Confession Wednesday: STRANGERS

This confession is super, super easy for me.  I've definitely had my fair share of strange encounters with strangers.

It all began one night when I was at a restaurant with my husband.  At this point in time, the two of us were just friends.  Anyway, while we were waiting for our food, this guy came to our table.  He was very tall and thin and smelled like cigarette smoke.  He was dressed in all black, had a huge trench coat on and was wearing a cowboy hat.  He was most definitely not an employee of the restaurant, so I was really curious as to why he was standing by our table.

Immediately following his arrival, he started talking to me.  Not Dustin.  Just me.  In fact, he acted as if I was at the table all by myself.  He began asking if I like to play pool.  I told him no.  He asked if I was interested in taking lessons, etc., etc., etc.

A few minutes went by, and I was doing all I could to contain my laughter.  Dustin found things equally hilarious, so much, in fact, that he stayed completely out of the conversation.  Apparently, he enjoyed watching me suffer as I attempted not to laugh all while listening to this guy tell me how wonderful he was at pool.  

After some more small talk, I couldn't stand it anymore. I told this dude I would consider taking lessons.  My main focus was getting him away from me.  He asked for my number.  Yeah, right.  Instead, I told him I would call him.  I asked for his number.  He said he only had a pager (Hi, 1985).  I wrote his pager number down.  I then asked for his name.  He said everyone just called him "Monkey Boy."

Ah, the suffering started again.  Dustin's face turned red.  We both tried to keep it together.  It was so difficult.

I thanked Monkey Boy and was SO happy when he began walking away.

CROSSROADS

In May of 2004, I graduated from Weber State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Family Studies.  At the time, I had a job that was great while I was a student because of the flexible hours, but I always told myself once I graduated I would quit and get a job related to my field.

A few weeks after graduation, I moved into a new apartment and began working full-time for the same company.  My plan was to keep my job while searching for new opportunities.  I also had the plan to go to graduate school the following year.  It seemed like the perfect plan.  

Nearly six months went by and I still had not found a new job, but I wasn't frustrated. I figured it would take awhile. And in the meantime I was learning more about admission requirements for graduate school, getting used to the thought of living in Alabama and dreading the idea of taking the GRE.

One day, while I work, I received an e-mail from my supervisor.  She asked if I had heard about a job opening in a different department and wondered if I was going to apply for it.  I hadn't heard about the position and even though I knew this wasn't her intention, because she sent me that e-mail, I felt a little pressure to apply for the job.  

I had a week to submit my resume, and I spent a lot of time thinking about what I should do.  I knew I was qualified for the job and stood a really good chance of getting it.  I knew a lot of my friends (including Karen) were applying for it which made things kind of awkward.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to go through with it.

After a few days of thinking things over, I soon realized I was making a very critical decision.  A life changing decision. I knew if I applied for the job, I would get it. I knew accepting the job would change all the plans and goals I had just set for myself.  Without a doubt, I was at a crossroads in my life and I didn't know why.  All I knew is that I had to apply for the job, and I wasn't happy about it.

I submitted my resume and soon had an appointment for an interview.  

The day of my interview, I contemplated what to wear.  I had learned all the do's and don'ts of interviewing, including proper attire.  I knew wearing denim wasn't the best choice, so I wore a jean jacket.  I knew wearing perfume wasn't a wise decision, but I wore it anyway.  I knew I probably should've put my hair up, but I wore it down.  I did what I could to not make the best impression because I was scared of getting this job.

I was offered the job.  And I accepted it.  And I knew it was the right decision to make, but still didn't know why.

Weeks later, something unexpected happen:  I began feeling different about a really good friend of mine. A friend that was a boy.  I was annoyed at these new feelings. This guy had been my friend for over a year, and I was satisfied with our relationship.  Suddenly, I was more attracted to him and wanted to spend more time with him.  A new job, now this?  I wanted to tell life I was tired of all the curve balls.

Fast forward at most 10 weeks (yes, that's right, 10 weeks) I found myself engaged. Yes, I was engaged  to this guy whom I had no interest in just months earlier.  It was insane.  Totally insane.  But, it made sense and completely the right thing to do.

I know not everyone believes in God, but I do.  And I know He lead me in a different direction than the one I had all mapped out for myself.  And maybe that was so I could marry Dustin.  Maybe it was to spare me from a situation that would've come about had I gone to graduate school.  I probably won't know the answers to these questions for awhile.  And that is okay because it doesn't matter.

What matters is that I am happy with my husband.  I'm thankful for the life we have built together and the many years to come.

