Disaster

     So today is not my typical "happy it's Friday" day! It all started today when I woke up... I didn't wake up!!! My puppy must have knocked my phone (I use my phone as my alarm, who has an actual alarm clock anymore!? Maybe I should invest in one after this, hmph!) to the floor some time in the night or stepped on it, b/c my alarm didn't go off and I didn't wake up! I'm not sure *what* woke me up, but I looked outside and saw how bright it was and *knew* it had to be later than what I was supposed to be waking up! Sure enough, 8:40am!!! I'm supposed to wake up about 7:30!!! Ahhh!!!

     Not only did I not wake up on time, I also got a bloody nose out of the middle of no where (gross and not fun, I know =/). So that kept me held up even longer. I finally got to work.... an hour late. Really bummed, I have been on time, every day, for almost 2 weeks now. Fail.

     Speaking of disaster, I watched the Illinois/Indiana basketball game last night with Mitch (and the dogs=). I don't even know what to say. I think I will forever be a Tisdale fan, but wow, really?! Although I believe he made *every* free throw! He made some good 3pt shots! We won't mention the mistakes he made =) haha. The game was definitely a disaster. There is NO reason we should have let that game go and lost. None!  Indiana is a really crappy team. This was the first top ranked team they played that they won. What does that say about us?! I *know* coach (Bruce Webber) is miffed at the least. Mind boggling. We had so many chances to take the lead and blow them out of the water with no chance of a win. I remember looking at one point and thinking how tired our guys looked. They need some boot camp training! Out of breath over Indiana!? What a sad day!

     Back to today... I'm still not feeling so well. Thank GOD for coffee! I think that is the only way I am going to pull through today. Might need more than one!

     I'm excited because I have been in therapy for my back for almost 2 months now (maybe it's been a little longer), and today I am getting an hour long therapeutic massage. Yah, can't wait!!!

Ben Folds Five Concert report!

      It's Wednesday, feeling a little relieved that this week is more than half over. We have been  making a lot of changes at work. We hired a new manager from NYC. He's Asian, his name is Yuxi (pronounced Yo-shi). I prefer to call him Yoshi! Or Mario is becoming a favorite! Haha. He came from a big company and seems to be very focused and contemporary, I like it! I really like the changes that he is bringing about. With change, as all of us know, stress and adjusting come too.... so I'm dealing with a little bit of that, but I'm excited to see what we can make of this!
    Last night Mitch and I went to the Ben Folds Five concert. I got him tickets for Christmas. We went to Siam Terrace. It's a Thai Restaurant in downtown Urbana. It's really good. I've been craving Thai food so it felt good to finally satisfy that craving! Mitch *loves* their mango sticky rice, so if you go there, you must try it!

     I had been listening to Ben Fold's music recently to get familiar with some of their songs and get excited about the concert. Even with all the songs/albums I have listened to, I didn't fully grasp how weird they are! To my surprise there were a lot of "older" people/couples there too. I didn't think that older people would like this type of music/band. They are random and use rather vulgar language, fyi!
    They had a group from the NBC show "The Sing Off". The group was "Street Corner Symphony". They were actually really good! The concert lasted till about 10:30 (past my bed time, so naturally I'm way tired today, even after some strong coffee). 

     During the concert they actually did some video clips for the new video they are producing. They had us sing/say/motion en-sync. It was a good way to keep everyone involved. They were taking different clips from each concert/town they went to on this tour and making it a complete video at the end. I thought that was really neat. But yah, they're still kinda weird. This is one of their only songs that I know! And I didn't even realize Ben Folds was who sang it! Ha

He's a good singer and an amazing piano player! I always had a desire to learn how to play!

     So over all it was a pretty good concert! I'm not sure that I am a converted fan or anything, and I probably won't go out and buy any of their cd's or listen to them by choice! Ha. 

     I have to take my baby to the vet today to get more shots. I hate how they keep trying to talk me into getting my dog fixed. I realize you animal activist people are on a mission to convert the world, but it IS MY dog and I can/will do whatever I want with him!!! Not every one out there that is considering mating their dog is irresponsible and neglectful. <sigh> I'm still thinking on the whole puppy situation.

