Day 9: How do I love thee, let me count the ways

 

 Loves eh? This should be interesting. There are lots of things that I love. A few are stupid, some are profound, and most will not make it on this list. Let's see if I can pull together NINE of these suckers. Am I in a good enough mood for that?

What I love...

1. My parents

I know that losing them was one of my fears, so maybe this is a little repetitive, but they really are the best. I don't know where I'd be without either of them. They're a balance of crazy and perfect. I am who I am because of them, most definitely. Obviously I could not imagine if they had never had kids, but even if I wasn't their kid, I know there would be something missing in the world. Somehow when they had me, they got a manual and have been doing the best any kid could ask for.

My mom and I were a lot fatter then...this is the only picture I could find at work (thanks facebook). Oh my mom doesn't have blond hair anymore either.

2. Good friends

Friends are what get me through each and every day. I have a number of gems in my life (Mo, Feather, the Mexican, B...etc) and I'm just lucky. I sometimes wish I had a bigger group of friends, and maybe I will one day, but for now I'm just content to have a few great friendships.

3. Traveling

Who doesn't love to get away? I love new cultures, new people, new everything. I just like the experience of starting over and being somewhere different. There's nothing more thrilling than showing up somewhere you've never been before and have been anticipating going for a long time. Also, there's really nothing better than traveling with a big group of wonderful friends that make every moment entertaining.

4. Food (cucumbers are a big component of said food)

I'm a fat girl at heart and in practice. You've probably all seen my food updates. I have an unhealthy obsession with food, but I just can't seem to get enough. My taste buds are really greedy, what can I say?

5. Technology (Internet, Cell phone, TV...etc)

Obviously I love the internet for being an amazing resource for everything. I couldn't live without my cell phone (for a very long time at least). I need to be connected. TV is probably my favorite solitary pastime - I watch a lot of it and love getting lost in the stories.

6. Laughter

This is of course unless it's a heinous laugh. There are some really bad laughs out there. Otherwise, laughter is lifeblood. It's great for your heart and your life and just makes everything better. Love it. Need it. CRAVE it.

7. Roller coasters

I guess I could've just said thrills. I love things that get my heart beating and make me experience things I don't normally feel - like free fall. I love the feeling of free fall. I love excitement. I love fun!

8. Good smells

Bad odors are the worst, good smells bring back great memories. I love the smell of cleanliness, freshness. Not only is it hygenic, but it's a turn on to the umpteenth degree. I love great smelling colognes and certain types of foods. I have a really keen sense of smell, so it's important to me to expose myself to titillating and tantalizing odors.

9. Primary Colors

I guess I just like colors in general. Deep saturated colors. I'm not really a big fan of pastels, but primary colors are beautiful and I just love to see them. Without primary colors, you couldn't have any of the rest! The world is much better when it's not in black and white (or so I think)

Day 8: Fears

This is where this thing starts to get more difficult. I don't fear much, and I think being afraid of things doesn't get you very far. Honestly, I might make up some bullshit just to complete the 8. Eight is a lot. I think my only real fears are big ones and probably should take up numbers like 1-5 are...you know? We'll see how far I get.

I'm afraid of...

1. Not figuring out what I want to do with my life

I'm just lost. I don't like not having a plan. It's really bothering me. I don't know if I want to be a glorified secretary for the rest of my life. I'm better than this job, but I'm afraid of just stagnating and getting content in my current situation.

2. Either of my parents dying

 I'm pretty sure this is self explanatory. I don't know what I would do without either of them.

3. Never finding someone to spend my life with

 Again, self explanatory. I think I might be ready for a relationship, but I don't know if there's anyone in my life right now that I can see myself settling down with or starting a family with. I'm afraid I won't find that somebody and I won't get to follow the path I've always wanted for myself.

4. Getting into another car accident

My heart races every time I go around a turn too fast in a car. I just feel like I'm losing control and I'd rather not total my car again.

5. Being indecisive forever

I just don't want to miss out on things, or continue to miss out on things because I find it hard to make decisions alone. I want to be able to get up and go and travel by myself and make new friends and just enjoy myself without depending on others.

6. Hosting

Hosting anything makes me anxious. I'm afraid of throwing bad parties and people not having a good time. I've been told over and over again that you provide the food, the drinks, and some kind of entertainment...and people can make their own fun. I am freaked out by people just having a bad time.

7. Blacking out and ending up getting in trouble

We all know by now I have this classy blacking out problem. I just don't want to end up blacking out and winding up in a dangerous/ridiculous situation that I can't get out of. Freaks me out a little and makes me a touch worried.

8. Not having kids (when I want them), or having ugly ones

Karma might get me for the second half of this one. I just think that ugly kids have a way harder time in life. I mean they have better personalities in general, but sometimes having things be easier might be a little better. Plus, I'm awesome and my kids will have bomb personalities regardless. I just hope they don't have to go through the really fat phase that I went through. Also, I'd be pretty devastated if I couldn't have kids of my own eventually.  I just don't want to get pregnant when I'm not ready, and then end up not being able to have kids when I am.

