first EVER giveaway!***CLOSED****

***THANKS FOR ENTERING, STAY TUNED FOR THE WINNER****

I was so excited when CSN contacted me about hosting a giveaway. Actually, I was beyond excited because it is my first ever giveaway. CSN literally sells everything from bar stools to pet supplies available in their stores...basically anything you could possible want!

With so many options I had the hardest time coming up with what to give you girls (and guys...if there are any reading this besides K), but when I saw this I knew it was perfect! And since I live in Maryland you can look at it and think of me.

Isn't it cute and summery? You could use it for a beach/pool bag, or a grocery bag, or whatever! The strap is long enough to go over the shoulder and the bag itself is 14" W x 16" D.

Here is how you can win:

For 1 entry leave me a comment on this post.

For 2 entries become a follower or let me know if you are one already.

For 3 entries mention this giveaway on your blog and let me know you did it.

Please leave each entry as a separate comment.

(Ends March 5th at 8:00 PM EST)

all the crap I did this weekend (featuring pictures!)

I went to Philadelphia with my best friends! I had never really been to Philly, except for the airport, so it was nice to see it. Except a lot of the places we were seemed kinda dirty...maybe it was from all the snow?

But before I went I had my interview at School #1. After careful consideration of your advice this is the outfit I went with. I think it worked and I didn't feel overly formal. It was a pretty laid back interview which seemed to go well, hopefully I should know something soon. Please ignore the creepy expression on my face...I was concentrating. K was supposed to take it for me but he was walking the dog and I had to get going.

While in Philly we hit up Geno's for OFFICIAL Philly Cheesesteaks. As a true Cheesesteak fan I was excited for my first and had pretty high expectations.

Here I go. My first bite. And I must say, while it was good, I have had better. In fact I'm pretty sure this pizza place by my parents' house has better Cheesesteaks. And it's in Maryland...take that Philly.

That night I came out of the blog closet under this very creepy chandelier. What is this, seriously? It looks like something from Jurassic Park.

Then I got pretty wasted. No pictures of that...at least none I am posting.

The next morning I got up early to drive home because my parents had given K and I tickets to see a show, which was at 2:00. I literally barfed the entire way down I-95. I couldn't stop when I got home...so we had to miss the show. My mom was a little mad...but she got over it and invited us to dinner. By then I could eat.

And that was my weekend!

coming halfway out of the closet

When I started this blog I was very concerned with remaining anonymous. For a long time I didn't put any pictures up and was very careful about not telling anyone from the blogging world my real name. As I read more blogs I realized that I could be more personal and put up pictures while still keeping it from potentially interfering with say, my career.


I was (and am) happy with the balance I found, but there was one issue. No one in my "real life", except K, knew about my blog. Part of me was worried about being judged by them or that they would think it was weird. The other part just had no idea how to work it into a conversation. So I did nothing.


My other concern was after going so long without telling anyone I worried whenever I did tell them they would be mad I hadn't come clean from the beginning.

This weekend I came halfway out of the blogging closet. It was pretty unexpected. Out to dinner with my best friends in Philly, after a lot of wine, the conversation turned to the fact that a couple of them were thinking about starting their own blogs and I blurted out my "big secret."

Turns out they were not weird about it at all and very supportive. I'm glad that they know. I still haven't told my family but I would like to find a way to do that sometime soon.

To my "real life" friends who may now be reading...welcome and thanks for being so awesome!

To my bloggy friends...do your real life friends and families know about your blogs? How did you tell them?


(PS I will do a post about my interview and the rest of my weekend very soon...with pictures! Thanks for all the interview fashion advice. I also need to catch up on my blog reading so sorry for the lack of comments!)

fashion advice needed!

Tomorrow morning I have my big interview at School #1. My mom works with some people who have gone through this program and they have told her mixed information about what happens during the interview. So I'm not sure what to expect. Surprisingly I am not that nervous, since I really want to do this I don't think I will have any problem answering questions and I have questions to ask too, always a plus in an interview.

Here is the issue. I don't know what I should wear.

I hate suits, they look horrible on me. When I wear them I look either frumpy or like I'm going to a slutty office mixer. For that reason I only have one that I got at The Limited when I was job hunting post college. Normally for those interviews I wore the suit, which is basic, black with a very small pinstripe, with a white button down shirt. I prefer to wear the suit pants instead of the pencil skirt. I just don't know if I should go super business-y for a school interview. Plus, I am trying to be a teacher so I want show some personality.