     So it's Tuesday.... It doesn't really feel like Tuesday to me. I didn't sleep all that well last night. I got off work, went shopping a little bit, got some really cute clothes, which I'm really excited about! I think that's my "nook" in life! Clothes, shopping, heels, fashion,..pretty much all of it! I just feel excited about life again when I go shopping. I feel better about myself too! 

     So I went shopping with a good friend of mine, Alejandra. We pretty much power shopped! Who gets shopping done in an hour?! Ya, not this girl! I'm really excited about my new silver jeans I got! It's so hard for me to find jeans, so when I do, it's cause for celebration haha. So on that note (and after seeing what my bill was, yikes!) we headed off to dollar sushi night! (At Kofusion) It's a local "Contemporary American Fare Cocktail Lounge and Sushi Bar"! If you have never been there, it's a must try! I over eat every time I go! At least sushi isn't bad for you, right!? The only thing I suggest is going earlier, like 6pm, if you go any later you tend to be surrounded by little kids, cough, I mean college students, haha. Anyhow, you must try it!

     So after having a Kirin beer (yum, another must try) and eating all the sushi I could possible eat, I was on my way home, to my puppy and bed! Well, to no surprise I get home and remember I have a movie out that HAS to be back by midnight. And I say "HAS TO" because when I went to rent that movie, there were so many late fees I had to pay $11.00 to rent it!!! Not OK! And that wasn't even the total bill, I opted to pay HALF of the late fees, geez, that's how these places keep in business! LATE FEES! I'm boycotting and jumping on the red box band waggon! haha So, I get my puppy all packed up (which really consist of putting a towel on my lap so I don't get wet when he jumps in! ha) and go return the movie in the freezing cold! Btw the movie was "Buried". It's a really strange movie. And it doesn't end like you think... you just kinda look at the tv like what the heck!

     Get home, yah bed time! I look over and see Wynsten drinking my Gatorade! haha, WHAT dog does that!? He's a rabbit, I swear!!! He's my baby though, so he can eat all the carrots and broccoli he wants! All you just shush, don't be jealous my dog has a better life =) I just believe that if I am going to be responsible for another life, I'm going to give the best I have! 

     But anyway, so I get in bed, I fall asleep.... 2 hours into my deep, restful sleep, I get 3 texts in a row!! (thank you MITCH!) and then I couldn't fall back asleep for several hours... Took my dog out for a walk... turned the tv on... nothing was working! I even got a text from my friend Abbie at 2am! haha, that's totally out of blue! It was a random night! 

     Since I didn't get such a good night sleep, it was difficult to get out of bed early like I have been working on, but some how I managed to get coffee and get to work on time! Yah! And then to make my day all that better my bf (Mitch) brought me oatmeal! Yum! (maybe he was just trying to make up for waking me up, I don't take that very well! But I'm off to a good week!

"It's the simple things in life we forget"

     Not only is this lyrics to a song by one of my most loved artist (Usher), it's a song that speaks to me. No one ever promised life would be easy (my mother reminds me of this often-thank you mom!) but it's what we take from it and what we make of it. I definitely haven't had the easiest life and I have been through things that I never dreamt or even had a thought cross my mind that I would go through. I'm so thankful that I am who I am and have been brought up the way I have, it's pulled me through and allowed me to be positive after some of the heart breaks I have endured. I've been able to learn from my mistakes and also helps others going through similar things. It may not relieve any pain that one is going through, but it helps to have the real understanding from someone that they can relate. I really feel for the people who go through something devastating in their life and never pull out of it. Remember all the simple things in life to be thankful for!
     It's a snowy freezing cold day here in IL. I had the thought of sleeping in today... that didn't happen! Went to the IL. game...so sad we lost!!! Mad too!!!! Those refs were horrrrible!!! I just think there has GOT TO BE something to prevent a ref who makes horrible calls to not ref the WHOLE GAME! We were  up almost 10pts at one time... and we ended up loosing! We played against OH state... they are #1, so I guess I'm not tooo upset they lost. At least it was to a #1 ranked team. And yaaaah to Tisdale's 3 pointers! (I could mention some things he did that weren't so awesome, but I like to stay positive and maybe I'm just a little biased =). So I was going to go back to bed when I got home... I can't sleep... I'm too overwhelmed! Have too much on my mind! I'm off to enjoy some wine, maybe shop a little.. and forget the rest =)