Day 7: I waaaant you to waaaaant me

This one's a tough one because there are so many things I want, yet it's hard to think in specifics...I'll try though.

I want...

1. Some clarity

I would really like to know what the hell I am doing and what I'm planning to do with my life. Am I going to get perpetually stuck in this job? What am I looking forward to doing with my life? What do I want to go back to school for? Do I want to go back to school even? Will I ever meet the person I'm supposed to be with? Do I even know how to really be with someone? So many questions, I just want answers!

2. To book my vacations

Seriously, if I don't book the vacations I've been talking about for weeks now, I might explode. It's killing me. I just need people to commit, or I'm going on vacation alone!

3. My surgery not to cost me an arm and a damn leg

I really hope that when I get the quote for my upcoming surgery today that it's not ludicrous. Oh, and I hope insurance can help me out a bit...pretty, pretty please?

4. Some sort of resolution with B

I don't know what this entails, but I just want to know where our friendship will end up. I mean, I'm not distraught over this whole friend break thing, and that kind of worries me. There are just some things that I want to know, and some things I have a hard time picturing without her. It's weird and confusing.

5. A stable love life

I'm not really sure what this exactly means, but I feel like my love life is in constant flux. Maybe I'm ready for a relationship, or maybe I just want a little consistency. Or maybe I want to really really be interested in someone and have them be interested in me (for something other than sex). On the same token, I'm pretty content with my current sexual fulfillment. I just don't know!

6. Motivation to work out on a regular basis

I seriously need to make some changes in my eating habits and how I work out. I need to learn to push myself and actually obtain results from working out as opposed to just doing some random cardio that really isn't that strenuous and won't end up doing anything for me in the future!

7. To be in bed
I'm sleepy and I just want to lay down and lounge around doing nothing but just watching TV cuddled up with one of my four current boys. Actually, I don't want to cuddle with Steel Pans, because he gets really fucking jumpy and is super ticklish and always thinks I'm trying to tickle him when I go to rub his back. Then I get irritated, turn over, and go back to bed. Stupid.

Day 6: Oh the places we will go...

I thought about choosing just PLACES, like my home, or work, or the Stumble Inn, or Honey, but I've decided that I will list the places that I have been in the past 3 years, with a little memory from each...in no particular order.

1. Jamaica (will be there for new years)

Jamaica has to be number one (after this, no particular order). This country will always have a place in my heart, and although I've only ever been to Montego Bay there's something magical about the place. Honestly, for such an impoverished place with such a corrupt government, the people really know how to have a good time. I've had my fair share of mishaps and misfortunes with Jamaicans, but I also have an arsenal of amazing memories.

-Walking around Margaritaville getting drinks from one person and giving them to another person. In fact, let's just put Margaritaville on the list of places I am in love with
-Sitting on the rock wall by Pier One while an 11 year old boy watched me force myself to throw up, and then somehow getting into the club before all of my friends who I thought I was following.
-B and the girls dancing on the red carpet
-The dumpling that saved my life after I drank too much and almost missed breakfast
-Glitters, the shitty little club at the Decameron that was always the best place to get shithoused before going out.
-Running into the lobby to see our luggage arrive two days late, but yet it made everything a million times better
-Translating Canadian French for Mo while everyone was completely drunk
-Pictures in the lobby bathroom
-Everything else...

2. Chicago (will return again shortly)

I have a million memories from Chicago since I lived there for just over a year. This city is one that I could live in forever. I could uproot my life and go there because it felt like home almost immediately, and I loved every person I met there.

-The first dinner where I met Mo
-Dancing at the Butterfly Bar
-Baking for everyone at RFUMS
-Study sessions with Mallory in the grad office
-Mo Baybay's baby shower
-Visiting the Bean and museum with Cynthia
-Teaching Cynthia to drive
-Six Flags Great America
-Driving to Kenosha in the morning blasting Fresh and singing with the windows rolled down
-Lunch with all the grad students and research techs
-Late night on the beach in Evanston with Will...etc

3. Philadelphia (need to visit as soon as my friend feels better)

When the girls and I met T in Jamaica, we knew it would be a great friendship. B and I had a blast when we went down to visit. Starting to drink as soon as we got there at 3pm (hadn't done that since the last trip to Jamaica). Meeting all sorts of new people. Dancing and just having a good time. I feel like I should go to Philly more, because it's so close and it's always such a blast.


-Stealing someone's food and getting into an argument over it
-Playing Spades with all the boys
-Making Dacquiris that gave me an allergic reaction
-Being wasted and waking up in my pajamas not knowing how I got in them
-Hanging on the porch with T (not T mentioned before - but other T)
-Cyphering with the young boys in the basement
-Visiting the Liberty Bell with Kevin (RIP)
-The Philly linedancing (bring it back, bring it back, bring it back)
-Cheesesteaks
-Just enjoying the company of B, T and everyone else

4. Bermuda

Jared and I hadn't seen each other in almost a year, since he lives in Austin. We had never been on a cruise and missed living together from college. He will always be a great friend, even if I don't see him or talk to him very often. Bermuda was beautiful. The weather was perfect (if not a little chilly), the boat was gorgeous and the people we met were great. I would definitely cruise again.



