It's Been Awhile...

I have been neglecting my blog & it's because I have another.
I probably shouldn't mention other blogging sites on here.
But I kind of like this one better.
Not that I have any one that actually reads this but just in case anyone really cares.

colorthecoasttt.tumblr.com
That's where I'm at.

What do YOU want to do before you die?

I love this show. I would gladly join these boys in their adventure. ;)
I was inspired by the Buried Life to create my own list. I know some of them are cheesy, and some highly unlikely but hey its my list, I can wish what i wannn.
(In no particular order.)

1. Go skydiving.

2. Be an extra in a film.

3. Go on a cross country road trip.

4. Be in the audience of David Letterman.

5. Meet Michael Buble.

6. Sit in the front row of a Broadway show.

7. Go on a safari & see a giraffe in the wild.

8. Actually learn to play the guitar.

9. Have a Disney movie marathon.

10. Spend a couple months backpacking through Europe.

11. Interview Barack Obama.

12. Bake a cake with the cast of Ace of Cakes.

13. Attend an Olympic games.

14. Swim with a dolphin.

15. Go to Africa.

16. Learn to hip hop dance....well.

17. Play in an orchestra again.

18. Learn how to sew and make my own dress.

19. Fall head over heels in love & marry my dream boy.

20. Spend a week at Disney World.

21. Become a news reporter & travel the world

22. Take a ride in a hot air balloon.

23. See the members of my family that I never see anymore.

24. Run in the Chicago Marathon.

25. Live in the city.

26. Be in the audience of SNL.

27. Throw an epicly awesome party.

28. Learn to just let go.

29. Spend the day with a homeless person.

30. Spend a week in the great outdoors without any technology & REALLY experience the great outdoors.

31. Just start driving with no destination.

32. Meet the cast of The Office- & be Michael's new love affair.

33. Attend a presidential rally- get involved in a campaign.

34. Visit the seven wonders of the world.

35. Be completely comfortable with who I am.

36. Finish college & pay off all my loans.

37. Live in another country for a year.

38. Paint a painting for an art show.

39. Be in a Shakespeare play.

40. Own my own cafe/bakery.

41. Learn to snowboard.

42. Have a bonfire on the beach.

43. Talk on the radio.

44. Spend New Years in Time Square.

45. Publish a postcard in Post Secret.

46. Attend an Awards show- Emmys, Grammys, Tonys, Oscars- any of those is fine.

47. Tell it how it is.

48. Fight for a cause I believe in.

49. Have a family & adopt a child.

50. Make a difference in some one's life.

Now how about you?

EDIT:
ive already got one to add.
51. Don't wait until Sunday night to finish all my homework.
(Now that might actually be harder to achieve than the Obama one.)

Come fly with me....

Do you ever just want to get away?

It sounds good to me.

ohh what a night.

last night i went to the michael buble concert at allstate.

ahhhh freaking ahhh maazingg!

seriously one of the greatest nights EVER.
our seats were really good too. whenever i go to allstate i'm usually in row z of the third balcony. but we had floor seats this time. :)

naturally seven opened for him, the same group that did his last tour & they are awesome.

they are an acapella group but they do the instruments in the songs with their voices. its insane. the one guys does the drums, another a guitar, a bass, etc. it sounds like you are listening to a rock band- but its all their voices. its absolutely incredible. AND they are christian too. you tube or itunes them up- you will not be disappointed.

and then buble took the stage. he is such a fantastic performer. its great because the whole time he is so thankful for everything, and humble about it all. he gets so into his songs and is such an emotional singer- you can see how the song makes him feel. hes a jokester too cracking tiger woods jokes and showing his michael jackson moves.

in the middle of the concert he went out into the audience to sing in the middle of the arena and he walked about six feet in front of us. i about died. didn't think i would ever get that close to buble. so next time i'm hoping front row and backstage passes? then my life would be complete.

but seriously i recommend going to see a buble concert at least once. hes an amazing performer- his songs are incredible, and you just leave feeling so good. its so awesome to be able to sing obnoxiously your favorite songs WITH the singer. that's why i love concerts so much. the performers can make everyone in the room feel a certain way.

one of my favorite buble songs- everything. the whole audience flipped when he started singing it.

& here is when buble was RIGHT IN FRONT OF US & i about died of sheer happiness.

spring breaky breaky break

I found this on tumblr and couldn't agree more.

Well it's spring break. Not really much of a break though, or spring either come to think of it. I work everyday, but thankfully only evenings so I can sleep in. Haven't been able to do that in awhile which is really nice. I like waking up and not having to rush out the door. It's a good feeling indeed.

