Happy Monday!
Today I was perusing some of my favorite blogs and found this really cool ABC post. Since I love learning about other bloggers and their lives I figured I'd treat y'all to 26 little facts about me.
Enjoy!
A. Age-23 and a half! I still include the half!
B. Bed-Full size, pink and white color scheme
C. Chore You Dislike-Cleaning my room
D. Dogs-9 year old Shepherd/Lab named Cody or Diffy
E. Essential Start to Your Day-alarm clock buzzes, check my emails, facebook, instagram, texts, brush teeth, wash face, morning routine, etc. Eat breakfast :)
F. Favorite Color-Pink! It's more than a color it's a way of life
G. Gold or Silver? Silver
H. Height-5' 8"
I. Instruments I play(ed)- do tap shoes count? No? I played saxophone for a summer. I was terrible :)
J. Job Title-Tutor, substitute, babysitter
K. Kids? Nada
L. Live? Joisey Girl through and through
M. Mom's Name? DEB
N. Nickname(s)-Er, Fern, Munch
O. Overnight Hospital Stays- never...knock on wood
P. Pet Peeve-slow walkers (grrrr!), mandals, people who don't wipe the gym equipment down, boring rain boots, lateness
Q. Quote From A Movie-"Whoever said orange is the new pink is seriously disturbed" Legally Blonde
R. Righty or Lefty-Right right right
S. Siblings-Dylan...I used to pretend Tapanga from Boy Meets World and Kelly Kapowski from Saved by the Bell were my older sisters...not out loud or anything :)
T. Time You Wake Up-Monday-Friday varies depending on what I have to do...usually no later than 10. Saturday 8 am-tutor life. Sunday 9 for church.
U. Underwear-I always use my VS free panty card! Haven't paid for panties in years ;) It pays to be a good shopper!
V. Vegetable(s) You Don't Like-Beets, (bears. beets. Battlestar Galactica. Does anyone else think of Jim whenever anyone mentions beets?)
W. What Makes You Run Late-reading blogs. I'm always 5 minutes early but I read blogs every am and sometimes that pushes me to the time limit
X. X-Rays You've Had-Teefers
Y. Yummy Food-anything/everything chocolate, all seafood, smoothies, breakfast cookies!
Z. Zoo Animal Favorites-Elephants. Pigs are my fave animal but the Philly zoo only has them in the Children's Zoo section and technically they're a farm animal so....
What are your ABC's?!
hugs and kisses,
E
Monday, July 7, 2014
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Things I Will Never Ever Ever Like Ever Do
Happy Sunday!
Fireworks and the party with the famsquad were perfecto! Love family time! There's something so comforting about hanging out with people who just love you for you. They don't care if you're in sweats, messy bun, and all around fugly looking.
Today's post is what are some things you would never ever ever do (y'all better have sang it all Taylory!)
Besides all of the obvious things like murder, stealing, wearing crocs, here are my never evers--
Cheer for the Cowboys...(except their cheerleaders. I lurve DCC Making the Squad! Rumor has it Melissa Rycroft Strickland is coming back this season on CMT!)
Bring my baby on a plane. Babies are fabulous and precious and all around amazing little balls of cuteness and happy--but on a plane? I don't want to bother the other 100+ patrons on the plane with my crying, pooping, bored baby. Babies do not belong on planes!
Skip ordering dessert.
Stop reciting every line to every episode of Friends. Sorrynotsorry that is my favorite show and I'll quote if I want to.
Skip a Girls' Nite! Girls' Nites are an essential part of my week. Usually I have between 1-3 Girls' Nites and I will not/can not/shall not skip one!
Wear a belt buckle. While I love me some country music, I will never wear a belt buckle.
Fireworks and the party with the famsquad were perfecto! Love family time! There's something so comforting about hanging out with people who just love you for you. They don't care if you're in sweats, messy bun, and all around fugly looking.
 |
| Across the River from where it all started |
Today's post is what are some things you would never ever ever do (y'all better have sang it all Taylory!)
Besides all of the obvious things like murder, stealing, wearing crocs, here are my never evers--
Cheer for the Cowboys...(except their cheerleaders. I lurve DCC Making the Squad! Rumor has it Melissa Rycroft Strickland is coming back this season on CMT!)
 |
| source |
Bring my baby on a plane. Babies are fabulous and precious and all around amazing little balls of cuteness and happy--but on a plane? I don't want to bother the other 100+ patrons on the plane with my crying, pooping, bored baby. Babies do not belong on planes!
 |
| source |
Skip ordering dessert.
 |
| source |
Stop reciting every line to every episode of Friends. Sorrynotsorry that is my favorite show and I'll quote if I want to.
Throw anything out from my closet. You never know when you will need it! I'm serious!
 |
| source |
Skip a Girls' Nite! Girls' Nites are an essential part of my week. Usually I have between 1-3 Girls' Nites and I will not/can not/shall not skip one!
 |
| source |
Wear a belt buckle. While I love me some country music, I will never wear a belt buckle.