-Meeting Melissa and Rick and having fantastic dinners
-Hot tub on the deck at 3am
-Sex on a beach chair at yet another open air club (wish I remembered his name)
-Being shwasted and then hungover on the boat the next day
-Swimming with the dolphins and snorkeling
-Just spending time with Jared and having a good time

5. Vegas (will return in November)

I was living in Chicago at the time I went to Vegas. Hadn't see my best friends from college in almost a year and it was just a great way to get together and party it up. Seriously a great city to spend the weekend in with good friends and have a good time. I'm excited to go back soon!


-Brunch with Jac, Jar and Kris in Caesar's Palace (I think)
-Laughing at the TI show
-Being complete tourists and riding the roller coaster on NY, NY and all of the Stratosphere rides
-Partying it up at the Pussycat Dolls club (shots of tequila)
-Winning $11
-Being exhausted from just walking around everywhere
-Hearing Bruises by Chairlift every time we walked down the strip on the iPod commercial
-Buffet at Paris
-Cirque Du Soleil blowing my mind
-Just spending time with my two best friends from college and living it up

6. South Beach

I wasn't originally going to go to SoBe, but two weeks before the trip, I agreed to go celebrate Paris' birthday and I don't regret it. We had so much fun, and I was just trying to make the best of being in Florida and I think I succeeded. I might've lost all of my crucial belongings (ID, credit card and phone), but I still wouldn't trade it for the world. We just had an amazing time and I can't wait to live it up with my girls again.

-Relaxing on the beach with the ladies
-Cuban Sandwiches
-Being wasted at Mansion and Cameo (minus losing all of my stuff)
-Sex in Cameo with no shame after smoking a black and mild (which sucked)
-Sleeping everywhere when the ladies when to go eat
-Picking up a stray on the street
-Hearing lots of nookie going down
-Just enjoying the company of the girls and living it up!

Day 5: Foods

1. Vietnamese Summer Rolls:

Seeing as how I like to wrap anything and everything in rice paper, this is an obvious choice for number one. There's something just so amazing about the clean flavors of a summer roll. I like to put shrimp, cucumbers, scallions and some kind of fruit in mine (oh and I put the peanut sauce on the inside).

2. Sashimi Salad:

There's hardly anything better in the summer than sashimi salad. Fresh raw fish and other raw vegetables. So crisp, and refreshing.

3. Steak:

Honestly, who other than vegetarians/vegans/pescetarians...etc doesn't crave a delicious steak from time to time? On the rare side of medium rare for me please.

4. Watermelon Salad:

My summer obsession. I like mine with watermelon, feta and watercress, walnuts with a touch of champagne vinaigrette (not even necessary). AMAZING.

 

5.  Tiramisu:

I've had great Tiramisu and I've had awful Tiramisu, no matter what a good piece will always remind me of college and going to eat dinner at Michael's with Jared. They made brilliant Tiramisu there.

Day 4: Books

1. Sword of Truth (series) - Terry Goodkind
This was really one of the best series I ever read. It will forever be ingrained in my mind, and I will love the characters forever. They changed my life in a way because they made me fall back in love with reading.

2. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
I know that this is pretty much a popular choice right now with the movie and such being out, but I really did love this book. Even my dad loved it, and he doesn't really like books very much at all. You should definitely read it.

3. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
 Another one of those books that I kind of just read because everyone else was reading it, but it was really touching. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I did hear it's great. It's just a beautiful story and beautifully written. I sped right through this little gem.

4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
I was never really one for court mysteries and such, and when I started reading this series, I didn't get through the first 40 pages. With a little prompting however, I hunkered down and made it through the first part of the first book and then sped my way through the next two. Really well written and suspenseful. I just love character development and the late Stieg Larsson definitely made his characters real.

Day 3: Films

1. Princess Bride

This is my favorite movie of all time. It has a special place in my heart. Nostalgia at its finest. I can still recite most of this movie and it reminds me of some great summer moments growing up where I would sit with my cousin in upstate New York and watch this movie over and over again.

2. Bridesmaids

This was the last movie that really made my stomach hurt from laughing so hard. Just brilliant. So funny, you need to see it if you haven't already.

3. Unfaithful
Although they may be brief, this movie has my FAVORITE sex/foreplay scenes of all time. I keep it on my DVR queued up to the stairwell scene just to watch it when I feel frisky.

Day 2: Songs - damn I'm late.

1. Quickie - Miguel
Thanks to Mo, I'm in love with this song and it's all I really want to listen to. It makes me happy.



2. Empire State of Mind - Jay Z and Alicia Keys
I will always love this song. When it first came out, we had gone down to Jamaica and every time this song came on, we would throw our hands in the air and sing at the top of our lungs. There are actually pictures that you can tell that this song is playing based on what we're doing. It was the song of the trip, and the next one.

10 day "you" challege, day 1: Me

This is me. Numero uno. Dancing with a dolphin. Let's get this party started...in reverse.