So here are my ideas for tomorrow...tell me what you think:

1) Wear the suit with a white shirt. Traditional and kind of boring but safe.

2)Wear the suit with a colored button down. It's a slight variation.

3)Wear the suit with a bright colored turtleneck and perhaps a black statement necklace. A little more of a fun look.

4) Don't wear the suit at all and figure something else out. Maybe a black dress.

Help me please ladies!

cute valentine idea...with a twist

Maryland's governor, Martin O'Malley, was somehow able to "officially" extend Valentine's Day until February 21st. I didn't know that was a gubernatorial privilege, seems like a lot of power to me. But oh well.

This morning they were talking about it on the radio show I listen to, specifically, what to get your special someone for a present, since you have time. Now I have a short drive to work so I didn't hear everything, but it seemed like it had turned into an argument about if it is it easier to shop for a present when you have been with someone a long time or when the relationship is new.

Anyways, just as I am pulling into work this woman calls in and says instead of giving each other presents for Valentine's Day, her and her husband go to the mall and play "30 in 30 minutes." They each get 30 bucks and have 30 minutes to buy each other presents. After 30 minutes they meet in the food court, eat and exchange the gifts.

I think that this seems like a great idea and a lot of fun. Especially if you are on a budget, which K and I definitly will be on next V-day. Plus I love that it is kind of like a fun adventure. It wouldn't have to be for Valentine's Day either. Maybe for a girlfriend gift exchange you could meet at the mall, find gifts, then exchange over dinner. And you don't have to eat in the food court either. Most malls have nicer resturants nearby or attached.

Here is the twist...when I got to work my (new) boss came in and was talking about how she just got through on the radio and what she had called about. The woman I had heard was her! I was pretty impressed.

So would you ever do "30 in 30 minutes" for a holiday?

v-day weekend wrap up and some random thoughts

-K and I both got our taxes done. Last year I got a pretty big return so I was hoping for the same thing again, sadly that wasn't the case, but at least I didn't owe anything.

-One of these just opened up by my parent's house. It is so good!

-There is a bird caught in our dryer vent, this has happened about 6 times since we have lived in our apartment and it is SO ANNOYING! It's making all kinds of noise right now. We told them about it, them being the apartment management, on Friday and they still haven't come to get it out. I need to do laundry and I'm not sure it turning on the dryer would kill it or drive it out.

-We didn't do anything big for Valentine's Day but it was still very nice. K surprised me with flowers and a latte in the morning then we went out to brunch.

My pretty flowers!

2010 goals---1 month update

Remember this post? Where I told you all my goals for this year and promised to update you monthly on my progress? Well here is your first update.

1) Lose 20 pounds by the end of the year.
So far this has been a little disappointing. I actually weight (very, very) slightly more than I did at the beginning of the year. I have done the Shred 18 times. I started really strong but then my knees started bothering me, I went to Boston for longer than expected, and we got lots of snow which made me lazy...excuses I know. I'm going to get back on track and I am happy that I am at least doing something few times each week minimum. It's a big improvement from last year.

The big news this past week is that I started Weight Watchers online. Tuesday was my first day of tracking points and my weigh in day is Friday, so while last week was my first week I don't feel like it is a good representation. This is my first full week. So far I really like being able to track everything online and having access to all of the recipes and guides. I'm going to try and plan out all our weekly meals based on WW recipes or using their "recipe builder." The big thing that I am noticing so far is my portions, especially at dinner, are just too big. Eating out will also be hard so I'm going to try to save up points and plan out what to eat in advance!

2) Take more pictures
I have been doing a little better than last year but still have lots of room for improvement. My first big "event" with my friends of this year is next weekend so that will be a good photo opportunity.

3)Get accepted to a Masters in Teaching program
School 1: My interview will hopefully be sometime soon! It got all messed up because of the snow. Stupid snow.
School 2: Honestly don't know what is going on with these bitches. I don't even know if they have all the right stuff, have lost paperwork or what. Very annoying. I don't think I want to go there even if I do get in.
School 3: ACCEPTED!


