Life Lately

I seriously intended on really getting back into blogging but majorly failed these past two weeks.  I have a bunch of half finished posts in my drafts that I wanted to finish, but before I could, Josh came home sick one day.  It was all down hill from there.  

I had been feeling dizzy for about a week but last Wednesday (17th) I woke up really dizzy with a sore throat.  I went to work anyway.  I got there and asked my boss if she could get someone to come in 4 hours early so I could go home.  Literally right after I sent the text I felt really nauseous and ended up getting sick, so my boss came in and sent me to patient first.  On my way there I felt nauseous one more time and literally had to pull over on the side of 95.  I'm sure it was really attractive.  By time I got to patient first my throat felt much better and I never got sick again but I was still dizzy.  The Dr. did some blood work but nothing came back so he sent me home.  My Mom suggested migraine meds, which helped.  

I got home, went to sleep and expected to feel better when I woke up.  Nope, I felt worse.  I was extra dizzy, stuffy, and couldn't breathe.  I didn't sleep at all that night and still had to go to work overnight on Thursday.  That was loads of fun.  This lasted til Friday when I started feeling a bit better.  However, I got only one hour of sleep on Saturday due to a baby shower I went to and only two on Sunday because I wanted to go to the Renaissance Festival.  So I started feeling kind of bad again.  However, on Monday morning when I got off work I went home (630am) and slept til 630pm and then only stayed up til 2am before sleeping for another 8 hours.  I started to feel better at that point and by Wednesday I felt pretty good and Thursday I felt 100%.  

Needless to say, it was a rough week.  We did have a good time at the Renaissance Festival and it was good to get out of the house.  I seriously think I watched every Jimmy Fallon video in existence when I was sick - I spent way to much time doing nothing.  The past few days have about catching up on things.  Josh and I were both sick so bills got neglected, the house got neglected, pretty much everything but youtube got neglected.  I've been cleaning and doing laundry like a mad woman and trying to get caught up.

Now for some good news:

* My new passport and southwest rapid rewards card both came in this week (I'm not sure when because the mail was another thing that got neglected) and I'm so excited :)  I had to renew both of them in my married name.  Now I don't look like a drug addict in my passport photo.  Seriously, the old one was bad. 

* We booked our flights to Florida!  We only paid $70 thanks to rewards points.  We had to pay government fees and automatic check in fees out of pocket or it would have been free!  I love points cards!

* Good and bad news, I'm starting a second job.  I am so bored lately that it's actually making me anxious so I needed either another job or a new hobby and since the two hobbies I want (horseback riding and violin lessons) are too expensive right now, second job it is.  Plus, all the money will be going to paying off two of my student loans and my credit cards which will help with the no money situation.  If I work for a year at the second job I should be able to get everything paid off for the most part.  Also, the job is at Applebees where I used to work, so I know the job and the people which makes life easier and they're willing to work with my full-time job.

* Our cruise is a little over a month away!!! I CAN'T FRIGGIN WAIT!!!  For real y'all, I need to get away from my job before someone dies.  7 days in paradise seems like just the ticket :) plus, I'll be able to check off three more Central American countries off my list; Honduras, Mexico and Belize :) 

* We have two more cruises in the works :) We will be booking our "Friends Cruise" when we get back from our honeymoon (because we'll get a better price that way) which we'll be going on in September 2015.  I wasn't sure if I really wanted to do it because we'll be going to Grand Cayman and Cozumel which are two places we're going this year BUT the friends cruise has Jamaica which I've always wanted to go to, so we're doing it.  We're also going down two days early to go to Disney/Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Also, we have picked a Europe cruise and are just waiting for the dates for 2016 to become available!  We'll be starting in Copenhagen and going to the Netherlands, England, Ireland, and Scotland.  We'll end in London. 

I feel like I've rambled enough today but that's what's been going on in life over here.  I am excited that starting on Wednesday I'll be participating in Taylor and Helene's Blogtober :)  So stay tuned for some fun fall posts!

ChaChaCha Changes

As you can see, there have been a few changes here.  The biggest being the blog name.  I figured my blog name no longer applied once we moved from our home in the country back to the suburbs.  Though hopefully within the next few years we will be back in the country, I wanted a name that would work no matter where we live or what stage of our lives we are in.

