The Year in Review - April

April showers bring May flowers. I know this because April was super super rainy. Actually I have the rain to thank for the fact that we found out my dad was sick. If Emily's van had not have stalled on the way back from Sam and Seth's wedding in Nashville, we may never have found out about his illness.
http://rctalks.blogspot.com/2009/04/im-back.html

Easter weekend I tried out for Big Brother all to be told I was "too nice" after my third interview. Bogus. I am not too nice. Too bad that's hard to prove when you're trying to get people to like you! http://rctalks.blogspot.com/2009/04/big-brother.html

The Year in Review - March

So March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb? Or is that May? Anyway...from what I can remember March was also pretty good. It started out with Kim and my annual trip to Florida to visit her rents who vacation there every year. This year we traveled with Abigail who was going down to visit her dad at the Sun-N-Fun Park (yes you read that correctly.)

Then shortly after that I drove with my mom to Nashville for Sam's wedding shower.

Also in between those two things there was a work dinner. Now i've gone to many work dinners before, but this one was significant. Someday, maybe someday I will tell you why.

Also there was the photo shoot for Holly's website where we got to pretend we were famous for a day and have our hair and makeup done. It was glamorous, fabulous and fun!

Year in Review - February

Despite the plain yuckiness of February, the snow, the slush the cold...this was a a great month for me. I decided that it was in fact time for a new car since my gas guzzling suv was not doing me any favors. After having looked and test driven Audi's the previous summer, I finally found mine! Actually it more or less found me. I got a really good deal on my Audi and became it's proud owner on Valentines Day. Since i'm not a fan of "Hallmark holidays" the irony of giving myself a really great gift on this day was pretty fun! Who needs chocolates that last a day when you can drive in luxury everyday?

Mexico Recap

Holy mole!! Can't believe I didn't do a recap of this trip yet. Actually I can. I've been on the go since I got home very late last Monday night. Tis the season, right?
So here's Mexico in one word or phrase:
Airport, 5 AM. Chicago, 7 AM. Meeting up with the girls. Chatting. Plan to PV. Are we there yet? Hot and humid! Red light/green light. Holy panhandlers. Cab Ride. Fiesta Americana. Upgrading to the 9th floor. Walking to Soriana. Unpacking. Showers. Going to the Malecon. Dinner? Sleep! Vallarta Adventures! Whale watching. Snorkeling! Ahhh opposite currents:( Lunch buffet. Cocktails. Feliz Cumpleanos. Tequila! Nap time! Malecon...dinner...walking...sleeping. Breakfast. Pool time! Walk on the beach. Photo ops. Ay Caramba. Hilo. Zoo. New friends from Houston. Rough night:( Massages. Old Towne. OXXO. Pool. Nap. Showers. Barcelona tapas - best in PV. Malecon. Packing. Sleep. Pool. Cab to airport. More gross food. Plane. Chicago. International to domestic terminal. Plane. Home.

Year in Review - January

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I would recap my year via this blog and try and reflect on mostly the good things that happened. Overall, this was a good year for me. I've done alot for myself and I can honestly say i've started to put myself first.
So January...cold, snowy and usually when the winter blues set in! Late in December Emily and the kids moved back from Iceland, so December was a bit of a transition month in my homestead. Emily started grad school and aunt Renschke was watching kids a couple of days a week.
One of my resolutions had been to cut out a relationship that was going nowhere and I sort of failed at that the very first weeks of the year...oops! Live and learn, right?
That's pretty much all I can remember from January so I think that means I didn't have much to complain about ha ha!!

Vacation

I am going to Puerto Vallarta in the morning. It's my first trip to Mexico and my first vacation all year! Yes i've done long weekends away, but a real vacation has not really worked out until now.
It's been a long and stressful last few months and i'm actually excited about not having access to my email, facebook, twitter...you get the idea. Now i'm not sure I won't twitch because I don't have access to these things, but I think it will be really really really good for me.
Hopefully I don't spend all my time cut off from technology thinking deep thoughts!
Ahhh when will I learn to relax?? Wish me luck! Ole!

My Grown Up Christmas List

Ta daa...yes there are only five things my heart desires this Christmas! They're in order too!

1. Yoga pants. Not for yoga, for lounging

2. Earphones that hook around my ears and won't fall off during my intense workouts!

3. iPod dock to play my awesome selection of music around the apartment.

4. Winter hat with earflaps. I have ear problems, I like cute accessories.

5. Sideways cross necklace. Again with the cute accessories. This one has a purpose too!

Bad Dreams

So I have to blog about this because it was just so strange. I didn't even eat anything weird and the last thing I watched before bed was Glee and that certainly isn't scary.
So I dreamt about four things last night and I remember them all so clearly:
1. I was part of a really large family only the parents chose to acknowledge some of the kids. They would number off and say the kids names out loud. I was number 32. Oddly enough my real life little bro was number 31 and he did not get acknowledged either. Then the parents took all the #'s 1-30 shopping for new bathing suits.
2. There was an alligator loose in my bedroom. It was in my old room 2 houses ago in Worthington, and this was all discovered while I was laying in my bed. My dad moved the bed while I laid in it - paralyzed with fright. It wasn't behind the bed and they deduced that it must have climbed into the mattress! So I continue to lay there and whimper and woke myself up with the sound of my whimpering (this part is not in the dream, I was really scared!)
This dream was right before 3 AM, because then I couldn't fall back asleep...
3. I was dating Tony Romo. Walking through the streets pretending to be non chalant about my hot shot boyfriend. I would go and visit Tony in Dallas on his "off days." One time we were at brunch and he was telling everyone how much of a better person he was because of me:) Sweet.
4. This one is a little vague but my close group of friends were all walking through the Nationwide parking garage trying to get to a party. The garage was some sort of maze and there was alot of shouting. But, Alicia was pregnant which is accurate, but Jen H was there (and we haven't hung out with her in quite awhile.)

So anyone want to take a stab and analyze these for me??

13 Years

My favorite story about my grandma goes like this: when we first moved to Columbus we actually lived in a hotel (not quite like Eloise at The Plaza.) Well it was the summertime so mostly we went to the park and then watched tv when it got to hot to go out. I had seen many commercials for Little Debbie snack cakes and I was convinced that "all Americans ate Ho-Ho's." Everytime one of these commercials came on I would make a grand production of pointing it out. Well even as a kid once got an idea in my mind, I couldn't get it out! I had made up my mind that we were going to take a little walk across 161 to the closest convenience store to get some (for those of you who don't live in Columbus, picture the busiest road across the middle of town and that's 161.) My grandma would literally do anything for us and after days of plotting my scheme I convinced her to take us over there. To this day honestly i'm not sure if my mamma just had crazy faith in her guardian angels, didn't really realize the risk involved or was trying to teach me a lesson in courage?
I will tell this story to my grandkids someday and recall it the same way I did at her funeral all those years ago. And I hope they will look at me with the same admiration that I always looked at her with:)

Goodness!