Overall, it has been a mixed first month. Can't wait to see what the next one brings!

answers to your questions: part 2

I'm back at work today, but then I have a three day weekend. I have to say as much as I hate coming to work I was happy to get out of the house this morning. Starting to get a little cabin fever, plus the only thing on TV during the day is a Baby Story, and I can only handle a couple births each week. It's supposed to be sunny here over the weekend so hopefully some of our snow mountains will start to melt!

Here are the rest of my answers to your questions!

What was your favorite band when you were in middle school?: Middle school was the first time I really started listening to my own music. Before that I just knew oldies my mom played in the car. I love music but have never been really into bands or going to concerts. I liked No Doubt because they were super cool then...I was also very into Celine Dion. Let's be honest...I still am.

Do you like pancakes?: Maybe once a year. I am not a huge sweet breakfast person.

If you could travel back in time to any era, which time period would you choose and why?: Tudor England for sure. Ever since I started reading Phillipa Gregory books I have been obsessed with that period of history and I think it would be so cool to see what it was like. I know people were dirty back then and the castles were very cold but as long as it was a short visit I would be fine!

What's your favorite cocktail?: Depends on the occasion really but for anytime it would have to be a really good margarita. On the rocks, with salt.

If you could go on a free vacation tomorrow, anywhere in the world, where would it be?: Since I have never been to Europe I would love to take a couple months and travel around to lots of different countries. Since it would be free I could stay in nice hotels, eat great food and see all the sights!


How did you and K meet?: We officially met the beginning of our sophomore year of college, but we went to a very small school so we kind of knew each other by association before that. We were both at a party and I went up and started talking to one of his friends who I sort of knew. I was a little drunk from Mt Dew Code Red and cheap vodka (which incidentally was my cocktail of choice at the time.) Something about him just caught my attention even though he wasn't really my "type" and I wasn't looking for a boyfriend. I told my friend KT (who knew him) I wanted to get to know him better (I'm sure those were not the words I used but that was the gist) and to give him my screen name (oh the days of AIM.) Turns out he actually im-ed her and told her the same thing. We started talking and the rest is history. Except not really. We actually had a really messed up and drama-filled first year of our relationship which I would love to write down someday...so maybe that will be a blog post soon!

answers to your questions: part 1

Well, the snow finally stopped but it is still a mess around here. My office is supposed to be opening at noon but I'm not going to go at all. Can you tell how thrilled I am about my job? I'll take any excuse to not go. When you know you are going to quit something, commitment goes right out the window.

Thanks for all of your questions, now onto the answers! To keep this from being a super long post I am going to do it in two parts.

What is your favorite food?: Probably crab legs, pork fried rice, ribs or cheese! But I love food, so lots of other things too!

Do you have any hobbies or special talents?: In terms of hobbies I like to read, blog, cook and watch TV. I would love to have a more productive hobby but I don't really know what. I used to be into theater so maybe someday I'll get back into that. Special talents is hard to say...I'm a pretty good singer and can read really fast. I also am very loud...not sure if that is a talent or a curse but it comes in handy!

What is the most random thing you have ever done?: I do a lot of little random things but I don't think I am normally very random about major life choices. Starting to date K was pretty random because I didn't want a boyfriend nor did I know much about him or his friends. I don't think anyone who knew us would have ever thought we would get together.

Did you always want to be a teacher?: Not at all. Growing up I had a lot of different ideas as to what I wanted to be. When I was in high school I thought about becoming a teacher because I always loved working with kids. I did a mentorship in a first grade class my senior year then went to college and started taking Elementary Ed. classes. Then I got a little overwhelmed about all the choices and changed my major to Broadcasting. I wanted to live in NYC and be like Carrie Bradshaw, but then I spent a summer there and didn't like it. After college I wasn't really sure what kind of job I wanted other than it needed benefits and normal hours. I started to get worried I wouldn't find anything so I took a job with my current company. See this post for how I decided I wanted to become a teacher while working at my current job.

What's your worst habit?: I am kind of bossy and controlling. I like things to be exactly my way which I know gets on K's nerves, especially when I freak out or nag him about stupid things.

What's your guilty pleasure?: Other than eating too much and watching crappy TV, which everyone knows about my secret guilty pleasure is wikipedia. I am obsessed with reading things on wikipedia, especially historical information. One time I spent a whole day a work just reading about British monarchs in chronological order. Super nerdy.

