Black Friday Madness, or why Hell is the Electronic aisle at Target

I think it's safe to say that there will be no more Black Friday shopping for me ever again. Actually, no, there will be, just not in the crazy way that there was on Friday. I will no long sleep at a Best Buy and I will no longer be running through the aisles of Target to grab a Guitar Hero for the Wii before they were all out. Nor will I drive around at 3 AM looking for a gas station so I could go to the bathroom for the 4th time that night (hmm maybe all the Starbucks wasn't the BEST idea I've ever had).
No, next year I will sleep comfortably in my bed, wake up at 4 and head my little butt over to the stores at the reasonable hour of 5. I will not be so concerned about saving a few extra bucks that I don't even enjoy the experience anymore, and above all I will remember to put on deodorant. (What!? You try sleeping at a store and lets see if remembering deodorant for the next day is the first thing on your mind).

So want to hear a little bit about my crazy Friday?

I got to Best Buy on Thanksgiving night around 8:45, there was NO one in line. Well there was 30 people, but seriously, last year I got there at 8 and I was number 75 in line. Can you tell there's an economic crisis? I sat with this guy who decided to go (who I really don't like, but than again I didn't think I was going to be alone with him) and waited for my friend S, to get there. She got there and then due to some miss communication she had to leave. So great, now I'm there with this guy that I don't even like and he starts smoking in front of me. He's 2 yrs younger than I am and I'm all "WTF are you doing?" and he's all, "I'm stressed.".... Um, its Thanksgiving night, you're sitting outside of best buy in a lawn chair and you're stressed?! Get a stress ball, don't smoke a cigarette you idiot. So I told him to get lost (I REALLY don't like him, but what am I supposed to do? Just tell him that?) and go smoke in the bushes if he's going to. I like my lungs pink thanks very much.

My other 2 friends got there around 1 (after I spent the other hours listening to my iPod and pretending to sleep so I didn't have to have conversation) and I left the line with my lawn chair (and creep guy) in place and we went to Dennys to go to the bathroom. Than my friend decides that he's hungry so we drive all over trying to find somewhere that's open. After an hour, we found a fast food place and he got some food. We drove some more, all of us having fun and then we got pulled over. Oh, I should also mention that he was driving my grandma's car. The car that she was letting ME borrow. The car that I stupidly let him drive, because I didn't feel like it. Of COURSE we were going to get pulled over.

The cop stops us and asks what we're doing and why we were in an empty dark parking lot, do you see where this is going (stupid guy friend wanted to show me tire marks he had made earlier)? Thankfully there was 3 of us in the car and not just him and I as I'm sure the cop would have thought we stopped for a nice session in the sack. Guy friend is all cool and collected as I'm sitting there freaking out because this has never happened to me before. Amazingly, the cop didn't ask for license or registration and he let us off because he had nothing to charge us with! Of course I got to look like an idiot because when he asked where we were going, I had to say to my house and guy friend goes, we got lost. Cop laughs and goes, "you don't know where you live?" Nice, real nice. I'm just glad I didn't get a ticket!

Go back to Best Buy, creep guy is all ticked that we took so long and I go into guy friends car to watch a movie since his car is really big. I go to sit in the front seat and turn the radio on as we wait, I decided that I wanted to drive his car, so I turn on the engine and the stupid battery dies. EXCELLENT. Guy friend wants to kill me, so he makes me go and find someone to jump the car. I found a guy, they jump the car while girl friend and I wait and then we go and drive around. I have him drop me off since it's almost time to get back in line and they drive off. They never came back! Apparently girl friend felt sick so guy friend took her home and then he went home to sleep. Thankfully I had grabbed my purse before I got out of the car.

So that was the night. Best Buy wasn't that bad, not that many people had shown up. I got in and out in 10 minutes, got a camera for $56.00, Photoshop elements for $89, some DVDs and a cd and then ran to the car. Creep guy doens't have a car so he invited himself to come with me. We sped to Target, got there at 5:30 and waited in line for it to open at 6. I got into the store at 6:01, RAN as fast as I could to the electronics, threw a Guitar Hero for $59 in the cart, grabbed an Kodak photo frame for $45 for my dad, got a 2 G memory card for $12, an air mattress for $18 and a few DVDs for $3.99. I tried to get a game for my brother that he really wanted for the Wii for $15, but they had sold out by the time I got there which was at 6:02.
Sidestepped a fight between two women over an XBOX and waited in line forever to pay for the stuff. By this time, I'm overheated and light headed and not sure if I can go on anymore. The electronics dept was HELL. I've never seen that many people in Target at one time. There were three women there with babies in slings and I just watched them because I would NEVER be able to do that with my kid! I would be afraid the poor baby would get crushed.

Paid for the stuff as the sun was just coming up. Got to the car and drove to Toys R Us. I had creep guy call his dad to come get him because I convinced him I was going home (Yeah right, I had to hit the mall and he was really grating on my last nerve!) and I browsed around the store. Got Deal or No Deal for $9.99 and 101 Dalmations for A for $11.99. Waited in another line as I was kicking myself the entire time and then drove to the mall. I walked into Macys, but I had to get something to eat before I passed out so I went to the foodcourt. Got re-energized and then did Macys, Radio Shack (Where I got my dad a webcam for $19.00 so he can have it when I'm in college),Sears, and Macy's again before I had to stop because I was exhausted and scared to death that I was going to use all the money in my bank account.

Drove to Walgreens to try and find some stocking stuffers, but they were out so I went back to Target to go get some stuff I missed. Since I wasn't running around like a fool and I took my time, I got some great deals. Shirts for my brother for $3.99, some gifts for my friend Kelly, Barbie clothes for A and some more DVD's for $3.99. That's when I realized that the craziness of Black Friday had gotten to me and I wasn't even enjoying myself. It was much better at Target the second time around because I had some fun browsing at everything! I wasn't stressing myself out and making myself crazy.

I got home at 11:30, hid the gifts and passed out on my bed until 8 PM that night. I'm still trying to make up for lost sleep as I have been a terrible grouch yesterday and I spent more than an hour just crying for no reason...so it's either Black Friday aftermath or PMS, either way, I need to chill.

I spent today decorating the front of the house. We put up an inflatable snowman (who says you can't have snowmen in Florida?) and my friend Kelly's dad got me a inflatable penguin! I went out to sears and got a row of light up baby penguins to put next to him. We have a wreath on the door that smells amazing and I ended the day by making baked macaroni and cheese, which I was actually sort of pleased with. Now it's off to bed as it's back to normal life tomorrow and I have to go to that place called school.

I still haven't heard anything from colleges, so I'm hoping that it's my week! I also think this is the week that I find out about Pathfinder nominations, as in who gets to go to the big contest. I'm trying very hard to just give it all up to God as I can't handle it myself, but it's hard! I'm very used to being in control, but I'm learning that I'm not Superwoman and I can't do it all. Good thing I don't have too!

Hope everyone has a GREAT week! Send me some snow, all you people who are getting more than your fair share! I'll trade some sand with you :)

Ask Me Anything, the answered edition

I told you guys last week that if you wanted to, you could Ask Me Anything (Well almost anything). So after a long day of crazy shoppers (seriously, all the CRAZY people happened to be at my Target..this is why security is needed) and spending what seems like too much money, I am laying in bed and answering your questions!
Get ready to learn a little bit more about me.

Mrs. S asked:

do you attend church?: I used to, but things got hectic and my dad stopped waking up to go, so now we don't. I do however like listening to the Christian radio station in the mornings and every night before I go to sleep I have a time where I like to thank God for His blessings.

who's your oldest friend (friend you've had the longest or oldest in age)? The friend that I've had for the longest time is my friend Kelly. We met when we we're 2 at nursery school and we're still best friends! She was over the other day actually...

