My Saturday Night Live: Cleanin' up & Catchin' Up

I really do want to try and keep up with this blog. I had a thing going for all but 2 of the 7 days in the week, although I wasn't able to keep up with them either . . . Anyhow, I thought I might post something today,and I figured I'd start a little something new, whereby I blog about my Saturday nights, mostly because I haven't come up with anything cover for Saturdays besides. I figured most people have a lot more exciting things happening on Saturday nights, which would make sharing mine perhaps a bit ironic. Maybe that works, maybe it doesn't - meh.

Anyhow, tonight I'm up cleaning out my closet and cleaning my room, which has become even more of a disaster as I am cleaning out my closet. I'd post a photo, but it's too shameful for sharing. Let's just say that I've made lots of room in my closet for more clothes. Also, it looks like I don't need the extra hangers I bought the other night, but I'll keep them anyway, because they're green in case I have a closet on campus at UTD in the fall.

I'm also doing laundry, since I suppose that goes hand in hand with cleaning your closet, and catching up on old episodes of "The Mindy Project". This past spring, when I started watching the show, it was beginning its second season. I normally refuse to watch/read any series out of order, but the show was hilarious and I didn't have time to go back and catch up on the first season before the next episode of the second season. So here I am doing it now, and blogging between commercials. I'm currently in the last 10 minutes of episode 8. Can I just say that I love Mindy Kaling? Or at the very least that I love Mindy Lahiri? She shares so much of my alter ego's character. It's possible she inspires it a bit as well.

Well said Mindy. Well said. Spoken like a true hot mess.
via tressugar

Well, I've got church in the morning, so good night.

Waiting in Summer

Oh hey blog - I'm treating this like a diary now -  maybe. I still assume the audience that is clearly not here yet. Anyhow, here's a long overdue post on what I've been up to. In a word, I've been waiting. In case you didn't know it, waiting is hard. Really hard in fact.

JUNE

At the beginning of the summer I was waiting to find out if I would work Summer PACE. PACE is the after school program that I work at, and summer PACE is an extension of that for children whose parents need the service even after school is out. I already worked PACE Plus during the holidays throughout the school year, which I've heard is a real streak of luck for a first year employee. I had also heard that getting both was rare, especially for a school like mine, where our training requirements were a bit less intense. Positions had been filled before summer started and I was on a sublist with high priority if anyone was unable to fulfil their commitment. I was feeling quite hopeless about it by the last day of school. Then on the second day of the first week of Summer PACE I got a call to start the very next day. You can imagine how thrilled I was. I love my job and I really needed the summer hours.

One reason that I needed hours was to finish paying off tuition debt that I owed to the school I had previously attended, the University of Texas at Dallas. I had had to stop attending because of this unresolved tuition balance. I was coming close to wrapping that up and looking to reapply to the school immediately following.

On Sunday June 8th, I had finished paying off that debt, was turning 22, and looking forward to starting my Summer PACE position the very next day. By that point, I had also switched classes at the daycare where I worked and was now working with schoolers, rather than toddlers (a much needed relief, although I do love those wordless little tots). I really didn't much more than that to be happy on my birthday, but my family helped to make it better with our own little party, as we tend to do, and a gift card to Bath & Body Works. Trivial as this may seem in comparison to everything else, I wait every single summer for B&BW Semi-annual sale. Seriously guys - I wait all year for their two big sales, especially the summer sale.

Another less impactful game changer that I had been waiting for was season 4 of Teen Wolf. You may or not be into that, but I most definitely am and having that show return to my Monday routine made summer feel more like summer. My sisters and I gather around to enjoy an awesome story line and a rather attractive cast. Sue me. 

(A couple of moments from tonight's episode - no spoilers)
via stop being so cute

On the seemingly long list of things I am or have waited for this summer, here were a few resolved all at once.

July

Of the "smaller" things that I wait for in life, the World Cup started with a sort of graceless fury. The matches were unlike the first ones I had ever seen back in 2006. It's funny, most of my excitement for the World Cup has nothing to do with the game itself, although I do love soccer for being the world's sport and for encompassing all the best things that a sport can. For one thing, the World Cup is a bit like the Superbowl for me, in that I may not see much of what happens on the screen during the game, but I love what happens around it. There's a fellowship to it that is unique to it, like watching a movie, except rather than being silently sitting on the edge of our seats, we are up out of them screaming at the top of our longs united by a something we root for and believe in, be it a country, a team, a player, or just a brilliant game. The other thing about the World Cup is the guys. They're men I know, but in the sense that I mean, using that term sounded a bit creepy. Whatever. The point is that on the world stage that is FIFA there are some seriously beautiful athletes. And as a female, I can appreciate that, especially when they're running around ripping their shirts off every other time they score a goal, or moving their hips in a celebratory team dance that could only come from South America (RIP Columbia, we'll see you again in 2018)

