At the age of four, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life; I knew exactly who I wanted to be; I knew where I wanted to live. Of course, I wanted to be with my "friends" all day and stay up late; I wanted to be Minnie Mouse; I wanted to live at Disneyland. More so, my "friends" consisted of Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Daisey Duck, and Shanna. However, life was simple and I never thought twice. I was going to be a famous mouse. Age six came swiftly, and the chunky clumsy girl wanted to be a Ballerina, no wait, a Princess. I settled for a Princess Ballerina, duh. I came to the conclusion that becoming Minnie Mouse was nearly impossible, seeing as she is a cartoon, a Princess Ballerina just seemed to be more realistic. Age ten, I was all about becoming a teacher or being a mom... a Teacher Mom. In middle school- bah, it was just about surviving. High school, I was going to go to art school in Italy- and there my talent would be discovered. In college, I was going to be part of the Art/Design crew at Starbucks headquarters.

At this point, I have to say- what stopped me? People telling me to be "realistic." Well, here's what I have to say about that... being realistic is BORING, PLAIN, NORMAL, REDUNDANT, MUNDANE, SLEEPY, PURGATORY, VOID, SAFE!

I could wear the Minnie Mouse Costume at Disneyland. Prince Harry is still single, I could still have a shot at becoming a princess- and I could take some dance lessons. I could get my Masters in teaching, who knows- I could teach moms. I could still be discovered in Italy- painting clothes on all the naked statues. I may even get hired to do some art for Starbucks.

I think sometimes, we need to shut off the "realistic person" in our heads. Whether they are voices from our past, or just our own doubt. Turn on the child, who thinks splashing around in the tub is just as fun as a water park. The child, who can see that a Lego is not just for building, but also makes a perfect berry in a mud pie. The child who dreams big, and believes that he or she can one day obtain it.

So, I have been saving Starbucks sleeves off my coffee, every day for months. I wasn't saving them for any particular reason, only because I thought it would be funny if HR had to clean my desk after they let me go. Well, I am still there...and my drawer is getting full. So I decided to have some fun...

It all started with a note of encouragement Jamie and I left for Marc, our producer....

Then it turned into a mural on the back of his door depicting he and his father, whom we also work with, as pirates...
Which in turn lead to another guy, who would steal handfuls of sleeves for me, wanting something for his door.... enter the Budwiser Frogs...
Poor Dave was the last to get something on his door... but I told him it would rock his face off... and it did. Jed is his white-trash, Indiana living "cousin" who comes to visit the office and torment me by invading my personal space. (the KFC bucket is made of sleeves).
My friend, Jamie, who is part of our Starbucks "bestie" gang, turned 30 this month, and I wanted to do something super special for her out of sleeves... she LOVES rainbows!
Finally, I felt left out, so I created a masterpiece for my "cube." La Tour Eiffel! Maybe one day I'll actually get to go!

Pumped up Kicks, Foster the People, is my new song of choice... however, when you read the lyrics... kinda disturbing.

Robert's got a quick hand.
He'll look around the room, he won't tell you his plan.
He's got a rolled cigarette, hanging out his mouth he's a cowboy kid.
Yeah he found a six shooter gun.
In his dads closet hidden in a box of fun things, and I don't even know what.
But he's coming for you, yeah he's coming for you.

[Chorus x2:]
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

Daddy works a long day.
He be coming home late, yeah he's coming home late.
And he's bringing me a surprise.
'Cause dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice.
I've waited for a long time.
Yeah the slight of my hand is now a quick pull trigger,
I reason with my cigarette,
And say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah.

[Chorus x2:]
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

[Whistling]

[Chorus x3:]
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

Last week my mom came to visit, and thus between the three of us, her, Shanna, and myself, "Baby Myers" has one awesome room!

In the last couple months I have gone to the movies quite a bit. Here are my thoughts on these movies... note, the first one is probably out of the theater now, but oh, well.

Water For Elephants

The Great Depression took a toll on everyone, even those in the circus. Who could compete with the Ringling Brothers? Someone with an elephant. Truth is, I thought chemistry was lacking between Reese Witherspoon and Edward Cullen... oops I mean Robert Pattinson. Although I didn't think it was a waste of money, I wish I had read the book first. Now I won't be able to imagine the characters not as these two. It was like watching a young aunt with her older nephew... kinda awkward. Let's face it Reece could do better.









Something Borrowed

Being an avid fan of Ginnifer Goodwin and John Krasinski, I had high hopes for this movie. Nothing like a spineless man to be in love with and friends stabbing eachother in the back. I felt like Kate Hudson was still playing her character in Bride Wars. There were parts that I did laugh out loud at, mainly because of John, he did a very good job. However, I would say this is a "Red Boxer."
I am wondering if they are going to make the second book into a movie, "Something Blue." I probably won't see it... oops I almost gave away the ending, I'm glad I stopped.



