictures. I love looking at the pictures, especially when I'm far away form those people. The memories in the pictures never fail to make me happy. I have also recently become obsessed with the wonders that photography presents. This is partly because pictures capture memories and I love that, and partly because you can do so many things with pictures. I am especially excited because the leaves are starting to change here. I can't wait until I have a new amazing camera!
6. Football. I'm an NFL girl. I love it and I adore the five shorts months I have to enjoy it. I haven't really ever been a school spirit girl, but since coming to Michigan, I figured a Big Ten school, I need to embrace. So I have become entrenched in college football. And let me tell you, there is nothing that can replace being in a stadium with over 100,000 people, standing all game in the student section, screaming your lungs out to different chants and cheers and watching your team win. It's truly an experience and I'm drinking it in. School spirit is definitely fun. I need more block M shirts though. It exhausts me however so I still love sitting on my couch watching my NFL players.
7. Fall TV. There really are some amazing options this fall. Summer was good but Fall. Ah. Glee is the funniest thing, Cougartown is hilariously awkward, Grey's drama, Vamp Diaries can't beat those men, The Office, Community (Joel McHale!!!), House, I can go on. Sure there are some duds, but there are also some true winners that keep me laughing through the frustration of work.
8. Guitar Hero. That's right I'm a nerd. But I'm a music nerd so I actually really love guitar hero. I got a wii for Christmas and have been biding my time until I could get guitar hero, and now I have it. I have no illusions about my skill, the fact that my coolness does not go up when I play, or anything like that, but in my heart, I really just do whatever I want to have fun. And guitar hero is fun. Don't judge.
9. Fluff Books. I normally am reading two to three books at once. One maybe two serious, really get things out of them books. And then one fluff book. One book that I can read in a night or a couple days, and just entertains. A book that can envelop me into the world and I can escape into it. It's an excellent release, and there's a book for every place you could want to escape to. For a while it was vampire books, then I went to "mean girl" type books, and now I'm on werewolves. Nothing truly earthshaking, but grounding none the less. (Cry Wolf, Patricia Briggs if you're wondering)
10. Three Weeks from Yesterday. My sister is coming then! Honestly I have been looking forward to this since I left Arizona. Part of me is sad that she's coming here and I'm not going back to AZ or NM, but I just can't wait to show her around. This obsession is not just for that weekend though, it's for all family, the kind you just have, and the kind you create. Cherish them all. I love my fam (adopted and not) with all my heart!
And just a couple of things that I don't crave like a drug.
1. Putting Away Laundry. Don't get me wrong. I do laundry. I love to have clean things and do it fairly often. I don't even mind folding it. I just hate putting away. It's not even that much more of a time investment I just hate it.
2. Un-cute Days. Everyone has them but I would really like to punch them in the face and then enlist back-up to beat them up further.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Top 10 Ways to Have Not Fought With Your Friend for Five Years & the Path To Best Friend
Me and H have known each other since HS, yeah don’t even ask what we were like because we are not those people anymore. But in all that time we have never fought- not once or a little at all. So here is some reasons we seem to make it work even when we are on separate sides of the USA. I told another friend one time that me and H had never fought and she straight out did not believe me. She said we must have not had enough hard situations or some BullS like that. Well me an H have spent 13 hours straight in a car together, gone on 2 trips together, worked at the same job together for a week, and have talked about stuff other people get grouchy about.
Both of us also came up with this list, that's how well we work together.
1. Compromise: So you saw the new boy gadget on the side, some people trade baseball cards, me and Heidi trade boys. You will not believe the discussions we have about who gets who. But on the serious side when me and H go on trips in the AM or if we are really proactive the night before we would sit down and basically say what both of us wanted to do that day and work out the day. And then during the day if something would show up we would discuss if we wanted to do that. These were small talks over in 5 mins tops but we both had our say.
2. Chillness: I don’t know how many times I have said to Heidi well I wish it could just be chill like us. Pretty much we roll with the punches always have. If I have to cancel, make it later, pick up 12 things on the way to whatever H does not care and me the same for her.
3. Talk It Out: We talk multiple times a day it is really quite ridiculous about anything and everything. From One Tree Hill last night, to our siblings, to school, to faith, and on and on. All this talking makes us good at it. So I have no problem telling H I am ordering the pasta she is getting the salad and we are splitting.
4. Share All Obsessions: reading a good book, found some great makeup, found a boy you love or one you don’t, family happiness & strife, church stuff, everything we swap and share. We have days where I am the one complaining there are days H complains, but it is nice to have that outlet and then no one else hears about it. I keep a stack of stuff for H books, music, we send each other mix CDs pretty much anything we are digging at the moment we swap. Which is another reason there is always something to talk about.
5. Acknowledge You Are a Glass House: Here is what I say when I am about to be mean so I am a glass house on this but I don’t like that. It just lets the other person know that yeah you get it you are not perfect but you are also not ok with whatever.
6. Similar Interests/Mutual Respect: Cor and I have many of the same interests, but we also have a lot of different interests. And while we love to talk about all the interests we share, we also like to share the interests we don't have in common. We might not adopt each other's different interests but we try them out and give each other the benefit of the doubt. So I sometimes ramble on and on to Cor about my fantasy football team, and she sometimes let's me know I'm almost unsaveable because I don't love Coldplay.
7. Trust: As mentioned in numero tres Cor and I talk a lot. And we talk about everything. I know that whatever I tell Cor she will give me honest feedback and she will keep it between us. And she knows she can get the same thing out of me. I know that if I'm unsure about an outfit choice, she's got my back. And if she's having a problem with school she can totally vent to me. She's always there to listen to me and I'll always be there for her.
8. Teasing: You might think this is a funny thing to put on the list, but it's fairly essential. Cor is not afraid to tell me that I am a tad psychotic in my obsession with Zachary Quinto. In fact I think our conversation went like this:
Me - Zachary Quinto!
Cor - Crazy!