Why did you start blogging? I started blogging because I felt the need to get things out! I had read some memoirs in June by Jenn Lancaster and I was reading her blog and I saw how many people loved her writing. I knew that I too, could write well and I wanted to give it a shot. I never expected blogging to become so important to me though!

The best thing about blogging? Everyone I've met through this blog!

The worst movie you've ever seen. Napoleon Dynamite. THAT is the worst movie of all times.

Were you named after someone?: Nope. I was actually named after a landscaping company that my mother saw one day while driving. My middle name (Caroline) my dad picked out.

If you didn't live where you live, where would you live?: I really want to move to Chicago. I love the atmosphere of the city and it's so CLEAN! I may have a problem with the cold though!

Favorite time of day?: whenever I get to relax.

Show us the best picture of you. : okay. I don't really know which one is the best so, I sort of improvised and just did the most recent ones! The top one is from St.Louis and the bottom is my graduation picture. (Florida girl in a scarf!)

What kind of cell phone do you have? a pink ATT Motorola Razr

Chapstick or lipstick? lipstick. My favorite right now is one that I splurged on in June for graduation pictures. It's Armani and it's soo moisturizing.

Would you rather Prince Charming be blond or brunette or redhead? He's a light brunette! (Or whatever God chooses will be okay too :) }

What's your dream job?: Someday I would love to have Meridith Viera's job! I was a little disappointed when the Today Show didn't call me to take over for Katie Couric. If that doesn't work out than I actually would really like to be a writer for Saturday Night Live and if neither of those work out than print journaliam is for me!

Favorite magazine? Why?: I'm a big fan of Marie Claire. The features are worldly and I actually LEARN from this magazine. I want to try and get a job there someday.

Are your toe nails painted right now?: Well, three out of my 10 toe nails are painted. Actually they're more like chipped, which means I should probably break out the nail polish remover.


Brooke asked:

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? This is a tough one! I think that the one person I would want to meet who's dead is Princess Diana. I want to ask her how her life really was, and why she got married to Charles. That and I want to know what she thinks happened that night in the tunnel. The person who I want to meet that is alive is Katie Couric. I would LOVE to have a sit down chat with her and have her help me with some reporting skills!


Yaya asked:

What do you like on your pizza? Onions, cheese, lots of sauce, mushrooms and spinach!

What's your favorite baby name? My girl name is Isabella Grace, My boy name is Lucas James

Where would your dream vacation be to? I really want to visit Europe and kiss under the Eiffel Tower. Yeah, I'm cliche!

What super power would you want? To be able to tell the future! It would certainly come in handy right now.

If you could graduate this winter, would you? Absolutely. If I didn't go to the magnet school that I'm at right now, than I probably would. I've taken more than enough credits to graduate and the only course that I have left is English, which I'm taking at a college level anyways.




Jennifer asked:

Have you had any serious relationships in the past and if so, how many? To go along with that...Have you ever been in love? Wow, way to remind me that I'm single! :)
No, I haven't had any serious relationships before. I went to a very small Christian school from kindergarten to 8th grade, so every guy there was like my brother. When I got to high school, I threw myself into work and I didn't (still don't) have that much outside time. I would love to have a relationship with someone right now, but I'd much rather wait til college. I'm a fan of older guys (ones with a level head and who won't always do stupid things) so it's very hard to find that in high school. My maturity level isn't the same as a lot of people my age, so it's hard to find someone close in age that "gets" me. I'm not the girl that's going to go to the party and "hook up" with you!


Lump asked:

were you born and bred in Florida? Yup, I'm a true Floridian!

if you could move anywhere in the world where would you move to? Chicago or maybe England or Australia, I love their accents (and secretly hope that they guy I marry will have one too!). Oh and kangaroos in your backyard? How cool is that!

Lizzie asked:

what's your favorite sandwich? I'm not a big lunch meat eater (actually I don't eat it at all), but I'm obsessed with grilled chicken wraps! Give me some lettuce, grilled chicken, asparagus, grilled onions, a whole wheat wrap and some avocados and I'm in love!

if you could go back in time, what era would you go to? One of my favorite broadway plays is Chicago, because of the jazz and clothing. If I had to go back in time I would want to visit the 1920's, from what I've seen, it would be incredible!

So now you know me a little bit better, huh? Thanks for the questions girls, I really loved answering them! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and a relaxing weekend! I get to see my friend Alison who's home from college, this weekend so I'm very Excited!!

Love
Kelsey

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgivings here again.
It's hard to believe that last year I had just turned 17, was borrowing my grandma's car for the first time and was SCARED to death of driving alone. Now? Now I BEG and plead to drive alone, but I'm a much better driver now... It's funny to think that last year was my first year in making a GOOD pumpkin pie, actually, I think it was only my second time making it. It was my first time making my own recipe. Last year I didn't have a blog so I didn't know any of you, but this year, this year I'm pretty thankful that I started one.

I'm so Thankful to each and everyone of you who have reached out to me since I started my blog in July of this year. I was THISCLOSE to shutting it down when I assumed that no one was reading and than I got my first comment ever, from Regena and a second one from Yaya and they are a HUGE part of why you're reading this today. For anyone who has ever said blogging is a waste of time, they are very wrong. It's because of you guys that I have been able to get through some of my rough days. I have a support system of people who genuinly care about me and GET me at the power of my fingertips. It's amazing to have so many friends who live all around the world and know some of my deepest thoughts, yet I've never met any of you in person. One day I hope to change that and be able to say thank you to all of you in person.

So tonight as you're all sitting around your tables eating turkey or Chinese food (Yeah it's what happens when the pregnant lady wants to cook dinner, insists on it and then goes into labor that morning), know that you have a group of friends who you've never met but are greatful for you regardless.

My Ask Me Anything post is still going on til today, so don't forget to ask your questions! I already have a ton to answer and I'm EXCITED! It's going to give me something to do while I camp the night away at Target.

Black-friday.net is updating their website all day long with doorbuster ads and more so be sure to look there before you start your shopping on Black Friday. I like to keep it organized and make a list of all the places I want to go with the items I'm getting at each place and this website helps me do it.

Thats all for me. I'll be going to my aunt's house at 4:30 and then letting the camping at Target begin!

I wish you all a very, very, happy Thanksgiving!

Love, Kelsey

Hope the foods good!

My Super Delicious Pumpkin pie

Can you guess what I'm having for Thanksgiving?! Or at least what I'm baking?
Yes dear friends, I am about to give you my "secret" recipe to my world famous pumpkin pie.
I've modified it from the Whole Foods Version, but trust me, mine is better.

Ingredients: (All of the ingredients I use are Organic, however feel free to use regular products instead.)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée or 1 3/4 cups cooked pumpkin
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream (If you use one thing organic, I recommend Organic Valley's Heavy Whipping Cream)
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell (in pie pan) * I use a Spelt crust, which can be found at Whole Foods)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large mixing bowl, stir together brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Whisk in eggs, then add pumpkin, whisking it in completely. Gently whisk in heavy whipping cream, then pour filling into unbaked pie shell and bake for 45 minutes, or until set. Let cool and then put in refrigerator, it tastes the best when chilled.


enjoy!

Ask Me Anything

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm giving you all a gift. OK so not a purchased one since hello, Christmas is coming up and I have to buy for a ton of people on an $8.00 and hour budget, but a gift of well, getting to know me.
Yeah best gift ever right? (Perhaps it is for any creepy stalkers I have on here..)
So here's what's going to happen. You can ask me WHATEVER you want up until this Friday. On Saturday I will try my hardest to answer all of your questions. Feel free to play along and do this on your blog too, actually I'm sort of excited to see what people want to know about me.
I will not however answer the following:
- The name of my school
- Where exactly I live, because like I said before..stalkers...
- my weight or size jeans because that is really taking it a step too far people
- The digits on my debit card or social security number, unless of course you want to give me money or get me into college. In that case I'll answer ANYTHING of the above.