Where do you see yourself raising a family and why there?: I would love to stay in suburban Maryland. I like this area because you are close to DC, Baltimore, only a few hours from New York and there is a lot to do, especially for kids. The public schools are also very good. That being said, K moved down here because of me so I have always told him if he wants to move after law school we can do that. He likes Maryland too now and will probably look for jobs in this area/take the MD bar exam. Even if we do end up moving, we will probably always stay on the East Coast. Growing up in a military family, I moved around a lot and while it was awesome to have different experiences, it makes me a little sad that I didn't grow up in the same town. I would love for my children to be able to make friends in elementary school that they can have for their whole lives.


Feel free to leave any other questions...I'll post part 2 in the next day or so!

whiteout

This is me today, only not as hot. I haven't seen this movie, but on the news they kept talking about whiteout conditions so I googled it. This is what I found.

For the first time ever my work is actually being cool about the blizzard and not forcing us to risk life and limb driving into work. So I am home today. 4 day week last week, 3 (or possibly 2) day week this week and a 3 day week next week...gotta love it.

Feel free to leave any other questions, I'm going to post my answers soon!

UPDATED: Still really windy and blizzard-y outside. My office officially closed today which I'm pretty sure is unprecedented. I'm pretty sure we won't be able to get my car out so I probably am not going to go to work tomorrow.

what do you want to know?

I'm back at work today, my interview was cancelled yesterday because of the snow and we are expected to get another 10-20 inches today into tomorrow. Sweet. I'm counting down the days until I become a teacher and don't have to risk my life getting to work when it snows!

Anyways, maybe this time of year causes blogging writers block, because everyone has been doing "ask me questions" posts.

And here I am, hopping on the bandwagon.

So what do you want to know about me, my life, my thoughts or whatever? Ask away!

i blame the superbowl for a lack of creative title

Over the weekend Maryland experienced a ginormous and insane blizzard...and I missed it. From the coverage on the Weather Channel my mom, brother and I were not sure if there would be a Maryland to come home to, or just a white blob. But, we made it back safely and K was kind enough to wait until I got back so I could "help" him excavate my car. My helping basically involved climbing into snow banks then screaming "I've fallen and I can't get up!" and trying to make ice sculptures out of the snow on the roof of my car.

Marylanders are going to be talking about this snow for literally years to come so it is a little sad I won't be able to truly commiserate. Boston didn't get a speck of snow but it was bitter cold so all we couldn't really do anything but eat and drink. Sad I know. We also went to see Avatar (my sister and mom hadn't seen it yet) and my brother said he was very happy with his audition.

Forgive me Jillian Michaels, I needed the 5 sticks of butter and bacon in my Carbonara to keep warm. Like whale blubber.

I tried to burn off some of the calories by climbing in our hotel window and jumping on the beds with my brother a la Spiderman.

It didn't work. I need to get back to the Shred tomorrow. I'm also thinking about Weight Watchers online...anyone done it before?

As far as I know I still have my interview with School #1 tomorrow, but I won't be surprised if it doesn't happen.

escape from the snow

My brother is in the process of auditioning for musical theater programs at colleges (he is a senior in high school.) Saturday he has an audition at Emerson College in Boston which is one of his top choices. Since my parents have been taking him to most of them somehow it was decided that I would take him this weekend to give them a break (and get a free weekend trip.) Our plan was to fly to Boston on Saturday morning, go to the audition, spend the night with my sister (she goes to Boston College) then fly home on Sunday.

HOWEVER, a mega blizzard is supposed to hit Baltimore tomorrow and go through Saturday so there would be no way we could fly out Saturday morning and make the audition in time. My mom decided that she would just leave tomorrow morning and drive my brother so they could beat the snow. Since I was planning on being away this weekend she asked if I wanted to go along for the ride.

We are going to leave tomorrow morning and I am going to call out sick from work. I was planning on calling out sick on Monday anyway because I have my interview at School #1 (so it will be a long illness.) Ha. Gotta use those sick days before I quit!

Hopefully K and Hanna will be ok snowed in without me. He is going to go shopping tomorrow for frozen pizza and beer survive the storm. What else do guys really need?

I hope you all have nice weekends and if you are in areas that are getting snow you are prepared with your own store of food, alcohol, and lots of shows on your dvr!

big news!

I got accepted to School #3!

It's not my top choice because of the structure of the program, but now I know I will at least be going somewhere!