And it made me laugh out loud. If we couldn't tease each other and laugh at ourselves then we wouldn't have nearly as much fun with each other. And we might run the risk of taking ourselves too seriously. We all have the buttons that threaten to pull us under, but teasing helps you laugh through them. And I'll always be there to tell Cory she's going a little crazy.
9. Strengths: Everyone has their own strengths. It's one of the beautiful thing about people. The hard part is realizing what your strengths are and respecting them in others. Cory has so many strengths I can't even count them and I love that about her because her strengths help my weaknesses. And I'm hoping that I can do the same for her. When I'm having a weak day she's there to help me be strong and I'm there for her.
10. Betterment: Cor and I are working hard at having awesome lives. And we're doing pretty well at it. But the best thing is that we're always there to try and help each other out as much as we can. We're just here to help make the other's life a little bit easier and a little bit more fun. So here's hoping that a little bit of my perfectness rubs off on Cor!
This post is an ode to all good friends and how much they mean to us and how much they make our lives better. The times you laughed so hard you were crying (even about the stupid things, you know who you are White House Man). The rough times you were there for each other. And the day to day moments that help you know you're important and your friends really ARE the best ever!
Both of us also came up with this list, that's how well we work together.
1. Compromise: So you saw the new boy gadget on the side, some people trade baseball cards, me and Heidi trade boys. You will not believe the discussions we have about who gets who. But on the serious side when me and H go on trips in the AM or if we are really proactive the night before we would sit down and basically say what both of us wanted to do that day and work out the day. And then during the day if something would show up we would discuss if we wanted to do that. These were small talks over in 5 mins tops but we both had our say.
2. Chillness: I don’t know how many times I have said to Heidi well I wish it could just be chill like us. Pretty much we roll with the punches always have. If I have to cancel, make it later, pick up 12 things on the way to whatever H does not care and me the same for her.
3. Talk It Out: We talk multiple times a day it is really quite ridiculous about anything and everything. From One Tree Hill last night, to our siblings, to school, to faith, and on and on. All this talking makes us good at it. So I have no problem telling H I am ordering the pasta she is getting the salad and we are splitting.
4. Share All Obsessions: reading a good book, found some great makeup, found a boy you love or one you don’t, family happiness & strife, church stuff, everything we swap and share. We have days where I am the one complaining there are days H complains, but it is nice to have that outlet and then no one else hears about it. I keep a stack of stuff for H books, music, we send each other mix CDs pretty much anything we are digging at the moment we swap. Which is another reason there is always something to talk about.
5. Acknowledge You Are a Glass House: Here is what I say when I am about to be mean so I am a glass house on this but I don’t like that. It just lets the other person know that yeah you get it you are not perfect but you are also not ok with whatever.
6. Similar Interests/Mutual Respect: Cor and I have many of the same interests, but we also have a lot of different interests. And while we love to talk about all the interests we share, we also like to share the interests we don't have in common. We might not adopt each other's different interests but we try them out and give each other the benefit of the doubt. So I sometimes ramble on and on to Cor about my fantasy football team, and she sometimes let's me know I'm almost unsaveable because I don't love Coldplay.
7. Trust: As mentioned in numero tres Cor and I talk a lot. And we talk about everything. I know that whatever I tell Cor she will give me honest feedback and she will keep it between us. And she knows she can get the same thing out of me. I know that if I'm unsure about an outfit choice, she's got my back. And if she's having a problem with school she can totally vent to me. She's always there to listen to me and I'll always be there for her.
8. Teasing: You might think this is a funny thing to put on the list, but it's fairly essential. Cor is not afraid to tell me that I am a tad psychotic in my obsession with Zachary Quinto. In fact I think our conversation went like this:
Me - Zachary Quinto!
Cor - Crazy!
And it made me laugh out loud. If we couldn't tease each other and laugh at ourselves then we wouldn't have nearly as much fun with each other. And we might run the risk of taking ourselves too seriously. We all have the buttons that threaten to pull us under, but teasing helps you laugh through them. And I'll always be there to tell Cory she's going a little crazy.
9. Strengths: Everyone has their own strengths. It's one of the beautiful thing about people. The hard part is realizing what your strengths are and respecting them in others. Cory has so many strengths I can't even count them and I love that about her because her strengths help my weaknesses. And I'm hoping that I can do the same for her. When I'm having a weak day she's there to help me be strong and I'm there for her.
10. Betterment: Cor and I are working hard at having awesome lives. And we're doing pretty well at it. But the best thing is that we're always there to try and help each other out as much as we can. We're just here to help make the other's life a little bit easier and a little bit more fun. So here's hoping that a little bit of my perfectness rubs off on Cor!
This post is an ode to all good friends and how much they mean to us and how much they make our lives better. The times you laughed so hard you were crying (even about the stupid things, you know who you are White House Man). The rough times you were there for each other. And the day to day moments that help you know you're important and your friends really ARE the best ever!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Top 10 Current Obsessions 9/24/09
If these were people I would be a stalker
1. Mercy Tv Show: I was kind of half watching while cooking but I am intrigued and will DVR again. This show about nurses, where one is a returning vet from Iraq and having to deal with that plus fitting back into her old life is really good. It is also features 2 other nurses who were really great in their roles. NBC on Wends.
2. Fireflies by Owl City: I just like the picture this song paints in my head. Listen to it and you will see what I mean. Speaking of music have you ever downloaded music off of Amazon I keep finding stuff cheaper on there and they load it all into your iTunes for you.
3. Nine West Boots: Oh how I want you I mean really, if only you were actually cheaper. They also have a good version by Chinese Laundry on Zappos that are cheaper, but they don’t have my size! And still not the cheapest.
4. Girls on Pop Podcast: I find you funny and charming with your comments on pop culture! They also know how to talk about serious stuff too! With tact while saying what they really think.
5. Cougar Town: I completely forgot how funny Courtney Cox was I literally laughed out loud more than once and her supporting cast are all hilarious too. Her son, 2 best friends, neighbor – everyone had their highly funny moments. One line I remember: “Can we please stop sprinting now, I feel like my boobs are trying to kill me!” I sympathize and laugh.