So think hard and leave a question in the comment box! Enjoy!!

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!

I just wanted to say a quick THANK YOU and hugs to you all who wished me well with my interview for the scholarship. I have two of the judges as my teachers and I asked one how I did and she said that the other judges "loved me". They still have Monday and Tuesday to judge more people in the catagory, but we'll know after Thanksgiving break. I felt confident and I hope and think that I showed my passion for journalism. I ended with, "I want to be a journalist so that I can give a voice to the people who need it the most." It felt really good to say that!
You guys are awesome!

Saturday and Sunday catch- up

This was written yesterday, but somehow I didn't hit post. My brain must have been off :)
Whoo I had a busy Saturday!
This morning I woke up to some banging on my wall - the handyman was here and decided to clean my roof, which somehow transferred into banging of the wall? Strange.
I went to Starbucks, had a peppermint mocha and walked down the way to the bagel place. Walked home and found my pumpkin pie recipe! Drove to Whole Foods to get a spelt crust and some ingredients. After that I went to Toys R Us to find a gift for my cousin who has a birthday on or close to Thanksgiving. Is it awful I have no idea how old he's turning?!
I found out that I have no idea what kindergarten (or possibly first grade) boys like. Give me a girl and I can make a gift basket, give me a boy and I'm clueless. I ended up getting him Monopoly Jr so that he can play that with our grandmother and an R/C car. They like that, right?

Got home, threw on some clothes and went with my boss family to the ballet. I've only been to one other ballet performance - The Nutcracker. I went to The Nutcracker every year as a little girl and stopped for a while and then got to go again last year. My boss family is the chiropractor for the ballet and they get a ton of free tickets to these events. We went today and can I just say that watching men dance around in tights is VERY uncomfortable.

Maybe I'm not cultured in this, but hey, ballet male dancers, you know what's a great idea? Its called PANTS. You know, the things that cover your perfectly shaped butt that makes me think that I need to hit the gym like right now? You know what else is cool? Not wearing flesh colored leotards so it looks like you're completely naked, leaving me to think that ballet is way more sexual than I thought. There was this one act where the man and woman were in flesh colored body suits and they were dancing around each other and rolling around on the floor and I'm just thinking WOW EROTICA ON STAGE. The guy let out a groan at the end (that I don't think anyone was supposed to hear, but I was in the front row and I could hear pretty much everything) and that made me decide that hey, if I wanted to watch a porno, I would have done so at home thank you very much. Not that I have access to any, but hey, I have friends.

Okay so laugh at me now and call me a tad immature, but seriously, does the whole men in tights thing make ANYONE else uncomfortable?! It's like seeing the guy in a speedo, but tighter,(Actually, I don't mind hot guys in Speedos, no grandpa's though, please) And then you wonder if they're gay, and which ones are gay, and which ones are straight and HEY maybe a good pick up line would be, "can you give me a dance lesson some time."
And now I'm going to stop now, before I embarrass myself further.

After the erotica performance of the year ballet, D, A and I went to a local art show. I got an adorable Lilly Pulitzer like belt and D got a bunch of stuff for A. I found a purse that I love so I may be going back tomorrrow.

Got home and made my first pumpkin pie of the season while my dad went crazy and got the Christmas decorations down. Ladies, the guy does not like this holiday. Today this man wanted to go out and buy a CHRISTMAS TREE. Um, no way pal. It is not even a MONTH from Christmas yet and the thing will DIE because it's HOT here and we don't take care of it well enough. He put out the lights in the front of the house and now we look all white trash. I'm all, "can we PLEASE keep them off til after Thanksgiving?" and he's all, "here go put this snowman on the mailbox." So I did and now maybe my snowman on the mailbox will bring me some good luck. Or less bills. Whatever.

Updated on Sunday:

Apparently my dad liked the pumpkin pie, he ate HALF of the thing! Want my recipe? It's coming in another post..it deserves a post of it's own because yeah, it's that good. And I have to take some pictures. And Costco is calling my name and I don't have enough time to do it right now.

I pretty much make mine so healthy that I had it for breakfast this morning, but than again regular pumpkin pie can't be that unhealthy can it? It's a pumpkin!

I forgot to mention that in regards of Black Friday sales, the retailers are starting extra early this year! I browsed through the sales in the paper this morning (yeah I'm old fashioned, I love reading the Sunday Paper..must be a journalist thing) and some really remarkable places that are having good sales until Thursday are: CVS (great place for some stocking stuffers, ribbons, bows and wrapping paper), Walgreens (again, for the previous items), Target(great deals on Barbies, board games, Nintendo DS games), and Circuit City ($2.99 DVD's!). So if you want to beat the lines, go tomorrow while the kiddo's are at school or after work. It could be worth it!

So far my "party" of people coming with my for black friday is a total of 6. We have 3 girls and 3 guys and are open to adding some more. Just don't expect me to drive you home at 4 AM, that's when the party is getting started!

My best friend since age 2, Kelly is coming over on Tuesday night. My bday is in October and her's is in December so we celebrate together in November! I never get to see her, so I'm very excited that she's coming over. Now I have to use her Christmas gift as her bday present since I didn't get a chance to get that yet..oops. Guess I'll be looking for some sales today for her too!

Off to go get dressed (yeah, it's 1:30 PM, it's Sunday..I like to "lounge") and go to Costco and maybe hit up Target. We'll see..

Have a fantastic Sunday!
And to all you people who are seeing Twilight, enjoy. No, I won't be joining in on this movie, but I still hope it does well! Congrats to Stephenie Meyer for making such a hit book!

The shoppers guide to Black Friday

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is a WEEK from today?!
It's crazy, where has the time gone?

Thanksgiving isn't really my favorite holiday, Christmas absolutely takes that award. Thanksgiving for us is always the same and very minimal, honestly I can't wait until I can host my own. That's not what this post is about though, what I am about to share with you is one of my favorite 'holidays" in the world.

Black Friday my friends is absolutely amazing. I started doing the crazy rush of shopping at 5 AM on the day after Thanksgiving about 5 years ago. However, back than I was a little more tame, going to the mall at 9 instead of 6 and going to Toys R Us at 6 instead of 4:30.

Now that I'm old enough to drive I'm out on my own. Last year I took my friend, her boyfriend (Who is ironically now one of my best friends since they have broken up), and his two friends and we spent the night at Best Buy. We got to Best Buy at 9 pm and we were number 76 in line. If you're not familiar with Black Friday I suggest that you drive by your local Circuit City or Best Buy on Thanksgiving day and count the fools in line at 5 pm grilling hot dogs and hamburgers instead of the turkey.

Last year I camped out at Best Buy for a laptop that was on sale for $200. I didn't get that, but ended up getting a navigation system for my car. The same car that a year later, I still have not gotten. Guess that trip was successful, huh? Actually, it was a lot of fun. The store marks the DVD's to crazy prices of $4.99 and there are a bunch of other good buys. My only advice if you're going to camp out is to bring a bucket or something - there are no toilets (I'm such a priss that I made one of the guys stay in my parking space so that I could drive to a gas station because I was NOT going to go pee in the parking garage). Also make sure you have a good book, an iPod and a blanket. Perhaps even throw in a pillow if you want.

At Best Buy, they start handing out tickets for the doorbusters at 3:30 AM. Do yourself a favor and don't just show up at 3:00 thinking you're going to get a big ticket doorbuster, you won't. I was number 75 and STILL didn't manage to get some of the doorbuster tickets. One person is allowed one ticket per doorbuster item. Bring some friends if you want more than one. That or go find a teenage boy looking to make some extra cash. They are extremely fast runners and can go get your stuff, quick.

