23 Truths of Adulthood.

Hey y'all,

My work friend, eCs sent this article to me and I had to share, after all this little blog is all about life in the "real world" so why not share the fact that adulthood has some problems. Without further adieu, 23 Truths of Adulthood.

1. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
22. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button
from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

23. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

I hope y'all are having a wonderful weekend! Remember, this next week is a short work week!

Playing Catch(up) One-Five

Hey y'all,

Since I decided on the "Blog Everyday in May" challenge late I thought it would be nice to catch up in one post on the three days I had missed so far.

jDl

my life in 250 words or less

Born in San Antonio, TX in January  with a large head filled with blonde curls (I mean I had to have a cat scan large head) and raised by a military family mainly in the South. The middle child of four (1 boy 3 girls).Child number 3 of 4 who spent her childhood in a dance studio dreaming of sugar plums and in the pool all summer shuffling up to New York for pre-K and back down to Texas for elementary school. A girly girl from the beginning always seen running around in dresses and bare feet. Middle school was spent in GERMANY and traveling across Europe falling in love with the continent and all the cultures (and being crafty with painting lessons). Eighth grade and high school saw me back in the states as a band nerd competing in marching band competitions on weekends and studying the other days. Next came college with the choice to attend my third choice after a bitter rejection but I truly fell in love with Chapel Hill on move in day. Became a sister to hundreds of women through Phi Beta Chi, gaining a family, grew in my faith with the Lord and truly discovered a passion for service and organization. Spent six months after graduation working retail and applying for jobs only to find myself back in the college town I love working with students and seeing my sorority sisters and navigating the "real world" as I begin my sophomore year of life.

A Carolina Life.

The supportive friend.

Something You Know A Lot About/Are Good At

My sorority family told me this weekend that I am really good at Pinterest (our secret board for my great-great-grandlittle already has 500 pins in anticipation for the fall) but I don't really consider that a skill/something I know a lot about. I am really good at being a supporter. I think ever since middle school I have been that one friend who is always there to listen through problems, give you a hug and just be there. I am the girl who doesn't mind a 4am phone call and will be there whenever someone needs me. I am the "mom" who wants to care for everyone. It's natural to me. I also think I am a pretty good cook/baker and my work has complimented everything I brought in. I think the skill was honed since I was born since my momma is a homemaker and we spent a lot of time in the kitchen baking and cooking together.

Things that make you uncomfortable.

This question is a toughy. Besides the usual needles, heights, talking about money, phone interviews, watching a movie with your parents when a sex scene comes on I think the most uncomfortable thing for me is being with a group of people I don't know. I get all awkward and silent or I attach to the only person I know in the group and that's it. I really need to work on my networking skill but I am usually fine in a group if I know at least one person.

Blog Friends

(today's topic)

This one is really tough since I am currently working on updating my favorite blog reads so I think I will "publicly profess my love and devotion" to a few girls. I could seriously keep on going for all of my fellow bloggers.

Caitlin

This sweet blogger is also a Carolina girl and while we never met in real life (apart from having classes in the same buildings) yet I know one of these days we will meet and it will be great! She blogs about her cute apartment decor, healthy recipes and lots of outfit inspiration. She also has the cutest puppy!

Emily

A North Carolina girl as well (I'm partial to my state), Emily posts amazing outfit inspiration and great adventures around the state. 

Mason

I "met" Mason when we were both on Tumblr originally and I am excited that we are both living in the Triangle area of NC so one of these days we will have to meet. Her blog always has me dying of laughter no matter if it is a Bachelor re-cap, dating stories, or life. I seriously think her life would make a great reality show!

Ashley

One of my first blogger friends, Ashley is another ACC girl who lives in Lilly and has really helped me in the transition between college and "real life" since she is a year older than I am. I am also obsessed with her new blog! It's so adorable!

Jenn

Another Tumblr friend she is currently traveling around SPAIN! I love reading about her world adventures and she posts amazing recipes and some book ideas as well. 

Portuguese Prepster

One of my first blogger friends, this girl blogs about UVA (the most beautiful college) and her adventure(including NYC with the boy) all while showing some amazing style pieces. CONGRATS ON GRADUATING and welcome to life!

Lindsey

The girl behind a Prescription for Preppy is going to be the most stylish pharmacist one day but for now between studying she posts outfit inspiration, life as a student at UK and so much more!