I searched for hours (literally) on pinterest trying to draw inspiration from quotes when one jumped out at me:

It was perfect.  And there happens to be a story behind why it's so perfect that I found this, this week.

My friend Heather moved to Tennessee last November and I have been wanting to visit her.  In marchish we decided on Labor Day weekend because I always have off Monday and Tuesday so I'd just need to ask off for Saturday and Sunday and Heather wouldn't need to take off because she had off on Labor Day anyways.

Since I started my job back in January I have had off exactly one weekend, and that was my wedding weekend.  And I had only put in two requests for days off and that was for the wedding and for a concert I had tickets to.  I didn't even take off the day of my own bridal shower because I worked overnights.  I've worked countless overtime hours and always say yes when a shift needs to be covered.  I figured that if I did this, people would be more willing to help me out if I needed a day off sometime.  Yeah, not so much.   My request off was denied because it would cause overtime.

I was pissed.  There is a guy there that asks off for weekends once a month and is always accepted.  The main reason my request was denied was because I have a crap schedule (0600-1400 Wed and Thurs and 2200-0600 Fri-Sun).  So, it's not like I was asking for extra days off, just different days, but I can't work both Monday and Tuesday without having to do a double which we aren't allowed to do.  We are not permitted to work more than 12 hours straight due to the nature of the job. So, it would have caused overtime for someone else.  I was going to cancel the trip but the more I thought about it the more angry I became.  I eventually told my boss in advance that I would be calling out.  I got my Saturday covered but no one would do my Sunday.  Imagine my anger after covering people for months just to be turned down the one time I need a favor.

This is when I realized that I really need to stop saying OK to every extra shift and all the overtime hours.  I realized that I was so busy with that place that I had no life.  I was coming home tired with a headache every day.  I obviously did call out and go on my trip and I don't regret that decision one bit.  I had a great time visiting my friends and exploring a new place.

As much as the whole situation angered me, it was also a reality check.  I need to start doing more for me and making more time to have a life.  I have friends that live five minutes from me that I haven't seen in months.  That's just not OK, I used to see them once a week at least.  I have a husband that I can easily go a week without seeing because of that schedule, also not OK.  I have decided that it's time to get back to what's really important: my family, my friends and having a life. 

Side Note: Some of you may remember a series I had started a while ago called Being a Humane Consumer.  Well, I am pretty much starting over with that.  I am going to republish the Introduction on Thursday and share products and facts each Thursday following that.  I have been able to try a lot of products since moving to the new house so I am so excited to start this series back up :) 

My Childhood Crushes

Today I'm participating in Blog Everyday in September hosted by The Observant Turtle.

We all have those super embarrassing celebrity crushes from elementary and middle school - I have no shame in admitting a few of mine.

It seems like all the other girls liked Nick, but I always thought Brian was the cutest Backstreet Boy.  I never really liked blondes much (except Jesse McCartney).  The BSB were my first concert (no shame).

I mean, honestly, who didn't have a thing for JTT?  I would honestly be surprised if JTT isn't on every girls list (at least girls born in the 80's).

Once again, who didn't have a thing for him.  (Sidenote: I watched saved by the bell every morning through  high school).  Actually, he is in one of my favorite Netflix Christmas Movies - 12 Dates of Christmas.

I'm sure I had others but these are the three that I really remember.  My crushes usually lasted about a week and then I moved on to the next.

We Have Internet!!

We finally have internet!  When we moved, Josh and I originally weren't planning to get internet at our house because the library is right down the street.  This only lasted two months as it proved to be a major pain in the ass at times.  First, because of the library's hours and also because sometimes after work I just wanted to go home.  However, because I pay all of my bills online, most days I needed to go to the library.   We finally broke down and got the internet.  

I also wasn't blogging much because I only had an hour of computer time at the library and by time I got done what I needed to do, my time was up.  Unless I brought my laptop which I usually didn't because that would also mean I would have needed to take it to work.  

Anyway, now that we have the internet at home, I will definitely be back to posting on a regular basis.  I have a million more wedding photos to share and I want to get back into Travel Tuesdays as well as my series on buying cruelty free products. 

I am going to Tennessee for a long weekend over labor day and until then I am scheduled for some major overtime at work, so post may be a bit sporadic until I get back from TN.

