A Few Things

1.  I cannot believe it has been over a year since I've updated this thing.  My apologies, but I have a good excuse!  If you read my blog, then you know I had enrolled in cosmetology school.  Well, drum roll please....I am now a licensed cosmetologist in the state of Colorado!  I recently started working at Charmaine's Bella and Colour Salon and loving every minute of it!  If you live in the Denver area I'd love to see you at the salon and do your hair!  Shameless promoting.

2.  I get to marry this handsome devil in six months.  He is the love of my life, my soulmate, my partner in crime, and my best friend.  He lets me be me, supports me in everything I do and he makes me smile more than anything in the entire world.  (Bonus, he snuggles with Riley, but don't tell him I told you).  

3.  I tried being brunette for awhile, (well, only about a month) and decided blondes have more fun.  Unfortunately, I'm in a strawberry blonde phase right now.  Word of advice, don't go super dark unless you're ready to commit to it for awhile.  If you need to go back to blonde, give your self plenty of time so you don't damage your hair too much.  My goal is to be blonde by my wedding in November, so I gave myself almost 8 months to gradually go lighter.  

4.  This shirt.  Need I say more?! 

For those that don't know. Rafael Nadal was my first love. 

 I flew to Mallorca while studying in Valencia, Spain just in hopes that we'd bump into each other. 

 (A girl can dream, right?) 

5.  My favorite team is back in the playoffs after a very long hiatus (looking at you Joe Sacco).  I was fortunate enough to go to game one against the Minnesota Wild and wow, what a game!  A win in overtime after being down 2 goals in the third period.  Doesn't get much better than that.  

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

My apologies for being MIA last week.  Last week was super hectic as I was managing a bathroom remodel while my parent's house and starting a new part-time job.  But anyway, I'm back.

Awkward:

• Bowling.  I went bowling a couple times and it's just awkward, especially in a "date" type setting.  "It's your turn, k my turn, your turn."  Back and forth, back and forth.  Oh, and let's not talk about the view everyone gets as you go up to bowl.
• Starting a new job.  I literally feel like I'm walking around like a lost puppy dog.  I don't know anyone, I don't know where I'm going, what I'm doing.  And then, you have to follow someone to "learn the ropes."  Then, even more awkward is when they follow you to make sure you know what you're doing.  Luckily, I've made it through the training and now ready to fly solo this week!
• Forgetting one of my good friend's birthday (and having her tell me I forgot it).  Oops! Luckily she forgot my birthday too, so now we're even.
• Running out of the garage because I didn't have the garage door opener.  Our garage has a motion sensor so I had to get out while not triggering it, all while in heels.  It was a quite a show, that some stranger on the street got to enjoy.
• Wrinkles!  Yes, I have under eye wrinkles and I'm only 23.  Wear your sunnies people! 
• This article from Fox 31.  Are people really this ignorant about hockey?    
• Being home alone at night while my parents were out of town.

Awesome:

• The Avalanche are off to a great start.  Many people picked the Avs to finish last in the league.  The season is still young, but so far they are 5-1, which is better than anyone expected at this point!
• Book stores.  I went to Tattered Cover the other day and just walked around for hours.  I like to use the library for books because it's cheaper, and it's the "green" alternative to book stores, but I like going to book stores to see which books to add to my ever expanding list of "books to read."
• The Fray's new single, Heartbeat.  They are my favorite band.  If you haven't seen them live, DO IT! They're incredible.  

• I made $200 on ebay selling a few things!  Money in the bank!!
• While I was at Tattered Cover, I picked up a book called "Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time."  For some Buddhism is a religion, but I also look at it as a way of life.  And this book is a way for us all to adopt some of their practices like being good to yourself, finding strength, being patient, etc.  There are 52 practices in the book so I plan on focusing on one per week.  The plan is to blog about each one.  (We'll see if that happens, but I'm going to try my best).
• Another book I really like is "Why Men Love Bitches."  I bought it awhile back, but started reading it again.  The word bitch is used in a "tongue in cheek" sort of way and just tells women to be strong and independent, and stick up for yourself!
• Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi is dead.  This is such a historic moment for the people of Libya, and the world.  

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

Finally settled into life back at Casa de J (aka my parents' house) and here with another installment of Awkward and Awesome Thursday. 

Awkward:

• Telling people I quit my job and moved in with my parents.  You're living at home?  But what are you going to do?  Oh ya know, I just thought I'd mooch off the J's for awhile til they kick me out.  I moved back home to pursue other opportunities like my master's degree.
• Snooki wannabe at Hacienda.  If I was in downtown Denver at a club this wouldn't be so awkward, but I was at a restaurant in Lone Tree.  
• My friend and I went to Noodles and Co. for her birthday (we do it big) and she gave them her coupon for a free noodle bowl of your birthday.  She also ordered flatbread, which they don't give you on your birthday (what cheapos).  Anyway, she owed $0.80 so she handed over her debit card.  "You can't use a card for anything under $1."  My friend is like, "Oh, I think I have a quarter.  Wait, no never mind."  "Oh that's ok, don't worry about it."  Take that Noodles and Co! We just took you for 80 cents, what now!
• After our Noodles, we went to Old Chicago for some celebratory beverages.  I start talking to the bartender (who we happen to know) and I'm trying to be discreet about the conversation we're having.  Out of nowhere, this dude a few seats away interjects into the conversation.  I'm sorry sir, I'm not talking to you.
• Seeing a guy from my 8th grade class that I literally haven't seen since the 8th grade.  He was one of the most popular kids so naturally I knew exactly who he was, but I tried to play it off like "Didn't you go to MRMS?"  And he goes yeah, I thought your looked familiar.  What's your name?  Yeah right I look familiar, you're probably just being nice.  Whatever.

Awesome:

• Mac MatchMaster foundation.  I just bought it a couple days ago and so far, I love it!  Highly recommend it, and definitely worth the money.  
• Getting accepted to graduate school.  I got into the CU Denver Masters of Management program and would like to get a specialization in sustainability.  I also landed a part-time job!
• The Avs season starts Saturday!  And they're retiring Forsberg's number.  When Sakic retired, I maybe got a little misty-eyed.  I think I'll be alright with Forsberg since he hasn't really played in years.  
• Being able to celebrate my friend's 25th birthday with her.  Wouldn't have been able to do that if I was still in the  mountains.  Friend, I love you and don't worry about being halfway to 50.  Life happens the way it's supposed to and I know that the universe has something amazing planned for you!