take 2

Hey there...remember the time I said I was going to start blogging again? Epic fail.

Over the last couple of months I have really struggled with the whole blogging thing. When I worked in corporate America it was such a big part of my everyday life and really was what made the workday bearable. So when I left and didn't put as much time into reading and commenting on other blogs, I felt like my own blog wasn't worth it. If I couldn't put in the time to keep up with comments it just seemed...rude....I don't know if that makes sense to anyone. I guess I just didn't want to do it if I couldn't blog and comment everyday like I used to.

Through all this I genuinely missed writing the blog and well as interacting with all the bloggy friends I had made, so I stalked in silence and began mental posts that I never finished.

Then it hit me...I was putting all this pressure on myself for no reason. Blogging has always been something I have done for myself so it shouldn't matter if I can't post everyday or (as much as I would like to) leave a thoughtful comment on every blog I read. I just want to have fun with this.

I also hope by taking away the daily pressure I will be able to be myself more on this blog. Not saying I was fake in the past but I do think sometimes I got caught up in trying to write in a certain style or on certain topics that I thought would appeal to my "readers."

So I realize that this is kind of rambling, but I felt like I should put it out there before I start up again. I am just going to do "me" here. For those of you who used to read I hope you stick around, I can't wait to "catch up" with you all. To any new people...welcome and enjoy!

P.S. I am sort of feeling a blog name change and makeover...does anyone have any ideas? How did you come up with your blog's name?

ode to the anonymous commenter

Over the past couple years I've seen a lot of the blogs I read (and enjoy) plagued by a mysterious ailment.

The anonymous, mean spirited, critical commenter.

You know the one. You have probably been visited by them.

But until tonight, I hadn't been. Probably because not many people read this blog.

Now I don't claim to always write about wonderful, profound things. In fact a lot of my posts are about nothing. I just write this blog for me to get out whatever is in my head. I try and stay true to myself and I'm not always nice or perfectly politically correct. I'm just Courtney.

So if any of you, and by you I mean the people who read and comment of my blog and I have come to consider friends, were offended by this post on Friday...I'm sorry. I was having a bad day and not in the best mood. Maybe I should have thought about some of my choices of words...maybe I shouldn't have. Who knows. Who cares really?

I have a point here about these anonymous comments.

Those of us who blog put ourselves out there for the world to see and judge. That's our choice and there are going to be those who don't always agree or like what we have to say. But why hide behind anonymous? We are all just being ourselves here...why don't you do that too?

featured!

Today I am a little overwhelmed with the whole grad school situation (I'll fill you in later.) But...on a happier note...I am being featured over at Raindrops and Roses today! Go check it out!

Also, the weather is gorgeous and it's almost the weekend...so I'm trying to stay optimistic.

Happy Weekend!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Today makes me nostalgic for college. Green beer, decorating T-shirts, random kissing, being drunk. This truly is the perfect college holiday. Maybe not what St. Patrick had in mind, but oh well.

Since I am no longer in college I need a new way to appreciate this fine holiday. I'm thinking a trip to Ireland might do the trick.

(image found here)

Sigh. Maybe someday. For now I'll just wear a green cardigan.

In other exciting news my fabulous real life friend, JM, started her own blog called DC Food Love. It's going to be all about food, wine, and entertaining. Check it out!

tag and an award

First of all, I was tagged (back on February 25th...I am a slacker) by Jenny DB at So Say I to play along with a phototag game.

Here are the rules:

1) Open your 1st Photo Folder (I am going to use my photobucket since my pictures are pretty disorganized)
2) Scroll to the 10th photo
3) Post the photo (no cheating) and the story behind it

Here it is:

Last February my mom and I went up to Boston for my sister's 21st birthday. The first day we were there it was so cold and my sister had class, so we just went to the movies. We saw "Taken" which wasn't that good. However, it was a very weird theater. The seats (and the theater itself) was on a very sharp incline...almost straight up. I was bored waiting and no one else was there so I took some pictures. Click here to see my original blog post about the trip...it was back when I didn't get any comments!

For this I tag anyone who wants to play along!

Next on the agenda, Ashley from Kiwis and Cocktails gave me this fab award:

The Rules:

1. List 6 things you are a master in.

2. Pass it on to 6 bloggers you think are masters at friendship, and make blogging so awesome

I am a master in:

1) Being loud. Seriously, I can not talk softly. My whisper is at the volume of most people's normal voices.

2) Mincing garlic. Once I saw Rachel Ray use this technique with coarse salt and I have been doing it ever since. Garlic is my fav. Sorry Vampire Bill.

3) Trivia. As long as it isn't sports trivia.

4) Spoiling my dog. I let her get away with anything.

5) Drunk singing. I love to sing to people when I am drunk, or have them request songs from me. Like a human jukebox.

6) Baking potatoes. This is a new mastery, since I started Weight Watchers a baked potato with salsa is my go to easy dinner. It took some practice but I finally have a technique where they end up perfect!

I tag:

1) a life more exciting

2) Adventures of an Anonymous Prep

3) Everyday Delights

4) Llama Tales

5) Pink Champagne

6) Cape Cod Awesome

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!)

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!

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!

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

make me over

Just imagine that I am Tai and you are Cher, then give me some advice on makeovers. Blog makeovers specifically.

Now that I have been blogging for a year and have gotten to 60 followers (woot! love you followers! you make me feel special!) I want to invest in a fancy-schmancy custom blog design. I've tried to do this myself before but I am clueless (pun intended) so now I just want to pay someone. Not too much of course.