I am sooooo excited to for my trip!  I am driving (about 8 hours) by myself on Saturday and leaving on Tuesday.  I will be working overnight Friday into Saturday and leaving straight from work ... that's going to be interesting.  Also, the route to Knoxville passes literally right through Harrisonburg, VA so I will be stopping at having lunch there and visiting JMU just for some time to stretch my legs and get out of the car.

Heather has some great activities planned including a day trip to Nashville, paddle boarding in the Smokies and visiting Andrew Jackson's House (OK so that last one is totally all me, but shes humoring me).

Anyways, I'm really looking forward to getting back into blogging and back into reading other peoples blogs :)

Life Changes

Since our move, Josh and I have made a good deal of changes in our lives. 

1.  Stuff

I didn't realize how much useless crap we have until we moved.  Seriously, it's mind blowing!  Our basement is filled with boxes of junk.  I've decided that other than my memory box (which my mom would kill me if I threw out) I'm going through each box one at a time and getting rid of anything we haven't used in the last year (which is probably 95% of that stuff!).  Some of it will be thrown away, some given away, and some donated - but it's gotta go!  I can't wait to be rid of everything.  We are also making an effort not to buy stuff unless we really need it.  This is both to keep out the clutter and to save money. 

2.  Books

I spend sooo much money on books!  Now that we have a library 5 minutes away, I'm making an effort to go there more for books.  I  promised Josh that I would buy no more than 1 book per month (unless I have a gift card).  I packed 5 huge totes and 2 cardboard boxes full of books.  That is insane and I need to stop!  Right now I have 5 library books at home waiting to be read.

3.  Food

 Last month Josh and I spent $500.00 just in food!  and not food from the grocery store.  We were going out to eat for every meal and it was really adding up.  Part of this was laziness and part was because we really didn't have a kitchen and then our kitchen was in boxes.  We've definitely done much better since getting the kitchen unpacked.  We've been eating really well and plan to keep it that way!

4. Trips Over Gifts

To go along with the "no more random crap" rule in our house, we've decided that instead of gifts, we take a trip.  Nothing crazy, just something like a overnight trip somewhere local or a weekend trip somewhere new.   I don't need a lot of stuff, I need to do things and so does Josh.  

Wedding Preview!

Life has just been so nuts lately!  We moved into our new house and are working on getting settled, which is difficult when we work different schedules!  

 Anyway, I haven't gotten all of my professional wedding pictures back yet, but here are the previews she gave me as well as pictures that family and friends took :)

Word Vomit

Hey y'all.  It's definitely time for another random post!

* I actually have a real post scheduled for Wednesday!  A preview of our wedding consisting of photos from family and friends :)

* We moved!  Now we're trying to clean our old place and get settled into our new place.  That's a little hard when we both work opposite schedules.  

* We now have to get used to noise.  I woke up to the sound of someone closing their car door.  We're not used to noise at all and it's definitely going to take some time.  We also actually have a key to our house which is weird because for the three years that we lived at the old place, it was never locked.  I also have to get used to taking my purse in the house instead of leaving it in the car.  It's definitely going to be an adjustment moving from the country to the suburbs.  We definitely agreed that when we decide to buy a house, it will be in the country.

*  I am excited to only be 20 minutes from work rather than an hour from work!  It made a huge difference this morning when I got off from my overnight shift!

*  Getting a name change is a ridiculously stupid process.  I still haven't been able to get it changed at the MVA (marylands version of the DMV).  UGH.

That's all I've got for today.  Now that we're getting settled in, blogging should go back to normal :)

Still Alive! ... and married!

Hey y'all!

Things have been slow around here but I'm definitely still alive and still blogging!  This week has been crazy and this upcoming week will likely be just as crazy!  We had a great time at our wedding and the perfect weather.  I could not have asked for a better day!   I can't wait to get the photos back!!  This week, we are packing and then moving on Sunday.   After that, I hope to get back in to the swing of blogging again :) 

Above is the preview we got from our photographer and below is a recreation of a photo with my childhood friends!  I am so lucky to have life long friends like these girls!

Daily Diaries - My First

Since life has been pretty crazy around here and I have no time to write a post that requires much thought, I figured I'd just tell y'all what I've been up to. 