Well by all intents and purposes this is a manic Monday! No seriously I finished all my work tasks by about 9 AM, and have seriously been playing in the land of email chains and party planning since then.
Now don't get me wrong I heart party planning, but when too many cooks get in the kitchen, the dishes don't get done. Know what i'm sayin? K enough about that.
I've blogged alot in the last couple of days, but mostly because i've had the ideas come to me and i've been able to get to a computer uninterrupted, so yay for sharing my thoughts with the world (I mean two people who read my blog.)
I feel like there is so much going on and yet nothing at the same time, so I thought i'd share some highlights from the weekend. I didn't want to ruin my Thanksgiving blog by saying anything negative, so i'll do it today:)
1. After offering to bring anything from a pie, to a side dish, to pop - all of my offers were declined by the powers that be. So I brought the pumpkin pie that I got after finishing the Turkey Trot earlier that morning. Not my style, but whatever. I was then told by said powers that my contribution was "heartfelt and thought out." Hilarious.
2. Yes at some point my mom did make a comment about me being "uptight." I believe the exact phrase went like this "despite all your traveling, education, job...you're still so uptight. In other words that stick is still lodged where it has been most of your life." This is equally as hilarious as #1. I'm still wondering what i'm so uptight about?
3. Black Friday shopping sucked! What exactly were people buying? I saw nothing that I had to have...strange the lines were intense regardless.
4. I was a little bored. What did I used to do with four days off of work? Why does it seem like the more people I meet, the fewer I have to hang out with?
5. Finally a good one - got to catch up with Kari last night. Love love how someone you don't talk to everyday has such a fresh and unbiased opinion of things going on in your life. This is why Kari and I have been friends since the first time we met 8 years ago!

Cuz You Gotta Have Faith...

"If You say go, we will go If You say wait, we will wait

If You say step out on the water And they say it can't be done

We'll fix our eyes on You and we will come

Your ways are higher than our ways And the plans that You have laid Are good and true

If You call us to the fire You will not withdraw Your hand

We'll gaze into the flames and look for You"

This morning after a phone call from my really good friend Abigail, I was extremely challenged to really seek what God's purpose for me is. Almost immediately the song above popped into my head. It's one of my favorites and I believe speaks volumes without many words.

Abigail and Tim are adopting and their first appointment going to court is this Tuesday, December 1st. They have been fasting and praying most of the weekend, when in fact the exact opposite is true for the rest of us living in the US.

I recalled to AP the first time she really told me about Winnie. It was some time in the Summer and I remember making plans with her that Saturday to do some shopping and get mani pedi's. She didn't mention the fact that she was fasting and asking God's direction for this little girl she had seen on an adoption website. Abigail and Tim were really seeking God to determine whether or not they should adopt a 4 year old versus waiting on the infant they had desired for so long. She was committed to truly seeking God's answer and not just the answer she wanted.

This challenged me this morning especially because I have truly put "all my eggs in one basket." I applied for a new position at NW and this is really the only one that has come my way in such a long time. I have been ready for a new challenge and career path for awhile now, and even though this is not something I would have jumped at the chance for a few years ago, I feel like it's a really good opportunity for me to use and demonstrate my skills.

The thing is though, this is really my ONE CHANCE to get out of my current job for the foreseeable future. Not good. I'm completely stranded if this doesn't work out.

Also my current "dating-ish/not going to put a label on it" relationship is one that is constantly needing my attention. And i'm so conflicted about it for many reasons, I truly truly need some guidance. All that to say that I am fixing my eyes on the only Person who knows the outcome of these two situations. I have never been very religious, but i've learned from experience that faith can move mountains.

My prayer for today is that not only that I can have that faith (like what AP and Tim have demonstrated) but to listen and hear the answers that are waiting for me.

Home for the Weekend

Thanksgiving is over! Where should I start documenting the moments? Basically I sort of feel like I was back in college and home for the weekend! Why do you ask? Well let's start by the fact that no matter what I volunteered to bring, I was told "it was already being made." I should also say that even though my brother and Emily have been married over 10 years, this is the first holiday we have ever gotten together with them. So here I am back in college driving to moms house ALONE with nothing to bring. This may only be comical to me? Anyways the day started off really well. I ran/walked the Turkey Trot with Kim and then we waited for one of my "good friends" to finish running the 5 mile. After that went up to house where the "whole family" minus me was already cooking, setting the table and watching football of course! Luckily I had the presence of mind to bring a roadie:) And since I've been sick officially for 2 weeks now I was not that fun. Honestly though, who can be fun when their ear hurts so much it makes your jaw hurt and so even eating is a chore?? As lazy as I can be I have never taken two naps in one day! Friday my alarm went off at 6 AM, but ignored it and didn't make it out to Best Buy until 12! Oh well-I don't think I missed much. In the afternoon I drove around some friends of my brothers who don't have a car (long story here.) It was nice to do something for other people, and i'm happy to have had the chance to show them some of our insane shopping traditions!
Fast forward to Saturday and more shopping. Also went to see The Blind Side with mom and dad. Seriously if you haven't seen this movie, run don't walk. Okay now it's Saturday night and since i'm such a wild child, i'm at home blogging! One more day of the weekend-cross your fingers it ends well:)

Turkey Trot medal~ whoo hoo!
Kim has her game face on!

Aidan was chief "don't mess with me"

Alone

I'm not good at being alone. I don't pretend to be. I prefer to always have someone around me, even if I don't want to talk to that person, I want there to be a warm body somewhere nearby.
I think it's because i've always grown up with a strong sense of community and the credo that "we can't do anything alone, everything is done better with a companion." This can apply to all relationships - work, romantic, friendship and family.
So here's the thing: i'm learning to be alone. I'm learning that it's okay to spend a Saturday night alone. That Friday, Saturday, Sunday - they're just like any other night. There's so much pressure to be constantly doing activities and not doing them alone, i've been conditioned to think that if i'm not around someone else that must mean no one wants to be around me. I'm going to bash this lie with everything I have in me. There are tons (okay maybe not tons) but a few people that would love to spend time with me. You just can't always be around those people!
And it's good to be alone. To replenish your inner energy. To discover and think and find the things that you're good at, so that when you're with those people you have something to bring to the table that will make them feel good too.
Now i'm not saying i'm not going to complain about being alone, but I really am going to try and be better at it.