Rhinestones. Can't do em, won't do em. NO ONE believes that you're wearing a shirt with diamonds that spell out Hottie. Not fooling anyone. I don't love rhinestone anything. Now, sequins and sparkle? I see you.
xoxo,
E
xoxo,
E
Saturday, July 5, 2014
If I Had A Superpower
Happy Saturday!
So today we're going to another family party and then the fireworks. Gonna be bueno! But first this happened...
Today's prompt is what super powers would you have? Well, this is an easy one for me! I'd wish for the ability to see into the future. I just want to know that everything is going to be ok. I want to see where I'll be working and what the rest of my life will be like. I want to know everything! I'm the worst with surprises! I always try to find my Christmas/Birthday gifts. I am such an investigator. I want to know what my future holds. I don't have to know all of itjust kidding yes I do-just the good stuff. Like what will my house look like? Am I going to get married? Will my husband be as hot as my imaginary husband...
Amirightladies? So.Cute!
So today we're going to another family party and then the fireworks. Gonna be bueno! But first this happened...
 |
| The best Pilates instructor brought us bagels! Always a winner winner! |
Today's prompt is what super powers would you have? Well, this is an easy one for me! I'd wish for the ability to see into the future. I just want to know that everything is going to be ok. I want to see where I'll be working and what the rest of my life will be like. I want to know everything! I'm the worst with surprises! I always try to find my Christmas/Birthday gifts. I am such an investigator. I want to know what my future holds. I don't have to know all of it
 |
| source |
Amirightladies? So.Cute!
Will I have kids? Will they like to dance around the living room while singing totally normal embarrassing songs like me?
Will all of my friends be ok? Will my family be ok?
I would like to be able to look into my crystal ball and just go, "Ok...phew...all is good?"
I wouldn't want to be invisible...some things I don't want to know lol
I wouldn't want to fly...Too much work...although I think it would be amazing for the core ;)
I would maybe kinda want to read people's minds but then I would know what some people were thinking and that would not be great
My super Type-A personality would really like to know that everything is okay. I hate not knowing. I think that's one of the hardest things about this time in my life. That after college what is going on with everything part of my life.
What is your dream super power?
xoxo,
E
Friday, July 4, 2014
Looking Mighty Fine USA...Not a Day Over 237
Happy 238th Birthday America!!
So today's post is supposed to be all things America! I have decided to give you a little summary of my holiday and a list of the things I love about America.
Here goes!
We always go to a parade in a local town. It looks like my childhood :) We have been going for 23 years! Every year I hunt down the SnoCone man (dodge the balloon man) and feast on the most overpriced cup of shaved ice and sugar...I give you The SnoCone!
It was perfect if you're wondering! We met up with my cousins and had a blast watching the parade! It's so cool to see them get as excited as I was when I was their age! Did I mention that this parade involves people throwing candy?! Yup! My little cousins followed in this girl's footsteps and chased down all the candy! It is after all the older cousin's job to teach the little cousins the important things in life...like don't let ANYBODY take your candy ;)
After the parade we went to my cousin's in-laws and had lunch. It was fabulous as always.
When we left we came home and chillaxed for a bit. Then we had some din din and watched the Phils! Tomorrow we're going to see the Philly fireworks! Can't wait!
Tomorrow we have another family party and I have tutoring and Pilates (yay) and running.
I love my country tis of thee b-e-c-a-u-s-e
1.) All of our freedoms! I love that I have the freedom to become whatever I want to be. I love that I have the freedom to have an education. I love that I have the freedom to paint my toe nails (maybe this is shallow, but it's still something that is denied to others). I love that I can speak my mind without fear or imprisonment. I love that I can practice my faith openly and freely. I love that I can blog about whatever I want. I love that I can be an active participant in my government.
2.) The blending of cultures! As I was walking around the parade today I took a minute to soak it all in. There were people from every nationality, race, way of life, and lifestyle all watching this parade to celebrate America. I love food, dancing, art, literature, and music. All of these things are an amalgam of different cultures. I love how in America you get any kind of food any time of day! I love that I can listen to Latin music in Zumba, flip on country on the ride home, and then hear traditional European style music in church. On the road my church is established, there is also a mosque and two different faiths' churches. In other countries this wouldn't be allowed. So I'm going to raise some Baklava and thank our founding fathers for their genius to blend cultures.
3.) I love our military and that we have people who are willing to fight for our freedoms! My grandfather was a Captain in the USAF and we've always been a patriotic family. I also feel qualified (as a 1.5 time military ex-girlfriend) to say that we have not only the best military but the hottest military. Can I get an Amen for Navy Dress Mess?!