I've started watching the show arrested development and I have to say its one of my new favorite shows next to the office and 30 rock. It is absolutely hilar I really recommend taking a peak.

I have decided that I am going to buy a new camera. I've been good with saving money lately so I am going to reward myself with that. Because that makes so much sense? But I have a best buy gift card so that's going to be my justification. I've been using my dad's because mine is like five years old so I think it's time for something new. I'm thinking a nikon because I love their picture quality.

This break I AM going to finish and turn in my college app. I need to get everything figured out next year. I also need to figure out how I am going to pay for it all, but I figure I'll worry about that later. I can only focus on one thing at a time.

I see Michael Buble in exactly 4 days. I am so freaking excited you don't even know. I have been listening to his cds non stop to prepare. That way I can sing it loud and proud Saturday night. Ah I am just too excited. I love me some Buble.

Oh and I finally got one of those form spring question sites because everyone and their dog has one and I was really bored so...please ask away!

Where is Your Chair?

I finally got the chance to attend a Willow service again today. The message was just what I needed to hear. Don't you just love when that happens? I sure do.

Faith and religion is something I have spent my whole life struggling with. I didn't have religion instilled into me when I was a child. I was never told to read a Bible, memorize verses, or pray to God. I went to church when I was little, but by the time I was nine or ten years old religion was gone out the window for me. I just never found it to be important.

It's been a difficult path to where I am today. I've questioned God and his existence and so many things throughout my life. Not knowing God is a horribly lonely feeling. I have never felt so alone and worthless than during those time.

But I wouldn't trade any of that to have grown up a different way. It would have been easier if I had been taught about Jesus and the Bible my whole life. If I'd grown up reading the Bible I would know so much more now right?

No, I don't think so. I've been on both sides of religion. And I made the choice- myself. No one forced me to believe what I believe, I chose it. If someone asks me why I believe something I can answer them, and honestly, because I made the decision myself and choose to believe it. It's still not easy today, and I still struggle on a day to day basis. But I know that each time I overcome and take another step I'm becoming stronger and stronger in my faith. I didn't grow up in a Christian household, but in the end it has made me a stronger person and it helps me cling to my faith.

But now back to the beginning- at church today Bill was talking about how people's view of God is so wrong. They think of God as this transcendence being that sits in the sky on his throne, and we are so separated from him. But God is everywhere. He's is the passenger seat of our car, at the chair next to us at our kitchen table, at the desk next to us at school. We can talk to him like he is our friend. And just like a friend you talk to them quite often, you make time for them because you value the friendship, you have to do the same for God. If you start taking time to talk to God and really listen you'll hear his whispers and what he wants for you in your life.

It was just a wonderful reminder that God is all around us. He's always right there with us. When we feel the most alone- he's right next to us. That just amazes me, and makes me feel at peace. I've felt far away from God lately, but I know what I've got to do now. Life is busy and hectic and sometimes it seems like there aren't enough hours in the day. But its important to make time for the most important things- time with God.

Your Love is Amazing.

I always love being reminded of how much God loves us.
It really is beyond amazing.
No matter how many times we mess up, turn the wrong direction, vear off the path he's always there guiding us back his way.
There is no other love like that.
It's indescribable.

life is a highway.

springs a comin.

& i really cannot wait.

last weekend i got to spend my saturday afternoon on the highway, windows down, blasting tunes, feeling the wind in my hair and the sun shining down. usually i would hate driving four hours, but the beautiful weather made it enjoyable. i love long car rides. its a good place to think and sing obnoxiously.

senioritis is really getting to me. i remember it creeping up on me senior year, and its baaaack. i'm not really a senior but i sure feel like it. i am ready to be done with school. well at least ecc. i know i said before that i loved school but that has changed. i like a few of my classes, but for the most part i just want to be done. spring break is next week and i'm hoping after that i will feel rejuvenated and ready to finish this year on a high note.

life is starting to get back to normal now that shows are all done. cyt is starting again. i have a huge acting class but the kids are so cool i can't wait to see what they all bring to the class. i'm teaching the little six and seven year olds again which i have really missed. they are my favorites- they say the darndest things and i just really enjoy teaching them. i hope my summer is filled with many our gang camps.

happy shortest day of the year!