One Week

I'm tempted to start singing "Season of Love" from RENT. How do you measure???
So it's been a week since my visit to the ER. Here's the whole story and it's a little gross in parts...
A month ago, almost exactly to day October 20th I made an appointment to see my doctor. My ear did not feel like and there was some weird crust that had started to take up residence in it as well. Well the substitute doc assured me I was okay since "I didn't even have a fever etc" and sent me on my way. Yes I am a mild hypochondriac, but I was SURE something was wrong with me.
Fast forward to last Friday. I had seriously been going to bed by 9 the entire week because I just didn't feel good. And on Friday weird crusty ear returned! It became increasingly more difficult to hear and I figured I was just getting a cold. Saturday morning I was hanging out with my friend Simi and my ear was literally throbbing with odd stabbing pains. I was pretty sluggish all day and decided to go over to my moms to have her check out the ear. All the while I was in moderate pain. My mom was unable to make heads or tails of the situation because my ear was pretty swollen and also it was very PAINFUL and unable to stand even the slightest touch.
I slept about 2 hours on Saturday night and Sunday was left with no choice but to hit up the ER.
Of course it's lame in there not to mention gross even at a nice suburban hospital and I was pretty low on the totem pole until I almost passed out in the room they put me in.
The doctor confirmed I had an inner AND outer ear infection as well as a perforated eardrum. Nice...not really. Antibiotics, painkillers and cold medicine became the order of the day.
However - the pain did not go away - until Tuesday. Well this is when my eardrum actually burst. Yes burst and that's why the pain stopped. So fast forward to Sunday where I feel okay since sleeping no less than 12 hours a night for the last week. Oh and cleaning the gross aftermath of the burst is also very fun! So if you're wondering why i've been m.i.a. the last few days, no you know...feel bad for me yet???

Cloudy With A Chance Of Sun

I am not particularly feeling sunny today. Now I can almost always complain with the best of them, but it's not for real. Today I am feeling like all I want to do is nag about the unfairness of my life. Oh and other peoples stupidity. Yes stupidity and selfishness are really really the underlying issues today.
I do not understand selfishness AT ALL. I am not always sweet, but a giver-of-myself I am...always. I will show you evidence to support that statement if you don't believe. I'm just not sure why there are a couple of people in my life that always always have to put themselves first? I mean seriously get your head out of your a** because you reap what you sow. And when you so obnoxious behavior...be scurred. Just sayin.
Also since I am on a roll-why must there always be someone who can't just "do" something? You wanted to "do" it right? Whatever that is: take on a new challenge, do something nice for someone else etc etc. Then WHY? WHY must you make such a big deal out of it? I do not want to here all the caveats and ugh moments you are having. No one forced your hand. Don't make me feel bad that you are unable to manage. I've managed much more difficult situations. Just sayin.
So there. Now I feel better. Now I can save the people I talk to all day everyday the very painful process of hearing me groan. Love you guys - thanks for listening!!

Never enough time

This is one of those weeks I wish I would've taken a few days off of work to "just to stuff." I'm always afraid if I take a couple of days and having "nothing" to do then I will just end up running errands or cleaning. Blah. But seriously i've got some things that would be really nice to accomplish if work wasn't getting in the way. Here they are:
1. Making delicious Halloween treats - I haven't really been very crafty lately, but I REALLY REALLY wanna make some goodies to bring to work tomorrow.
2. Perfecting a pot of chili - also for work fun tomorrow
3. Getting a mani/pedi - we all know this is a MUST on my list AND it's my b-day weekend! How can I turn 3-0 with bad nails???
4. Finding a party dress - YES I decided I would be in a dress for the official b-day celebration next week!
5. Cleaning my car - ahh I am a clean freak and the rugs in my car are killing me after having the girls last weekend
6. Hanging pictures that have been sitting in our apt hallway since August-geesh

See??? Why am I at work??? WHY??

zzzzz's

This blog is aptly named after sleep. Why do you ask? Well I am a bad sleeper. I have not been able to sleep more than 7 hours in the last 5 years at least. I must always take something to fall asleep and even then it doesn't keep me sleeping.
Which leads me to my phone. It doesn't help when I never turn it off and it dings, beeps or rings all night. Now granted i've cut off alot of the middle-of-the-night callers, but my twitter updates and emails can't be cut off. Also i've come to find out that alot of people do not communicate with me in ways they should because "they know they can always get ahold of me." Lame. I always answer my phone. Always. So certain people have discovered they don't have to respond in timely ways because I will be available when they do. Not no more! I've started the habit of turning off my phone. Not at night...I will only silence it, because i'd hate to miss someone in distress. But at least twice a day now I will turn it off. Sometimes for ten minutes sometimes for an hour. Not to be mean, but the phone is a convenience, I am not. That's my point. So ladies and gents-if you need something after 11 PM or before 7 AM, you're going to have to plan accordingly:)

The Last 6 Days...

SO MUCH GOING ON!! See my next post for deets on the next 30 days of my life!
Volleyball tournament on Tuesday. Losing to the only team that beat us although I truly believe we could've beat them were it not for the mind games. Wednesday getting much needed "roots" fixed up and truly loving and finding new hair girl. Thank you Olivia who also happens to live a couple of blocks away from me. Coming home to pre Kings of Leon party and my first love standing in my apartment. Weird. Supposedly many peoples first love. I don't really care about that. Ha. Bodega then the Schott for the Kings who rocked. And apparently have songs that I have never heard before. At the Rossi after-the-show and staying up WAY too late. Thursday. Someone hustling down the stairs when I wake up for work. Vomit. Vomit. Pick up Kari at the airport and go say hi to mom. Mediocre lunch and two hours at F21. ROWE boutique fashion show. Chatting up Terri Stevens from Project Runway like we're old friends. Models walking a catwalk around a pool. Is this really my life? Kristin is still one of the most kind people I have ever known. Falling in love with foldover boots:) Kari gets to try a Rossi burger and I meet spot some Blue Jackets. This could be a really fun season. Get two Charley Horses. Two for realz. Friday is pancakes and strolling through Short North/Arena District/Downtown. Happy Hour at Hyde Park and Elderflower Martini's. Oh and the Blue Jackets again. Vino 100. Bar 23 with Josh and Joe from High School. Did I already say vomit? Street Meet. Cannot call it Meat. Also disgusting. Waking up very late on Saturday and missing yoga at Lulu. Egg Sandwiches for breakfast made by yours truly. Driving through campus because it's too rainy to tailgate. Going to my mom's to see the kiddos. Back to F21 and back to the airport. Tim Hortons for soup. I still can't walk v good:( Crew game with mom and dad, doesn't rain at all! Yippee. Take a Saturday night off and sleep in on Sunday. Church then grocery store. Returning M.A.C. that I don't need, but really want. Endless activity of putting stuff away. Over to Molly's to watch Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters. Cookies. Ugh Monday and back at my desk. Wishing I could say what I need to say. 6 days. Wow!