4.) We will start a U-S-A chant wherever appropriate or inappropriate! I love the pride every American feels. I go to a lot of country concerts (Jason and Luke in less than a month!) and without fail, every concert will include a fan-started U-S-A chant. Everyone and I mean all 20,000 of us join in. I don't think any other country can say that! Not only do they not have a cool 3 letter chant that works easily with their country's name, but they don't have the kind of abrasively proud fan base. People always criticize Americans as being too loud, too arrogant, too stupid...but you know what? I'll take all of those things over being unpatriotic. U-S-A-U-S-A-U-S-A!
5.) I love the social movements in America! This goes back to number 1. I love that we have people who in these tough economic times are willing to take a day off from work to protest something they believe in. That to me is what being an American really is--speaking your mind and standing up for what yo believe in.
6.) I love that we educate all people. As a special education teacher, I know my students are deserving of a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE); however, this is not true in all countries. The things other countries do to people with disabilities is horrifying. I'm proud to live in a country that educates everyone.
7.) American culture! Some people say America is devoid of culture, but I don't believe that to be true. Give us a break, we're only 238 years young! We don't have castles that date back to the 900s! When I think of American culture I think of a Melting Pot (no, not theeeeee Melting Pot aka one of my fave places of all time) but a big, beautiful, boisterous melting pot where all the cultures blend together to become a super culture. I love American food (potato salad I'm looking squarely at you big boy!), American music (herrro derr Carrie Underwood), American art (Georgia O'Keefe), and I love American movies. I think we have a great culture. Sure we're a little louder than the rest of the world but I'll take loud any day!
8.) BASEBALL! I love baseball! I love how it's America's Pastime. I love the food (Amen to Chickie's and Pete's!), the people (we can yell and scream at total strangers aka the players at 1 pm.), I love the clothes, hats, foam fingers. All of it! Come on Phils pull ahead of the Pirates!
9.) I love the way Americans help each other out. I was 10 years old when September 11th happened and I remember that on September 12th there was an American flag flying proudly from every flag post at every house in every town in every state. I've heard it said that when tragedy strikes, don't look at the people running out, but look for the people running in. Americans all over the world ran in. We ran in by wearing red, white, and blue every day for months, we ran in by donating food, blankets, money, time, and energy to the survivors. We ran in by being proud and acting as Americans always do. We had to believe and we did believe. We continued to live our lives openly and in the American way. People became nicer. Everyone stopped to smell the roses. Everyone had a renewal of American pride. It was a beautiful juxtaposition to the events of only one day before.
10.) American history! We are a complex country my friends. But it makes for one fascinating study! Thank you America for giving me something to read, research, and write about all throughout my 4 years of college and beyond.
I love you America! Stay U! Get it? U like USA? Cheesy? Corny? Toomuchnotenough?
Here are some of my favorite patriotic jams! Don't we all love patriotic jams?! They sound extra good on 4th of July!
But now, he's wrapped around her finger
She's the center of his whole world
And his heart belongs to that sweet, little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect
All-American
-Carrie Underwood All American Girl
And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free and I won't forget the ones who died who gave that right to me.
-Lee Greenwood God Bless the USA
Well, she was an American girl
Raised on promises
She couldn't help thinkin'
That there was a little more to life somewhere else
After all it was a great big world
With lots of places to run to
-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, American Girl
I thank God for my life, for the stars and stripes, may freedom forever fly, let it ring. Salute the ones who died, the ones who gave their life, so we don't have to sacrifice the things we love
-ZBB Chicken Fried
xoxo,
Er
So today's post is supposed to be all things America! I have decided to give you a little summary of my holiday and a list of the things I love about America.
Here goes!
We always go to a parade in a local town. It looks like my childhood :) We have been going for 23 years! Every year I hunt down the SnoCone man (dodge the balloon man) and feast on the most overpriced cup of shaved ice and sugar...I give you The SnoCone!
 |
| Hoooow Amazing Does This Look?! |
 |
| Get that candy!! |
After the parade we went to my cousin's in-laws and had lunch. It was fabulous as always.
 |
| Family selfie <3 |
When we left we came home and chillaxed for a bit. Then we had some din din and watched the Phils! Tomorrow we're going to see the Philly fireworks! Can't wait!
 |
| Red, White, and Blue (and SnoCone) |
Tomorrow we have another family party and I have tutoring and Pilates (yay) and running.
Now for why I love America!