6. Big Brothers Big Sisters: Yeah so I just got matched with my little if you have the time to do this- do it. Worth more than you ever know and you have fun too.
7. That Sweet Feeling after you Take a Test and Know it is Done!: And then five minutes later you start to think about the next test. But for that first five minutes in my car when I am giddy beyond belief life is really good.
8. Friday Night Bites Preview: Yeah lame title but these books are a lot of fun and pretty original. If you have not read Some Girls Bite do so but not in your work’s lunch area because you get weird looks and then cannot explain and it is just awkward.
9. Gwen Stafani: I can’t help it every time I see her I start to go the Sh** is bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S. Plus she is always very gracious ad smart in interviews, I like that too. So I was excited to see her on Glamour this month. Also saw her in concert this summer with No Doubt and I have to say I want to grow up to be Gwen Stefani.
10. Boomkat- If you have not heard their first CD it is amazing all the way through. I was watching Melrose Place which I don’t think is good and the only good part was being reminded of this band and pulling out this CD. Faves: The Wreckoning, Daydream, Crazylove, What U Do 2 Me.
And just so you don’t think I am all about the love here, here are 2 things I Do Not Like!
1. Melrose Place: It was weird again and gets one more week, not even that if something else was on.
2. Umm Drama: Really don't even save it for your mama she does not want it either.
1. Mercy Tv Show: I was kind of half watching while cooking but I am intrigued and will DVR again. This show about nurses, where one is a returning vet from Iraq and having to deal with that plus fitting back into her old life is really good. It is also features 2 other nurses who were really great in their roles. NBC on Wends.
2. Fireflies by Owl City: I just like the picture this song paints in my head. Listen to it and you will see what I mean. Speaking of music have you ever downloaded music off of Amazon I keep finding stuff cheaper on there and they load it all into your iTunes for you.
3. Nine West Boots: Oh how I want you I mean really, if only you were actually cheaper. They also have a good version by Chinese Laundry on Zappos that are cheaper, but they don’t have my size! And still not the cheapest.
4. Girls on Pop Podcast: I find you funny and charming with your comments on pop culture! They also know how to talk about serious stuff too! With tact while saying what they really think.
5. Cougar Town: I completely forgot how funny Courtney Cox was I literally laughed out loud more than once and her supporting cast are all hilarious too. Her son, 2 best friends, neighbor – everyone had their highly funny moments. One line I remember: “Can we please stop sprinting now, I feel like my boobs are trying to kill me!” I sympathize and laugh.
6. Big Brothers Big Sisters: Yeah so I just got matched with my little if you have the time to do this- do it. Worth more than you ever know and you have fun too.
7. That Sweet Feeling after you Take a Test and Know it is Done!: And then five minutes later you start to think about the next test. But for that first five minutes in my car when I am giddy beyond belief life is really good.
8. Friday Night Bites Preview: Yeah lame title but these books are a lot of fun and pretty original. If you have not read Some Girls Bite do so but not in your work’s lunch area because you get weird looks and then cannot explain and it is just awkward.
9. Gwen Stafani: I can’t help it every time I see her I start to go the Sh** is bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S. Plus she is always very gracious ad smart in interviews, I like that too. So I was excited to see her on Glamour this month. Also saw her in concert this summer with No Doubt and I have to say I want to grow up to be Gwen Stefani.
10. Boomkat- If you have not heard their first CD it is amazing all the way through. I was watching Melrose Place which I don’t think is good and the only good part was being reminded of this band and pulling out this CD. Faves: The Wreckoning, Daydream, Crazylove, What U Do 2 Me.
And just so you don’t think I am all about the love here, here are 2 things I Do Not Like!
1. Melrose Place: It was weird again and gets one more week, not even that if something else was on.
2. Umm Drama: Really don't even save it for your mama she does not want it either.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Top 10 Current Obsessions 9/18/09
If these were people I knew I would be a stalker...
1. G2 & The Rachel Zoe Project: This one is lame but G2 as in low cal Gatorade has become my nightcap. After all night in a lab where we aren’t really supposed to have water I usually down one of these and watch this show about a Hollywood stylist and her team. This is how I unwind because Taylor and Brad are pretty hilarious and the clothes are also quite fun. I’m pretty addicted.
And a factoid for you Gatorade is named after the FSU Gators where their trainers and I am sure a ton of other people invented it.
2. Jay-X tix: I got mine for the November 19th show in ABQ did you, H to the izza be to the izze- ladies is pimps too go on brush your shoulder off- I could keep going.
3.Staedleter Pens: I am a pretty fair amount of German I also own a German dog and these are German too! Plus the best pens out there. Fineliners are my fave this is my 2nd semester with them and the same set are still going strong. They are tiny, dark and if you leave the tops off they don’t dry out- which is nice when you are drawing things.
4. Shaka Rock By Jet: CD- Loving it at this moment in my car, windows down. I am no aficionado on older rock but to me it sounds like classic (not Barry Manilow classic, Stones, AC/DC classic) with some new edge. According to my sister Jet is totally overrated which is true but I do like this CD. I won’t say it should be top 10 of the year but I am digging it. Fave Track: She’s a Genius
5.ATV’ing: I am girly girl consider camping a bad motel, but am also not afraid of the muck as long as I am wearing the proper attire. And I love ATV-ing especially a couple of weekends ago we went to a new spot and had a new toy to try out and tons of junk food. Which when you are with people you like makes a pretty good Saturday. I also, according to him, tried to kill my sister’s roommate I maintain that I kept us from going over. Try it and get some mud on the tires, your sneakers, jeans, other people and jacket.
6. Entertainment Weekly Fall Preview Issue: Umm the best issue out there! Best pics, interviews, scoop etc. I had to hide it from myself at work so I would actually you know work. Info on 85 shows and really they tell you what you want to know!