- WORK.  I have been getting some major overtime these past few weeks.  The next time I really have a day off is the day before my wedding.  I haven't had a true day off (thanks overnights) in two weeks.  That's OK with me though, all that extra money is more than welcome.   Josh has also been working non-stop.  Monday was his first day off in 21 days.

- I have been tearing through books.  Usually on day shift we switch between being in the truck and being at the main gate.  When I'm in the truck I read (I know, my job is so hard) but when I'm in the booth I don't have time between the phone and the people coming in and out.  This week my boss has been training a girl up at the booth so I've been spending my whole day in the truck and it was only busy up at the pier one of the days.  

- All things wedding are done except the favors but it's just a matter of putting them together which wont take long.  I ordered the cupcakes on Tuesday and Mom and I did the seating chart, which was surprisingly easy, on Monday :)  I said last week that I'd be getting my dress back Wednesday night but that didn't happen due to the massive flooding we had.  My Mom's basement flooded and my entire street was flooded, so we postponed until this past Wednesday. 

- Our official moving date is June 1st but since the owner of the house we're renting is a friend of my family, we are able to slowly start moving stuff in.  So, our current place looks like we live in a sea of cardboard.  I'm loving it though and I can't wait to be closer to work!

...and that is all I have time for!  After the wedding and the move, blogging will be back to normal, but for now - ain't nobody got time for that!

A Ghostly Encounter

I’ve never been one to believe in anything paranormal, so to speak.  But a week at my Mom’s house may have convinced me.  Now I still don’t believe in crazy scary movie type stuff but I do believe in spirits.

My sister thinks everything is haunted, so when her and my Mom and brother moved into a new house I was obviously rolling my eyes when she said the new house is haunted.  She called him Sarge because my Oma’s boyfriend whose house it is fought in Vietnam so she thinks it’s either a friend or someone he killed.  They were in the new house for almost two years when they asked me to stay with Charlie for a week while they went on vacation.

The first weird thing was: I was playing with Charlie one night and he just stopped in his tracks and started growling at something in the dining room.  He kept inching closer, then crouching away the way dogs do when they’re in trouble and he did this several times.  He also scooted his way into the kitchen and was sitting there growling, too.  This went on for nearly a half hour.  It was really creepy.

for reference, the living room is in front and the dining room is where the red wall is and then where Charlie is, is where the kitchen starts.

The second was:  I was getting ready for bed and Charlie wanted to go out.  I opened the bedroom door and saw a ball of light go from the living room to the dining room.  I didn’t think much of it at the time.  I figured it was just a car passing by the window.  But it was a condensed ball of light.  I told my Mom about it and she said she’s seen the same thing, but the light usually goes into the fire place.

 

Charlie also won’t go into the basement at night.  They say animals have a sixth sense and I officially believe it.

To top off all the creepiness, there was one night when the electricity went out.  I had to go in the creepy basement at night into a dark corner where the fuse box was.  It turned out that there was a fire which somehow affected the transformer box for that area.   But it was super creepy and I was soooo not wanting to go down there.

Maybe I should have shared this story around Halloween ...

Top 5: TV Shows

I used to not watch much TV, especially when I lived with my parents.  But now I am a boring old person who can't afford to go out, so I watch a lot more shows.  These are my top 5:

NCIS

This is one of my all-time favorite shows and definitely my favorite crime show.  I honestly don’t know what I’d do with my life if this show got cancelled!  Gibbs and Abby are definitely my favorites and I totally want to be Abby!  Ducky is another favorite.  I cry every time something happens to Ducky and I have no clue why.

BONES

Bones is a close second to NCIS.  I love the science in this show and I love that Kathy Reichs makes sure it’s accurate.  Also, the characters grow and change so much during the course of the show, especially Bones.  I love watching that and watching relationships grow.  Plus, Booth is hot!  I mean, let’s be serious!

GILMORE GIRLS

This is the first show I bought seasons of and watched from start to finish.  Although the characters annoyed me to no end at some points, this show will always have a place in my heart.  And I’m still mad that Logan and Rory didn’t end up together.

 

FLASHPOINT

Canada for the win!  I love our neighbors to the north for bringing us this fabulous show!  It came on during the writer’s strike a few years ago.  It’s essentially about a hostage rescue team.  There is a lot of psychology involved and I love it!  I love everything about this show and even though I’m sad it ended, I think they ended it fabulously.