I love my country tis of thee b-e-c-a-u-s-e
1.) All of our freedoms! I love that I have the freedom to become whatever I want to be. I love that I have the freedom to have an education. I love that I have the freedom to paint my toe nails (maybe this is shallow, but it's still something that is denied to others). I love that I can speak my mind without fear or imprisonment. I love that I can practice my faith openly and freely. I love that I can blog about whatever I want. I love that I can be an active participant in my government.
 |
| PInk Jeep!? Favorite part of the parade every year! |
2.) The blending of cultures! As I was walking around the parade today I took a minute to soak it all in. There were people from every nationality, race, way of life, and lifestyle all watching this parade to celebrate America. I love food, dancing, art, literature, and music. All of these things are an amalgam of different cultures. I love how in America you get any kind of food any time of day! I love that I can listen to Latin music in Zumba, flip on country on the ride home, and then hear traditional European style music in church. On the road my church is established, there is also a mosque and two different faiths' churches. In other countries this wouldn't be allowed. So I'm going to raise some Baklava and thank our founding fathers for their genius to blend cultures.
 |
| Look at all the happy people! |
3.) I love our military and that we have people who are willing to fight for our freedoms! My grandfather was a Captain in the USAF and we've always been a patriotic family. I also feel qualified (as a 1.5 time military ex-girlfriend) to say that we have not only the best military but the hottest military. Can I get an Amen for Navy Dress Mess?!
4.) We will start a U-S-A chant wherever appropriate or inappropriate! I love the pride every American feels. I go to a lot of country concerts (Jason and Luke in less than a month!) and without fail, every concert will include a fan-started U-S-A chant. Everyone and I mean all 20,000 of us join in. I don't think any other country can say that! Not only do they not have a cool 3 letter chant that works easily with their country's name, but they don't have the kind of abrasively proud fan base. People always criticize Americans as being too loud, too arrogant, too stupid...but you know what? I'll take all of those things over being unpatriotic. U-S-A-U-S-A-U-S-A!
 |
| The Mummers! A Philly tradition<3 |
5.) I love the social movements in America! This goes back to number 1. I love that we have people who in these tough economic times are willing to take a day off from work to protest something they believe in. That to me is what being an American really is--speaking your mind and standing up for what yo believe in.
6.) I love that we educate all people. As a special education teacher, I know my students are deserving of a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE); however, this is not true in all countries. The things other countries do to people with disabilities is horrifying. I'm proud to live in a country that educates everyone.
7.) American culture! Some people say America is devoid of culture, but I don't believe that to be true. Give us a break, we're only 238 years young! We don't have castles that date back to the 900s! When I think of American culture I think of a Melting Pot (no, not theeeeee Melting Pot aka one of my fave places of all time) but a big, beautiful, boisterous melting pot where all the cultures blend together to become a super culture. I love American food (potato salad I'm looking squarely at you big boy!), American music (herrro derr Carrie Underwood), American art (Georgia O'Keefe), and I love American movies. I think we have a great culture. Sure we're a little louder than the rest of the world but I'll take loud any day!
8.) BASEBALL! I love baseball! I love how it's America's Pastime. I love the food (Amen to Chickie's and Pete's!), the people (we can yell and scream at total strangers aka the players at 1 pm.), I love the clothes, hats, foam fingers. All of it! Come on Phils pull ahead of the Pirates!
9.) I love the way Americans help each other out. I was 10 years old when September 11th happened and I remember that on September 12th there was an American flag flying proudly from every flag post at every house in every town in every state. I've heard it said that when tragedy strikes, don't look at the people running out, but look for the people running in. Americans all over the world ran in. We ran in by wearing red, white, and blue every day for months, we ran in by donating food, blankets, money, time, and energy to the survivors. We ran in by being proud and acting as Americans always do. We had to believe and we did believe. We continued to live our lives openly and in the American way. People became nicer. Everyone stopped to smell the roses. Everyone had a renewal of American pride. It was a beautiful juxtaposition to the events of only one day before.
10.) American history! We are a complex country my friends. But it makes for one fascinating study! Thank you America for giving me something to read, research, and write about all throughout my 4 years of college and beyond.
I love you America! Stay U! Get it? U like USA? Cheesy? Corny? Toomuchnotenough?
Here are some of my favorite patriotic jams! Don't we all love patriotic jams?! They sound extra good on 4th of July!
But now, he's wrapped around her finger
She's the center of his whole world
And his heart belongs to that sweet, little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect
All-American
-Carrie Underwood All American Girl
And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free and I won't forget the ones who died who gave that right to me.
-Lee Greenwood God Bless the USA
Well, she was an American girl
Raised on promises
She couldn't help thinkin'
That there was a little more to life somewhere else
After all it was a great big world
With lots of places to run to
-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, American Girl
I thank God for my life, for the stars and stripes, may freedom forever fly, let it ring. Salute the ones who died, the ones who gave their life, so we don't have to sacrifice the things we love
-ZBB Chicken Fried
xoxo,
Er
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Weekend Recap...on a Thursday
Happy Thursday!
Here's my weekend recap...on a Thursday because that's how I roll!