7. New Recipes: I am dork I consider a fun night trying a new recipe, something about the action of cooking chills my weird self out. Insert your "I need to start drinking joke" here. Last week I mentioned Pioneer Women (obsession still going strong) well she has a whole cooking section. It is really useful and runs the gambit of recipes, so after reading about how to cook a steak which was really the best instruction I have seen. I came across this recipe well they are stupendous and easy and yummy.
8. Jeeves: As in P.G. Woderhouse, if you have never read a book about Jeeves please go out and do so before the summer is completely over. No where else will you get such a lovely story of a man and his butler with a completely British side of humor. Jeeves goes way back and that whole Ask Jeeves thing yeah that is him.
9. Paraffin Tub (I don’t know what others call them): Bought this on a semi-whim and fell in love I gush and gush. Ok so I file a lot and am basically mean to my hands and feet, especially my feet with all the flip flop wearing. Lately I have been to busy to get a pedicure or manicure then I bought this for $30, oh yeah not that much. Put it in my bathtub and came back an hour later to paraffin wax melted to perfection! And today my hands are feet are very smooth, too smooth I almost slipped on linoleum yesterday barefoot. Buh Bye professional pedicures and manicure I will visit occasionally but you have been replaced.
10.Lobo Football: Air Force Game this Saturday I will be there in my cherry & silver cheering on my Lobos. Hopefully they play well, first time I get to see what this new coach can do.
And just so you don't think I can't be negative:
2 Things I Don’t Like
1. One Tree Hill Premiere (OTH): Ok what was that I want my old OTH back. The only funny part was Mouth and Skills trying to out naked each other so the other would move out. And Haley & Nathan I am sorry your dreams keep you apart and that is so sad yada yada but hello they are your dreams and tons of couples make it work and decide to be happy - reference military couples who make it work.
2. The End of Summer TV: while this means the beginning of Fall TV (Woot Woot!)! It also means hasta luega to some shows that made this summer more fun and brought about this whole idea that TV could also be good in the summer. Yeah we are out more in the summer, but our DVRs are in.
1. G2 & The Rachel Zoe Project: This one is lame but G2 as in low cal Gatorade has become my nightcap. After all night in a lab where we aren’t really supposed to have water I usually down one of these and watch this show about a Hollywood stylist and her team. This is how I unwind because Taylor and Brad are pretty hilarious and the clothes are also quite fun. I’m pretty addicted.
And a factoid for you Gatorade is named after the FSU Gators where their trainers and I am sure a ton of other people invented it.
2. Jay-X tix: I got mine for the November 19th show in ABQ did you, H to the izza be to the izze- ladies is pimps too go on brush your shoulder off- I could keep going.
3.Staedleter Pens: I am a pretty fair amount of German I also own a German dog and these are German too! Plus the best pens out there. Fineliners are my fave this is my 2nd semester with them and the same set are still going strong. They are tiny, dark and if you leave the tops off they don’t dry out- which is nice when you are drawing things.
4. Shaka Rock By Jet: CD- Loving it at this moment in my car, windows down. I am no aficionado on older rock but to me it sounds like classic (not Barry Manilow classic, Stones, AC/DC classic) with some new edge. According to my sister Jet is totally overrated which is true but I do like this CD. I won’t say it should be top 10 of the year but I am digging it. Fave Track: She’s a Genius
5.ATV’ing: I am girly girl consider camping a bad motel, but am also not afraid of the muck as long as I am wearing the proper attire. And I love ATV-ing especially a couple of weekends ago we went to a new spot and had a new toy to try out and tons of junk food. Which when you are with people you like makes a pretty good Saturday. I also, according to him, tried to kill my sister’s roommate I maintain that I kept us from going over. Try it and get some mud on the tires, your sneakers, jeans, other people and jacket.
6. Entertainment Weekly Fall Preview Issue: Umm the best issue out there! Best pics, interviews, scoop etc. I had to hide it from myself at work so I would actually you know work. Info on 85 shows and really they tell you what you want to know!
7. New Recipes: I am dork I consider a fun night trying a new recipe, something about the action of cooking chills my weird self out. Insert your "I need to start drinking joke" here. Last week I mentioned Pioneer Women (obsession still going strong) well she has a whole cooking section. It is really useful and runs the gambit of recipes, so after reading about how to cook a steak which was really the best instruction I have seen. I came across this recipe well they are stupendous and easy and yummy.
8. Jeeves: As in P.G. Woderhouse, if you have never read a book about Jeeves please go out and do so before the summer is completely over. No where else will you get such a lovely story of a man and his butler with a completely British side of humor. Jeeves goes way back and that whole Ask Jeeves thing yeah that is him.
9. Paraffin Tub (I don’t know what others call them): Bought this on a semi-whim and fell in love I gush and gush. Ok so I file a lot and am basically mean to my hands and feet, especially my feet with all the flip flop wearing. Lately I have been to busy to get a pedicure or manicure then I bought this for $30, oh yeah not that much. Put it in my bathtub and came back an hour later to paraffin wax melted to perfection! And today my hands are feet are very smooth, too smooth I almost slipped on linoleum yesterday barefoot. Buh Bye professional pedicures and manicure I will visit occasionally but you have been replaced.
10.Lobo Football: Air Force Game this Saturday I will be there in my cherry & silver cheering on my Lobos. Hopefully they play well, first time I get to see what this new coach can do.
And just so you don't think I can't be negative:
2 Things I Don’t Like
1. One Tree Hill Premiere (OTH): Ok what was that I want my old OTH back. The only funny part was Mouth and Skills trying to out naked each other so the other would move out. And Haley & Nathan I am sorry your dreams keep you apart and that is so sad yada yada but hello they are your dreams and tons of couples make it work and decide to be happy - reference military couples who make it work.
2. The End of Summer TV: while this means the beginning of Fall TV (Woot Woot!)! It also means hasta luega to some shows that made this summer more fun and brought about this whole idea that TV could also be good in the summer. Yeah we are out more in the summer, but our DVRs are in.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Top Ten Study Habits/Exciting Things About School Starting
Back to school back to school. I had to make this one post because I'm operating on about 44% brain capacity right now, but we'll go with what we've got! And don't worry, I realize the irony of someone who has that little brain capacity to be giving study advice. We deal.