After Best Buy, I hit Toys R Us at 5:30 AM. Pick up a few small things like games for the Wii and then head on to my local coffee shop where I refuel. Than after that, I go to the mall, find a parking place and head into Macy's where I get my dad's Christmas presents, well the majority of them at least. By the time I finish with Macy's its 7ish and then I slow down and do some more mall stuff. After that, it's time to hit Target at 10 AM and by that time I'm exhausted. I finish by 12 pm, go home and crash into bed. All in all, it's a successful day and I get most of my Chistmas shopping done.

If I didn't have to do the Christmas shopping for my dad for my brother than I wouldn't even bother. My dad has no idea how to shop for my brother (or me for that matter) though, so I offer to play Santa Claus. Yes the sales are that good though, so think twice before saying no.

The thing that helps me map out which stores I want to go to however is searching through the store's ad's. My go to website is www.black-friday.net ,which has never let me down. I see what each store will be having on sale and then I plan accordingly.

So this is my Thanksgiving gift to you my friends. I'm letting you in on my secret and hoping you all take advantage of it....just don't get in my way, I may run you over with a shopping cart.

Little Miss Nominated

I've missed my blog and bloggy friends!
I planned on writing a lot yesterday, but somehow I came down with a really bad migraine and the only thing I wanted to do was sleep.
In exciting news, I self nominated myself for a Pathfinder award. Its a scholarship for $3,000.00 that the local county newspaper does for the high school seniors. There are different categories and one person from each school is allowed to be nominated per category. I nominated myself for communications and I'm up against 5 other kids.
The first thing that happens is that this Friday I have to go in for the interview part of the process. I just found out that the 3 judges for my category are three teachers that I know very well and the good news is that I'll feel more comfortable that way.
The school makes a huge deal out of this, we have to get dressed up in business suits and treat it like a real interview for a job or something. I went out today and got a suit at Macy's for under $100.00, yes, I did what I thought would be impossible. Although I admit that I loved the adorable pink and gray Ralph Lauren, it's a different story when you're paying for it with your own money! I ended up mixing and matching two separates and both were on sale for 50% off each. Somehow my total came down to $75.84. That is pretty darn impressive for me and I have to say that plain black looks very classy. I plan on pairing it with pearls and some heals with a cream shirt underneath. Don't worry- there will be pictures (yeah, I document this kind of stuff!).

Anyways, I'm hoping and praying this interview goes well. Most of it is based on personality and passion for the subject, so I'm hoping that will convey. My essay that I had to write to go along with it was pretty good too. There is another girl who is competing for the same award and I can honestly say that I will be thrilled for her if she gets it. She is so kind and genuine and works very hard; she reminds me of myself sort of. I don't know her all that well since she is in a different magnet program than I am, but she works on the yearbook and we talk sometimes when I'm in the newspaper/yearbook room at lunch working on some stuff. She just got accepted into Auburn and she applied to Northwestern so I'm really rooting for her. In a way, she is sort of living my dream. I would have LOVED to apply to college out of state, but that's just not something that I can afford right now, but that's okay. I'll be happy with an acceptance letter for University of Central Florida (that I am still waiting for! AHH the WAITING!). So here's to Courtney or myself, may either of us win!

After school today, I went to go get my nails done in order for my interview on Friday. Um, dumb idea. Seriously. I am a nail biter, so my nails often look like, well crap. So I decided to get acrylics with a french tip. Okay so they look GREAT, but I cant type!! Seriously this post is taking forever to write since I keep messing up the spelling. I've also managed to scratch myself in the eye and if you hit your finger the wrong way it HURTS! I'm guessing I should have gotten these put on on Thursday. Oh and how ironic is it that I am interviewing for a JOURNALISM scholarship and I can't TYPE or WRITE normally..ahh the things we do to look good! Does anyone have any tips on how to make these things look good until Friday? I've already managed to scratch one slightly............

What else is new? Hmm, well I'm working on a slideshow sort of thing for pictures from Saint Louis. I still laugh at the sight of us 5 girls picking leaves from trees and running around with our mouths open trying to catch snow flurries smaller than my finger nail. I'm so glad I was able to go on that trip, not only did I have a fantastic time, but I made some new friends! People who go to my school that I had never even spoken to before are now friends that had a fab time together. It actually got me really excited to go to college, because I'll get to meet so many more friends that like the same things that I do!

While I was gone, it seems that the awards started rolling in! Jill at Sneaky Momma, Melodie at Me and My Girls and Yaya at Yaya Stuff all gifted me with awards, so thanks guys! You all are awesome!

The first one is from Jill:

Requirements for accepting the award are that I must list five of my favorite addictions and then pass along the award to five other blogs.

So here we go!

5 of my favorite addictions:
1. The internet, plain and simple
2. Taking pictures everywhere I go. I love being creative.
3. Law and Order:SVU..oh yeah!!
4. The Twilight series. Okay, okay, yes world, you were right, I AM ADDICTED! I admit it!

5. My iPod. One of the greatest inventions EVER.

Now for Five Fabulous blogs that also receive this award. Ready?

1. S Club 3
2. Le Musings of Moi
3. Infectious Chatter
4. Jenerbug - Queen of Crafty Ambitions
5. She's Lump

As with any award, there are rules. The rules of this award are:
1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Instructions:
On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget. Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

OKAY now for the one from Melodie

The award is written in Portuguese, but it's still adorable!

The Snazzy Blog Award

This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I hereby pass this award along to:

1. My Life as a CFers Wife
2. Simply "Jenn"-sational
3. Yaya stuff
4. Where Are My Angels
5. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit..
6. Dinkypops No More!
7. My Life, My Hopes, My Future
8. My Journey to Family


And now, the Encouraged award from Lovely Yaya

The rules for the Encouraged Blogger Award are:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

1. Of Love and a Baby
2. Pennies In My Pocket Blog
3. Honey Mommy
4. Sacred and Profane
5. Dry as Toast


I don't think I'm ever allowed to say or think that I'm not loved again, because I just got 3 awards from you awesome friends!

Off to bed and to read some magazines, I just renewed my subscription to Time and Entertainment Weekly for a year and I had to think that I'll have a new address this time next year..That is, if the colleges ever send me a response!

Happy Wednesday!

I'm home (again)..

I'm home!
Somehow my computer wouldn't connect to the hotel's wi-fi, so I had to go four (OMG) days without internet!!! The HORROR!! I just now checked my e-mail and it accumulated 150 something messages. :) Most of them junk of course...I swear if I get asked to join the Single Parents dating group one more time...
Anyways Saint Louis was pretty awesome. I made some new friends and learned some new things.
We did the Arch and most importantly (to us Florida girlies at least), WE SAW SNOW! Well snow flurries, but it was SNOW! REAL SNOW!
The five of us screamed up and down the street, "IT'S SNOWING!" and then we picked fall leaves and opened our mouths for the snow to drop in.
Someone asked our teacher if we were actors, she told them no, we were Floridians.

I have a post I wrote my first day there and I'll be posting that soon (so we can play catch up okay?).
I'm exhausted right now and hoping and crossng my fingers and all that to stay home from school tomorrow because I need to get readjusted to um, my time zone..or something like that.

Hope you all had wonderful weekends!

Heading to Saint Louis

What do you think of the new layout? It's a little pink huh?
I figured I'll have my pink fun until I get all red and green on you guys, yes, Christmas is my holiday. You know, THAT holiday. Everyone has one. The one where you get all decked out and walking into your house could be like walking into a store that sells only that holiday's items. Some people do Halloween, I do Christmas.

I'm still in denial that I'm going to Saint Louis tomorrow. No, that can't be right, it can't possibly already be the middle of November! I scheduled an appointment today for December 3rd, um where oh where did the time go?