Update On My Dad

My dad finally has a diagnosis. Poor guy has only been suffering since April and seen about 10 doctors, so i'm glad they could finally figure it out. Yes there was sarcasm in my voice, but seriously when someone has a condition that's epi-center is the brain it should take six months for a diagnosis!
So here's the skinny: he will most likely need surgery, he may eventually lose his sight, but the good news is it's not fatal. He will be in pain alot, but it's treatable and if all plans go accordingly-it will not kill him.
Please continue to pray for his recovery!
http://www.ihrfoundation.org/

Counting Down

As a annoying as it is to others, my brain literally swirls around with dates (events, Birthdays, vacations, doctor appointments) and literally works in two weekend increments.
In otherwise within a two week time span from today, which I consider the weekend, I can to-a-fault tell you what's going on everyday and everynight. Now this isn't any big deal, but I can also tell this to you for most of the people I know who have let me in on their calendar. See what's that's annoying? I always know what's going on. In a way I pride myself on it.
So anywhoozers here are some things i'm counting down to in the next few weeks:
Tuesday 9/22 - Volleyball Tournament! I have really enjoyed volleyball this summer and in my opinion have possibly improved???
Wednesday 9/23 - Kings of Leon concert! Super annoying lately to try and get people on board with doing activities. Super.
Oh well, my bro and his girlfriend want to go, so i'll be the third wheel and hopefully the plans will stick!?!
Thursday 9/24 - Kari is commiiinnggg!!! My best friend from college and one of my closest friends in general!! Cannot wait to spend time with her and just get caught up! Also ROWE Fashion Show that night...new friends, cocktails etc. Oh an excuse to wear something real cute!
Friday 9/25 - Kari love fest continued and hopefully a chance for her to meet the boy! Cross yo fingers and yo toes:)
Saturday 9/26 - Illinois in town to play the Buckeyes AND wait for it...the hottest man alive - David Beckham. Becks better keep his fine ass healthy and show me what he's got (on the pitch of course!)
Oh and lets not forget...it's right around 45 days until I turn dirty 30...ugh!!!

I cannot make this stuff up!

This could be the title of many of my blogs. As we well know my like is a reality tv show in the making-i'm just waiting for Mark Burnett to offer to produce it.

So last week at volleyball (which I should say has probably been one of the best things i've agreed to do this summer) Kevin, a fellow team member, stepped on my foot. Now granted, this was an accident, but he is not small. And I did think maybe my foot was broken, which would've been okay by me and I would have definitely milked some days off of work for it. But instead it was just badly bruised and very very painful. Very.

So fast forward to Friday when I decide that I deserve a pedicure.

I go to my favorite place on Polaris and skillfully avoid getting the "man." So my really nice lady Cinda and I are getting along just fine...she is fairly quiet and i'm chilling with the chair massager. Well we were so rudely interrupted by someone needing a wax. As luck would have it, Cinda is the only "waxer" on duty.

Enter "the man." Now I had specifically avoided him due to the fact that once before he pretended to give me pedicure and I believe it was more like man handling my foot.

Painful. Very painful.

So I tell "the man" as I had told Cinda, that I hurt my foot and to please be careful. He says to me "I have to rub out the pain." Say what? Hell no. He then proceeds to get some Asian oil (not being racist, it really was Asian oil) and vigorously rub my bruise. Let me tell you-there were tears streaming down my face and yet "the man" did not stop with the rubbing. So he proceeds to tell me that "tomorrow it will just be a small dot and this oil has magical healing powers."

Not so. It was a huge red dot the next day and now three days later is back to a bruise. Sometimes I pat myself on the back for being the kind of person that takes pictures of everything...below are the photo documentations of the shiz that went down...


Pardon my snaggle toe on the end

OMFG

See big red blob, not small dot!

Hospitality Management

When I was younger we almost always had a relative come from overseas to visit ever summer. So obviously these people did not want to take a 17 hour flight just to stay for a week. Most of them stayed for at least two. I'm not sure, because i've blocked it out of my mind.
I hated it. HATED IT! It was the worst.
These "people" infringing upon my summer and my "plans" and asking me questions in accents that I loathed. Ugh I was such a brat. I'm embarrassed at the me that used to act like that. My mom and I would constantly butt heads about this.
I would complain and complain about having to get up early and make sure everyone had what they needed even if that included full-plate "American breakfasts." You know what I mean right? Eggs, bacon, sausage...the "Why America Is Fat" breakfast!
So why do you ask am I thinking about this now? Well because I love entertaining! It's so ironic right? The things we used to hate instead of becoming good at, we choose to do now? I love having people over. Cleaning up the house and getting everything ready...We've had people over almost every night that we've lived in our new apartment. Seriously it's awesome. Some stay for ten minutes some stay all night.
Doesn't matter to me-i'm honing my hostessing skills. On which I have to toot my own horn here and say that i've done it a few times this summer (hostessing) that is and i'm not too shabby.
Well I guess that's up to the people who have been my guests, so you'll have to ask them!

Dog Jog

Kim, Justine, Becca and I have been volunteering with the CHA since the end of spring. We're mostly slated to work "events." We heart events in case you didn't realize it...hmmk?

This works out very well since we're all very busy living life to the fullest!

This Saturday was their annual Dog Jog which is a 5k with proceeds benefitting the shelter. Here are some pics of us hard at work - serisously we were up at 7 on a Saturday!

Anything for the doggies:)

I really wish I would have known the t-shirts were going to be blue, otherwise I wouldn't have work some awesome coordinating blue shorts. Blah:)

Make a donation! DO IT!!