In other news that hits a bit closer to home, I've waited a couple of weeks to receive more news by way of my employers at PACE. In the last week of June, I got a call that led to an interview for a promotion which would set me from Instructional Assistant to Site Coordinator. It's a bit hard to explain what that means, but the short list of details would show that I'd go from working directly with the children under the direction and program planning of my SC to heading a team of IAs under my own direction and program planning. Another important detail is that the position is a full time position, which would be my first if I got it. And I did - get it that is. Less than week after getting the call, I went in for the interview. I was pretty nervous, especially by the end, because the interview felt so quick. As I was leaving the office where both my Program Specialist and the Program Director had interviewed me, I felt optimistic, as they seemed to like me, but I was a bit hung up on the fact that they had told me that they would "let me know", and they were "still interviewing other applicants". I figured that if I had been what they were looking for, there would be no need for further interviews. I guess I had the right idea, because the very next day, they came by to visit me at the school where I work and deliver in person the news that they had selected me for the position. If I were any more emotional than I am (which is not very much), I would have cried then and there. 

According to the internet, lots of people thought these were the cutest happy tears ever
via My Life is QP

There was one formality to be worked out before I could call it official; I had to meet the principal at this new school and gain her approval. Before any actual scheduling was made to my knowledge, the principal stopped by my school the next week (yesterday). We chatted for a bit and she told me that she was settled on the decision and was ready to have me stop by the school for a tour. Of course she had to send word of her approval to the office, which did not happen right away, but soon enough - today - I got a call from the office officially welcoming me to my new position. So that waiting is over, and I'm pretty psyched about it.

I could attribute this stroke of fortune to the lucky stars I might have crossed, but I know and my parents would certainly not allow me to forget that it is God's grace that sustains me where I am and takes me to where I going.

It will do me well to remember that as I am waiting on the most important decision that I have yet to receive news on. Come August, I am hoping I'll be able to say that I'll be returning to UTD to complete my studies in Emerging Media and Communication. Having paid off my debt, I applied for readmittance, and I am quite anxious to receive a status update on my application. So far everyday that I check it I see nothing particularly helpful.

I can't say I feel very optimistic about it at all. UTD's acceptance rate is about 52%. I know of someone with a good GPA and some impressive work behind her name who was not accepted into the Graduate program. I have neither a stunning GPA, nor an impressive array of work, so I must be holding onto quite the strain of hope. Whatever the case may be, I'm sure that knowing will be better than waiting. If it's meant to be, then it will be, and if not, I will carry on.

During the school year, it seems that we spend so much time wishing for summer to begin. Here I am in the middle of summer wishing that it would end already, because summer is waiting.

Tuesday's Ten: 10 Potential Dangers of Walking the Trail

I live near a pretty nice trail in a neighborhood called Duck Creek. That should be a good enough reason for me to make use of the trail for exercise and/or leisure, but alas, I have an aversion to the walking, and another to the outdoors. Furthermore, I have come to hear about, witness, and experience 10 potential dangers of walking the trail. Here they are:

1. TRIPPING - Yes, I have tripped and fallen on the trail. While I'm well aware that it could happen anywhere, I would rather not have it be on the trail, where passersby may view this ordinary blunder and have a good laugh without stopping to offer a hand up. More than anything, it just hurts my pride - and I try to avoid places and situations where my pride might get hurt.

2. Sweater WEATHER - It's too cooooooold for you here and now . . . love the way that song sounds. Anyhow, weather is another factor that will keep me off the trail. It isn't usually a danger, but there are those occasions where it has been. Mostly, I'm just never satisfied with the weather I guess.

3. Speedy CYCLISTS - This might sound like another item that ought not to be listed as a danger, but I would advise thinking twice on that. Have you seen the cyclists in this city? They seem to think they own the road - and all the land actually. My own brother sometimes rides like a madman and he has had a fall or two. Even for the best, it can be so easy to lose control. There's no telling who or what will be hit in such an instance, so I try to stay out of the way.

4. DOGS unleashed - My mother has a fear of dogs since she was chased by one as a child, and I think I inherited that fear. Walking the trail last Friday I experienced a chase of my own.  Can I just thank the responsible owner who left their dog unattended outside without a leash? No, actually I think I should thank the woman walking the trail behind me who was able to lead the dog away from me by distracting him with her own two dogs.

My heart was pounding and I was screaming for help, since the pursuant dog looked a lot like this in my head.

via comoeumesintoquandoespm.tumblr

I probably looked crazy, because in actuality the dog was approaching me like this. All the same, it wasn't letting up and I promise you it started to pick up speed as I did my best to back away.

via yob.deviantart

5. Angry BIRDS - Kinda like the dogs, the birds on our trail will chase you persistently. Our neighborhood and trail are called Duck Creek for a reason. The birds you've gotta watch are the geese. Can you imagine how insane I look running from a goose? Try instead to imagine being chased by one. They'll come at you full speed, long necks extended, wings outstretched at their sides, making one of two horrible goose sounds - a serpentine hissing sound or their usual miserable honking sound. 