To complete the program they are requiring I take 3 undergrad courses but they will let me start without them as long as I can finish them by May 2011.

I literally just got an email from the Program Director so my official acceptance letter isn't here yet. Obviously I am not going to commit to anything just yet but I am excited to have an option! Yay!

award-a-palooza 2010

In honor of the awards I have gotten lately I am going to now host my own mini awards show post! And here it is!

The first comes from Melanie at Melanie's Randomness.

I don't know it's name but it appears to be a nifty lemonade stand! Who doesn't love lemonade stands? They are so profitable.

For this one you need to write 5 random things about yourself:

1) My right thumb is double jointed.

2) I used to live in Hawaii.

3) I have never been to Europe, but I really want to go.

4) I have very vivid and strange dreams.

5) I love peanut butter. K and I both eat a spoonful of peanut butter with a glass of milk almost every night.

I pass this along to:

Adventures of a Mrs.

Pink Champagne

The next one comes from Jane at Wishful Thinking

For this one you are supposed to list 3 things would like to learn how to do. I'd like to learn...

1) How to be less controlling and obsessive about little things.

2) How to use a curling iron and french braid. I am an idiot when it comes to doing hair.

3) How to make really good barbecue, I have been randomly watching Barbecue Pitmasters on TLC and it makes me wish I was a competitive BBQ cook.

I pass this along to:

A Life More Exciting

So Say I

And the final award is from Meagan at Megs7827

I think they are Olympians...either that or semi nude Nazis. For this one you are supposed to name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.

1) I prefer the winter Olympics to the summer because I really don't like Michael Phelps. Something about him just bothers me and I don't like how he gets way more attention than everyone else.

2) In 4th grade I did a biography project on Adolph Hitler. I'm sure it looked kind of bad for a blonde haired, blue eyed child to pick Hitler but I didn't admire him or anything. I just was very interested in WWII at that age.

3) I'm really good at random trivia. I would love to go on Jeopardy at some point.

4) I don't like crowded bars or clubs, if I am out with my friends I want to be able to talk to them not gross strangers.

5) I find Christopher Guest movies to be absolutely hilarious. Especially "Best in Show."

6) I once had a panic attack going up the Statue of Liberty. I ran back down the stairs and hid in the gift shop.

7) I'm really loud. I can't even control it...I just have a very loud voice. Pretty much everyone I know makes fun of me for it!

I pass this along to:

Wishful Thinking

Adventures of Anonymous Prep

if I were...

If I were a month, I’d be September.
If I were a day of the week, I’d be Saturday.
If I were a time of day, I’d be 7:00 pm.
If I were a planet, I’d be Neptune.
If I were a sea animal, I’d be a dolphin.
If I were a direction, I’d be South.
If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a comfy couch.
If I were a liquid, I’d be pinot gris.
If I were a gemstone, I’d be a sapphire.
If I were a tree, I’d be a flowering dogwood.
If I were a tool, I’d be a blowtorch.
If I were a flower, I’d be a peony.
If I were a kind of weather, I’d be a summer rain.
If I were a musical instrument, I’d be bagpipes.
If I were a color, I’d be cobalt blue.
If I were an emotion, I’d be joy.
If I were a fruit, I’d be a strawberry.
If I were a sound, I’d be waves crashing on the beach.
If I were an element, I’d be water.
If I were a car, I’d be a red jetta (which is what I own.)
If I were a food, I’d be snow crab legs dipped in butter.
If I were a place, I’d be a wild beach on a deserted island.
If I were a material, I’d be cotton.
If I were a taste, I’d be spicy.
If I were a scent, I’d be fresh baked sugar cookies.
If I were an object, I’d be a television set.
If I were a body part, I’d be hands.
If I were a facial expression, I’d be a cheesy grin.
If I were a song, I’d be a power ballad.
If I were a pair of shoes,

I’d be Manolo Blahnik Something Blue pumps

(fell in love when I saw these in the Sex and the City movie.)

What would you be?

*Thanks to Kelly at Dare to Be Domestic for posting this!*

parking FAIL

Seeing things like this on Monday morning really pisses me off.

(Note the position of the wheel in relation to the white line...the first white line that is, the second is the edge of my car's window.)

If you are going to back in, do it right!

*side note: sorry for my lack of commenting lately, I'm going to try and catch up today/this evening!*