The Bridesmaids

WOW. True lack of QUALITY movies out right now! I must say Kristin Wiig is hilarious! I love her facial expressions. However, there was some parts that could have been shortened or even just kept as deleted scenes. My question is, why can't Hollywood just keep chick flicks for chicks! I really don't think that a guy would appreciate this movie. Nothing gets blown up and there are no fast cars or super "hot chicks." I mean really? If they would have left out all the grossness I would have LOVED it! Heck yeah, to the Irish cutie, he was the best part!






Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Johny Depp to the Silver Screen Rescue! Oh, Captin Sparrow how I have missed you! Definately not as amazing as the first movie, On Stranger Tides was a good movie. Introducing more oceanic legends Sparrow battles, Blackbeard, Spain, and Mermaids! Yes, I will never think of Mermaids as the same. Ariel is now vicious! Actually, at some point in the movie I actually expected them to call one of the characters Ariel, but they didn't. I can't say there were any surprises, but the dialouge was witty, the moves were entertaining, and the music enchanting as always!





The Hangover: Part II

"Members of the Wolfpack only," that is what the movie should have been called! I was pleasantly surprised by the first one. However, I knew this one could not be better. The characters were the same, the plot was the same, but this time the raunch level was on full speed ahead. At one point I actually felt tramatized. The first was NOT like that. I think the only reason the first movie worked out like it did, was because the actors were so completely different. There were one-liners, but not funny enough to see it again. Ugh. No.



Thor

Holy Moses, I have found the man of my dreams! Too bad he is a Nordic god...
Again, breath of fresh air! A clean movie! Go see it, even if you don't like these types of movies. I really enjoyed it! It has the perfect amount of humor, action, and romance. Again, I was pleasantly surprised! And ladies.... his abs... oh my!

I love writing. I LOVE writing! Lately I've been evaluating things I like, love, and hate. I hate working! HA, I want to be one of those people who loves what she does. I need to write more, it keeps me interesting. The other night I sat down to work on my novel, and to my surprise I hit a wall. I wish it was a small Lego of a block, but it was the Great Wall of China, kind of wall.
You know when funny people, TRY to be funny then they totally flop. That is exactly what was happening. I used all the cliches in the book- there I go again. One of my favorite college professors gave me the wisest advice, "write what you know."
Now I need to figure out what I know...
I know about mind-numbing jobs; crappy apartments; budget shoes & jewelry; awkward moments; cookie making; posing as a runner; random facts about peanut butter; curing kitten compulsive sneezing; putting off doing the dishes until you run out of forks; putting off laundry until you don't have any socks; sarcasm; movies; crushes; singleness in your mid-twenties; checking out men's calves while you stand in line at Starbucks; having friends who's husbands know how to change a flat tire; shock & awe; Disneyland- Disney for that matter; life is never easy; skepticism; impulsive purchases; college debt; the need to please people; hope; curiosity; poor decisions; fantastic decisions; imperfection; God's faithfulness; friendship; words...
Bye Block, I'll be seein' ya!

Sometimes, when I feel crappy I make Picasa collages documenting my weight loss. So far, I've lost 50 and oh, what a change it makes. These pictures were taken exactly a year apart. I will blog about the game later, I just wanted to post a picture.

This is how it starts. I finally realize how Selina Kyle felt before she was devoured by cats and thus became Cat Woman. Tonight I had an epiphany. I am Selina Kyle, the non-sexy, non-popular, under paid, under appreciated woman. I go home to my small dingy apartment, to my cat. I am girl who wants to be noticed, but never gets noticed. There is a difference though, in a movie I would get played by someone like John Travolta or Rosie O'Donnell, not some gorgeous starlet.
Yesterday morning, I was people watching at... you guessed it, Starbucks, when this woman who walked in. Not just some woman, a woman that even turned my head when she walked by. I wanted to BE her. Flawless skin, long sleek hair, legs that went to her chin, and guess what? She had no hint of a muffin top! Ugh. It's hard not to be envious, because guess what I've learned? Guys don't notice girls that have "great personalities." That may be the afterthought, but what reels them in is the 'hotness.' I'm not gonna lie, it pisses me off!
People on the Jersey Shore would call me a 'grenade.' I don't want to be a grenade I want to be a bombshell...
I rant and rave like this, but I need to remember "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

BAH! My cat is going to eat me.