The queen of all things procrastination is back at it again. I was planning on packing yesterday and I let that one get away from me. I decided that sleep was more important. I sort of forgot though that I had to work tonight and I had a therapy appointment, so here I am at 10:00, still throwing things into a suitcase that is substantially smaller than mine. You see, I found out today that we will be walking and taking a subway to our hotel from the airport. What..what? My suitcase is more than half the size of me and you want me to WALK with the thing...um okay, time to search the attic for a smaller one. So I've found one and I'm learning that hey, it's actually sort of difficult to not pack everything in your bathroom. I also find myself asking, "do I really need this dress that I can only wear in 80 degree weather?"

Now I have my fingers crossed that Delta won't lose my luggage.

I saw my A for the first time this week tonight. Little bugger threw a piece of broccoli at my head and then has the audacity to tell me, "now you have to wash yourself." I didn't tell her that I was already planning on taking a shower tonight (oh crap, I still have to do that too).
It's pretty amazing. One minute I'm watching her run around the house in a Cinderalla outfit and I can't believe that she's almost 4. Where did the time go?
The next minute, I'm putting her to bed, but before going in her big girl bed she wants to cuddle and rock in the rocking chair. The same one that she used to fall asleep on me in. The same one where I would often just go to sleep with her in.

Before I put her to bed she asks me to sing to her. "Sing me the song you sang to me when I was a baby." So I go through a medley of songs. They range from "Raindrops on Roses" to "Just a spoonful of sugar" (I MAY have been on a Julie Andrews kick once upon a time) and of course every bed time has to end with "the Pooh Bear song", which she now knows the words to and will correct me if I sing a verse wrong. I savor these moment because I know they're limited, but I treasure them too because I know they're practice for when I have kids of my own. Maybe by that time A can sing the Pooh Bear song to them (okay, whoa just got WAY ahead of myself, because we are talking like 10 years into the future here).

I started making a photobook for A awhile back, using the My Publisher program that you can get for free online. I'm planning on working on it on the plane rides (yes RIDES) tomorrow.

But back to right now. It's strange to think that this time tomorrow, I'll be an hour behind (Central Standard Time) and will be in Saint Louis, a city I've never been in before. Is it awful that I don't even know where Missouri is located and that after this I am going to my map to find it!? The fact that I'm going there for "work" hasn't really set in yet, I still keep thinking that I'm going there to play. I tell you what, it better not be like that conference from hell that I went to in the summer. No, this will be an enjoyable trip! Stress free and Lovely!

I have quite the delay at the airport tomorrow so hopefully you will be hearing from me soon. I am crossing my fingers that the rooms have free wireless connection, but so far, I haven't seen anything on the website that indicates that it does. I'm sure that one way or another I'll get internet!

Hoping you all have a Wonderful Thursday!

XOXO Kelsey

You may want to hit me

I'm packing for Saint Louis and doing math homework, but I didn't want my poor blog to feel neglected.
So because I have the NEW "I Like to Move it" song by Will.i.am in my head from seeing Madagascar 2 (see shameless promotion) the other day, I figured I'd share it with you guys! (Didn't it just start playing in your head like right now? I like to move it, move it, he likes to move it move it....You know you love me!)
I'm amazed at how many people loved the first movie as much as I did! I mentioned to someone today that I saw the second one and all of a sudden she starts squealing and signing the song. Yes, that song. In the middle of english class; who says we can't act like first graders in high school?



This is irrelevant, but I'm curious to know, did your kids have off for Veterans day? In my county, we don't get Veterans Day off, but we get random "fall holiday" days. It's sad when Veteran's day isn't even acknowledged in the school system anymore. I mean give us school if you want, but at least acknowledge the day! I find this especially hard to believe as we have Veterans returning home from the Middle East and other areas all the time.

Oh and can someone please explain to me how not delivering my mail is going to honor the Veterans? "I'd like to honor the veterans today, so I don't think I'll deliver the mail." Seriously. I went to my mailbox three times before I finally figured that out. THIS IS NOT FAIR TO PEOPLE WITH COLLEGE ADMISSION OCD! I NEED MAIL!

So that's enough of that. I'm off to go start my Statistics homework (see, this is what I'm talking about when I say PROCRASTINATION PRONE), because apparently I thought that doing other things like downloading the Madagascar 2 soundtrack to my iPod was more important. Or that uploading a new picture to my facebook was going to help me in school (okay, no, but it's pretty!). Someday I'll learn, just not today.

One more thing, in totally random news I just realized that THANKSGIVING IS 2 WEEKS AWAY. Which means that I HAVE TO FIND MY PUMPKIN PIE RECIPE and START PRACTICING because I am a PERFECTIONIST when it comes to that pie. I was going to make some last night and then I didn't go to the store to get some ingredients, which is probably the most lame excuse ever since the store is 3 minutes from my house, and that's when I walk. Guess I know what I'll be doing this coming week. Pie anyone?

God bless The Veterans!

I forgot to mention in my last post, Happy Veterans day!
May God bless each and every man and woman who are serving our country now, or who have served before. All of you are loved very much and I am eternally grateful for each and everyone of you and all that you do.

I encourage everyone to pray for the brave men and women on duty and at war. They need our constant love and support! In an effort to give them thanks, I ask that you all Google a way to send letters or items of need to our troops. I would include a link, but I haven't done it myself yet.

God bless America and the brave men and woman serving our country!

I like to move it, move it.

I think I win the award for most non active blogger!
I want so much to read all of your blogs and your Not Me Mondays and I want to participate with that too! I just can not seem to find the time. How is it that all of a sudden I don't have time for things that I love? It just doesn't make sense.
I think I outdid myself this weekend. The party on Saturday was great. I had an awesome time being with my friends and meeting some new people. I also got some great pictures that I'll have to share (eventually, you know, since my camera is sitting on the other side of my room and I don't want to go get it..um lazy much?).

Sunday I went to my first pro football game. It was the Miami Dolphins against the Seahawks (I think that's the name). Obviously, I'm good luck because my team won! Yes, the normally losing Miami Dolphins beat the Seahawks by one point.

I found the perfect used car online on Friday and we were going to go look at it on Sunday since it was in Miami and we were already going to be there. After drooling over it on Saturday and getting directions, etc, I called them at the game on Sunday only to find out that they had sold in Saturday night. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed. It just feels like I keep getting told "no" over and over again when it comes to the car,and then once it is a possible "yes", someone else tells me "no." It's a very frustrating process and I'm learning not to get my hopes up.

Today marks the 3rd week from the day that I sent in my applications for UCF and UF. UCF has a policy where they get back to you within 3 weeks of applying, so any day now I'll find out. Please say a prayer that I get into this college!! I have butterflies up to my chest and the mailman is very quickly becoming my new best friend. I've been praying about it alot and am hoping that if the answer is no, that God will provide somewhere else for me and I won't be too devastated.

I read somewhere that if you visualize something that it will bring positive energry into the situation and that if you can really see yourself doing something, you up your chances of it coming true. I don't know how much to belive of this, but I think it's the basis of that book, "The Secret." I've been trying to visualize myself with an UCF acceptence letter for the past couple weeks, so maybe it will work. I used to have long nails, right now they're pretty much stubs :)

I head off to St. Louis on Thursday, so that should be fun! I'm trying to get as much rest as I can right now so that I won't come down with a case of exhaustion. Either it was a combination of sun burn (yes, someone please tell me how I am more tan in the WINTER than I am in the summer? How is that possible? Only I could do that :] ) and late night partying with the girls, but I was exhausted yesterday and today. I actually fell asleep at the football game. My dad looks over at me and is all, "why are you so still, are you okay?" and I'm all, "yeah I'm sleeping". That doesn't happen often.

So with that, I'm off to bed, Sleeping Beauty needs her rest. Well maybe not Sleeping Beauty, but I certainly feel as if that should be my name these days! My bed is running a close race with the mailman of who is going to be my new best friend.