Today

I often times think how much simpler life could be? What it would be like if we didn't have to dress to impress or make plans to see our closest friends weeks in advance? I'm sure these thoughts have all crossed your minds too. Here are a few things that simplify my life although they are certainly not very simple:
1. iPhone - we know the story behind my phone and how I comteplated ways to get back my Blackberry Pearl for weeks. No dice now. I heart the iPhone in a ways that I will never be able to use another device ever.
2. Laptop - being able to work and check my facebook, blogs and not to mention make travel plans...nuff said.
3. Caffeine - straight coffee, non-fat lattes, non-fat green tea lattes, non-fat chai's and tea of any variety...thank you liquid energy. Thank You.
4. Shoes - not just any shoes. Great shoes. These can make your day. Whether it's the perfect running shoe, a great heel that happens to be comfortable, a really sick pair of sneakers of the sandals you can throw on with anyone. Instant gratification!
5. Dresses - I can't talk about the shoes without mentioning the dress. I heart the dress! It does wonders for your legs and your spirits. A dress that fits well can change your life. I believe this wholeheartedly:)
6. DVR - is there any other way to watch tv? Besides watching live sports the DVR is a very very necessary piece of equipment!
7. Fashion magazines - I can't keep up with mine! How would I know what's in style if I didn't have these? I'm not going to be inspired at work with all the men and old ladies I work with LOL
8. Vacations - the beach, the city, Vegas, bright lights, beaches, mountains...fresh food, cocktails, no bedtime, no alarm clock! I want I want!!
9. Jewelry - the sentimental kind. The kind that means something and everytime you wear it you feel special. And you remember the person who gave it to you or the exact moment that you bought it and why...that type of jewelry.
10. Physical fitness - i've turned my back on it for awhile, but seriously nothing makes you feel better than putting your body to work!

Patience

Patience is a virtue. We all know that...well we all try and know that, right? My friend Kristin tells me over and over that i'm the most patient person she's ever met. Ya right!

No for real she's always talking about how I wait it out, make educated decisions, don't rush into things etc etc. Then I wait and wait and wait. And i'm sure there are things i'm still waiting on! So lately i've been feeling like she's on to something. I've been waiting 3 or so years to get my career started in Marketing. This week I started my first grad school class for my MBA in Marketing. You have no idear how invigorated I was!

Literally I saw flashes of myself five years ago (think pantsuit with t-shirt underneath so as not to be too stuffy) these are the kind of things I think about when plotting my future-my outfit. No really, let's get back to the point.

Everything happens for a reason-we don't need to go into how many ways i've experienced this. And I think if I started grad school a few years ago when I wanted to, I would probably not have been this motivated to better myself and lets be honest I would have half assed it.

Oh I was jacked like a rabbit yesterday!

I'm so excited! I might even start reading for next Tuesday's class tomorrow! Crazy talk:)

I can see it now "I started my career at Nationwide before transitioning to be one of the leading Marketing consultants in the area." LOVES IT!!

Blogging

I have not blogged in over a month! WHATTTT?? That is totally crazykins. Anyway I will blame my lack of blogging and rightfully so on the fact that there is something that I can't blog about but that I think about everyday. And I have a big mouth, so that equals me not blogging because I can't trust myself not to tell my "secret."
Okay...there is so much else going on...
1. My dad - Hopefully tomorrow is the day they find out about the tumor (hopefully lack there of) for sure. Not only is this such an incredible stress right now, but the way my family deals with any kind of issue makes me even more stressed! Their lack of urgency in finding out the outcome of all his CT Scans, MRI's etc is so ridiculous words cannot express! I will stop being selfish and remember that he is the most important person in this situation and not my lack of being "in charge."
2. My mother - as if the above referenced situation wasn't wacky enough, my mom may officially gone off the deep end. I am kidding and not kidding. Her questions to me have gotten more and more out of control and my lack of patience for her is zero. Zero tolerance.
3. My new apartment - why can't I get and stay happy about this? I'm REALLY really really looking forward to it, but I feel excited about the change only about 50% of the time! What is wrong with me? Someone please. Advice. Thanks!
4. Ex's - I don't have any ex's that are around. Maybe because I don't have that many ex's to begin with? LOL! Anyway...can someone please explain to me or shed some light on what an appropriate relationship with your ex should be, because I know very few people who have one.
5. Career - I have stated many times that I have a job and not a career. WELL since May i've really been hot on the trail of movin on up and I have some meet and greets coming up! Please say a prayer for me because I must must must get the career going! MUST!

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

As per usual I stole an idea from Simi, but she only had six things, so i'm sort of elaborating...oh and these are in no particular order!
1. I've really come to realize how much I love a good conversation.
2. Getting hugs from the kiddos when I walk through the door.
3. Hearing a song I like on the radio.
4. Painting my nails with Kristin.
5. Being able to appreciate each moment, without the anticipation of the next one.
6. A really great cuddle buddy. Really great.
7. Laughing until my eyes tear up!
8. Sweet texts from my friends.
9. Appreciating my parents for who they are and not who I want them to be.
10. The Weekend!!

Hello June

I seriously cannot believe it's June! What the heck happened to May? Not that I mind because the weather was a total suckfest in May. Everyday was a worse hair day than the one before it. But as stated in my previous blog some pretty good things have been happening to me...well except one. I did not get the Communications position that I was trying for. It was a super fast process, or lack there of...but looks like i'm stuck being Scoot's assistant for now. It's not so bad, just not a step in the way of my actual career. But as most people who work at NW would concur "we're happy just to a have a job." So I guess I will continue with this leaf turning which has turned out to be quite successful, and do an even better job at this than before.

What I've Been Up Too

I've taken an unintentional break from blogging AND facebook! I know, i'm as shocked as you are...but i've been busy. Really busy. You know how it is when people say they're busy, but they're actually not - it's just an excuse to not see you? Well my friends in the blogoshpere, that is not what's going on here. I give you the top five things that have been occupying my time since last week:

5. Work

- It has been off the chain ridiculous. So much going on which makes it even more chaotic than usual. In addition to the organizational changes and my team leaving me for someone else (they're probably thrilled about this) i've had a new job opportunity come into the mix which i'm really excited about, but it's still up in the air.

