Blog #98: Help me pick a theme song

Birthday excitement abounds as party day creeps up!

My birthday is actually Saturday but since that day is dedicated to the Bearcats and a marriage, I am celebrating Friday the 30th with margaritas at lunch c/o my boss who will finally get to meet my BFF.

I'm certain our outing will be legendary. It includes a hotel room downtown, three of the most fun and amazing ladies I know, and P&L. Who knows what will happen.

Thanks for assuring me I'm not crazy. I am putting aside my indecisive crazy for the weekend so that I can just relish and enjoy the moment, but will be back to weighing my options come Monday.

Since I'm about to start another year of life, it's probably time to start thinking of a theme song for the year. When I was 25, it was Jimmy Eat World's "Praise Chorus". (Side note: I LOVE Jimmy Eat World.) I can't quite remember if I picked one for 26... but I know I was especially connected to Scandal's "Warrior" and Wilson Phillips "Hold On" for a good portion of my year.

So what will it be for 27? Some that I've been considering:
"Waiting for My Chance to Come" - Noah and the Whale
"Don't Rain on my Parade" - Barbara Streisand
"Stay Young, Go Dancing" - Death Cab for Cutie
"Dog Days are Over" - Florence & The Machine

Those obviously aren't the only options... just a few that have been in mind. Wherever I end up, 27 is going to be a year for new experiences and adventures, I'm sure. Do you have any suggestions?

Blog #97: No seriously, I can't make a decision (expansion on #96)

Yesterday I demonstrated how when there is a major life decision that I'm having trouble making, I tend to be paralyzed in EVERY OTHER decision from the important to the mundane by posting a very silly list of choices I struggle with on the daily. The thing is, it was not really a joke.

With grad school and 2011 coming crashing to a close in just about 3 short months, I am faced with a HUGE question mark for I think the first time in my life. Every other "big" decision that others might be tormented by, I've made with fairly youthful impulsiveness and not regretted. I applied to one college after I visited and fell in love with NWMSU. I got a 30 on my ACT and had great grades and school involvement, so I probably could have gotten into someplace with a little more "prestige" but I loved NW, chose it, and have always been very happy with that choice. I regularly gave up my summers and uprooted myself to work at camp. I wanted to try to move to CO, but when the job market didn't work out for me up there I came home and got a job right away with Garmin. When I decided to go to grad school, I did a little bit of research and went full speed ahead to Avila. I only interviewed at one place for my internship. AND NONE OF THESE DECISIONS I REGRET. They've all worked out great for me.

Research actually shows that the more choices/time we're given to make a decision, the less likely we are to be completely  happy with the decision we've made. Isn't that crazy? So, it's worked out well for me that I tend to just "decide" on something and then do it. The problem now is, well, I was put in a situation where I had several months - actually it will end up being about a year from the first time the option appeared to my first opportunity to act on it- to make a big decision. One might think that's a good thing (I can really think it through!) but it's not. I have made my decision and changed my mind about 5 times now and it's a big deal and I feel like I should know what I want BUT I DON'T.

Or maybe I do, but want to be seen as the person that wants the opposite. Which doesn't make any sense. See what I'm going through? And now, because I'm stuck on that big choice, I feel like I don't know what I want in ANYTHING. And if the pull to the big change I was considering isn't enough to make with reckless abandon like all my other changes, then maybe I'm supposed to wait?

Please, someone tell me I'm not crazy.

Great. I'm crazy.

Blog #96: Life Decisions I Suck at Making

1. Should I keep my bangs?
2. Where should I live?
3. What should I wear Friday night?
4. What snack do I want from the vending machine?
5. Should I get myself a Pumpkin Spice Latte this morning?
6. What angle am I going to take on my case study?
7. Should I clean or watch all the shows on my DVR?
8. What kind of job do I want after graduate school?
9. Am I human or am I dancer?
10. Chips, apple, or bread with that bowl of soup from Panera?

Blog #95: Shel Silverstein

I mentioned that I picked up a copy of Shel Silverstein's latest (published posthumously obviously by his family).

I was SO EXCITED to get a chance to read some of his poems for the first time again, something I haven't been able to do since like 5th or 6th grade. I remember when he died. It was near the end of the 7th grade school year and my English teacher, Mrs. Restivo, wrote it on the announcements chalk board. Yes, chalk board. You kids these days with your whiteboards and smart boards. Totally missing out.