Oh and happy birthday to my dad! He is a young 57 (Yeah, I'm his first kid and I have a younger brother..come on, you know you were wondering). For his birthday night, his daughter drove him to yoga and than picked him up. We were going to take him out to dinner, but we went to go see Madagascar 2 instead. Very Very cute movie! I love me them penguins! They also have a new rendition of, "Move it, move it" at the end and Its VERY addicting. Guess what I'll be singing throughout the day tomorrow?

Never a Dull moment

Yesterday was certainly eventful!
I went to school and once again got trashed for voting McCain, come on guys, Obama won, would you get over it?! Quite honestly I don't care that they are comparing me to Sarah Palin (I'm not sure why...) or that they throw papers at me that have the name "Obama" on it, it just seems a bit strange. Maybe they're acting this way out of joy? The weirdest thing I got was when some kid asked me where I parked my car. I told him that I don't have one and he goes, "oh well if you did we were going to scratch Obama's name into the side of it." WTF? So now I will definitely never tell anyone where I park my car.... seriously, kids these days! (did that not just make me sound like 50 years old?)

In newspaper we had our mentor from the local newspaper come and talk with us and critique our paper, he pointed out some mistakes in the design that I did, but that's okay - I'm not going into design anyways :). I had asked my newspaper teacher to look at my Pathfinder essay and just correct any grammer or punctuation if need be. I had to turn the thing in by 3:00, she finally looked at it at 2:38 - school gets out at 2:40. I found out that my neighbor kid who usually gives me a ride home wasn't at school so than I had to catch the bus, but first I still had to find the woman in charge of Pathfinder and give it to her! So I ran around the school like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to find this woman and still catch my bus. Finally I found her, gave it to her in the "nick of time" (seriously what does that even mean?!) and then ran to the bus place, only to see that my bus had already been there. I got that feeling of oh crap, now I'm stranded, but than I looked up and the bus was still there! So I ran onto it and I got to my stop. I startd walking the mile home (which I haven't done since last year, becasue usually I have friends who enjoy driving me) and my feet and ankles started to swell up. When I was in Chicago, I accidentally brought a pair of really bad shoes and they were the only ones I had besides my boots and sandals so I had to spend a lot of time in them and they messed up my feet.

I couldn't walk without this really sharp pain in my feet, but I kept going but really slowly which is annoying to me since I usually speed walk. I was almost home, only one more intersection to go, when this kid Devin saw me and told me to get into his car. We had a class together last year and I was sort of in love with him. So I'm in the guy's (that I totally want to make out with right there and then) car and he drives me home, but than once we get to my house he asks me to drive with him to go get gas. Okay, sure, I don't have to be at work for awhile, let's go. He starts telling me about how he's been in 2 car accidents before and I'm all, "let's not die today okay" and he promises to keep me safe. We are not even 5 minutes from my house when we got into a CAR ACCIDENT! WHAT THE HECK!? He jinxed us.

Some woman was on the phone and wasn't paying attention and decided to cross over into our lane. She hit my side, but on the rear end door. If he hadn't had sped up, than she would have hit me straight on. We pulled over into an empty shopping center and they exchanged information, etc. He didn't want to call the cops because he said his car is a piece of crap anyways and he's getting a new one soon. So the woman got off easily. I've never been in an accident before, so I was a tad bit freaked out to say the least. After he exchanges the information he hops back in the car, smiles at me and says, "okay on to get gas" and I'm thinking, "what you have got to be kidding me, take me home!", but I go with him anyways.

So we go get gas (an hour later! Seriously, it took an HOUR to get gas at a place 10 min from my house!) and then he drove to his dad's office to give him the credit card back. "Oh yeah, I got into an accident" he tells his dad casually, and the man's eyes almost pop out of his head. He asked if my neck or back hurt and I said, no. He checked out the damage and wanted to make a claim, but Devin wouldn't let him.

I finally got home, took a nap and then went to work. D wanted T to check me out and make sure my neck and back is okay (He's a chiropractor), so I'll be going in on Monday to make sure everything looks good. Honestly, I'm more concerned about my feet.

Tonight I'm going to a party for my friend Britany and then a bunch of girls are spending the night at her cousins condo. My friend Mary and I are going to the grocery store to get food and stuff for the condo after we go to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. I'm supposed to be going car shopping in Miami today, but that is a VERY far drive from here and I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it. Tomorrow I'm going back to Miami and going to a Dolphin's game, my very first football game.

So that's been my life, in a nutshell in the last 24 hours. See what I mean when I say my life is never dull?

Procrastination is for Lovers

You know that feeling when you keep promising yourself to do something, like lose weight or clean the house and it never happens? That is me with procrastination. I am forever losing that stupid battle. I often find myself up at 12 AM finishing homework. Than why are you blogging when your work isn't done? shut up, this is called THERAPY (what, it could be!).
I just found out that this scholarship thing called Pathfinder was announced the day I was gone. Of course, I didn't learn about it until a few days ago and it's due tomorrow. My resume and a 500 word essay on why I should beat out a crapload of kids with better grades than I to get this money and this award. There are different sections that you can enter for, I'm entering for foreign language! Communications (duh) because apparently I'm good at it.
Every year the winner's for this huge thing are given a big awards ceremony and are published in a special booklet in the paper; since I was in 8th grade I've wanted this thing and only now am I realizing that OH CRAP MY CHANCE IS NOW. Way to go self on picking THAT day to miss school. Maybe they have a section for most skilled time manager. I win hands down.
I went in and talked with one of the assistant principals today for how to do this. Apparently they have an interview process where they look over the applicant and then go on to actually interview you in person, which is perfect because I've been told before that I can nail interviews and I have a smile that will win them over. Great boost to my ego.
Now all I need to do is make myself a resume, which I'm pretty sure I have already done um six times in the last couple months for college applications, but never bothered to put it on Word and now all those are sent and I can't access them so I'm starting for scratch...dang.
I have a few hours left and I have NO IDEA what to write. The prompt is to write about my passion and expertise in the subject area for which I'm applying. Easy right? Um sure, if I was capable of something like that. I have the WORST time promoting myself and telling myself that I'm good at things, this essay is sort of like torture.
Heck, I know why I'll be a good journalist, but how do I put that into 500 words. I mean you can only sound so great before you get to cocky. "Oh I trained at American University under people who work for "PEOPLE" and "NPR"" Beat that suckers. Somehow I don't think that's what they want to hear.
So now it's back to the drawing board (oh trust me, I'll be putting in the above for sure) and hoping and praying that I don't screw this up, because I love seeing my name in print and it's what I want.
Procrastination may win again, but perhaps this time it can help me...only time will tell!

These are a few of my favorite things.

Hows this for a post? I really have nothing to say, I was just on blogger reading up on my favorite blogs and I felt as though I needed to post something after yesterdays. I didn't want that to be the first thing people see!

So now I think I'll just make a list of some of the things I'm loving right now in the fall.

I'm crazy about this series. I got book number 2 today (thanks Juliana!) and am already pretty into it. I don't like it as much as number one, but it's still holding my attention. Oh and my dad just comes in my room and goes, "hey for $9500.00 you can go to the premiere in Beverly Hills and meet the cast. All you have to do is buy it from Sams Club." Thanks dad, I prefer a car though :)

Okay so I don't really love car shopping, but I love that I'm getting one! My dad has promised me for the longest time that once I turn 18, I can get a car because he wants all the paperwork to be in my name. Long ago we decided that I would get a used Honda CRV from either 2007 or 2008. I've test driven them before and I love them! I feel incredibly lucky to get to have one. Now, we just have to find it!

The third season of 30 Rock. It premiered last week on Thursday on NBC and I didn't get to watch it, but thankfully NBC has the full episode up online for free! This show is too funny; Tina Fey really has a great talent as a writer. That and the actual 30 Rock (Rockefeller plaza) is one of my favorite places to people watch in NYC. This week on the show? I think OPRAH guest stars, and then next week is Jennifer Aniston.