randomness

     Here I am... I find myself blogging again... I think this is becoming therapeutic! I'm so glad that I started this! I've always thought/known that but this is just... a totally different way. In some sense I'm sad, b/c I like this so much more that I don't know/think that I will go back to writing in my journals.... which crazy I know, but I have always thought about what would happen if I died? I *really* don't want anyone looking through/reading my journals. Well I guess there's one or two that I wouldn't mind, but if I wasn't here to see which ones were/weren't read I'm sure they would all be read. I have thought about burning them several different times... I actually just had a conversation with one of my roommates about that recently. It is what it is though, I guess how much can you really care if you aren't here?! I just wouldn't want anyone to read them and be hurt in any way by them or think ill of me. I get pretty deep with my writing. I've also written a lot during really emotional times... but I will continue to blog... for as long as I can type!
     I have to say today has been pretty rough for me. Just when I think things are smooth sailing, something happens and just throws me for a loop. I'm still hung up on the song "Chances" By Five For Fighting. He says "Nothing lasts forever no matter how it feels today". I can take that to heart and know that no matter what happened today or how I feel/upset I am right now, it won't last forever! Tomorrow I can start with a new mindset.

 

     I love after having a long day having a puppy to come home too! He's (Wynsten) is so freakin cute! And I LOVE how excited he gets and how he shakes his almost tail!! ha ha. No matter what mood I'm in, it makes me smile and think things aren't so bad. Here's to a better day tomorrow! <cheers!>

Cleaning out my Closets!

     It's Wednesday night... I feel out of sort. I'm not sure what I would normally be doing on any other different Wednesday night! I've kind of felt like that all day... well week really. Maybe it's because I've been sick for several days now (grrr). Maybe it's the weather? The weather here in IL. hasn't really changed all that much lately, other than getting colder! That's something that has always had my heart longing to be some where else!!! Good ol' IL weather! I hate it!! It's suppose to snow 4 inches tonight!!! Nooo!!!!

     For feeling sick, I've had a pretty productive day. I got up and went to work (I was tired by the time I got there) and got a lot accomplished at work. I got some cleaning done, some laundry, some dishes. I'm tired now! I'm trying to relax a little now so hopefully I will be able to sleep well tonight. I painted my nails this color and I'm drinking some flowering tea. It's so good! If you have never tried you, you've got to! It's really neat to watch it turn into a flower from this ugly looking balled up pile of weeds. Haha. It's supposed to be really good for you since it's all natural AND it taste good! I hate how most things that are really good for you taste so bad! No wonder Americans are the most over weight country! THANK YOU MCDONALDS DOLLAR MENU!!!! Haha, but that's a whole nother story and I could write a whole blog on just that topic!

      This is a picture of the dog I dog sat for for a friend today! She's a bull dog and Shar Pei mix. Her name is Payton. She is so freaking cute!!!! I was really surprised how well she listened for being so young and not really being use to me. It's kind of funny too because my dog is normally the one biting and chasing the other dog around... This puppy chased my dog, bit his legs haha it was funny. Wynsten thought it was all fun and games until we got in the car to take Payton home and she jumped on my lap in the car. That's Wynsten's spot and he was not having it! It kind of made me feel good that he was jealous! He's my baby!

     Have you ever had the feeling you just want to clean? Clean things out of your life, not just your closets!? I have that feeling right  now... maybe I'm a little OCD?? I'm open to that thought =) I just want to go through all my stuff and throw all kinds of stuff away. I want to go through all my clothes and get rid of all the clothes I haven't worn in the last 2 months.....and of course that means go shopping for new clothes!!! I just can't wait until all the few styles/fashions are out for Spring/Summer! I'm too excited!

     I'm listening to Five For Fighting "Chances". If you haven't heard it, you should listen to it. It's a great song! "Chances are made to be taken." "Chances are what you make them". So true!

Out of my norm

     It's Tuesday night. Normally I blog at work, but I thought I would take some time out of my "free time" and blog... do something out of my norm. I like to change things up!