How is your week going? Mine es tres bonne! I've been on two interviews this week-fingers crossed, planned vacations, finished The Rosie Project (highly recommended) and The One and Only arrived on Tuesday. I'm a happy snowman again! Yesterday was a midweek pick me up in the form of a Girls' Lunch with Jess. I finally got my Greek salad fix. ALSO, on the salad note--Wegman's has a pear salad now! Muy bien! Made my Tuesday night so.much.better!
This weekend we don't really have solid plans plans. A town nearby has a fabulous 4th of July parade and we go every year. I also get my one and only cherry Snow Cone! It tastes like I'm 5 years old again. When we were little my Mom-Mom would give Dylan and I both $1.25 to buy our frozen treat. Now they're a leetle more pricey but still as great as I remember.
After the parade we head over to one of our family member's houses for a 4th of July party. Saturday we have another family party and the Philly fireworks. They always promise to be a great time! We stay on the Jersey side of the bridge at watch from the Aquarium.
So this past weekend was fabulous! I had a Thursday night movie night with Kate. We saw 22 Jump Street it was predictable and hilarious. If you are offended by crass humor than don't go to this. I'm not offended by dirty jokes (I secretly love them) and any time I get to watch Channy kick some bootay in NOLA I'm a happy girl!
Friday was a Girls' Nite with Jess. We went to a local bar for about 20 minutes (ate Fried Eggplant...bueno!) and then looked at each other with eyes that communicate Cheesecake Factory? So we peaced and went to consume the best food ever! I had the S'mores. Jess had peanut butter cup cheesecake. My only complaint ever about Cheesecake Factory is that the tables are too close. We always end up on someone else's date. The tables are about 2 inches apart from each other and you begin to flirt with social norms just out of close proximity. When the couple next to you begins talking about a subject you begin to listen and then you wonder if you should contribute to their convo. It seems almost as rude to NOT participate (because you are definitely within the conversational sphere) as it would be TO participate. The things that keep me up at night.
Saturday night I went to a party at my Pilates instructor's house. It was fabulous!
Sunday we had a luau themed family party for my great aunt.
***Disclaimer*** none of my family members know how we are related. We know the cousins, grandmas, aunts, uncles, but after that? No clue! We don't know how to calculate once removed, twice removed, in-lawed...whatever we're all family! If they are older than me by 30 years than they are an aunt or uncle. If they fall within 30 years of me they are my cousins. We just say we're all family.
The party was so much fun and it was nice to meet some relative that I have never met before and to catch up with family. I always love family gatherings. There's something so nice about not being judged and it's so nice to be fully accepted by people. I love my family!
I also found out that my long distance relatives read my bloggy! Hi all! Greetings from NJ! Thanks for the support! Love you all!
On the 3 hour trip home from PA this little joy nugget came on the radio! Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You came on! Deb and I jammed pretty hard core! Other drivers were looking at us with faces that can only be assumed to convey the emotion of jealousy!
Here's my weekend recap...on a Thursday because that's how I roll!
How is your week going? Mine es tres bonne! I've been on two interviews this week-fingers crossed, planned vacations, finished The Rosie Project (highly recommended) and The One and Only arrived on Tuesday. I'm a happy snowman again! Yesterday was a midweek pick me up in the form of a Girls' Lunch with Jess. I finally got my Greek salad fix. ALSO, on the salad note--Wegman's has a pear salad now! Muy bien! Made my Tuesday night so.much.better!
This weekend we don't really have solid plans plans. A town nearby has a fabulous 4th of July parade and we go every year. I also get my one and only cherry Snow Cone! It tastes like I'm 5 years old again. When we were little my Mom-Mom would give Dylan and I both $1.25 to buy our frozen treat. Now they're a leetle more pricey but still as great as I remember.
After the parade we head over to one of our family member's houses for a 4th of July party. Saturday we have another family party and the Philly fireworks. They always promise to be a great time! We stay on the Jersey side of the bridge at watch from the Aquarium.
So this past weekend was fabulous! I had a Thursday night movie night with Kate. We saw 22 Jump Street it was predictable and hilarious. If you are offended by crass humor than don't go to this. I'm not offended by dirty jokes (I secretly love them) and any time I get to watch Channy kick some bootay in NOLA I'm a happy girl!
Friday was a Girls' Nite with Jess. We went to a local bar for about 20 minutes (ate Fried Eggplant...bueno!) and then looked at each other with eyes that communicate Cheesecake Factory? So we peaced and went to consume the best food ever! I had the S'mores. Jess had peanut butter cup cheesecake. My only complaint ever about Cheesecake Factory is that the tables are too close. We always end up on someone else's date. The tables are about 2 inches apart from each other and you begin to flirt with social norms just out of close proximity. When the couple next to you begins talking about a subject you begin to listen and then you wonder if you should contribute to their convo. It seems almost as rude to NOT participate (because you are definitely within the conversational sphere) as it would be TO participate. The things that keep me up at night.
 |
| S'mores!!! |
 |
| The flowers matched Jess' dress! |
Saturday night I went to a party at my Pilates instructor's house. It was fabulous!