Allison

I just recently found Allison this past summer but a fellow NC girl in the Triangle, we attend the same church and both work for UNC so we are automatically friends right? She is so sweet and blogs about Carolina, God, Luke Bryan, and so much more!

I hope y'all have a blessed Sunday!

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Happy Birthday to Me! The Big 23!

http://pinterest.com/pin/68609594294768865/

Hey y'all,

Today is the day! I am officially 23 years old! It is so strange to say that. I don't have any big plans for the big day. I am going to lunch with a co-worker and have Bible study tonight but other than that I am going to enjoy a nice relaxing birthday.

It is strange to think of all the things that have changed in the past year. I graduated from Carolina, I got my first full time job, and I have had some amazing times with friends. I can't wait to see what 23 will bring!

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

2012 A Review

Hey y'all,

I know a lot of people did posts similar to this before the end of the year, but New Year's came up rather quickly for me so here are some of my amazing moments of 2012!

January

January began with some time at home over Christmas break with my baby sister, kDi. 

Celebrating rMc and kHm's 22nd birthdays!

Spring Recruitment (my last recruitment!) went off really well and PBX welcomed amazing new sisters including my glittle kBm!

We even celebrated my 22nd birthday! 

February

I attended the Duke/Carolina game @ the Dean Dome. It was my first Duke/Carolina game and while I was glad I attened with some of my favorite sisters it was a very heartbreaking game with a loss at the end.

Semi-Formal was a MardiGras theme and I loved spending time with my little, mGk and my other sisters. 

Really Bright roomie pic! I loved living with sisters.

March

March included spending time with my family over spring break, my last sisterhood retreat, lots of mid-terms and welcoming my new grandlittle!

April

The craziest month of them all. With the winding down of the semester, the Spring Football Game, finals, graduation things and sorority events I am surprised I made it all in one piece.

I took a day trip to DC one Sunday with my Monuments class.

I went home to celebrate my mother's birthday!

I-week ended with celebrating kBm as an official sister of Phi Beta Chi

Senior Chapter came and I cried as I became an alumnae of PBX and said goodbye to my Fam.

My PBX FAM!

I celebrated my last formal!

Took Senior Photos

Went to A Capella Concerts

May

Started this blog!

Saw Wicked in Durham with jCm

Celebrated graduation at rMc's house party

Had one last Huraah on Franklin Street

GRADUATED! (English Department Graudation)

Some of the PBX Seniors on Graduation Day

Roomies and Sisters graduating together.

June

Worked a lot, applied to lots of jobs, and spent lots of time with my family.

July

Caught up with some friends from HS. Worked. Applied to Jobs.

Visited friends including my glittle, sGc in Wilmington at the end of the month.

August

September

Visited Carolina to celebrate my twins' birthdays as well as my baby sis turning 20!

October

Interviewed for my current job twice. Recieved word. Packed up my life. Looked at Apartments. Signed a Lease. Became and Adult.

Welcomed my gglitte to the family!

November

Started my job. Celebrated Thanksgiving with my Family. 

Celebrated sGc's 21st birthday! My glittle is all grown up!

December

jCm GRADUATED!

I went home for Christmas and met Max!

I wonder what 2013 will bring! What was your favorite thing in 2012?

Peace and Blessings,

jDl

Bookworm Life

Hey y'all,

Welcome to post #2 of the day. If you missed #1 CLICK HERE. So It has been a month since I have linked up with Heather of blonde...undercover blonde and I unfortunately haven't read that many books since then, but here goes:

5 of 5 stars

Synopsis from GoodReads, "Callie Perry is a successful family photographer living in upstate New York. She adores her two daughters, has great friends, and actually doesn't mind that her workaholic husband gets home at 9 p.m. every night-that is, when he's not traveling six months out of the year.
Callie's younger sister, Steff, on the other hand, has never grown up. She's a free spirit, living in downtown Manhattan and bouncing between jobs and boyfriends. Lately, she's been working as a vegan chef, even though she can't cook.
Lila Grossman is Callie's best friend and has finally met the man of her dreams. Eddie has two wonderful children, but also a drama queen ex-wife who hates Lila. And then there are Callie and Steff's parents, Walter Cutler and Honor Pitman. Divorced for thirty years, they rarely speak to each other. The lives of these colorful characters intersect when they each receive a shocking note that summons them together for one extraordinary summer in Maine and changes their lives forever. This novel is about the hard choices we have to face, about having to be your parents' child long after you've grown up, and about the enduring nature of love." I was crying throughout the end of this book. It is a great story about love, sisterhood, and the beauty of the smaller things in life.