      I have been sick now/feeling really crappy for going on a week and a half. It's really irritating and frustrating to feel so bad and not have a reason why. I always want to know "why". I can imagine I was one of those kids when I was younger that would ask my mom/dad "why"... they explain to me and I respond with another "why". Haha. I have kind of been that way my whole life. I don't just want to know.. I want to know why as well, or it just doesn't make sense. As you can imagine I have had a lot of hard times in my life... not only because of the situation I was going through, but because I didn't have a "why". It's a continuous struggle!

     Since I have been feeling so sick I have had some time to watch some movies! Yeah for movies! I haven't fallen asleep in the last 3 I've watched!!! (if you are a close friend you will know why that's such a big deal! haha) I've seen "Black Swan", "Devil" and "Case 39". I don't want to write too much about all of these because I would be up all night writing and I need my beauty sleep! Let's just say "Black Swan" is a whole nother level of crazy ("f-ed up") movie! Wow, I didn't know what I was about to watch walking into the theatre that night! Granite I was with friends so it was all in fun! I'm glad I got to hang out with them, but could have gone with out seeing that movie lol. "Devil" was "OK". I wasn't really impressed. "Case 39" however I really liked! It kind of reminded me of "The Orphan" in some parts. It was really good though. It really gave me the chills and scared me at some points. It's worth watching if you like kind of creepy/scary movies.

     The IL game tonight was awesome!  They played against MI State (which I have come to like MI because that is where my sister and brother in law and family are from). They WON! Yeah! Final score was 71 to 62. There are conflicting stats stating what rank the teams are. (IL 23 and MI 17) Well at any rate they played really well and took the W; However I believe that they need to work on getting rebounds, not just defensively but offensively too! They lost many opportunities to raise the score by not rebounding! I have to say my favorite IL player is Tisdale!!! He seems to have his head in the game and loves the game and he's good!  Whoot Whoot to # 54!!! 

     On another note, I haven't made much progress on my book over the last week or so because of feeling so sick.. same with school. I hope that tomorrow things are going to take a turn for the better and I can get back on track and get some school done and write some more in my book.

So I'm crazy.... and I love coffee!!!!

     Whew.... SO glad today is Friday! It has been one of those weeks that I have really wanted it to be over since it started. I've been tired all week and just too busy to get anything done! I have managed to work out at least 3 times this week so yah for that! I haven't touched my school books, even though I have carried them with me all week with the plan to get some done! Something will pull together for me this weekend! I'm GOING TO DO IT!!! 

      I also feel like I have been in a slump because I have been so busy. I hate rushing around! I feel a little shopping coming on! You know that feeling a girl gets when she just needs a new pair of shoes!? Well that's ME! I just need something new that I really like to pull me out of this and get me back on track! The last few times I have been out shopping, I haven't been to impressed with the "not so cute" winter styles that are out! Maybe they will get some new cute spring clothes out. I hate winter/snow season! I'm counting down the days till the first day of Spring/warm weather! It's depressing to get off work at 6 and it's already dark out! Come on Spring!!! 

      Today I made the effort to get out of the slump! I got up early, took my puppy on a walk (he's hardly a puppy anymore =( He's getting so big!!!) and got all ready for work! I'm also meeting a friend out tonight! Yaaah! I also tried something new today! I'm a huge SB and McD's fan, but I went to Duncan Doughnuts today! Report: I got a Medium that looks like a Large. I got a vanilla iced coffee with cream and sugar (ouch on the calories!). It's really good! It was only $2.00 but I don't know that I'm convinced to be a trader just yet... They took forever!! They're were only 4 people in line and I was there about 10mins. I can't have that! McDonalds (on Cunningham in Urbana, IL) is on it in the mornings! They are so fast! I literally drive up, not matter how many people are in line, and am there no more than 4 or 5 mins! Props to the am manger! Us working people/coffee lovers appreciate that!   
   

Monday, where did my weekend go???

     I didn't want to wake up today! Surprise! Ha, who does, right? Well I some how managed to make it to work! So here I am... blogging! I didn't get to write much in my book as I had hoped/planned to over the weekend. I felt like I was coming down with something, so I kept the weekend low key and tried to supplement to avoid falling into whatever it was I was coming under. My bf made me some cheddar broccoli soup Sunday. It was amazing! He is such a good cook! He makes the *best* cheddar broccoli soup, ever! I still don't feel 100%, but I can't lay in bed all week! Well... maybe I could! Ha. 