4. Not living in a SUV by this lake thingy on the way to Jeffersonville

- this is sort of an inside joke, but it was my backup plan if I were in fact to get fired...I mean "let go." Scott let me know today that I would in fact be going with him to our new organization! I think my crying worked? Wait...did you really think I cried? Come on...I just begged a little:)

3. Moving

- I was prepped to move. Excuse me; i've been ready to move. So my bags all three or four or ten are packed. All I needed to do was move my bed, dresser, clothes and a few other miscellaneous things and it would have been a long chapter closed for me. Well Kim has had some really great movement with people looking at her house, so for right now that is off the table. I'm super excited for her, she needs/wants her house to sell something bad. We knew Murphy's Law would step in here the second I was ready. So for now, we'll put the Rosslyn Ave move on ice and start checking out apartments downtown!

2. Chicago

- I made it to the Windy this weekend. It had been awhile and looongg overdue, so I packed my snakeskin overnight bag and headed out on the road! It was super fun of course. Catching up with the usuals and then also Leah and Rachael from Judson (long overdue reunion.) I felt like a little bit of a party pooper because I didn't want to go "out" but seriously that part of my life is mostly over and I enjoy conversation where I can actually hear people now. So I did alot of face time, and I hoped everyone loved it as much as I did. The only thing I would change is having people meet me in a central location and not driving around so much. It's really time consuming and adds to the tiredness that traveling already causes.

1. Miami

- This is my first mention about this subject here, and I can't say that it won't be the last...I want to preserve the goodness and more importantly I need to do everything in my power to not jinx it. But let me just say that it's like I have no one else to talk to or spend time with. I could seriously talk to Miami for hours on end. Someone asked me yesterday what it is I don't like about M, and I had nothing. NOT ONE THING!! Oh no I said I wasn't going to jinx it, so i'm stopping. But I will say that you truly don't know how bad some relationships are until you have a good one. I think I have a good one **squeal**

Wizzark

Okay so usually whenever I talk about work (at least when i'm venting my frustrations) it's not good...blah blah blah. This week, work has been fantastic! No really I am NOT kidding! I've been having some issues with not being challenged and feeling displaced etc and when this happens I totally become numb to things.
So yes admittedly I have been slacking at work for the past few weeks...okay months. I can't help it. I can do my present job with little effort. I know that is sad, and that's why I don't like it. I've been a really hard worker my whole life. Literally I have always been working. I pride myself on doing a good job and making things easier for those around me. I don't do that here. I exert lackluster effort peppered with sarcasm. I'm always telling people, and I quote: "I need to take this more seriously."
So let me rewind to last week. When I decided to turn over a new leaf so to speak. I was really motivated when I worked around people in my group last Thursday instead of sitting by myself in my (cold) cube. Mentally I decided that I would just kick this job in the ass whether or not I liked it and the results have been phenomenal. Almost immediately I was more motivated and felt better about the situation.
Friday I was busy all day....and I had a sense of accomplishment. Even the weekend was really great. Monday I came in with the most energy i've had in weeks here. It was a great day, I was able to help people and most of all I was my super outgoing self, not the surly quiet self that appears at work.
So here comes Tuesday...I am once again filled with energy. A really good work friend who is always looking out for me says via instant messaging that there's a req open in Communications and I would be perfect for it. We all know communicating is my thang! So I look for it, but can't find it...i'm super bummed. Same friend says "call me now!" So I call. Turns out this friend has told my boss (who is also a friend of sorts) about this job and he agrees on the perfection and calls the hiring manager. The hiring manager then calls me and says we'll talk tomorrow (today.)
So we have our weekly team meeting and find out more about the org changes that will affect us...more on that later...then I am to meet with potential new boss.
Meanwhile awesome work friend is giving me a really great pep talk and my current boss comes out of his meeting to do the same. Amazing...these two really care, and i'm getting slightly emotional. I meet with hiring manager and having slight doubts (prior to my pep talks) that I could win him over...I make him LAUGH!! Yes I did it! It's all very early stages, but literally I know all the players and what they want me to do is right up my ally. So I just finished the "official" resume sending and PLEASE everyone - keep your fingers CROSSED!! I'll keep you posted!!

Monday

For the first time in the longest time I can remember:

I do not have a case of the Mondays!

I am seriously in such a good mood, it is shocking.

I'm pretty sure it's because I turned over some new "leaves" at work and some great new relationships that are starting and some bad ones that are ending.

This post will probably be rambly because I feel rambly. All I want to do is talk and spread my cheer to all around me. I had a really great weekend and spent some quality time talking to the "right" people. I have alot of people in my life that just take and take.

It's nice to have a listening ear from time to time and not just people who want to talk about the woes in their own life.

So I was sitting here thinking about this great day and how I feel optimistic about things in the first time in forever and I get this email from Kim:

Subject: This is why we are starting the week off right
A. we ran for a cause on sat
B. we didn’t drink this weekend
C. we went out with new people
D. we saw old friends and caught up with people we don’t always see
E. went to church
F. listened to motivational speaking
Funny how getting out and doing good things makes one feel good!

For real...this true! I've made it to 12:32 and no one has ruined my mood! I'm not going to dare anyone to try, but I really hope I can make this optimism LAST!

Mothers Day

I was having serious issues with this Mothers Day post. All I wanted to do was tell you about the day and delicious meal that I made, but my computer (or this site) kept doing funny things and not saving it. So here it is...better late than never.

After much deliberating, I decided to make momma lunch versus taking the family out to lunch.

Now granted that would have been easier, but cooking is more personal. Don't you think?

So here I am putting my skills to work in the kitchen. It was a great day and super sunny outside so we ate on the patio!

(trying to be Giada and cutting this cabbage, which was harder than you can imagine!)

(happy momma who will probably kill me for putting this picture on the internet)



(dog baby can never be lef t out and wondered what all the goodness was about)

(the finished product of deliciousness. healthy and tasty! I can supply recipes if needed)

True Story

I was at the mall the other day when I saw this and I HAD to take a couple of pictures of this car! This woman (I know it was a lady because I saw her:) is clearly obsessed with ladybugs.

(notice the I love ladybugs sticker. really? we were wondering...)I wonder how much this paint job cost?

Look at the eyelashes...so fancy!

Aidan's Preschool Spring Concert

Not a sweeter child has ever lived than my nephew Aidan (hopefully my own kid will be sweet too.) I am not being partial. Aidan is the nicest most kind hearted child/person to ever live.

He will some day grow up to save babies or animals or the world.

Here he is at his spring concert on Tuesday night showing off his artwork.

Here a few things I have to say about this concert: I will start off with the fact that it was only 25 minutes long and I almost missed it. Had to shower after the gym and blah blah blah. I guess 25 minutes is all that you can keep 3-5 year olds occupied? They were super cute (none cuter than Aidy though.) Singing and twirling their little hearts out!