3 of 5 stars

From Goodreads "When you meet the man of your dreams on girls night out, it's hardlyPerfect Timing In this fresh and funny contemporary romance by bestselling author Jill Mansell, Poppy Dunbar's whole life gets turned upside down after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger...

Never a troublemaker, Poppy had always been content with the way things were supposed to be donewhich included marrying predictable Rob McBride. But that was before she met Tom Kennedy the night before her wedding. Could she really be falling in love with a stranger?Unable to forget Tom, or go through with the wedding, Poppy runs off to London. Her new life and colorful friends are anything but predictable. Misunderstandings, family secrets, and jealous quarrels ensue, but can Poppy stop running long enough to figure out whator, rather, whois in her heart?" This book for some reason to me seemed to drag on and on. A cute story but I was never completely invested in the characters. 

LABOR DAY WEEKEND MEANT SEEING MY BFF, aMl=NO TIME FOR READING.

4 of 5 stars

Synopsis: "Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow." I loved The Giver  as a child and with The Hunger Games Triology my love for dystopian kids literature returned. Enter, Matched. The story of a girl in a very structured society gets a small glimpse at a mistake, a chance for choice which leads to questions of love in the decision of the Society matches. A place where only 100 songs, 100 poems, and 100 pieces of art remain, the rest destroyed by the government to give a small glimpse of culture but not enough to spark creation and a love of the arts (aka. I would probably die in this society with my English major/Art History minor/Clarinet playing/former ballerina ways)While this book was good, the ending really captured me and intrigued me....

Enter, (STOP HERE IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS ABOUT THE SEQUEL TO MATCHED)

5 of 5

Synopsis"Chasing down an uncertain future, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky--taken by the Society to his sure death--only to find that he has escaped into the majestic, but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life and the enthralling promise of a rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices every thing to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game once again.

Narrated from both Cassia's and Ky's point of view, this hotly anticipated sequel to Matched will take them both to the edge of Society, where nothing is as expected and crosses and double crosses make their path more twisted than ever." I was sucked into the sequel of Matched and loved the second perspective with the use of Ky's voice. It was so interesting and I now can't wait for the conclusion in Reached, this November. 

What are you currently reading?

Peace and Blessings,

jDl

30 Before 30 List

Hey y'all,

If you can't tell by now I love a list and recently I have been thinking about some long term goals for myself. I love seeing everyone's 30 before 30 lists and considering that there are about 7.5 years for me until I turn 30 I think the list is a great way to have some reachable and hopeful goals for the future. So here is my list (in no particular order of course).

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1. Buy a new car
2. Run a 5k
3. Fall in love
4. Get a full-time job I love
5. Travel back to Europe
6. Take a trip to Savannah & Atlanta, GA
7. Read the Bible cover-cover
8. Move into an apartment and have fun decorating it
9. Go on a blind date
10. Get married
11. Go back to visit San Antonio, Texas (my birthplace)
12. Buy a house
13. Go on a road-trip
14. Run the Disney Princess Half-Marathon
15. Go to a Country music concert
16. Pay off my student loans
17. Adopt a pet (most likely a dog but we shall see)
18. Go to Disney World
19. Have a dinner party
20. See a Broadway show in New York City
21. Lean my Momma's perfect apple pie recipe
22. Become a Mom
23. Send out Christmas cards to my friends and family
24. Travel to Charleston, SC
25. Find an organization to volunteer my time to
26. Throw a surprise party
27. Take ballet classes or pure-barre
28. Keep a prayer journal for a year+
29. Visit 5 top art museums in the US
30. Enjoy each of my Birthdays leading up to the BIG 30

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I know a lot of the list is traveling but we have a while until the list ends on my 30th Birthday: January 31, 2020 so we shall see what my goals look like then and if I still have a blog that far in the future. 

What are some of your goals for the future?

Peace and Blessings,

jDl