MOOOOOOOLAN.

what an awesome cast.


the cutest little girls.


love these girlies.


my dream role.


the funniest boys.

what cuties.

full cast

oh what a week it has been.

tech week was carazay as usual. i learned how to program and use a light board. which made me feel a little powerful, i won't lie.

one of the highlights of the whole week was definitely our light booth conversations, that will forever stay in that light booth.

it was really great to really get to know people this past week. i feel like i really got to know the kids and families and they really are the greatest. i will definitely be making trips up to see lake and kenosha shows.

so now its back to real life. i love show week because its like you are in a whole other world. last week feels like it was way more than one week. now back to school, and work. blehh. i don't even want to know what will be waiting for me after two weeks off. absence definitely does not make the heart grow fonder.

its march already? holy cow, i just realized this.

which means...........TWO MORE MONTHS!!!!!!!! and then i am DONE! GRADUATING! on to bigger and better things. which means i really need to get going on my columbia app. thank goodness for rolling admission.

& that means summer is almost here, kind of. i really cannot wait. sleeping in sounds wonderful. road trips. summer camps. a summer show hopefully. summer lists. i'm ready for it all.

itsss show time!

well its that time of year again. all the cyt shows are going on and i've got to see them all.

unfortunately i can only see a few because they are all on the same weekends.

but i did skip school and find time this week to see a few shows.

i saw little mermaid and cinderella and loved them both! both counties are so talented! i never realized how much i missed being in shows with those kids until i see them all. it brings back such good memories being at hhs and seeing everyone. i wish i could see the shows a few more times.

the last rehearsals for mulan were this weekend. its crazy to think that in a week it will all be over- it flew by! its amazing to think that we did a whole show in 6 weeks. two months ago we were just getting materials and music- and now its already show time.

i have to say this is the least worried i've been about a show. usually i'm freaking out by tech week, if i'm in the show or on the team. but for this show i feel we are right where we need to be and its all going to fall in to place. just like it always does. i really love the kids and parents in this county. they are all just such good kids with great hearts. its been so awesome to see them grow in their characters in these past weeks, they all have come so far. i can't wait to see all the extra stuff they bring this week! i think its really going to be an awesome show!

so this week is tech week which means the craziness begins. thankfully i will only have to drive back and forth monday and tuesday and then we'll be staying up there the rest of the weekend. if you like china, dragons, karate, egg rolls, some good laughs, bo staves, lots of fabric, & long road trips- COME SEE MULAN! i promise you will not be disappointed.

what makes you feel alive?

i think i've found it.

lately i've been really concerned, worried, doubting about next year. i'm afraid ill go away to school and i'll hate it. hate the people, hate my classes, hate what i thought i wanted to spend the rest of my life doing.

i've had this big fear that i'll be at school, studying the major i finally decided on, and hate it. then what am i going to do?

i've prayed about it lately, and as usual god provides. i realized that what i planned on doing is something that i love. which i guess is kind of pretty awesome.

i'm on the school newspaper and i've gotten to interview a lot of people in the past few weeks and i absolutely LOVE IT. it is fascinating learning about all these people that i've seen everyday at school. i love getting to see the work that they do, and the things they are passionate about. its an amazing feeling getting to talk to somebody about something that they feel like they were meant to do their whole life. if gives me hope that someday i'll be able to say the same thing.

i finally finished my admissions essay for columbia, and i had to explain why i want to be a journalist:

The reason I love to write is because for those few brief minutes that someone is reading your writing, they are immersed in your story. Through my words, I can make people feel a certain way, and take them to new realizations of themselves and others. I desire to be a journalist for that very reason; I want to show people how they can create change throughout the world and within themselves.

i hope i can spend the rest of my life feeling this way and maybe someday say,

"i was always meant to do this, & i love it."
that is something i've always wanted to say. and i think i might just be able to say that one day.

its like one of my all time favorite quotes says:
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
-- Harold Whitman

do what makes YOU feel alive.

#83 Bad Memories of Highschool

Today I had a day completely free.

No school. No work. No CYT. I honestly do not remember the last time this happened. It was nice to have a day and do nothing productive. I forgot what that felt like. I wish it would come around more often.

So I spent my day making a dinosaur cake- surprisingly it tasted amazing, not to brag or anything. I think watching all those Ace of Cakes episodes has been paying off. It didn't look so pretty, but hey I am just a beginner.

I went to Borders which I do whenever I am bored and I found thiswonderful book & the website to go with it.

Stuff White People Like

So enjoy! It brought me a few laughs, and it is surprisingly mostly true, for me at least. See how many things you like.

Be Mine.

Valentines Day.

It seems to me there are two types of people on Valentine’s Day. They either love it or hate it with every fiber of their being. You either receive a nice valentine and some candy hearts or an explanation about how the holiday is just a holiday created by hallmark to make more money.

What’s my take on the whole thing?
Honestly, I don’t care.

It’s one of those holidays where it’s nice, but hey I’m not going to do anything special. It’s like Arbor Day, it comes and goes and I don’t go all tree planting crazy.