Last weekend marked a year of friendship between myself and two neat ladies I am lucky to work with. So to celebrate we invented 'frienaversary' coined by yours truly. We planned an evening out, not at a fancy restaurant, not at a bumpin' & grindin' club, not even at Disneyland. We celebrated our friendship in the back of a van.... ha.
We had several ideas of what we should do, but Chelsea's suggestion won. Friday night we went to the Drive-in theater in Scottsdale. Two movies for 6.25? Heck yeah! I know mothers around the globe swear by their mini vans, but I'm not a mom, and I hate them... unless it's at a Drive in. Jamie's "sweet" ride let us relax in total comfort. We made it awesome, with some sort of Ikea mattress, 1 million pillows, and a gazillion blankets- ah mini vans, that's some true stow and go action!
Speaking of action, BAH! Jamie and I were walking to the bathrooms, when this older gentleman stopped us from inside his car. Being the overly causious person I am, I wanted to get out my mace and spritz him. However, I don't have mace- who actually carries it anyway? Jamie gets a cheap thrill out of talking to random people, so of course, we stopped. He asked us if we could ask the car behind them to turn off their lights because they were blinded. being the sweet pack of sugar that I am, wanted to tell him to bug off and do it themselves, but Jamie practically jumped at the chance. Fuuuuun. So, we walked to the car directly behind them only to find a couple making out. Niiiice. HA. Oh my word it was so cliche! Not only that, but we could tell they just pulled in! We asked the guy to turn off his headlights, he was so flustered all we could do was muffle our laughter. So, if you and your mate are going to go to the drive-in movie theater to make out, please do us the courtesy of first parking your car and second turning off your lights- or you will end up as a story in my blog! :)

Minutes later and totally relaxed, we watched two hours of Bradley Cooper. Ah. Limitless was good, but kinda weird. Then we watched Just Go With It- way better than I thought it was going to be, but not as good as the original - Cactus Flower.

So to sum up. Frienaversary- 1 pimped out mini van, Bradley Cooper, and a make out session- 1 year of friendship.... priceless.

I love saying hello and hate saying goodbye. My vacation has come to an end. Now I sit at gate B15 and reminisce about my time...
It was a-ma-zing to see Alisha & Jess in Redmond. I will think of Pomegranate Margaritas often, especially what they are made with.... real pomegranates or liquor? Ah, yes you must be in sales???
It is only with the two of you I could watch a 2001 VHS taping of Michael Jackson and the 30th anniversary celebration. And here is to Cynthia and Bianca and all the fun they have together! Love ya!
Monday I headed down to Olympia for a hometown visit... just in time for Mr. Brad Womack (the bachelor) to do his hometown visits. Leah, Isa and I went to Aunt Twylla's for one of our old and much beloved Monday Night Dinners, and as tradition goes I did drink my "Monday night root beer!" Ah, tradition.... TRADITION!
Tuesday Leah and I were able to meet her mom at a quaint historic house by the Capitol that was turned into a wine bar called Swing. Way cute, with a georgous view of the water! Ah, I miss home sometimes. We spent a lot of time developing a game in which we sreamed BOO, trying to scare eachother... ah, old friends. Towards the middle of the week we got snowed in! Yes, Olympia got snow... boo! However, we made the most out of it! We played and had some photo shoots- featuring Valencia photography! Leah & Isa- Thanks for the great week! I'll be missing you!

Ah, I love this commercial. As a woman, I think it is pretty hilarious. As a communication major, I think it is fascinating. While watching this commercial, I was taken back to sitting in a college class room with a much loved professor discussing gender and communication. Ah, Interpersonal Communication. The main topic of the day- Men and Women are significantly different. WOW, I did not need to go to college to learn that! However, it was the theories and discussion that went on that is most significant to me. I will not bore you with all the communication talk, I just simply love this commercial.
Next... I may find myself blogging about the Dorito finger licking guy and Social Norms... Ah, such a nerd!

Oh, no. Here I go blogging about my cat... ugh.
Anyway, I've had Junie for a month now, and let's just say I've been keeping busy... picking up after her. This little girl gets into EVERYTHING! Just the other day she had her 5lb bag of food in the middle of the living room when I walked in the door. All I could see were her hind legs sticking out. That same morning I left her with an entire bowl of food. The girl likes to eat!
Her favorite toys consist of a ball of yarn, a ball of tin foil, any of my shoes, and my glasses. I was sitting on my bed the other night when she came around the corner dragging my glasses with her. This trick could become very useful, but I'd rather she would leave my stuff alone.

10. Driving to work and hitting all green lights.
9. Checking my mail box only to find under all the bills is my free drink from Starbucks.
8. Waking up on my own... as in, no alarm needed.
7. Hearing my favorite song come on the radio.
6. Laughing so hard with friends that you just about lose bladder control.
5. Hearing someone say "Ask Trina, I bet she'll know."
4. Saturday morning frumpiness at Target with coffee in hand!
3. Double header at the cheap movie theater with a friend.
2. Getting a call other from my student loans or my parents checking to see if I'm still alive... ;)
1. My kitten (Junie) meowing until I pick her up when I get home.