Another reason I love fall is because I have an excuse to make my out of this world pumpkin pie! I make a really healthy one (read all organic ingredients and a wheat free crust, yeah, I take all the fun out), but once you taste it, you'll love it. You can make it w/o organic ingredients and it would probably still taste amazing. I plan on posting the recipe that I came up with, but first I have to test it again this year just to make sure I still remember it! I just found out my dad wants me to cook Thanksgiving dinner for the family at my house...uh wow. This from the girl that almost burned down the house while heating up an already made ham last Christmas? Maybe my family will just prefer to eat mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie this year.


The other thing I love about fall is that it's finally cold enough here for me to wear my different college hoodies. Currently I am wearing my University of Central Florida one as I find out from them either this week or next whether I get into the college! This is my NUMBER ONE choice as it is in the perfect location and I really love the school. All parts of my body that I can cross, are crossed as I wait for the letter. I am imagining me opening up the mailbox to that acceptance letter envelope!


Next Thursday I get to hop aboard another plane and travel to St. Louis for a newspaper conference with the NSPA National Student Press Assosiation (or something like that). Even though I know absolutely no one who is going (no one in my class is going, the only other people in my school that are going are yearbook kids who are all younger than I am) I am still looking forward to going and learning more about the field that I'm interested in. Plus another city I get to visit! So awesome!


Another thing I'm looking forward to in November is Black Friday. For those of you who don't know, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving where the stores hold their crazy deal sales! I have gone for as long as I can remember, but last year a group of my friends and I spent the night at Best Buy to wait in line for the awesome deals (like a laptop for $200.00, no we missed that one). We're going back again this year and I can't wait! I do ALL my Christmas shopping that day and I save a TON of money, even if it does mean batteling the crowds, but that's what coffee is for.

So those are all for right now, what are some of your favorite things of the moment? Oh, I also love how the stores are ALREADY playing Christmas music....um can we get Thanksgiving over with first guys? In other news, I walked into a CVS today to see if I could find some leftover Halloween candy (yeah right) and saw that Reeses (yum) is making Peanut butter trees. Okay stocking stuffer idea!

Views on election day.

Disclaimer: This is is no way meant to be an attack on Senator Obama or anyone who has voted for him. I respect the long way he has come and those who have voted for him. If you are sensitive towards this subject, than I sugest you do not read this post. I do not intend to offend anyone, this is simply my feelings about this election.

It's over so I don't think there is any harm in posting this now. Most of you have probably guessed that I am a McCain girl. I feel that I really educated myself in this election and I didn't just give in to the media or the popular vote for Barack Obama. I have a lot of thoughts about Obama becoming our next president and some of them confuse me.

Obama has said that he wants to incorporate a plan into colleges where students will do community service type things, like serve in the Peace Corps or the military in exchange for a discount on tuition. I really have no desire to do that, but I'm going to need some help going to college eventually.

Although Obama is against the war, he plans to move the war to Afghanistan, not once has he said anything about his policy on drafting. Will I get drafted? Will I have to go and join the Army?

What about Christianity and his association with Reverend Wright. Obama went to that church for many years and although he has said that Reverend Wright hasn't impacted his views on certain things, you can't tell me that he's serious. You can't go and listen to someone for 10 plus years and NOT be impacted by thier views. I have heard that Revered speak and quite frankly, some of it scares me.

To my democratic friends and people who have voted for Obama, this post is not an attack against you. I respect your choice as I hope you have respected mine. In no way would I want to condem you or offend you, but I know thier are others out there like me who are confused and wondering what will happen next and I feel that it's important that they know they have one more person on their side.

I am disgusted beyond belief with the media. I am planning on going into journalism and it's things like this that I have to ask myself if it's something I really want to do. I have a passion for news, a passion for bringing things to the American people, but when it's biased and false information, do I really want to be responsible for that kind of work? From the start, the networks favored Obama over Clinton and over McCain. Why Obama? is it because he is young? Is it because he's different? Is it because he's black? I feel that his race should have had NOTHING to do with him winning the election, but sadly a lot of people voted for him because he is black. Would you have voted for say, OJ Simpson if he was running for president because he was black?

When I asked people at school why they were for Obama the response I got most often was, "because he's black". What does a person's skin color have to do with anything? If we as Americans, are really over the days where everyone is treated differently because of skin color, than why is this such a big deal? Obama should not have been elected because of the color of his skin, but because of the content of his character. I understand and respect the strides that the African American community has made, I am proud that they are no longer purposely being treated differently, but I really don't understand why someone would vote for Obama because of his skin color. That just shows how many uneducated voters we had in this election.

People have gone above and beyond to point out and broadcast publicly John McCain and Sarah Palin's flaws, but what about Obama and Biden's flaws? Why have I not turned on the TV or picked up a newspaper to see something negative about them? You can't honestly tell me that they have nothing on them! Shame on you media for not doing your job of reporting the facts correctly and non biased!

They say that Obama is not proud of his country and Michelle Obama has said that this is the first time she is proud of America. Well, this is the first time I am ashamed for America. Once again we have let someone's Appearance control our descions. We have made fun of John McCain for being old, we have made fun of Sarah Palin for being a conservative woman. Would someone tell me why I don't see anyone making fun of Obama? Why is no one attacking Joe Biden's every move?

I think that on some level Obama did have people voting for him because of what they believed in. People honsestly did believe in the same things that Obama did and good for them for being educated! If that was the reason that he won, than I would have absolutely no problem. I do however have a problem that he took a number of votes, just for the appearnce factor. If the Republicans had put a candidate that was young and good looking on the ballot would they have won? It makes you wonder.

As a Conservative young Republican I can only hope that I will continue to have my freedom of religion. I hate the thought of abortion and I pray that the live birth abortion bill does not go through. I do think that abortion should be an option for women who have been raped, but I don't think it should be given out freely. I don't think that sex education should begin at a very young age, rather I think that we should focus on teaching our children about healthy relationships. I don't believe that it's "patriotic" to raise taxes. Obama says that the middle class will not be affected, but come on, everyone of us in the middle class will be affected! There is no way he can only raise taxes on just a small percent of the people to accomplish what he wants done. We are in a state of economic crisis, raising taxes is the last thing we need.

So even though my "friend" John McCain has lost, I still have hope. Hope that America will stand strong in what they believe in and that the next four years will somehow be beneficial. I may not agree with the democrats on most things, but I am an American and I am proud that I was at least able to vote and use my freedom of speech. Most countries don't get to express their views, I am thankful that I live in a country where I can. I'm thankful that I live in a country where I can chose what I think is best for me; I'm thankful that I live in a country where no matter what, God will provide.

I was reading my e-mail tonight and my dear friend sent out this e-mail to her conservative friends who are feeling down and out and concerned about the future. I hope it helps to lift your spirits!

Regardless of who has won the election,

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed teaching

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.


I hope that this comforts some of you as it has comforted me. Please share your thoughts with me as I am interested to hear them. Much love to you all.

Election Day 2008

No, I didn't cast my vote with a 7-Eleven coffee cup (why couldn't Starbucks come up with this idea?), but I did send my vote in the mail.


I felt so good after wards, it may not be much, but it's MY vote and hopefully MY vote will count as my candidate needs all the votes he can get. Go vote America, it's not too late!

I'm in love with a Vampire

I think it's safe to say that I'm moving up north/ mid west one day. I just realized what a difference the cold weather made to my skin and hair! It looks so much healthier than it did before, I guess the humidity affects me strangely. I'm not too crazy about the frigid freezing winters that last most of the year though!