Pretty Little Liars

This is my guilty pleasure, for sure.  I’m a season behind and I want to stop watching it but I just can’t!  I know some information from the books but there's also a lot I don't know.  I need to know everything!

If they keep it up, Chicago PD may bump PLL out of my top 5!  I am loving that show so far!  Also, I have a total girl crush on Sophia Bush.  Can I please be her?  I also love that they do a lot of crossing over with Chicago Fire.  I also just started watching Numbers on Netflix, great show!

If You Want to Annoy Me

If for some reason, you decide one day that you want to annoy me, be one of the following people.  (PS I'm just in the mood to bitch, so this is what we get).

People Who Go Into Checkout Lines While On Their Phones

OH...MY...GAWD!!  Like, for real, this is one that actually makes me want to deck people ... in the face. In my opinion, it's one of the rudest things you can do.  No conversation is that damn important that you can't tell the person on the other line to hold on for a minute when you complete your transaction.  If it is that important maybe you shouldn't be having the conversation in a store?  If you must have the conversation in the store, don't get in line until you are prepared to hang up or ask the person to hold on a minute.  That or just use the self checkout lines.

I actually go into it with a customer at Wawa over this.  He was holding up my line because I was asking a legitimate question regarding his debit card and couldn't finish the transaction without the information.  He was too busy on his phone to pay attention to me so I put his stuff behind the counter, suspended his transaction and moved on to the next (annoyed) customer.  He was not happy at all.  I told him why I did what I did and we definitely argued a bit.  If any other manager had been there that night, I probably would have lost my job.  The one that was there could barely deal with him because she was laughing so  hard.  Anyway, the point of this story is don't be on your phone when you're checking out from a store (or when you're in a restaurant where you will be served, for that matter) ITS RUDE!

People Who Tailgate

 I am not a slow driver, but I also don't drive like I'm at Daytona.  The "main road" that leads to my street has a speed limit of 50mph; I usually go about 60 (unless it's rainy or something).  The road is pretty hilly and curvy so I wouldn't feel safe going much faster than 60.  This is my biggest pet peeve - when I am going OVER the speed limit and people tailgate me!  I am not one to slam on my brakes and try to cause an accident; I value my car, and my life.  What I'll do is gradually slow down until either they get off my ass or I reach the slowest speed I can legally go.  There is no safe or legal place to pass, so unless they're really stupid, they're stuck.  

Moral of the story? Tailgating is stupid, annoying, and unsafe ... don't do it :)

People Who Try to Talk to Me When I'm Reading

...and these things are not important.  I talked about this here.  Josh is also bad for this one.  He gets the stink eye a lot. 

Germophobes

Not like people who just wash their hands a lot (that's just sanitation) but people like the lady at Wawa who wanted us to change our gloves every 10 seconds.  HELL NO.  This lady, let me tell you.  She asked me to put gloves on while making coffee ... coffee!  Our hands never touch the coffee .. like at all.  I flat out said no and she didn't get a coffee.  Then she asked the guy making her sub to change his gloves, I kid you not, three times!  The third time he got pissed and walked away.   Nobody else would touch it so the manager had to come out and make it (and changed her gloves twice).  That's just a little stupid.  Also, studies have shown that Germophobes are more prone to serious illnesses because their immune systems haven't been stressed and are therefore, weak.

People Leaving Shoes on in the House

This is a weird one and I don't know why it bugs me so much but it does.  Maybe because growing up, at my house and my friends houses, we were required to take our shoes off by the door.  Josh has a hard time with this one but I am adamant about it because he tracks so much shit into the house.  

Now, I have told you how to thoroughly piss me off ... but please don't.

That Time a Movie Made Me Sick

Yeah, so lets talk about this glorious day.

Just so y'all know, I am a huge baby and cry during about 80% of the movies that I see.  But this one was the worst.

July 11, 2009, I lost one of my best friends.  I had just pulled in front of my house after spending the day moving back from JMU for good.  So the day was bad enough already.  Then getting that phone call made the day go from bad to worse. 