6. Poo Poo - Another bird issue. It's a common problem wherever you find birds and sky, but it seems particularly hazardous on the trail. Ducks are pooing on the ground, and all the other birds are pooing from the sky. Not one spot on the trail is safe.

7. COYOTE ugly - Some coyotes really don't look all that bad, but then there are the rest. I saw one from the safety of my car one morning while passing the trail on my way to work. I would have been terrified to encounter it on the trail and I  know that it could very well happen.

Do you remember Wile E. Coyote?  Oh and good news - coyotes don't typically eat humans.

8. Slithering SNAKES - I guess I'm not much of an animal lover at all. Snakes however, ought to be on everybody's list of dislikes. My siblings once saw a snake on the trail and whenever I think of it, I'm glad it wasn't me - I'd probably never walk there again. They still bike on the trail frequently.

9. Murky WATER - Every now and then the water in the creek has a certain glow and it can look quite pretty, but most days it is murky and I question what lies beneath the surface. I've seen enough curious misfits floating above it. Also, if by some odd circumstance I ever fell in, I'm not sure how I would fair, since I don't exactly know how to swim. 

10. STRANGER Danger - Yes, I know that strangers are everywhere and that not every one is out to get me, but there is always the chance. There is a part of the trail that winds behind houses where many things could go unnoticed (like a girl screaming for help as she is kinda-sorta chased by a dog). In a time where people seem to go missing without a trace every day, I have to bear it in mind and beware of such surroundings.

Tuesday's Ten: 10 Reasons why I can't believe we've lost Allison Arent

O. My. Stars. In last night's episode of Teen Wolf (yes, I watch it, it's great, you should too), viewers were hit with a major loss. Poor mortal Allison died a sudden death, at the hand of the enemy we thought she had just defeated. It was so sad. I'm sure viewers were surprised at the loss for a number of reasons. Here are ten. 

via facebook

  1. She was Scott's first love 

  2. She was also Scott's initial anchor
  3. She was a great friend,especially to Lydia
  4. She lost most of her family
  5. She was all that Chris Argent had left in the world
  6. She had great conviction and stood up for others
  7. She was incredibly brave and vulnerable at once
  8. She handled her bow and arrow like a boss
  9. She handled devastation with strength
  10. She slayed so many of her own monsters

Honorable mention: 

Her dimples - is that a sufficient reason?

via weheartit

Fun Fridays: Cupcake Court

"But Linda, honey, look it, honey look at this" - There's a pretty good chance you've already seen this adorable video of little Mateo debating with his mother Linda about his cupcake situation. The video was actually uploaded to YouTube on Feb. 19th, but seems to have gained rush of popularity in the past week (not sure how or why, but I'm glad it did).

Tuesday's Ten: 10 Oldschool Movie Crushes

Every now and then I find that I am in the mood to watch a classic Hollywood film, but as with any other film I would watch, romance is a must, and I hope for an attractive male lead to follow on the screen. Classic Hollywood men have quite a look - timeless some might say, but not all of them are particularly attractive to me. Here are ten men who made the cut.

1. George Chakiris in West Side Story - "Nardo" as Maria called him, was like a billion times cuter than Tony, from his sharp features to the sound of his voice. Although his voice hardly serenaded viewers in the film, I just loved hearing him speak. What girl wouldn't fall for that accent? I don't know how authentic his accent was, but I bought it - would you believe he is actually of Greek decent?

2. Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday - Peck as reporter, "Joe Bradley" was probably the most attractive guy Audrey ever acted with in any movie (seriously, she was constantly ending up with these older actors who were just not hot enough for her). He had all the charm of a prince save for the title and a classically handsome face. Also, I never saw such so much flirting come directly from the eyebrows.

via rebloggy

3. Sidney Poitier in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner -a classically good-looking black man with a je ne se quoi about him, he brought such class to the role of physician, John Prentice. I'll bet there may have been some white women crushing on him even at the controversial time that it was released. It  was the first movie I saw him in and I learned watching him in other roles later his classiness was a trademark in his acting career. He also had an amazing accent - can an accent sound like chocolat (yes I mean chocolate in French)?