Howevah; the parents of preschoolers are not cute. At the first peep 95% of them were on their feet videotaping. I'm wondering if they seriously watch these things? Also when the director of the program said they were going to dismiss the kids to their assigned waiting area and the parents were to wait until they were back to get them, what did they all do? You got it. Run over there and cause chaos. No wonder all these kids have selective hearing.

*Side note*I can say these things because I am not a parent...only an aunt and caregiver he he!!

Afterward he was so excited about his performance! He wanted to say hi to all the kids and introduce us to all his friends. I love it. Also Aidan loves to get dressed up...look how handsome he looks in his striped shirt and sweater vest!

What's a Pink Cupcake?

Well besides the name of my blog-it's me! A couple of years ago I started playing fantasy baseball with some dudes I work with. Most people who know me, know that I heart baseball. It's my FAVORITE sport.

I love going to games, playing it, watching it on tv...any and all of the above.

So when they asked me after stating for several months: "we don't let women play because they don't really get it" I eagerly agreed. Well their teams have names like the "bar brawlers" and "sluggers." I had to set myself apart as the only female.

That prompted me to come up with "Pink Cupcake!" I love it!

And since then i've of course then i've taken it further and described it as:

"why have chocolate or vanilla, if you can have pink?"

Nuff said.

Discoveries

It's Saturday. Duh. I don't usually blog on the weekend because I am SO (not) busy. Actually the real reason is because I stare at a computer all day everyday and I like to decompress and do "other" activities like watch tv.


But here I am blogging on a Saturday to my mind off of the fact like my legs are itching like someone is paying them to!! TMI? Sorry. I'm 100% convinced of the fact that i'm allergic to shaving cream. I've had mild incidents like this before, but this is enough to make me want to set the can on fire!
So hasta luego Skintimate!!


So I thought i'd share with you some of my discoveries for this week. In no particular order...


1. "The Flat Belly Diet" 4 day bloat detox is the best thing i've done for myself in months. Most people know of my struggle to lose the last 10 pounds for the last year. Nothing has worked. I mean nothing. Working out multiple times a week, eating low-cal or low carb stuff. Nothing. So this week I try this detox. Literally 4 pounds in four days. Magic. Well not quite magic. I had to eat 3 meals and 2 snacks.

**Fast forward almost 48 hours** The leg itching didn't stop for awhile and almost ruined my Saturday!!

Okay, back to the detox. It works! 4 pounds in 4 days! I didn't do it over the weekend, but i'm back today and on the portion control. Super excited to see how many more I can drop before Chicago, i'm hoping for 10, but i'll take 10 total!

2. Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake - once a week I get together with my girlfriends for dinner. We usually just have a smorgasbord of all of our leftovers and end up with a pretty good meal. Abigail had leftovers of this cheesecake she had made for a party and it was one of the best things I have ever tasted! Now, I did not go off the detox...I had one (maybe three small bites) I'm a dessert freak, so this one is definitely going into my repertoire. Go here for the recipe: http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1910,149177-228207,00.html


3. Slatkin candles. I love scented candles, but I don't like ones that (are) supposed to smell like cakes, apple pies, babies etc. Slatkin makes the best scented candles. They are not overwhelming, do not give me a headache and they now have a more affordable line at Bath&Body Works. You should know that buy affordable I mean like $1.50 for a votive. I'm pretty sure it's pretty annoying when people say "oh it's so affordable" then it's a frickin $20.
Go get you a candle!

To Buy or not the buy?

To buy or not to buy? This is the question i've been pondering at least 18 months. That's right...do the math, that means I've been thinking about it since way back in 2007.

????????????

I just can't decide! When I moved back to Columbus from Chicago, I had literally told myself that I would go back to the ci-tay in a year. Well that was a rough year for me. I didn't/couldn't find a "real" job for almost 6 or 7 months. So I spent my days working at a makeup counter and waitressing (good ole fallback:)
So then another year went by and I finally had some greenbacks, but still not a ton of work experience. Moving to Chicago with little or no "real" work experience is silly and would've put me back to square one.
So FINALLY at the end of '07 I thought I would start looking for a place to call my own. Literally I looked at my 12-14 condos over the course of a few months. It made my head spin.

And the downtown in Columbus is not the downtown in Chicago,

and that truly is my main roadblock.

Well the time has come that I MUST make a decision about this. MUST.

If I rent, it's a matter of finding something reasonable that is nice and newer and is in a desirable area.
If I buy, i've got to get a home loan, find something nice and newer, in a desirable area, that will hold it's value, is close but not too close to my family, is close-ish to work.

See the variables?

One clearly has more demands er-requirements.

I think I made up my mind. I think renting for 6 months and figuring out the relocation during that time and if i'm not going anywhere i'll buy.

Yep, that is the decision. I'm sticking with that plan. For now anyway:)

Today

I am convinced today is not going to suck. Why you ask? Well, because I won't let it. The last few days have been hellish for me. And the thing is I usually don't let every bad situation get to me. I try and "rise above it" and just trust that everything happens for a reason. Lately that has been a struggle and I find myself giving in to negativity. We all know the cycle. Anger, negativity, hopelessness, more anger...it goes on and on. I've been giving in to that cycle more and more since January and now basically i'm sick of being sick and tired and angry.
I've really got alot of good things going for me and even better things ahead. So even if I can't see them right now, it's not a good time to give up and bury my head (even though I really want to.)
So i'm already having a good day just realizing all of this. Wow i'm wise! HA HA!

I'm back...

I took a couple of unintentional days off of blogging. This weekend I was back in Nashville for Samantha and Seth's wedding. Sam and her family are very close friends of our family. Our moms were both friends in South Africa, and then coincidentally both moved with their families to the US. The wedding was beautiful and accessorized in my favorite color PINK!

Here are some pics from the wedding day. There are many more on facebook!

Happy Anniversary To Me!

Today is my 3-year anniversary here at Nationwide.

No need to celebrate...it's administrative professionals week.

Maybe I will get something? Maybe not?

All but 4 or so people here get on my last nerve, so I guess i'm better off with nothing...ha ha! Just kidding-of course I want stuff!

So anyways, 3 years and counting. Will I be here 3 more? Your guess is as good as mine!

Big Brother Update...