A lot of you have sweet layouts/blog designs so please, please, please hook me up with your recommendations on who I could use. There are a lot of designers out there but I want someone who is good and easy to work with. Also if you are a blog designer (not sure if that is the right term but I am going to go with it) and would be interested let me know!

Leave a comment or email me: curiosity.cee@gmail.com

Thanks!

happy first bloggy birthday

Wow, a year ago today I started this blog. To say that I had no idea what I would be getting into would be an understatement. After a year or so of stalking reading blogs I decided to try out writing one of my own. I was looking for something creative to do and it seemed like a good idea, why not right?

I figured it would only last a week or so tops, similar to all the diaries I got for Christmas as a kid. They always would have entries for January 1st (about who I liked or what I ate for dinner)then a bunch of blank pages, but surprisingly I have kept on blogging and don't plan on stopping.

It's been a lot of fun this year "meeting" new people and friends here in blogland. I appreciate all of you for reading my random thoughts and for commenting. I'm excited to see what happens in my second year.

be back soon...I promise!

I have a lot of things I want to blog about this week including a brush with a "celebrity", movies, books, New Years eve drama and resolutions BUT it's going to be super crazy at work so I don't have a lot of time!

I'm going to try and do some blogging and blog reading tonight when I get home but please forgive me if I am a slacker. I'll be back soon!

Happy 101 Blog Bling

Jenny DB from So Say I gave me the Happy 101 award. I also totally stole her term "blog bling" for these awards because it is just too cute. Thanks Jenny, and sorry this took me so long!

Here are the rules:

1) List 10 things that make you happy.

2) Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day. (Only since you all brighten my day with your blogs and comments, I am breaking the rules and tagging anyone who want to play!...I am such a rebel)


Here we go:
1) The beach
2) New books
3) Singing, especially songs from musicals
4) Gossiping with my friends
5) Wineries
6) Free gifts with purchases
7) Good hair days
8) Baking Christmas cookies with my brother and sister
9) Eggnog (see my last post)
10) Waking up with my sweet boyfriend and cuddy puppy everyday

writers block

I think I have blogging writers block. Every time I start a post it comes out lame and I delete it. So I am not sure if that is writers block or just a lack of creativity. Or maybe it is a lack of general excitement right now in my life prompting me to be creative?

My darling boyfriend told me yesterday that I have been "slacking" in my blogging lately (thanks K) so I didn't go home for lunch today in an effort to generate a worthwhile post. It didn't work. I think I am going to create my Christmas list instead to give my mom instead (yea, I still do that)...maybe I will post that?

Do you have an topics I could blog about or questions for me? How do you get ideas for your own blog?

I love awards! (and can't think of orginal titles)

The fabulous Jenny DB gave me the "Sugar Doll" award. Thanks Jenny, and I agree with you, these blog award names are super cheesy. The rules for this on are basically: list 10 tid-bits about yourself and then nominate 10 other bloggers.

So here are my 10 tid-bits:

1) I love Mexican food of all kinds and could totally eat it every day! Especially while drinking a margarita.

2) The History Channel is quickly becoming one my my favorite channels. I have been watching it a ton lately on the weekends. The documentary-type shows are really interesting.

3) Since getting my puppy, Hanna, in May I (with the help of K) have probably come up with 100 nicknames for her. I'm not sure she even knows what her real name is!

4) The heat in cars makes me feel really sick so I only keep in on for a few minutes until the car gets warm. Normally I have the air conditioner on in the winter but I turn my heated seat up to high to keep warm!

5) My favorite ride at Disney World is Splash Mountain. I once rode it 5 times in a row.

6) My favorite make up is Bare Minerals .

7) Until about 5 years ago the only Thanksgiving foods I would eat were mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy and rolls. I was very picky. Now I eat everything...which is sort of the problem!

8) I don't really like cats, I am semi-allergic to them and the thought of having a litter box makes me want to vom...but every time I go to Petco and see the ones that they have up for adoption I want to bring one home.

9) Someday I really want to live near the beach, or at least have a beach house I can go to a lot.

10) I am the oldest child in my family; I have one sister who is 21 and one brother who is 17.

Here are the blogs I nominate, if you have already gotten this award feel free to ignore!:

Wishful Thinking

Llama Tales

Ladybug Blessings

The Perks

Pink Champagne

Martinis or Diaper Genies?

A Life More Exciting

Everyday Delights

Glamorous Newlywed

In Love With A Farm Boy

shout out

One of my first bloggy friends, Jessica, formerly of Jey Rey in SA, sadly decided to stop blogging a few months ago and I have really missed her!

Fortunately...she recently got engaged and decided to start and wedding planning blog! Yay! She is such a sweetie and who doesn't love reading about weddings?

Check it out!

The Big 200

This is my 200th post! When I started this blog I had no idea how much fun I would have with it or all of the awesome people I would "meet." Thank you all for reading my little blog!

[photo found here]

How Lovely!

An awesome new reader of my blog, Tracie, gave me the One Lovely Blog award. She actually gave it to me last week...but I was procrastinating. Thank you for the award Tracie!

I believe you were supposed to pass it along to 15 people but since I like to be a rebel I am going to pick 3 of the blogs I have just recently started reading and totally love!

Here they are:

BonBon Rose

The Seattle Smiths

Llama Tales

Halloween Makeover

My Broadway Babies class this morning put me in the Halloween spirit (the theme of the whole session is "Halloween Stars") so I did a mini-makeover. What do you think? I tried to make a cool header on scrapblog.com and failed miserably but I think in general I did ok with the rest of it.

I would love to eventually invest in a custom blog layout. Does anyone have any reasonably priced recommendations?