I'm humbled to know that God, in all his infinite power and wisdom, takes time to guide me in the right direction.  And I'm so grateful I listened to Him!

BOO-YAH!

My friend Karen featured me on her blog today.  Boo-yah!  Thanks to everyone who is stopping by.  I appreciate it and hope you continue to do so!

I'll post again tomorrow!

a WEAKNESS of MINE

I've been pretty "thoughtless" lately. It always bothers me when I get this way, but what do ya do?

Today, I Googled "BloG Topics." I came across this website which had all sorts of ideas. Very helpful indeed, and until I get my own thoughts in order, I'm going to borrow these topics.  Today I'm going to tackle #9: I Wish I Spent Less Money on This.  

Without a doubt, I wish I spent less money on going out to eat.  

It all comes down to laziness.  Pure laziness.  I'm not a terrible cook, and once I start cooking I have a good time.  The problem is getting around to cooking.  It's kind of like going to gym.  I love it when I'm there, but getting there is a different story.

On Monday, a new Panda Express opened near my house.  My husband really likes Chinese food.  I used to love it, but lost all interest in it while I was pregnant.  Weird.  Anyway, he had been looking forward to going to trying it, so we decided to check it out the day it opened.  Holy crap!  The place was packed.  The dining area was swarming with people.  The drive-thru had about 20 cars waiting.  I could not believe my eyes.  I couldn't believe people were willing to wait so long for fast food Chinese.  Seriously, people, it's not that good.

My husband and I weren't about to wait, and decided to eat there at a later time.  An A LOT later time.  We've since heard people waited 45 minutes to get their food. Again, seriously, people, 45 minutes for Chinese food?

The craziness at Panda Express really made me think twice about eating out.  Seeing all those people waiting to eat rice and chicken at high prices helped me realize how unnecessary eating out really is.  It's not healthy for one thing and it can be such a waste of money.  The amount of money I spend at the grocery store for two weeks worth of food is maybe the equivalent of four or five take out meals.  The amount of money I spend on food that will provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks is about the same as five meals at a restaurant? When I do the math, it just really blows my mind.

The real question is - why do I spend so much money on going out?  Besides being lazy, the fact of the matter is, I like to.  It's fun to go to restaurants.  I've always like it, and probably always will.  Another reason I enjoy it is because I don't have to worry about what to cook.  My husband can get what he wants.  I can get what I want.  It's simple.

Despite my love for eating out, I have a new determination to eat at home and enjoy the company of my family without the loud music, bad service or worrying about my daughter's high pitched screams (which is something she does when she's happy) bothering those around me.  In the end, it will help the budget and allow us to spend quality time together.  Have you seen those Family Dinner Time commercials?  Yeah, that's gonna be my family from now on.  :)

Wish me luck.  This is going to be difficult for me!

Thoughts?

goal #35

"Complete a "First Year" book for Isabelle"

-Goal #35, Emily's 65 in 365 List

At the beginning of the year, I put together a list of all the things I wanted to accomplish in 2010.  The list was 65 things to do in 365 days.  I got the idea from my friend, Karen.  It's not a list full of resolutions.  No way could I EVER resolve 65 things in one year.  This list is more of a bucket or "to do" list.  My goals range from organizing the photos on my computer to going to the dentist to memorizing all the US presidents in order.

Last week, I completed goal #35:  Complete a First Year book for Isabelle.  Isabelle is my daughter, by the way.  Thanks to iPhoto, I now have a 95 page book chronicling Isabelle's first year of life.  It's a pretty great book, and I'm really proud of it.  Now, comes the hard part -  paying for it.  It will cost around $135 dollars for a hard copy or $100 for a soft copy.  Because I'm not super, super rich, I considered a soft copy, but now think hard would be better.

What do you think?

Whether I should order a hard or soft copy book isn't what this post is all about.  Now that I've finished the book, I'm wondering if I sill need to order actual prints of all the pictures I take of Belle.  If everything is in this book, is that enough?  When I'm long gone and Belle's great-great-grandchildren are looking through all her stuff, will they want individual copies of her pictures?

I think photo books are so great.  I think they are greater than photo albums.  They are clean and organized and focus on the picture instead of frilly stuff usually found in scrapbooks.  But, I'm still torn.  Are traditional photo albums a thing of the past?  Would it be silly to have both just in case one is preferred over the other?  Am I the only one that thinks this is a big decision?  Do I need to stop freaking out and be okay with just my lovely photo book?

Thoughts?

what's IN an AGE?

"Where did you two meet, Amber Alert?

-Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock

Today's thought is about dating.  More specifically, the importance of age and dating.