     Speaking of writing my book. I never realized how difficult it can be. Most of writing comes naturally to me... I can just write whatever I'm feeling/thinking at the time with a twist of imagination and you got it. I having a hard time trying to find a finishing point with my book. I want it to end on an encouraging note. I'm not sure if I want to write a second book or not, so that is a weighing in factor, a long with weather I want it to be kind of like a "self-help" book or if I just want it to be a short story.  HELP! I also need to start looking into editors/publishers. I think the title will come to me after I have finished writing. This is a lot of work!

     

    

A blanket, a book, and my puppy type of day!

     I'm deep in thought today... It's one of those days where it's gloomy out. I couldn't wake up today for anything! I hit the snooze, I don't know how many times! I just wanted to get out of bed, get some good coffee and get on the couch with a big blanket, a good book and read all day... snuggled up with Wynsten! He's a good cuddler!
     I am going to keep to myself today and write more in my book! I only have 9 more months until my goal deadline! I'm really searching for an ending to my book... I have a good start. I also thought about making it a "self help" book. Given that I have been through divorce, I have some light to shed and advice to pass on for anyone in the situation or considering it! Here is a sneak peek at the beginning! :

I laid awake, in bed, on Saturday morning. I was up all night talking to my husband, online. “Why does he have to be so far away?!”, I yell, as I roll over and shut my alarm off. I forgot to reset it before I fell asleep, finally, at 4:27am. Saturday’s were one of the only days that I got to sleep in, and here I am, wide awake!

I met Jordan almost 8 years ago and we hit it off. We lived together for almost 2 years before he decided to sign his life away. OUR life! To the United States Government on an impulse to get back at me for the fight we had gotten in the day before, which we, on a whim, ended things between us. The papers were signed; the deal was sealed! He was leaving for boot camp in 6 months.

A few days later, as always, we worked things out, and picked back up with our relationship just where we left off, but this time, with a new twist; he would be leaving in 6 months… which was the beginning of our “new life”… our separation. Sadness sank in as I realized how soon that time would come and how I wasn’t going to know what to do without him.

I wondered if Jordan would ask me to marry him before he left, or see if the old saying “distance makes the heart grow founder” was a reality. I loved him enough to wait it out either way.

I thought I would bring it up, just to see what he said. I got an invite in the mail to a friend from high school’s wedding; what a perfect opportunity to bring it up!? While asking him to be my date, I would mention who we would invite to our wedding, IF we ever got married.

We had plans to meet for lunch in the park that day. I brought the invite with me. We sat on a big blanket my mom had made my years ago, for one of my birthdays I think. After we got settled and had began eating, I pulled the invite out of my bag and tossed it on the blanket next to him.

“Hey! Look at this invite! Isn’t it cute? Will you be my date?” I asked as he looks down at it.

“Of course I will be your date! I would be honored.” He replies with a quirky smile on his face.

“Yesss!!” I exclaim.

“It’s so weird thinking that everyone I went to high school with is getting married!”

Jordan knew me so well, he saw right through where I was heading with the conversation, I didn’t even have to follow through with my original plan of approach.

“Let me guess!? You want to know when we are going to get married?!” He says with ease.

“Well… “ I didn’t even finish before he says

“Yes! I think we will get married some day! It will all happen at the right time”. He explains.

I think to myself “what a typical male response”. That wasn’t a good enough answer for me. I wanted to know when! I had a life to plan! And if he didn’t want to get married for 10 years, I might have some things to rethink.

“And when is that “right time“? I ask.

“When do YOU think the right time is? Are you ready to be married now? I’ve heard that the military ruins relationships”.

“But not us, right? We have been through so much together.”

“Yah, we have been through a lot”.

“I purpose we go ring shopping!!!”

“Ok, Daph, we can do that tomorrow after work! Does that work for you?” Jordan asks.

I never thought I would hear him ask me to do that!

“Yeah! Let’s do it!” I say with excitement, but not too much. Don’t want him to get scared already!

“Promise me one thing” he says.

“Yes??”