Maybe it would be different if I had a boy, but I don’t so I’m not going to let this holiday bring me down.

Love is a scary thing. A wonderful thing but scary all the same. I like to think that there is someone out there that is my soul mate and I’m destined to be with. That sounds so corny and cliché but it is something I really believe. Some man is out there for me, bless his soul.

Lately I’ve felt God putting it on my heart to be patient for love. It’s out there, but it just isn’t time yet. Lately all the passages I’ve been reading are about just that, and knowing that God has a plan.

I have no doubts that this is true.

You’re out there Mr. Right and I can’t wait to meet you.

snowmageddon, snowmenator, supersnowmen....or not

snow.snow.snow.

i used to love the white flakey stuff. the first snowfall was the best day of the year. & we would pray that there would be enough to cancel school. snow meant a chance of canceled school, making snow forts, snowball fights, hot cocoa....

but then i learned to drive, and my relationship with snow took a drastic turn.
now when i hear snow reports on the radio the feelings of joy i once had quickly change to frustration. i do love snow around christmas time, but after that it would be fine with me if it didn't come back. snow is beautiful, it is just frustrating when you have to be places.

not to mention no one can drive in snow. i understand it is good to be cautious while driving in snow. and if its icy outside i totally understand! but when a few flakes are coming down there is no reason to go five miles an hour! there comes a point when being too careful is a bad thing. you aren't going to slide into a car when there's no ice on the road!
of course then there is also the people that drive like maniacs in blizzards. do not ride my butt when it is icy on the roads. do not cut me off in a blizzard. do not go 40 miles over the speed limit through a snow storm. you are causing people to drift off the road.

i believe george carlin says it best:

Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? -George Carlin

my new years resolution was to not be an angry driver, so im letting out all my driving frustrations via my blog.

these are just the frustrations i have experienced with the "huge snow storm" these past few days.

there was an earthquake this morning. *cue people freaking out*
i of course slept through it because nothing wakes me up when im asleep.
i love how much everyone is over reacting. it was a 4.3 people, no buildings are destroyed, no ones hurt, lets calm down. there was a facebook group started called "i survived the northern illinois earthquake." my goodness california is laughing at us.

i cannot wait for this week to be over. i just need a break. working everyday is really starting to take a toll on me. i was ready to fall asleep at work today. there are not enough hours in the day. i have so much stuff i need to get done by friday, i probably shouldn't be blogging, but ah well.

off to get some zees.

ohh life.

so at rehersal a few weeks ago we had to share verses that really made an impact on our lives for a devotional.

this is the verse right now that is really helping me through everything. lately whenever i'm feeling lost i open up my bible- great thing to do by the way. & i always turn to the perfect verse. god works in amazing ways i tell ya.

i don't know lately i've felt stuck.
its like i have the world at my finger tips but i can't so anything.
i want to go out in the world and live.
but i can't. i have to do this or that.
i guess rountine is just getting to me. i feel like i could be doing so much more with my life but i'm not.


i keep reading all these bible verses about staying on god's path and that things happen all for a reason and i know i have to wait things out. its just hard sometimes.

...

You ever have one of those days where nothing goes your way?

Well I'm having one of those weeks....or couple weeks?

I'll blog about it later.

But for right now here's a song that expresses it pretty well.
ESCAPE.

I am the Cake Boss

I have a guilty pleasure....


& it is watching cake decorating shows.

My TV recordings are full of Cake Boss and Ace of Cake episodes.
I think it is so amazing the different ways you can make cakes, these people are mega talented.

I love baking. I have to say the cookies and cakes I bake actually taste pretty good. I've mastered the cookie cake. Whenever I'm bored or depressed I'll bake a cake or make some cookies. It makes me feel better instantly. I feel like I have control over something, I can be creative, and of course eat cakes. Of course baking makes you feel instantly better! Atleast for the time being. You eat some chocolate chip cookies and try not to enjoy yourself. Impossible.

Sometimes I think about maybe going into the culinary arts and trying my hands at a pastery class. It would be so awesome to own my own bakery or restaurant. If only I could have like five different careers. That way if one didn't work out I could switch to another and not have wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars on something. Maybe if this whole journalism thing doesn't work out I'll just start a cake decorating show on TLC. The Blunk Cake Baking Machine. The name needs work but you get the point.

I found this website that has a bunch of cakes that people find in stores that have gone horribly wrong. A lot of poop frosting and spelling errors. Some of them are pretty hilarious.
If you want a good laugh & like cake: Cake Wrecks

Dear You...