Anyhow, I went out right away and got it, and sat down and read it in its entirety and it was a delight.

One of my favorite things about Shel Silverstein has always been his ability to pack big, important, and profound  meanings in just a few short lines. 

When I was young, I loved his silly stories and poems. I learned a lot about clever uses of words from reading Shel Silverstein’s work. It wasn’t until I grew up a bit (or a lot in some ways) and went back and reread his poetry that I discovered what other, much bigger lessons he was teaching me. Part of me wonders now if he intended to make the metaphors I find in many of his poems now, or if it’s my life experience that creates the perspective that creates the metaphors. From what I’ve learned about Mr. Silverstein, he was always very purposeful and intentional in his work. I believe that he knew he was imparting wisdom that might not be realized until later on in his young readers’ lives, and that it was his goal. Much like The Giving Tree teaches about friendship in a simple poignant way, the poems in Everything On It tackle big issues like hiding your true self, growing old, and loss directly but gently. It is not without the silly, nonsense poetry and drawings that Silverstein is known for either. Much like every book he's published, you will likely tear up and giggle within a page of one another.

The trend of silliness with wisdom sprinkled in continues in this latest publication, and if you were ever a fan, you still will be. I'm the proud owner of all of his children's poetry books. 

*Nobody paid me to write about this. Seriously. There are like 1.7 people who read this blog. I'm not attracting any sponsorships. I just really love Shel Silverstein.

Blog #94: Awesome & Lucky People

The title for this post was inspired by the most adorable quote from my nephew. We were driving back home and my oldest nephew was entertaining us by using an app on his phone to tell us which celebrities were celebrating birthdays. Then, out of nowhere, my younger nephew, 7, said this little gem, "We're lucky people. We're awesome and lucky people."

And then my heart melted. Which made it difficult to drive.

He's right though, and it's been on my mind all week. There were awesome things about every day, though nothing ridiculously extraordinary. I think my mind was primed to see the awesome in everything because of the amazing weekend I had with my family - it was just what I needed to reset myself and re-energize. So, even though my iPhone took a swim in the toilet Saturday night (oops), I had a hard time feeling too down about it. Here are just a few awesome things from this week, that have me feeling lucky:

Monday:
- Got super exclusive CEO parking spot
- Totally absorbed in a project at work, got it done much quicker than expected and felt extra productive.
- Unexpectedly got to go home early from Solace House, and got to spend the evening watching the premiers of How I Met Your Mother, The Sing Off*, and Castle

*Absolutely the best reality/competition show on TV. The judges are Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles and Sean from BoyzIIMen. It doesn't get any better than that.

Tuesday:
- Parking Spot again
- Treated myself to a Starbies PSL because it was an early morning at work.
- Office wellness class at 7:30am involved using fun stretch bands and dancing/punching around to fun music.
- I got to show off my Sky Diving pics
- Through the magic of cell phone insurance, I got my replacement iPhone at a significantly reduced price
- More awesome productivity
- Potluck night at Solace House = awesome food
Wednesday:
- Discovered that the family of Shel Silverstein released a collection of previously unpublished poems. Immediately went out and got myself a copy. Read it. It was wonderful. More on that later.
- Modern Family season premier (best sitcom on TV, as evidenced by Emmys.)
Thursday:
- parking spot again
- stopped by Hyvee before work to discover they were FINALLY carrying the holiday coffeemate creamers... including Pumpkin Spice (I'm a pumpkin FIEND in the Fall.)
- Also noticed that the movie Bridesmaids had been released. HAD to get myself a copy.
- Excellent talk at Solace House with my supervisor & other intern. Was there until 9:45 but didn't even notice!

Friday is awesome because it is Friday. Tomorrow I am going to Cider Days in Topeka (another Fall obsession: apple cider and honeycrisp apples) with my Grandma. Party move, I know.

Life is great.

Blog #93: So... I jumped out of an airplane.

You guys. I jumped out of an airplane on Saturday. It is one of the coolest things (possibly THE coolest thing) I have ever done. Experience five! Let's recap!

 It all started bright and early on Friday morning when I loaded my nephews in the car, got myself some caffeine (and them hot chocolate) and hit the open road. Let me just say that these two are the most well mannered best little road trip troopers I've ever had the pleasure of hanging out with.