Yesterday on the plane I finally finished reading Twilight. When everyone else was reading it, I kept telling myself that I wouldn't like it, so why bother. Vampire romance? borrring. I hated the Harry Potter series so there was no way I would like this book. I kept seeing references to it on Facebook and other blogs and finally I got curious. When I realized that it wasn't just teens reading it, I had to wonder, what was it about this book that was so great? So than I asked my friend Juliana to lend me her copy. I got it and it was worn and loved, obviously being read numerous times. I read the first chapter and like a drug, I was addicted! I needed MORE, MORE, MORE and I was so thrilled that it was a long book to so that I wouldn't finish it too fast, since I'm a fast reader.

Last night I finished it and OMG I was wrong and it was one of the BEST books I have ever read. Seriously, I need more. Now I'm waiting to read the second one, and then the third, and of course the fourth. I don't think I want to see the movie though. I have my own picture of Edward and Bella in my head and I don't want to ruin it with the movie's version. Already the posters and previews I've seen for it are messing with me;We'll see though, I've been known to change my mind.....

And now for some more pictures of my second home, well technically it's my third home. I already have a second home here in FL.



Giordano's Amazing Chicago style pizza. So much better than Pizza Uno or Due.

I was FREEZING while taking this shot, I couldn't resist going by the Lake though!


Pretty flower outside of Shedd Aquarium

Sister Brother love (notice the snow hat)


And I have a bunch more I want to share with you guys, but there are too many and it takes to long to upload on blogger so I'm just going to make a slideshow! Maybe I'll put some music on there too.

Oh and tomorow is election day (duh), so don't forget to vote! There are a lot of things to consider in this election. Do you really know your candidate? I encourage you all to reseach his history before making a descision. Is he for or against your beliefs? Neither candidate is another George W Bush and that is VERY important to remember during your research, they each have their own priorities. I feel very stongly about this election and I've gone all out, putting the yardsign in front of my house and the bumper sticker on the car and my binder. I'll be wearing my shirt tomorrow too. This has cost me some heckling from peers as they like to "attack" people who don't share their beliefs. I just pray that if Obama doesn't win, there won't be any crazy riots or attacks in Chicago (where they are having a large party) or throughout the United States. If you want to know who I'm voting for and my views on it and WHY I'm voting the way I am, than I will gladly tell you, but please don't attack me and listen to me before you say anything. I wish my peers would do that.

Need more of an incentive to go vote? Starbucks is giving away a free tall coffee to everyone who comes in and tells them that they voted. Ben and Jerry's ice cream stores are also giving away free ice cream to everyone who votes. I don't have a Ben and Jerry's, but you can bet that Starbucks is calling my name! Hope the lines at the polls aren't too bad, and if you have kids take the oppurtunity to explain what it's all about to them, after all you'll be waiting with them for awhile :)

Back to boring

My lovely weekend is over.
I love Chicago, I really, really do. I will move their someday although I don't know if I can live with the cold! Yesterday it was in the 40's and I almost froze my butt off! I didn't break out the trenchcoat (more or less because I knew that we would be at the aquarium and some indoor places and I didn't want to carry it around), but you better bet that I had on my Uggs, two shirts (one long sleeved), jacket and my hood on. I stupidly forgot my scarf in the room so my neck froze, but it was SO worth it.
My brother and I toured the city yesterday. My dad was in business meetings all day so I got to pick and choose where we went. First stop was the Shedd Aquarium where I was super excited to see the PENGUINS and the polar bears and the dolphins and you know, the fish. As luck would have it, the only thing there was fish and reptiles, they moved the PENGUINS and the other mammals to Connecticut until March 2009 because they are rebuilding the exhibit. So I didn't get to see penguins, but I did find a really cute shirt that said, "Piece, Love and Penguins"...no I didn't get it.
After that we headed over to Chinatown to get some chinese food and bubble tea. If you've never had bubble tea before you need to try it, it's so good! It's like a smoothie, but it has tapioca pearls in it. We walked around Chinatown for awhile and then hopped on the El to go to Uncle Fun, this store that sells all these knick knacks from the 70's, 80's and 90's. I walked in there and immediatly saw some stuff that I had played with when I was 3! The great thing about this store is that pretty much everything is under $3.00. I got a few items and I think I paid $3.50. The staff is so nice too.
After that, we stopped at Wrigleyville, the home of the Cubs. My brother was in heaven and we wandered the streets. He found a few stores and got another Cubs shirt and then we were back on the train, heading back to the hotel. We met up with my dad and then we went to the United Center where we watched the Chicago Bulls win against the Minnesotta Grizzlies! It was a really great game, at least I was entertained! After that we went back to the hotel and walked to the ESPN Zone for dinner (yeah we eat at 11 pm), where we watched some more sports. It was a very packed day, but it was a ton of fun.
Today we left, but before that we visited some friends who live in the suburbs and had a bbq with them. It was really nice to catch up with them as we haven't seen them in 2 years.
I'm still uploading pictures, but I'll post some tomorrow as I just got home a hour ago and am exhausted and need sleep! I have a newspaper article due tomorrow and I still have to make some corrections to it, so I'll have to get up early (darn). Oh and may I say I LOVE the end of day light savings time. Extra hour of sleep is awesome.
I know I haven't been commenting latley on some of your blogs, I promise I was reading, I just haven't been commenting - that will resume tomorrow too!
Good night and sweet dreams from hott and humid Florida! I must say though, even though I love the cities, it's nice to be home in my big spacious room in my nice bed, although I do wish it was a tad bit colder - I think 70 is just perfect!

Halloween Chi-town Style

Halloween in a big city is so much fun and SO entertaining! I have never seen so many wacko's dressed up in my life. I ventured over to Navy Pier at night to see the fireworks and there were so many kids dressed up and running around (obviously high off the sugar!), I tried to get my brother to wear a mask (or a paper bag over his head) so he could go trick or treating at the stores (I'm not going to lie, I WANTED candy!!), but he wouldn't. Oh well, I grabbed a lollipop at one of the stores haha.
I asked a store employee how the city kids trick or treat and she gave me this really confused look. "We go house to house." I told her. She told me that the kids here just go up and down the streets to all the stores! Seriously some of these kids had huge shopping bags full of candy!!! I've decided I won't feel guilty about raising my kids here, heck that alone would make up for anything.
It's only 7 AM here ( my dad woke me up at 5 as he was leaving, thank you dad) so I've been sitting in the lobby and watching all the people come back from the late night clubs, still in their costumes. It just occured to me that I could have gone to the clubs..darn it! Oh well, next time (I figure it wouldn't have been fun without a friend anyway).
I did a little shopping yesterday and explored some of the city. I found a Marc by Marc Jacobs boutique and I was in love; I got the cutest little clutch for night (for pretty cheap too! under $40.00), I also went to this store called "The T-shirt deli, where you can go in a create your own shirt and they wrap it up and give it to you like a sub. My friend Kelly wanted me to go for her so I got part of her Christmas present done. Speaking of Christmas presents, I went into the Disney store yesterday to find a marked down Sleeping Beauty costume for A for Christmas. I didn't get that, I'll get it online but they are selling Disney Princess Barbies, for $8.00 each. Miss A will now have a Sleeping Beauty and Ariel to add to her collection come Christmas time.
So now for the best parts, Pictures! Hopefully Blogger will cooperate with me.

Lou Mitchells, sort of a distance, but EXCELLENT food!


Psycho Baby, because that's what every parent hopes for.
People here value their bicycle wheels so much that they will chain them up
Best. Pumpkin. Ever.

Did you just start drooling a little bit?


Future job?

He was a GATOR!!! Cutest thing ever.

Now off to a really busy day! I have to cram everything in that I want to do today, since we go to the suburbs tomorrow. Aquarium, Chinatown, Wrigleyville, Shopping...yeah I have it pretty good!

More pictures to come!