1) After this one these things aren't ranked, because I haven't put that much effort into it. But this is the absolute #1 most exciting thing about going to school. People watching: Everyone has some weird style that they're all rockin and lots of fun conversations to eavesdrop on and things to notice. For example, today I saw a kid who had playboy shoes. Playboy shoes. I didn't see the bunny, so I'm not sure that they were real playboy, but that got me thinking, who else would make shoes that said playboy? Haha I have to say though, see the playboy sneakers on this kid was the highlight of my day.
2) Tied for the number one (ya I lied, get over it) is buying new school supplies!! This is my absolute favorite thing to do and I do it every semester. I usually don't need anything, but the thrill of finding new colors of pens and new, clean notebooks is like a drug. Exaggeration? No. Plus every time I go I get awesome deals like notebooks for 20 cents each. Ya I got like ten. And each semester they seem to come out with more sharpies, which is my weakness. Needless to say I have an awesome collection of pens and markers.
3) Study tip: Use those fancy new pens you got to organize. I have a different colored pen for each one of my classes that I use to write down assignments and dates in my planner. That way I know which class I need to focus on for each day. Then I have a totally different color for tests. That way I know the big things that are coming up. It may sound like it takes a long time and really isn't worth it. But it totally is. It also helps you prioritize. If you have two things due on one day you can see which classes they're for and decide which is most important/hardest/etc. and act accordingly!
4) Study tip: If you have to memorize something I totally recommend making notecards. It's somewhat tedious but completely worth it. Here's the real tip though, when you're going through and memorizing things, make sure you change the order each time you go through them. That way you are actually memorizing the things on the cards, not just the order you have them in. Pneumonic devices also help so much. For example when I was memorizing amino acids, the structure of leucine looks like a stick figure so in my head it became Lucy Leucine.
5) Study tip: Take notes. Most teachers now teach almost directly off of power point, and then post them online, but that shouldn't make you think you can just listen in class. Note taking helps so many things stick better in your mind. I personally hate to print the power points off so I just take notes off of what I see and hear; that works for me. But even printing the power points off is good, just take notes on them. But make sure you actually take notes on them. Write down your own interpretation of things, that way it's in your own words and you'll remember it and when you go back and read it you'll understand.
6) Study tip: MUSIC. You hear all the time that listening to the Messiah while studying helps you retain more information and if you play it for your baby they'll be smarter. Well I don't know if that's true. BUT I do know that listening to classical music while you study really helps you concentrate better. It's still something background, but it has no words so you don't get caught trying to hear what the guy is talking about or if that was really what you just heard, it's just soothing. My personal favorite is piano music but truly I've listened to all kinds of classical and instrumental so it's all good.
7) Excitement: School presents all kinds of opportunities for fun! Like football games, fall tv shows, movies, lunches with friends, and all the other little things that you escape to, to get away from school work.
8) Study tip/Excitement: I know Cor already mentioned this but the reward system is truly awesome. I usually go the route of food. Like I finished my homework staying up super late, well after I turn it in I am totally treating myself to olive garden. But big goals are awesome as well, after you finish a hard class or a killer final, take yourself out. It doesn't have to be big, just set the goal and give yourself something to look forward to that really makes you happy. I used to have a friend that would have skittles for me and once I finished an assignment I could go find him and he would give me the skittles. Getting other people to help you also really helps, and gives you another way to decompress through friend-time!
9) Study tip: Have one class or one activity that you do every week that is completely for fun. In my undergrad this was history classes or psychology classes. I would try and take one each semester and it just allowed me to think of something other than engineering. Plus it gives you an opportunity to diversify yourself. Learning new things shouldn't be all work and no fun, it should also make you happy to discover things you didn't know before.
10) Take pride in what you do. If you do well, be happy that you did well! Live up to your potential and love that you're doing something well! Also don't ever be afraid to ask questions, professors love to demonstrate how smart they are and you asking them how to do something presents the perfect opportunity.
And now for a couple of things that are not cool about school
*) Boys not taking showers. You learned when you were a kid how to take care of yourself and you learned in puberty why it was important. No one likes that and no matter how cute you are, if you stink, you'll never have any friends.
*) People smoking around doors. I don't care if you smoke, but try not to involve everyone else in your extracurriculars.
1) After this one these things aren't ranked, because I haven't put that much effort into it. But this is the absolute #1 most exciting thing about going to school. People watching: Everyone has some weird style that they're all rockin and lots of fun conversations to eavesdrop on and things to notice. For example, today I saw a kid who had playboy shoes. Playboy shoes. I didn't see the bunny, so I'm not sure that they were real playboy, but that got me thinking, who else would make shoes that said playboy? Haha I have to say though, see the playboy sneakers on this kid was the highlight of my day.
2) Tied for the number one (ya I lied, get over it) is buying new school supplies!! This is my absolute favorite thing to do and I do it every semester. I usually don't need anything, but the thrill of finding new colors of pens and new, clean notebooks is like a drug. Exaggeration? No. Plus every time I go I get awesome deals like notebooks for 20 cents each. Ya I got like ten. And each semester they seem to come out with more sharpies, which is my weakness. Needless to say I have an awesome collection of pens and markers.
3) Study tip: Use those fancy new pens you got to organize. I have a different colored pen for each one of my classes that I use to write down assignments and dates in my planner. That way I know which class I need to focus on for each day. Then I have a totally different color for tests. That way I know the big things that are coming up. It may sound like it takes a long time and really isn't worth it. But it totally is. It also helps you prioritize. If you have two things due on one day you can see which classes they're for and decide which is most important/hardest/etc. and act accordingly!
4) Study tip: If you have to memorize something I totally recommend making notecards. It's somewhat tedious but completely worth it. Here's the real tip though, when you're going through and memorizing things, make sure you change the order each time you go through them. That way you are actually memorizing the things on the cards, not just the order you have them in. Pneumonic devices also help so much. For example when I was memorizing amino acids, the structure of leucine looks like a stick figure so in my head it became Lucy Leucine.