“Don’t tell anyone! Keep it a secret, something special together”

“Of course babe, we will tell people after the ring is bought!”

We pack our lunches up and both go our own ways back to work.

The next day after work we meet up at the Lake Side Oaks Mall. The ring shopping begins! I didn’t tell anyone yet! It was really hard not to mention it to Joslyn! I tell her everything! Even when people say “promise not to tell anyone?!”, I always told her! Not this time, I had to keep my word to Jordan.

We spent 3 hours at the mall! We looked at every jewelry store that mall had! I was so excited! We came to the conclusion that after all the rings we looked at Jordan can decipher my taste and what I would like and he would pick the ring out. Now it was just about waiting.

 


Let me know what you think!

Italy is where I want to be!

     So originally I was going to write about opening my own business today... after some dreaming and looking up all inclusive trips I changed my direction! (I will write on my business at a later date!)

      I have such a wild heart! I have always been so passionate about everything that I thought of, dreamt of, talked about and pretty much anything I have experienced! People often title me "dramatic". I think someone that is dramatic is more of one who likes to create *drama* for others, however I feel that I am not looking for drama, I'm passionate! I put my whole heart, mind and soul into anything I do! I'm either 100% in it or I'm not at all. At times this has been hard to deal with, but most of my life experiences it's been a great thing! I have met many people because I am like this and I would never take those experiences back. 

     With all that being said, something that I have been very passionate about is my family heritage. I still would like to do much more research and learn so much more about  my ancestors. On my dad's side of the family... they're Italian! Eww do I LOVE Italian food!!! No matter what mood I'm in.... I'm in the mood for Italian! I have done research about Italian life style, the weather in Italy, food, fashion... you name it, I've researched it! Even down to getting Cd’s to learn how to speak Italian. It was difficult for me to start because I took so many Spanish classes and the two languages are very similar, but I'm determined and I will one day be able to speak it well! *wish me luck!*

      This year, being a big year for me, I turn 30, I'm hoping, wishing and planning to spend my 30th birthday in ITALY! I would really like to see 2 or 3 places while there! Make the trip worth it! I can feel it now, I would take a million pictures!! I'm so excited just looking up tickets and looking at all the pictures! If anyone has been to Italy, PLEASE share your experience! I would love to hear about it! Click here to learn about Italy!

Yah for 2011!

     So this is my FIRST blog and my first post! It's actually been a long time coming.... I have gone back and forth about doing this for I would say at least a good year if not longer. I love to write... especially when I am over whelmed about something. I have kept journals for years... and I like the pen and paper way of blogging how ever at times I just can't write fast enough to get it all out! And it definitely over all takes more time! And who has a lot of that now days!? So I am starting something new with the New Year and I hope to get some followers!

     I have already started a few *new* things this year! This year is kind of a special year for me. I am turning 30!!! Yaah! I would LOVE to go to Italy for my 30th B-day!!!! I thought maybe I could come up with something to tie 30 into my life. Try 30 new things? Eat 30 new meals? Something! Any neat ideas?

     I wanted to do something I have never done before this year! I brought in the NEW YEAR going snow tubing! I have never done that before, and honestly hadn't even heard of it! It was a blast! I went with my boyfriend Mitch and his kids. What a better way to bring in the New Year!? It's a must try to any of you who haven't tried it!

     I started a group on FB called "Girls Losing Guts". It's a motivational group to help you keep on track with working out/eating a healthy diet. I am really into things like that. I really like organic stuff! I love reading articles and doing research about different things you can mix/make to have clearer skin, thicker hair, longer nails, anything to be healthier over all. With this group, you h ave to weigh in every Friday. We are doing it over a 3 month period at this time. The person who loses the most weight % to their starting weight wins! Everyone in the group has to pay the winner $5. We are planning a "Girls Losing Guts" night out to celebrate with the winner! I'm pumped!

    Another thing that I have started this year is a Roth account. I started saving last year, but I still had access to the account (Although I denied the debit card to the account so it would take several days to have money transferred). So I did a "practice" with that account and it was a success so I decided to take another step and open up a Roth account. I'm excited! I'm in it for the long hall! I don't know all the little details about Roth accounts, so if you have one or are educated in that area of savings, please share!!!