Sunday we had a luau themed family party for my great aunt.
 |
| Luau themed punch! |
***Disclaimer*** none of my family members know how we are related. We know the cousins, grandmas, aunts, uncles, but after that? No clue! We don't know how to calculate once removed, twice removed, in-lawed...whatever we're all family! If they are older than me by 30 years than they are an aunt or uncle. If they fall within 30 years of me they are my cousins. We just say we're all family.
The party was so much fun and it was nice to meet some relative that I have never met before and to catch up with family. I always love family gatherings. There's something so nice about not being judged and it's so nice to be fully accepted by people. I love my family!
 |
| Mama, the birthday girl, and me! Deb and I went all out in our luau themed garb. |
I also found out that my long distance relatives read my bloggy! Hi all! Greetings from NJ! Thanks for the support! Love you all!
On the 3 hour trip home from PA this little joy nugget came on the radio! Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You came on! Deb and I jammed pretty hard core! Other drivers were looking at us with faces that can only be assumed to convey the emotion of jealousy!
The trip was bueno and I'm looking forward to this weekend! 4th of July festivities can't come soon enough!
xoxo,
Er
Welcome to the Uncomfortable Zone
Hey Loves,
Happy 4th of July Eve! U-S-A...U-S-A...U-S-A!
So today according to my bloggie challenge is doing things outside of my comfort zone. I have to say that I do have a pretty wide comfort zone. I'm a chatty lady and I frequently find myself talking to random people. Usually I start chatting up people who have an interesting or cute article of clothing. I've held a number of jobs dealing with customer service so I'm pretty comfortable with people, confrontation, and weird situations. There are a few things that I'm working on being comfortable with.
1. Eating alone in public. We all remember the episode of Friends where Rachel tries to eat alone and ends up canceling a date with a doctor because of it. Well I hate eating alone in public. At home or in college I would eat alone all the time. Usually because I had a weird schedule with dance, work, class, etc. But recently I've been pretty good about getting out of my comfort zone (hello daily lunch with RHOC) and have ventured to Panera for solo coffee dates. Apparently I'm not sure I like me enough for a *real* date :)
2. Blogging about sad things/things I failed at. Rereading my old posts you would think I lived under a rainbow and had a unicorn butler (I had to let him go for financial reasons...darn you economy). It wasn't real and it wasn't a real reflection of my life. I would not have dared to write about my failures or times when I was unsuccessful in a public forum. I would be too embarrassed. I'm supposed to succeed--that's what I do! I'm a successful person! Buuuuuut, I've learned that success is not something I am going to have every day. (Unless you call demolishing some chocolate every day a success because then I'm a winner winner!) Also, success doesn't bring people together. Failures do. Failures are relatable and human. Some of my most read blog posts are about times I face planted all over life. I think people like them because they're honest and they remind people of times when they did not succeed or things didn't go their way. I know I find other bloggers' honest-not-so-great-day posts so much more relatable and real than fluffy ones. I'm trying to do more *real* posts here. All the feedback from readers, friends, and family make me feel so much better about stepping out of my comfort zone in blogging.
3. Half-Marathoning! I am not a great runner, but I do love to run. Something about just being alone with the pavement and my iPod really makes me happy! I started actually running last summer and fell in love with it. I had recently realized that I needed to end a relationship and without teaching dance, I needed a new athletic outlet. (There's a saying what's bad for the heart is good for the art and let me tell you it is totally true! I was a much better choreographer when I was living in the Break-Up Aftermath) I started running. Running away from the heartbreak, the tears, the sadness, the anger, all of it. It just wasn't there when I ran. I began running to things as opposed to running away from things. Running to healthy, running to self-esteem, running to confidence that had been lost, running for me. I loved running so much that I began researching races in Philly that I could partake in. I signed up for the Philly Rock&Roll Half Marathon in September and in 2 weeks I'll sign up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Orlando! Training for my halves (halfs? idk) has been great. It's a great feeling to look forward to a goal and it will be a great accomplishment for me! If you had asked me last January if I would ever run, let alone run in a race, I would have laughed you to Hawaii and back. I'm not a great runner but that doesn't matter because it's not about that.
4. Turning Down A Job. I've written about the time I turned down a job I was offered because I did not feel like it was my home. My teaching home, my classroom, my future. That decision was the single hardest thing I have ever done in my adult life. If I accepted that job I knew I would be settling right into my comfort zone and something in me said don't do it! I listened to that little voice and so far that little voice has led me to 3 rejections and 3 more interviews. Not too shabby. Teaching jobs in NJ are few and far between and believe me I struggled with that decision for days. I know that I'm right where God wants me to be and that He has a plan for me. But saying no to a job with benefits and personal days? That was hard and something I've never done before. I was the girl in college with 3 jobs. Even though I am currently enjoying a nice summer off from a strict 9-5 job, I still am babysitting and tutoring weekly. I like working and turning down that job was wayyyyyyy outside of my comfort zone.