I spent the whole rest of the day with my friends.  It was a difficult and emotional day and when I got home there was no way I could sleep.  I decided to watch a movie.  I picked Remember Me because I'd just bought it and hadn't watched it yet.  (PS Spoilers in the next paragraph).

My first mistake was picking a movie that I knew nothing about.  I hadn't even read the back cover, I just picked it up and decided to buy it.  I think Robert Pattinson is a good actor so I figured it could be good.  I'll spare you the details of the whole movie (which is excellent and I highly recommend it) and say that RP's characters Dad works in an office building in NYC, which you never see the outside of.  Well, RP's character goes to the building to meet with his Dad, who is late because he decided to take RP's sister to school (which is a big step for him).  It then shows a shot of RP looking out the window, then cuts to his sisters classroom where her teacher walks past the date on the chalkboard: September 11, 2001.  I was really out of it and figured that the class was learning about 9/11 in school.  Wrong.  Then it goes back to the office building showing RP in the window and zooms out.  Suddenly it hit me.  I just leaned over the bed and threw up in the trashcan next to the bed.  I spent the rest of the night shaky and crying.

This is the clip of the scene I described.

I had just moved back from college, lost my friend, and was reminded of another loss and the other worst day of my life all in about 16 hours.

And that is my super depressing, worst day ever post.  And the time a movie actually made me sick.

#MCM

Today is Monday, which on Instagram means it's #MCM or Man Crush Monday.  So, today I'm treating my readers to some photos of ...

David Boreanaz/Booth
I love David Boreanaz as Booth!  The sexy FBI agent thing works for him.  And the character is the perfect blend of cheesy and badass.

David Paetkau/Sam Braddock
I mean, just look at him!  and watch Flashpoint!  His character, Sam is so hot.   If you haven't figured it out, guys with guns really do it for me, haha!

David Beckham
.... The.Tattoos.

Chace Crawford
I know he was in gossip girl but I first thought he was really pretty in "what to expect when you're expecting".

Chad Michael Murray
  I've just always thought he was really cute, and probably always will.  I've heard he's an ass, but he's a cute one.

... you're welcome.  Happy Monday :)

Word Vomit In List Form

Life these past few weeks has been nuts!  My work schedule has been crazy because of people needing off; I've been racking up the overtime and we've been all over wedding stuff.  So, I'll just share life in list form!

1.  We got Josh's vest and shirt for the wedding.  Now all he needs is a new nice pair of jeans and boots.  Yes, this is going to be a very casual wedding.  Josh is just not a suit guy so putting him in one made no sense.

2.  On the 23rd, my girls threw me a fabulous bridal shower :) (I wasn't planning on doing a full post on this but after trying to narrow down pictures, it has to happen)!

3.   I have my wedding dress fitting tomorrow after noon.  I shouldn't need much work done ... really all it needs is a bustle *crosses fingers*.

4.  I have an amazing opportunity on Saturday and I hope I have good news to share with y'all in the coming weeks.  That's all I can say about it for now.  Totally not trying to jinx myself!  I will be traveling to Princeton, NJ for this though so hopefully I'll have time to explore a bit.

5.  We met with our venue lady on Thursday and she was super helpful!  We picked our food, linen colors, and a few other smaller details that I would have never thought of!  I am definitely very thankful that we chose a venue that really seems to care.  Plus, she said if I can get her horses to come to me, I can take pictures with them!  Favorite person ever!

6. This week has been exhausting and these last few days ... let me tell you!  Tonight is my last night of working 13 straight days.  Saturday, I sprained my wrist by closing the truck window on it and this morning my food made me really sick.  On top of that my phone is completely not working (out of the blue) and my upgrade wont be here til at least April 18th.

Happy St. PADDY's Day

The Irish in me has to say it ....

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Lets Talk Ridiculousness

Let's talk about a commercial I watch recently.  And I know its just a commercial and all but this really irked me. 

Ok, so WTF.  Since when do parents have to ask permission to eat food that they bought.  I saw this and was like aww hell no!  Like I said, it's just a commercial and it shouldn't make me this mad but it totally does.  I mean really, what does that say about parenting this day in age.  I paid for those halos I'll eat as many as I damn well please!  And holy entitlement!  Argh, I really don't know why this bothers me so much but every time I watch it it makes me angry.