5) Study tip: Take notes. Most teachers now teach almost directly off of power point, and then post them online, but that shouldn't make you think you can just listen in class. Note taking helps so many things stick better in your mind. I personally hate to print the power points off so I just take notes off of what I see and hear; that works for me. But even printing the power points off is good, just take notes on them. But make sure you actually take notes on them. Write down your own interpretation of things, that way it's in your own words and you'll remember it and when you go back and read it you'll understand.
6) Study tip: MUSIC. You hear all the time that listening to the Messiah while studying helps you retain more information and if you play it for your baby they'll be smarter. Well I don't know if that's true. BUT I do know that listening to classical music while you study really helps you concentrate better. It's still something background, but it has no words so you don't get caught trying to hear what the guy is talking about or if that was really what you just heard, it's just soothing. My personal favorite is piano music but truly I've listened to all kinds of classical and instrumental so it's all good.
7) Excitement: School presents all kinds of opportunities for fun! Like football games, fall tv shows, movies, lunches with friends, and all the other little things that you escape to, to get away from school work.
8) Study tip/Excitement: I know Cor already mentioned this but the reward system is truly awesome. I usually go the route of food. Like I finished my homework staying up super late, well after I turn it in I am totally treating myself to olive garden. But big goals are awesome as well, after you finish a hard class or a killer final, take yourself out. It doesn't have to be big, just set the goal and give yourself something to look forward to that really makes you happy. I used to have a friend that would have skittles for me and once I finished an assignment I could go find him and he would give me the skittles. Getting other people to help you also really helps, and gives you another way to decompress through friend-time!
9) Study tip: Have one class or one activity that you do every week that is completely for fun. In my undergrad this was history classes or psychology classes. I would try and take one each semester and it just allowed me to think of something other than engineering. Plus it gives you an opportunity to diversify yourself. Learning new things shouldn't be all work and no fun, it should also make you happy to discover things you didn't know before.
10) Take pride in what you do. If you do well, be happy that you did well! Live up to your potential and love that you're doing something well! Also don't ever be afraid to ask questions, professors love to demonstrate how smart they are and you asking them how to do something presents the perfect opportunity.
And now for a couple of things that are not cool about school
*) Boys not taking showers. You learned when you were a kid how to take care of yourself and you learned in puberty why it was important. No one likes that and no matter how cute you are, if you stink, you'll never have any friends.
*) People smoking around doors. I don't care if you smoke, but try not to involve everyone else in your extracurriculars.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Top 10 Things You Need To Survive School
Escuela how I hate You!
1. Map- sounds lame but the year you don’t have it is the year you don’t find that Astronomy class until it is over. Don’t worry about looking like a freshman worry about your classes.
2. Cash- obviously with tuition getting higher and higher every single year. But you need some change and crisp ones for those vending machines. You never know when you will just need that pop or candy bar and don’t have time to run to the Sub.
3. Pens, Pens, Pens- I am a connoisseur of pens I tend to like the felt tip ones with a fine point in a rainbow of colors. They make me happy to take notes and I can use them for other stuff later too. Find your pen the one that makes taking notes not that bad for you. The one that fills all your needs school wise at least.
4. Your Spot in the Library- Towards the end of my first degree (you think one would be enough) all of my friends knew where to find me in Zimm library. I was downstairs in the basement in the back corner with my headphones in and a book in front of me. Here is what I considered when finding my spot could I eat there and no one would know/hear me? Was there 400 people around? Was there enough light? Comfy? Where was a bathroom and water?
5. College Newspaper- Here it is The Daily Lobo but if you have one you know about sales in the bookstore, the newest concerts, and what is going on at campus. Be active go to stuff this is my only regret from college that I didn’t go to enough stuff.
6. Planner- whatever way you work it. I have an actual planner with daily inserts and everything. I had friends with a small journal, piece of paper, planner on their computer, and school approved planner. There is too much to keep track of you will need something.
7. Student ID- At UNM you get into most games for free with your ID. Can ride the bus for free, get the student price at the movie, get other student discounts, use the gym at UNM, and more. Your ID is the only thing UNM gives you that will actually help you save money.
8. HW- always have it with you even if you are at Tues/Thurs classes and it is your M/W/F classes. You never know when you will have time to get that stuff done, or when a class will be cancelled and you will be stuck.
9. Snacks- you always need to have something on you. For me it was always carrots, granola bars, a water jug and cheese-its they got me through the days when I was hungry in the middle of classes, had 10 mins to eat or not time at all.
10. Reward System- On test days I get Starbucks, at the end of the year if I do really well I get a bag. I set up trips, go to dinner with friends, order stuff online whatever helps me get through those Finals and Midterms and just run of the mill exams. If you don’t reward yourself who will?
And Here are 2 Things You Don’t Need To Survive School
1. All the Textbooks on the Syllabus- Go to class before you buy all of those because chances are you will find you only really need one. Unless the professor wrote it most don’t mind older additions or are cool enough to put one on loan at the library.
2. Slackers in Your Group- Everyone has at least one chance with this, welcome to college, and really the rest of your life you will deal with slackers of all kinds. So pick up some tips now.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Top 10 Current Obsessions 9/8/09
Top 10 Current Obsessions: If these were people I would be a stalker
1. Jay-Z & Linkin Park CD: I know late arrival on this but it is insane, in headphones is the best. I love it while at the gym keeps me pumped when I want to jump off the elliptical. Also great in the car, windows down makes me think I am cool when I am not and that I can look cool while bobbing my head. Basically this was a live concert where Jay- Z and Linking Park laid mixed certain tracks together taking the best from both. My fave is Izzo/In the End
2. The Pioneer Women Blog: Alright so Time Magazine has already mentioned this one which makes it a duh. This woman has many talents, the recipes are amazing and easy to use, her photography is gorgeous and she gives tutorials, her hubbie sounds lovely just read the Black Heels story of how they met and you will be stuck, her kids are adorable and she gives a new face to homeschooling. Find it here http://thepioneerwoman.com/
3. Elvis & Annabelle the Movie: I caught this on Lifetime (yeah I watch Lifetime) one afternoon and am overly obsessed. It is this cute little movie starring Blake Lively and Max Minghella. The music fits perfectly, the acting is also good and everything else fits together wonderfully. It has a dark beginning but a big hear. The love story of a mortician and a beauty queen in TX,they fall in love and save one another. Some dark humor so if you do not like that skip. Sorry to mention something you cannot get on DVD. But that is how much I love it, it also been sitting on DVR for a month. Taking up precious real estate but I will never let it go.