I personally don't think age is that big of a deal.  If two people get along and like being with each other, who cares if one is 12 years older than the other?  Of course, there are a few exceptions.  For example, if a 30 year old guy is dating an 18 year old girl.  A girl who is technically not a "juvie,"  but basically still is.  That's kind of messed up to me.

Men dating younger women has always been normal.  No one really thinks much about it (well, unless it's an Anna Nicole Smith type marriage).  When a woman dates a younger man, however, it's headline news.  Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.  Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake.  The media was all over these two couples when they first got together, and it seemed as though everyone was talking about their age differences.

So, the real question is, when a woman dates a younger man, is it really all that interesting?  I mean, there's a new TV show on ABC called "Cougars" for crying out loud.  And it's a popular show.  But, seriously, what's the big deal?

Looking back on my own dating experiences, the majority of the guys I dated were always older than me.  Most were a few years older.  Some, a few months older.  My husband is 3 months, 2 days older than me.  And, as far as older guys goes, he's the youngest older guy I ever dated.  :)

I did go out on a few dates with a guy almost a year younger than me.  If I'm really honest with myself, I have to admit that the age difference did bug me.  I'm not really sure why it bugged me.  After all, my grandma is older than my grandpa.  My mom is older than my dad.  My sister is older than her husband.  Maybe it bothered me because this guy was kind of a loser and I'm not sure why I even gave him the light of day.  Not to say I'm this perfect person, but this guy really didn't have much to offer me.  He didn't challenge me intellectually or had the same drive that I did.  I guess that's why things didn't work out.

What do you all think about age and dating?  Is it a big deal to you?  Thoughts?

my 10 LOVES

"What truly is logic?  Who decides reason?  My quest has taken me to the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional, and back.  I have made the most important discovery of my career - the most important discovery of my life.  It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reason can be found. I am only here tonight because of you.  You are the only reason I am.  You are all my reasons."

-John Nash, A Beautiful Mind

I was tagged by Karen.  I'm suppose to list 10 things that I love.  And, in keeping with my posting tradition, I have included my favorite quote about love from the movie A Beautiful Mind.

And,  here is my list in no particular order.

1.  I love being a lefty.  Sure, my ink often smears when I write.  Yeah, my paper is always turned completely sideways.  But, despite all that, being left-handed is really cool.  We lefties love other lefties.  It's so funny when a fellow lefty sees me writing and happily exclaims, "Hey!  I'm a lefty too."  It's cool belonging to the Lefty Club.

2.  I love text messaging.  It's fast, it's fun, and boy, oh, boy it beats talking on the phone.  Man, I just love hearing my text message alert.  It's like Christmas morning!

3.  I love music.  I can't say enough about the importance of music in my life.  Music helps me emotionally, mentally and physically.  It calms me down, motivates me and makes me think.  It's a beautiful thing.

4.  I love lip gloss.  There's nothing like a little shimmer on my lips to help me get through a rainy day.

5.  I love my husband.  I tried to make this list about things that I love that aren't obvious, like my husband. But, I really do love my husband and not just because he's my husband, but because he's an amazing fella.  He loved it when I made more money than him.  He didn't mind when I struggled taking his last name after we were married.  He has awful taste in music.  He looks great in jeans.  He thinks about ways to surprise me and then tells me about his ideas instead of actually carrying them out and surprising me.  I could go on for days!

6.  I love people watching.  People watching in an airport is the best.  Such a wide variety of people and personalities everywhere!

7.  I love cities.  It wasn't until I moved to a small city in Idaho that I realized I am a major fan of big cities.  I love all the movement, the sounds, the smells.  It's all so great.  I can't wait to live in a bigger city soon!

8.  I love Feng Shui.  Okay, so I'm not a real feng shui expert, but I do believe every room in a home should have a purpose and a comfortable layout.  When I first moved into my current home, I spent hours arranging and rearranging my formal living room.  It was endless, but once I found the perfect place for each item of furniture it was like magic.  

9.  I love my puppies.  My husband will laugh his head off when he reads this.  I think I utter the words, "I can't stand these dogs!" more than anything else.  My dogs are so annoying.  They bark non-stop.  They pee whenever they get excited.  They track in mud all throughout my house.  They require so much attention like food and grooming.  Ugh!  But, at the end of the day, they are so loyal and love nothing more than to cuddle up next to me while I watch Law & Order.

10.  I love laughing.  Whether I'm all alone watching an episode of 30 Rock, in a big crowd full of friends and family or browsing through Awkward Family Photos, laughing is great.  It really is the best medicine.

Thanks for the tag, K-Lo.  It was sure fun!