Getting goofy at my typical stop in Colby, KS - "The Oasis on the Plains!"

The boys hadn't ever been to CO! I couldn't wait for them to see how awesome it is!

We got to my aunt's in CO Springs around 5:30 and proceeded to party hardy with Glee Karaoke on the Wii. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of me rocking hard with Rachel Berry to "Don't Rain on My Parade" so you'll just have to believe me when I say that happened. Glee Karaoke was one of our family's more epic sing-a-longs. Which is saying something, because we frequently burst into song together at random. After the party we hit the hay early, because the next day was SKY DIVING!!! Let the pictures speak for themselves. If you want my commentary and some more pics, you can check out my facebook album.

 I survived the fall and went on to join my family in some sight seeing at Garden of the Gods!

 

I'd been missing my mama! We are on top of the world!

A great shot of the kids on the rocks!

Best. These guys LOVED the mountains. 

Blog #92: Disciplinary Action

Well, we're just not going to talk about the Chiefs. That game was DISGUSTING. It was more of a very real nightmare than a game. Oh my gosh. Did the Bills really blow us out at home? And did we lose Eric Berry for the season? Who the hell is Sabby Piscatelli? I might throw up.

Sorry. I said we're NOT talking about it. I've always got my Bearcats. (Outscored our first 2 opponents 117-20, THAT'S WHAT'S UP)

Anyhow, remember all those times I said I was going to clean out my closet and sort through my clothes to get ready for Fall? I had absolutely zero follow through with that. And then, I still bought myself some new Fall items/preliminary birthday gifts, meaning my room basically has clothes for carpet. I have been BAD and am grounding myself as punishment. Except for I'm still going to Colorado this weekend to sky dive and see my family. And then I'm still going to go to Cider Days and Iowa next weekend. And then I'm still going to celebrate my birthday. I could really get used to this brand of discipline.

Blog #91: Welcome Back NFL and oh Hey there, Fall

There's technically 12 more days until Fall is official and I know at least 3 people who would punch me in the face for rushing it because of that heinous season that comes next. However, I. LOVE. FALL.

Football is BACK.
Hoodies are BACK.
Tights are BACK.
Sweaters are BACK.
Pumpkin Spice Lattes are BACK.
Soup season is BACK.

What's on my Fall shopping list this year? I'm glad you asked.

First and foremost, boots like these:

I'm really excited about some tall brown boots with a flatter heel. Also on my fall shopping list is a pair of fun 

colored skinny jeans.

I see some great possibilities for such jeans. I'm also in the market for a chambray shirt like so. Only instead of spending $68 dollars I will probably find one at a thrift store.

I'm also very excited about the Essie fall line of nail polish colors.

I'm going to look at thrift stores for some cool belts and jewelry, stock up on various textures and colors of tights, and maybe even pick up some thick socks and leg warmers. I'm SO READY. I also love sweaters, and will probably end up with one or two fresh picks for the Fall too.

Well, that's it for the day, I've got to get to work! I have class all weekend but will also be setting aside time to scream for my Bearcats and Chiefs! THIS IS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! 

Does anyone else get excited about Fall? It's the best.

Blog #90: Welcome, September

Fall is in the air! Well, not so much today. It's supposed to be in the 90's today. I guess it's traditionally summer until this weekend is over and technically summer until the 21st BUT pumpkin spice lattes are back, as well as college football. Here are some more ways I can tell it's more Fall than summer in my heart:

1. My craving for country music has faded away and replacing it is the familiar desire for alternative and indie rock. This is comforting to me because I felt like the Marissa everyone knows and loves was disappearing into a sea of y'alls and cheatin' husbands. (Topping the list: Lana Del Rey, The Vaccines, Foo Fighters, TATE of course, Joy Formidable, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and more)
2. I straight up salivate over the idea of boots.
3. I listened to an entire football game on the radio and hooted and hollered at every one of the Bearcat touchdowns in the 65-3 stomping of the Truman Bulldogs.
4.  COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS ON ALL DAY TODAY AND I'M MISSING IT.
5. I'm going to wear tights to work on Monday. Booyah.

There you have it. 5 non-weather indicators that Fall is upon us. AND I AM SO READY.

Have a good long weekend everyone.