So the people at BB think i'm "too nice." That's what the producer who called me said. Our conversation went like this:
P: We really like you, but we're not convinced you're tough enough.
RC: Oh i'm plenty tough, that's hard to deduce in a 10 minute conversation
P: Well you're really pretty and usually the pretty girls are less nice
RC: So i'm not making it because i'm pretty and nice?
P: There are just alot of pretty nice girls around you can understand.
RC: I guess....thanks

So the moral of the story? Always be mean! Unless you're me of course!

Writers Block

I've writers block all day, right up until now-when I want to go to sleep. This is mainly because
1. I am super tired
2. I've got a freight train of thoughts speeding through my mind.
Let me explain #1. I tossed and turned all night due to a wonky ass dream I had. I will spare you the details because otherwise you may not look at me the same.
Let me explain #2. So many things going on I could not fall asleep! This happens from time to time, but I could not fall asleep!
So here I am with all the things i've been wanting to say on BOTH my blogs. Looks like there's no sleepytime for me anytime soon:(
But look for new blogs on both sites. Other site if you're brave http://thetwizone.blogspot.com/

Stuff White People Like

I just copied this from an email I got. I had to...me+Ed Hardy shirts=no like!

Stuff White People Like
#124 Hating People Who Wear Ed Hardy
Posted: 13 Apr 2009 04:29 PM PDT
Often it can be easier to find common ground with a white person by talking to them about something you both hate. Discussing things you both like might lead to an argument over who likes it more or who liked it first. Clearly, the safest route is mutual hatred. When choosing to talk about something that white people hate, it’s best to choose something that will allow white people to make clever comments or at the very least feel better about themselves. Currently, the easiest way to do that is to ask a white person for their thoughts on people who wear Ed Hardy.

Ed Hardy is a clothing company that makes a wide range of expensive t-shirts, hoodies, and jeans. These clothes are notable for their use of elements from classic tattoo design such as skulls, hearts, and dragons. On the surface, the use of the words “classic” “tattoo” and “t-shirt” would seem like a logical fit for white people, but it is not. White people hate these clothes unilaterally and it is advised that you merely accept that at face value. If you were to ask a white person to explain why a regular size dragon logo is ok but one that goes around the neck is not, you would be trapped in a long and fruitless conversation.
To put this in proper perspective, Ed Hardy is so hated by white people that it cannot be worn ironically. This is no small feat. As it stands, the only other entries in this category are Nazi Uniforms, Ku Klux Klan Robes, and self-tanner.
Since you cannot in good conscience have an Ed Hardy themed party, the best way to make use of this white hatred is to give your stories a little more appeal to white people.
For example, if you take the reasonable but not compelling story: “I got cut off in traffic this morning and when I honked the guy gave me the finger,” and replace it with: “I got cut off in traffic this morning by this guy in an Ed Hardy shirt. I honked and then he gave me the finger!” The story will become sixty percent more interesting to white people because it allows them to make a witty response like: “I guess that douche bag had to get to a UFC party or a nightclub event he was promoting.”
Follow this up with a laugh, a high five, and a compliment about the acceptable shirt the white person is wearing and you will find yourself with a new friend.

Big Brother

It's not my favorite show but one of my life's goals is to be on a reality show, so I tried out. Big Brother brought their audition crew right here to Buckeye City appropriately at the Buckeye Cafe. I have nothing to lose or gain by being on besides fulfilling a personal goal. Of course my ultimate goal is to be on Survivor. I could win. No questions asked.
So yesterday I put on my pretty face and went down to wait in line with the other hopefuls. My first thought was "I got this." The folks in line seemingly were not the stuff reality show goodness is made of (i'm judging solely on looks.) I made some friends in line, which is what happens when you wait outside for 3 hours on a somewhat chilly morning. After 3 we make it inside to wait another 1 until someone takes our mugshot (a random # assigned to us by a PA who resembled Tracy Turnblad.) Then we go in to meet a producer in groups of five. Said producer is very perky but quite unfriendly and makes it clear that she is the star until we of course make it on to the show:)
Overall I think I made a good impression...more on this to follow.
Now just waiting on the call back, and waiting, and waiting and waiting...

Too Much

I've had much too much going on this week. Work is a cluster as usual. And a boring cluster. Family situations are just way out of control. You know it's bad when I can't even write what i'm feeling. Writing has always been my outlet. I'm not very externally emotional...you know I don't cry, or throw temper tantrums. I internalize EVERYTHING. And then I articulate my hate/love/indifference on "paper."
So this week has been so bad I haven't even been able to do that! Ugh! I'm taking a baby step and at least starting the dialogue on how utterly clueless I am right now to get any kind of normality, vision and control in my life. I've thought about checking into a hotel and just kind of zoning out and coming up with a game plan. It sounds selfish but I really need to focus on me and what I want. Want I want to do (career wise) where I want to live (move out of state?) All of these things I just cannot do in my present situation. There is far too much drama and i'm having to do far too much middle-manning to be able to do anything for myself right now.

Funny Story

I have four nieces and nephews: Madeleine (9) Jonah (7) Aidan (5) Sophie (2) they are the loves of my life for real. I'd step in front of a bus for any of them...
They've been on spring break this week and took a trip to Iceland to visit their dad/my brother since he isn't back in the States yet. Last night at dinner I was asking them how it was etc, and I asked Maddie about her old basketball coach (when I visited last fall they were convinced he was my boyfriend.)
This is how the conversation went:
Me - did you see the basketball coach?
Maddie - your boyfriend? No...wait how can you have two boyfriends?
Jonah - Yeah she has two!
Maddie - the basketball coach and Robert Pattinson!
Aidan - is Robert the guy who looks like this guy? (runs to get the Twilight dvd cover, points to Edward)
Me - Yes that's Robert Pattinson
Aidan - Your boyfriend is a vampire?
Jonah - He was in Twilight? I love vampires! Can we watch it?
Me - uh...i'm not sure...uh probably not...

So long Megan

Dear Megan,

I had such high hopes for you...you were my favorite girl in the competition. B

ut you could never really hold it down except the night you were sick. Also your dancing was very strange and awkward but I guess that was part of your charm.

Well the last two nights you have acted like a fool. C'mon...your song sucked Tuesday night and when faced with criticism your response was egotistical and silly. And what was up with last night? Did you take on too many xanax? The squawking and and strange motions were too much. Not to mention the verbal diarrhea and obnoxious waves to the camera.

What a let down. It was truly your time to go. But you should know that however pretty you are, the way you acted last night is the way you'll be remembered, and that's no way to make it big!