4. Rotten Tomatoes Show Podcast: OK so semi snarky a little dirty at times, but hilarious and not to be missed. And did I mention free all this funniness for free on iTunes! They review movies, write movie haikus and compose hilarious lists such as the five worst Eddie Murphy movies. Which If you have seen any Eddie Murphy movies lately would be hard to do. And you can submit reviews via webcam and become a part of the show.
5. Cake Fetish: Ok let me explain first. This is a cupcake shop in Albuquerque (well chain really) and they make different flavors each day. My personal faves are Grasshopper a choco cupcake and mint icing on top. Or anything with banana such as Love Monkey a choco ship cupcake with banana buttercream. They can make birthday cakes of any flavor you want and anyone can find a flavor they would want in this place. A great place for book clubs or just friends to meet.
6. Bruschetta: How do you spell this? Alright last week I was having a loser day, you know a day you feel like a loser. And I went to the grocery store and made this and it made me feel better. And then I started to think about Julie in Julia & Julie about how she started her blog/project of working her way through the entire Mastering the Art of French Cooking By Julia Child because she needed purpose. That is what I love about cooking you have a purpose and you fulfill it. I encourage to try recipes you see in movies and to see this movie about one girl and her blog and another visionary chef becoming just that. Bruschetta it is a staple in my apartment now, I put it on pasta, salad, or just use a side item. But here is the recipe:
6 medium size tomatoes (last time I used Romas but whatever looks good)
1 Yellow, Red or Orange pepper (not Green they breath into everything)
¼ cup minced Garlic Olive Oil (whatever kind you normally use)
Bunch of Basil
Salt & Pepper
A nice crusty Baguette
Fresh Parmesan (optional)
1. Chop it all up. On the tomatoes I tend to push the seeds/juicy part out with my thumb before chopping so I have a chunkier consistency. On the pepper no seeds. On the basil I usually don’t hand chop and put into some kind of electric chopper.
2. Mix all these veggies together and add in the olive oil, salt and pepper, and garlic to taste.
3. Take the bread and cut into ¾ inch slices.
4. Take a frying pan add a layer of olive oil to the bottom, let it heat.
5. Put the bread middle part down in the pan, once browned flip to the other side and add oil as needed.
6. Put your oven on Broil.
7. Place the bread on a cookie sheet, spoon brushetta on top, and sprinkle parmesan on top of that.
8. Put in oven, take out once cheese has melted. Note: you can stop at 5 and just eat that way too. Last night I made brats, noodles and tossed it with the bruscetta and parmesan it was really good and fresh (at least to me). You can put on pizza dough too.
7. Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti & Spearhead & Cherinne Anderson- Song: This makes me move my hips like I want one to pop out of place. It makes me imagine myslef in a tropical local dancing away the night with the boy of my dreams (at least for that time and place) in some hole in the wall that just happens to have great music. And we are both great dancers and dressers. A tropical sounding song with a reggaton edge featuring a girl and guy lead part. Basically the man is telling the girl he loves her and that she is the best thing that happened to him.
8. Being Human -TV Show Just Finished on BBC America: So warning this is not a mild show there is lots of stuff that is not work appropriate, not an HBO show bad but it is from Britain. It is this show about a vampire, werewolf, and ghost trying to be normal (or human) while all living together in a house in England. And that is the skim of the surface, usually I don’t like shows where everything stands for something else. I want an island to be an island not a lost childhood. But this show does it so well, and shows all these sides of the human race that make them ask themselves if they are really the monsters. Oh and it has its funny moments too.
9. Libraries: I love books, and last summer I discovered at my local library I can reserve anything from the library online and get an email when they are ready to pickup. It is so easy I cannot justify spending money on books anymore, and saving money anywhere is great right now. I also like the idea that someone else has read the book I am holding and what you can discover by walking down the aisles. So when you find a book you want to check out, check your library. It is green, cheap and a great way to get all the books you want.
10. Good Music on Your Fave Shows: I love when the music in a scene is perfect and fits and adds rather than detracts from a scene. And I love when I play that music I remember the scene, who I saw the movie with or something about that day. Which is also why I am an addicted to iTunes because I can get the song I want and only that song. So here is my PS hey look into music from your shows find those songs and live those moments again. Not only will add to your music library but you could come across your favorite band. I mentioned Being Human well BBC America has all the music listed from the shows including what scene they were in on their website- how handy is this! And for an American what other way can you hear some of these British Bands that have yet to jump the pond?
And just so you don’t think I am only a ball of positivity, here are 2 things I Do Not Like!
1. More To Love- TV Show: Couldn’t they have just done The Bachelor with a big dude? And wait a second why are the weights and heights not listed on that show!
2. Impossibly Hot High School Students: I did not look that good and no one really did! See 90210 (both versions), Vampire Diaries, One Tree Hill (first 4 seasons), pretty much anything on the CW or the Original WB ( I miss you WB!). Say it with me 27 year old models are not high school students!
Hopefully I will post a new list each week. Oh and if you like this check out our other site:
http://hack-ycritics.blogspot.com/
Coryness - By Heidi
The hard thing about describing people is deciding where to begin. I have been thinking for the past two days how to describe my best friend* and I just can't think where to start. Not because I have nothing to say, I always have something to say, there's just so much. So I'll start with a bio. Beautiful Cory just gradumacated with a degree in sociology from UNM and she's now getting ready to do nursing school and eventually become an RA. Just from that you have to know she's super compassionate. She has an adorable dauschund Lucy who I love to hear about because her personality makes me laugh every time. Cor is the 'C' in HACKs and as such an expert in all things entertainment related. Cor is all about her family and watching out for them and if I were a guy, I would totally date her because having her mother as an in-law is pretty much my dream, and she's flippin hilarious and has excellent taste in all things clothes, shoes, purse, and accessory related. If we lived together and our house was on fire, I would grab all her necklaces and not give them back after the firemen came.