Jimmy Stewart in It's a Wonderful Life - So much heart in one character, plus all the charm that Stewart brings to every role single one of his roles. It's no wonder he we call him Jimmy rather than John. Stewart is just so believably human and sweet as John Bailey - the stand-up guy a girl hopes to find no matter what day and age she is born in.

via gifrific

Paul Newman in The Silver Chalice - I don't even remember what this movie was about. All I know is that Paul Newman was a really good looking guy - I can't remember many old movies where I could so appreciate the shirtless scenes - was he even shirtless? Nope, just in traditional Greek attire that showed off all of his best features, save for that adorable face. Fun fact: this film was Newman's debut.

Bruce Lee in The Game of Death - Bruce Lee was just so intense in all of his movies. He hardly needed words to convey what his character was thinking or feeling; it was written all over his face. He had that mysterious brooding face that is thought to be more typical of taller men. Also, he was ripped! And not so much so that it was off-putting. Martial arts must be the key to a perfect body. I specifically remember him wearing that yellow full body outfit in this movie. That and him taking down giant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Farley Granger in Strangers on a Train - Alfred Hitchcock films often featured characters with faces that could seem distinctly good or evil. Granger had a face that could go either way. But then, he also has a boyishness about him that decisively sways you to vouch for his innocence. I just loved that face, I guess. Side note: the shape of his face kinda reminds me of Tyler Posey.

James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause - I have only ever seen this movie in fragments, here and there when it was playing on television, so I don't remember much aside from the sad end, but boy howdy did Dean make rebellion look good.

Marlon Brando in Guys and Dolls - Lemme just say, that this movie might not be my first choice, but it is the only one I've actually seen him in. Obviously I need to watch A Street Car Named Desire, because I've seen the photos and the clips and o my stars does he shine in that film. Anyhow, he brought to the character of Sky Masterson (can I just say that I love that name?) the masculinity that he was so very well known for. Sky was a classic Hollywood depiction of a bad boy going good for a girl - and that (at least on screen) for whatever reason appeals to me and women everywhere.

Gene Kelly in An American in Paris - One word: charm. Kelly as painter Jerry Mulligan has it in spades. His brand of song and dance was unlike any other in his time or ours, and frankly singing and dancing are bonuses for ladies from all throughout time. Did I mention that he had a killer smile?

Honorable Mention: 

Anthony Perkins in Psycho - What a cute psychopath! If you're raising your eyebrow right now, check out his resemblance to present day actor, Andrew Garfield.

Tuesday's Ten: 10 Books I need to read (or re-read) before they hit theaters

My sister said the other day that the film industry has rediscovered the gold that is books and they are about to make a fortune off of the films they'll be making based off of books. It got me thinking, I really need to get to reading those books. Many of the complimentary films has already been released and more are coming. Here are ten on my personal list.

  1. The Mockingjay (part 1) - I just recently watched Catching Fire and found that it was a pretty good representation of the book (better than the first movie), but there were a few things that I had not remembered. Before the next movie comes out, I definitely need to read the book again, especially since it is being made into not one, but two movies.
  2. The Fault in Our Stars - At the start of the year I bought the book and set out to read it, but I still haven't gotten past the first chapter! My rather emotional sister loved and was clearly moved by this story. After seeing the trailer, I've been struck by the realization that I may like it to and that I need to read it soon.
  3. The Giver - Oh my stars - I can't wait to see this. I read this book in sixth grade and I remember feeling about it a way that I had not felt about any books ever before. Now the story has faded from my memory and I need to refresh it.
  4. Divergent - Can you believe Shailene Woodley got this movie and The Fault in Our Stars? Anyhow, this is one of those books that every other person I've discussed books with has insisted that I read. Apparently it's story line has similar elements to The Hunger Games, which scores it major bonus points.
  5. Vampire Academy - I was aware of this series for some time, but I had not had too much of an interest in vampires (although curiosity made me jump on board the Twilight bandwagon - Team Edward Forever!). The trailer caught my eye and so now I'll need to read the book.
  6. Winter's Tale - The trailer for this movie came on television and drew me in. When the title appeared at the end of the trailer I recognized it from an ARC I had received from a teen library volunteer party some years ago. I had not been able to get into it then, but I think I will try again now.
  7. The Maze Runner -I heard this was a book, but I was not sure that it would suit me. My primary interest at this point, is in the movie right now, mostly because of the cast - or more specifically, a favored Teen Wolf cast member, DYLAN O'BRIEN!! xoxoxoxo
  8. Serena - This is another book that came to my attention as a result of the film/cast. Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper again?! HappyThankYouMorePlease!
  9. A Long Way Down - A story from the lovely Englishmen who brought us About a Boy. Need I say more?
  10. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - Here we have the last, but certainly not the least and the only children's book to make the list. It was published in 1972 (that's the year my mom was born!) and now Disney is bringing it to the screen with Jennifer Garner and the very funny Steve Carrell.

BONUS: Here's a Dylan O'Brien gif from the set of the Maze Runner

And here's another Dylan O'Brien gif  just to increase your happiness.

via weheartit