So there you have it. My 3 Step Outside My Comfort Zone Moments for 2014. I hope y'all are stepping outside your comfort zone. It's not so scary out there. I think we've all heard that quote, "Everything you want is right outside your comfort zone"-Robert Allen, and I think it holds true. If we're not willing to take a risk we won't ever know. Not knowing is more painful than knowing--even if what you learn/know is not great.
xoxo,
Er
Happy 4th of July Eve! U-S-A...U-S-A...U-S-A!
So today according to my bloggie challenge is doing things outside of my comfort zone. I have to say that I do have a pretty wide comfort zone. I'm a chatty lady and I frequently find myself talking to random people. Usually I start chatting up people who have an interesting or cute article of clothing. I've held a number of jobs dealing with customer service so I'm pretty comfortable with people, confrontation, and weird situations. There are a few things that I'm working on being comfortable with.
1. Eating alone in public. We all remember the episode of Friends where Rachel tries to eat alone and ends up canceling a date with a doctor because of it. Well I hate eating alone in public. At home or in college I would eat alone all the time. Usually because I had a weird schedule with dance, work, class, etc. But recently I've been pretty good about getting out of my comfort zone (hello daily lunch with RHOC) and have ventured to Panera for solo coffee dates. Apparently I'm not sure I like me enough for a *real* date :)
2. Blogging about sad things/things I failed at. Rereading my old posts you would think I lived under a rainbow and had a unicorn butler (I had to let him go for financial reasons...darn you economy). It wasn't real and it wasn't a real reflection of my life. I would not have dared to write about my failures or times when I was unsuccessful in a public forum. I would be too embarrassed. I'm supposed to succeed--that's what I do! I'm a successful person! Buuuuuut, I've learned that success is not something I am going to have every day. (Unless you call demolishing some chocolate every day a success because then I'm a winner winner!) Also, success doesn't bring people together. Failures do. Failures are relatable and human. Some of my most read blog posts are about times I face planted all over life. I think people like them because they're honest and they remind people of times when they did not succeed or things didn't go their way. I know I find other bloggers' honest-not-so-great-day posts so much more relatable and real than fluffy ones. I'm trying to do more *real* posts here. All the feedback from readers, friends, and family make me feel so much better about stepping out of my comfort zone in blogging.
3. Half-Marathoning! I am not a great runner, but I do love to run. Something about just being alone with the pavement and my iPod really makes me happy! I started actually running last summer and fell in love with it. I had recently realized that I needed to end a relationship and without teaching dance, I needed a new athletic outlet. (There's a saying what's bad for the heart is good for the art and let me tell you it is totally true! I was a much better choreographer when I was living in the Break-Up Aftermath) I started running. Running away from the heartbreak, the tears, the sadness, the anger, all of it. It just wasn't there when I ran. I began running to things as opposed to running away from things. Running to healthy, running to self-esteem, running to confidence that had been lost, running for me. I loved running so much that I began researching races in Philly that I could partake in. I signed up for the Philly Rock&Roll Half Marathon in September and in 2 weeks I'll sign up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Orlando! Training for my halves (halfs? idk) has been great. It's a great feeling to look forward to a goal and it will be a great accomplishment for me! If you had asked me last January if I would ever run, let alone run in a race, I would have laughed you to Hawaii and back. I'm not a great runner but that doesn't matter because it's not about that.
4. Turning Down A Job. I've written about the time I turned down a job I was offered because I did not feel like it was my home. My teaching home, my classroom, my future. That decision was the single hardest thing I have ever done in my adult life. If I accepted that job I knew I would be settling right into my comfort zone and something in me said don't do it! I listened to that little voice and so far that little voice has led me to 3 rejections and 3 more interviews. Not too shabby. Teaching jobs in NJ are few and far between and believe me I struggled with that decision for days. I know that I'm right where God wants me to be and that He has a plan for me. But saying no to a job with benefits and personal days? That was hard and something I've never done before. I was the girl in college with 3 jobs. Even though I am currently enjoying a nice summer off from a strict 9-5 job, I still am babysitting and tutoring weekly. I like working and turning down that job was wayyyyyyy outside of my comfort zone.
So there you have it. My 3 Step Outside My Comfort Zone Moments for 2014. I hope y'all are stepping outside your comfort zone. It's not so scary out there. I think we've all heard that quote, "Everything you want is right outside your comfort zone"-Robert Allen, and I think it holds true. If we're not willing to take a risk we won't ever know. Not knowing is more painful than knowing--even if what you learn/know is not great.
xoxo,
Er
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Guilty Pleasures Day
Happy Hump Day!