*I love Cory to death and am so happy every day she's my best friend. Love her like a sister, and yes, this is a threat. ; ). JK
Top Ten Statements of Cor's Awesomness (AKA Why She's my Best Friend)
1. She volunteers... I can't even add on to that it would just make me feel more inadequate.
2. Trips with her are awesome. Picture endless sunflower seeds, awesome playlists, gossip mags, and enough laughter to even last through getting speeding tickets. Then reliving it all over again when we think about it later. "Glo! Glo! Which way do I go?"
3. Cor always backs me up, but even while she's backing me up she can tell me I'm going a little crazy and to rein it in. Perfectly balanced.
4. We can exchange 80 emails a day chronically endless laughter over something we read, saw, or heard.
5. People watching and commenting. It never gets old.
6. Places like Target, Chipotle, In-n-Out, Coach and H&M are not options, they're givens. And she's always there to remind me of that.
7. Cor is so protective of her fam, you can always feel the love she has.
8. Fantastic taste in purses. Really, you should ask her.
9. She works really hard at everything she does and you can totally tell.
10. And last and really most important is that we don't fight, we compromise, especially on the important things. That's why she gets Ryan Gossling, and I get Ryan Reynolds.
*I love Cory to death and am so happy every day she's my best friend. Love her like a sister, and yes, this is a threat. ; ). JK
What is a Heidi? by Cory
Heidi is a genius in training up at Michigan, where she does smart things like research. She is the H in Hack-y Critics at http://hack-ycritics.blogspot.com/. H is a best friend* to Cory! And what can you say about a best friend other than that they are the best! H has great taste in shoes & bags, I covet many of them in a way they outline not to covet another man’s wife in the bible. H is a diehard football fan who is a special kind of hybrid of Sun Devil and Wolverine. H also loves anything to do with Cam Gigandet and her family (not necessarily at the same time). If I was a dude I would totally date H because she is well rounded, funny and can talk about pretty much anything and I think she would be a super girlfriend. Whether H is explaining why you cannot shoot out a tire, or we are discussing our fave pop culture finds H has something witty and fun to say.
1. The girl knows how to road trip.
2. H will call you out on your BS but not in a bad way, I know since she has and we have yet to have a fight.
3. H is smart and can explain things to you, like why that car scene in Wanted, while awesome, is not believable- who really thought it was though?
4. H will share in your obsessions and not make you feel bad about it, even if your obsession is blogs about Pioneer Women, Celebs, Teen Sleuths, Chicagoland or an Australian Soap Opera.
5. H loves her family so much and does a ton for them.
6. H has good taste in most things such as books, movies, shoes, bags, friends and music.
7. H will eat crappy Chinese food with you in more than one state. Don't worry she will eat good food too.
8. H will also watch bad dance movies with you, yes we watched Step Up 2 and loved every minute of it!
9. H is crazy like a fox in the good way not the pull a knife on you way.
10. H will make you laugh until you literally think you are going to die, especially if it has anything to do with The White House, a man with a box, and your grandfather.
*Note when I say Best Friend I mean it, me and H have been through a lot and I love that girl like a sister and so does my family. And I am sorry this all of a sudden sounds like a threat.
And here is a Top 10 on Heidi and Why She is The Best Friend Out There:
1. The girl knows how to road trip.
2. H will call you out on your BS but not in a bad way, I know since she has and we have yet to have a fight.
3. H is smart and can explain things to you, like why that car scene in Wanted, while awesome, is not believable- who really thought it was though?
4. H will share in your obsessions and not make you feel bad about it, even if your obsession is blogs about Pioneer Women, Celebs, Teen Sleuths, Chicagoland or an Australian Soap Opera.
5. H loves her family so much and does a ton for them.
6. H has good taste in most things such as books, movies, shoes, bags, friends and music.
7. H will eat crappy Chinese food with you in more than one state. Don't worry she will eat good food too.
8. H will also watch bad dance movies with you, yes we watched Step Up 2 and loved every minute of it!
9. H is crazy like a fox in the good way not the pull a knife on you way.
10. H will make you laugh until you literally think you are going to die, especially if it has anything to do with The White House, a man with a box, and your grandfather.
*Note when I say Best Friend I mean it, me and H have been through a lot and I love that girl like a sister and so does my family. And I am sorry this all of a sudden sounds like a threat.
Who are we and what are we doing here?
We are Cory & Heidi to best friends living on separate sides of America who wanted to do something with all that stuff rattling around in their heads. So Heidi being the go getter she is started a site so us 2 plus a few more could write about all that stuff we loved in TV, Music, Books and Movies. And then Cory had too much to say and wanted it all in lists because well she likes lists. So she and Heidi made this sister site where all that extra stuff in list format could go.
Here is where we will post our Top 10 Obsessions (hopefully weekly based on inspiration) and every other random list we think should be shared. This is what we like, love and enjoy and hopefully you will find something you do too or just something to laugh at. But if you don’t and have suggestions you can write us at hacktotop10@gmail.com. And I promise we will read them (hopefully sooner rather than later) unless they are abusive and then no.
We never said we were qualified we just said we liked it. Besides most of this was written during class or work.
Here is where we will post our Top 10 Obsessions (hopefully weekly based on inspiration) and every other random list we think should be shared. This is what we like, love and enjoy and hopefully you will find something you do too or just something to laugh at. But if you don’t and have suggestions you can write us at hacktotop10@gmail.com. And I promise we will read them (hopefully sooner rather than later) unless they are abusive and then no.
We never said we were qualified we just said we liked it. Besides most of this was written during class or work.
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