What makes me more angry is seeing this in real life.  I've seen it so many times working in the restaurant business and in the customer service industry.   I see parents trying to be BFF's instead of parents ... and then wonder why their kid is an asshole and runs around the restaurant/store like a raving lunatic.  A lot of the time this happens because parents want their kids to like them.  I mean, I probably told my Mother I hated her a million times in elementary school ... because I was a kid and that's what kids do, but since she didn't give in to my brattyness I now have this rare disease called respect for my parents *gasps*.  If your 3 year old tells you they hate you, who f**king cares - they are just trying to test you and they're way to young to actually understand the concept of hate.  They don't really hate you, they just want you to give in to what they want.

My Mom's actually pretty funny, my sister told her one time because she wouldn't let her get an Ice Cream, "your the meanest Mom I ever had" so my Mom yelled back, "so go live with one of your nice Mom's then!"  my sister got this confused look on her face and then just stomped away.  Mom was standing with me and some of the neighbors and after my sister walked away everyone just busted out laughing.  If you take that approach rather than being all hurt about it, it's definitely better for the kid in the long run.  And if one of us started screaming in a store because she wouldn't give us something she'd just ignore us, she wouldn't give in.  Instead of being all embarrassed about us being kids, she taught us that throwing a shit fit does not get you anywhere.  So now I get super pissed when I see parents giving in to their screaming kids just because they're embarrassed ... get over it.

... OK, enough ranting for today.   All that from a commercial.  I think I need therapy.

Passion

I was recently asked to think of different things that I am passionate about.  Of course, that immediately sparked a blog post!  So, I'm going to share with you today, 4 things that I am passionate about. 

1. Travel

 This is probably the most obvious.  I love to travel and it's a love that started when I was very young and traveled to Canada.  I love going somewhere that I've never been before.  I love meeting people whose way of life is different than mine.  I love learning about different cultures and hearing stories from people who live so far from me.  I love the experiences and the knowledge and acceptance I've gained from traveling.   Each of my trips have been a unique experience that I'll always treasure and the people I've met will always have a place in my heart.  I also think that due to the nature of some of my travels, I have a different perspective on things than others on certain subjects.  Because I have witnessed such extreme poverty, I have learned that I need to be grateful for what I have and I do not concern myself with things such as brands or having the newest "thing".   I've learned that I can live minimally and still be happy.  I get by on what I need and the rest of my money gets donated or put in savings.   Travel can teach so much and that is definitely something I am grateful for.

2. Reading

This is another one that is probably pretty obvious.  I love to read, and do so every chance I get.  I am one of those people who gets so lost in a book that if you try to talk to me while I'm reading, I probably wont hear you.  I love being transported into someone else's world and going through the ups and downs with the characters.  It also amazes me, people's ability to write these stories!  J.K. Rowling just amazes me, the world she created is so complex and detailed and I'm amazed at her ability to create that world in a way that feels so real to the reader.  I often get so emotionally invested in books but I love that.  I still get sad thinking of Dumbledore and Fred.

3. Animals and Animals Rights

As I mentioned in this post, I love animals and usually like them more than people.  I am passionate about animal rights because for the most part animals are defenseless against humans.  Dogs are so loyal and trusting that humans have the ability to take advantage of them and break them.  Horses are such beautiful animals, but are often mistreated especially in the racing industry.  Elephants are incredible creatures but people kill them for money.  It absolutely breaks my heart and infuriates me that people can be so selfish and hateful.   Most of my donation money goes towards animal shelters and rescues because I want to help give a voice to those who can't speak.  Also, I make myself aware of the products that are tested on animals and am sure to avoid such products.  There are lists online that I check quite regularly - I just started doing this within the last  year so I am definitely still learning.

4.  Education

I think education is one of the most important things a person can have.   I believe that everyone who wants an education should be able to get one and that college tuition rates keep intelligent people from getting the education they should be allowed to get.   This is one of the reasons I love Coursera.  Even though I can't get a degree from taking the classes, I am taking classes taught by professors I'd never be able to take classes with and learning things I otherwise wouldn't have has access to.  It makes me so angry that funds are being used for millions of other things but our schools are barely getting any funding.   It infuriates me that the children of Baltimore City are getting a lesser education than they deserve because people in power don't believe it's worth it to invest in them.  I could go on about this topic for hours.