Today I had a phone interview. Totally weird! Did I love interviewing in my jammies and hot pink nail polish? Absofreakinglutely! (A messy bun and no make up made the look extra seksi!) What I didn't love was that I couldn't read my interviewer. I'm also better in person than on the phone. But we will see...fingers crossed! I realized that this was my 16th interview in 3 months. Getting pretty good at them I have to say :)
So in July I am participating in the Blog Every Day Challenge presented by Juliette. She even gave us this super duper easy set of prompts to follow. Some days I may follow and some days I may do my own blog thang because I'm a rebel. Jk I just have a lot of cool things going on in July :)
Today's post is supposed to be guilty pleasures. Well I love that prompt because I have many many guilty pleasures.
1.) In the winter I basically live in my Notre Dame (Go Irish!) men's XXXL sweatshirt (ironically it has the smallest head hole in the history of hoodies. I don't think an XXXL man's head could fit through there) and baby blue Juicy couture (hello 2005) sweat pants. They had an uuber stylish rhinestone encrusted tiara on the booty which is oh so flattering! I roll with the messy bun and no make up look, huge thick sledding socks, and Ugg slippers. It's a hot look but it's the most comfortable thing in the entire world and I lerve it!
2.) You all know I'm a huge wedding fan and if I wasn't a teacher I would probably be a wedding planner. I'd be just like J.Lo mixed with Jane from 27 Dresses with a touch of Monty from Say Yes To the Dress Atlanta. So my guilty pleasure would be that I watch everything and anything with wedding in the title. I also mourned for quite a while when Who's Wedding is it Anyway was cancelled. Rumor has it Youtube has some old episodes.
Today I had a phone interview. Totally weird! Did I love interviewing in my jammies and hot pink nail polish? Absofreakinglutely! (A messy bun and no make up made the look extra seksi!) What I didn't love was that I couldn't read my interviewer. I'm also better in person than on the phone. But we will see...fingers crossed! I realized that this was my 16th interview in 3 months. Getting pretty good at them I have to say :)
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| It's like a breakfast meeting, no? |
So in July I am participating in the Blog Every Day Challenge presented by Juliette. She even gave us this super duper easy set of prompts to follow. Some days I may follow and some days I may do my own blog thang because I'm a rebel. Jk I just have a lot of cool things going on in July :)
Today's post is supposed to be guilty pleasures. Well I love that prompt because I have many many guilty pleasures.
1.) In the winter I basically live in my Notre Dame (Go Irish!) men's XXXL sweatshirt (ironically it has the smallest head hole in the history of hoodies. I don't think an XXXL man's head could fit through there) and baby blue Juicy couture (hello 2005) sweat pants. They had an uuber stylish rhinestone encrusted tiara on the booty which is oh so flattering! I roll with the messy bun and no make up look, huge thick sledding socks, and Ugg slippers. It's a hot look but it's the most comfortable thing in the entire world and I lerve it!
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| source |
3.) I love love love peanut butter and sometimes I use my finger to scrape out and promptly eat the rest of the peanut butter in the little jar I bring with my to dunk my apple in. Sometimes I hide this and sometimes I don't. Yes, sometimes in public you'll catch me wrist deep in a little tupperware container of peanut butter goodness.
4.) Every Saturday after Pilates and tutoring I go to Wegman's and both neighboring malls for the sole purpose of consuming as many samples as humanly possible. Grilled brussels sprouts with a fruit infused glaze? Sure! Chicken California? Lay it on me! I get doubly excited when Wegman's has wine samples. Ka-ching!
5.) When I'm at the beach I like to look at all the families and try to find my "future family". I look to see which families I would like my family to resemble. On the flip side, I then find the family I most certainly DON'T want to be...you know the kind where the parents are sleeping under their umbrella while their kids induce a haphazard boogie board terror scene on the fellow beachers? Yeah those people! I then proceed to give them names and create a story that goes along with them.
6.) If I ever bring home a doggie bag from a restaurant I usually creep into the kitchen to pick at it until somehow it is magically all gone around 1 am. I don't know how that happens...
7.) Cher. Cher is my guilty pleasure! So guilty that I have zero Cher songs on my iPod for fear someone will discover my love of Cher. Whenever a Cher's raspy goddess voice permeates my speakers I turn it full blast (quickly roll up the windows) and JAM OUT! I also sing like her in a deep raspy voice.
8.) Reality TV. The Bachelor(ette), RHOC, RHONJ, RHOBH, Don't Be Tardy, and anything Bravo has ever put out. I rewatch reruns of Bethenny and Newlyweds because I am still sad about Bethenny and Jason and Nick and Jessica. Why couldn't y'all work it out? I even have Teresa's signed copy of Fabulicious!
So these are my guilty pleasures! Kinda embarrassing? A leeeetle bit but we all have them.
xoxo,
E
So these are my guilty pleasures! Kinda embarrassing? A leeeetle bit but we all have them.
xoxo,
E
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