I've always wanted to write one of those Dear You notes. Where you anonomously say all the things you've wanted to say to people in your life. So I'm finally doing one.

1. I miss our crazy childhood. You were my first best friend and I loved doing everything with you. Playing "teenagers," jewelry sales, documentary videos, radio talk shows, nick names, jelly shoes, crazy websites, and the list could go on and on. I miss the summer when we used to hang out everyday and living pretty much across the street from one another. But it's been years since we've been good friends, and I haven't even talked to you in months. You'll always be my friend though, and I hope someday we can talk more. My family and I miss having you around.

2. Sometimes you annoy me to no end. I just want you to do something with your life and it erks me when you don't. I try to be a better friend and have patience but sometimes you make it really hard. I've been trying though and even though you drive me crazy a lot I can't imagine not having you around. You are hilarious sometimes. You don't make the best decisions and I try to give you advice, so I hope one day you'll listen. Just be yourself and if someone does it like it then too bad for them. Don't change for people that aren't worth it.

3. I cannot imagine my life without you. You are my bestest friend. I don't know what I am going to do without you next year. We might not talk everyday but no matter how long we go without seeing or talking to each other we always pick up where we left off. It's funny because were opposite in so many ways, but alike too. We balance each other out. You are the funniest person I know and I can only have a fun time when I'm around you. I honestly feel that we will be life long friends. Our kids and grandkids will be best frandsss. You are such an awesome person I can't wait to see what God had planned for you! You will go places my dear.

4. I miss you. I still consider you one of my good friends, but I don't know if you feel the same way. I know since last year we've had different groups of friends, but I wish we got to hang out more. I love how even if we only talk once in awhile it's never akward. I could not have survived high school without you! You are one of the most down to earth original people I know and I love you for that. Please don't ever change.

5. Ending my friendships with you all was one of the best decisions I've ever made. We were never really friends to begin with. You tried to take control over a group of people, and I'm glad I finally saw the facade you put on. The first years of high school were hard thanks to you, but then I realized you were never really friends to begin with. I'm not mad anymore, and haven't been for years but I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for helping me realize I can stand up for myself, and that I don't need people in my life who push me around.

6. Sometimes I wonder if you care. I hope you do. Things have gotten better through the years but things still aren't the way I would like, or should be. Maybe once I'm away things will get better. Maybe...

7. I know you're out there somewhere and sometimes I get so impatient waiting for you. I cannot wait to meet you.

8. I cannot even express how much thanks I owe you. You have always been such a huge encourager to me. You would always send me the text randomly when I needed to hear. You were always there for adivce when I needed to talk. I cannot thank you enough! We haven't been close lately so I hope we can change that too because you have always helped me in so many ways.

9. I cannot imagine my life without you all. You are all like brothers and sisters to me. I love that you have never judged me and always liked me for who I was. I honestly feel like I will be friends with you for a long while, and I hope that's true. You are all such fantastic people, I cannot wait to see you all grow up. You guys will go places. :)

10. You are one of the only reasons I stay at work and haven't quit. Thank you for not driving me insane. Thank you for being one of the nice ones and making my day a little better.

11. We've gotten really close this year which is kind of ironic because we did after you left for school. I'm so glad we have though because you're like a sister to me! We have so much in common and I'm glad I have someone I can relate to. I'm so happy you have found a good group of friends that support you! I'm glad that you're putting yourself out there and having fun- you definitely deserve to! You are such a beautiful person inside and out I wish you would realize that more and not worry so much!

12. I think you are absolutely hilarious. I hope I get to know you better because you seem like a genuinely good person.

13. You are one of the most unique and original people I know. Please don't ever change. No matter what anyone thinks, you are awesome.

Music for the Soul...

The Genius application on itunes is probably one of the greatest inventions since the magic pancake flipper.

FOR REAL.

All of the good music I have found lately is thanks to this application. I find one good song and then I am introduced to even better songs and artists. It's really not a good addiction to have though because all my money is being used for music. But a good cause none the less.

Music used to never be an emotional thing for me. I loved listening to music, but it never really made me feel a certain way. I either liked the song or I didn't. Lately though, that hasn't been the case. I have found that just listening to a song can bring me to tears, not because I was necessarily sad about anything but because the song was so relatable and something that hit me so close to home. An example: Escape by Nathan Angelo. Look it up- nothing gets me as emotional as that song.

You know what I love most about music though? When you put your ipod on shuffle and hear every song you need to hear. When you get home from a bad day at school, work, etc and hear the songs that make you smile. Whenever I am feeling farthest from God and put my ipod on shuffle I hear all the right songs that bring my back into reality, and I have the duh Alise moments. I love the way God works in our lives. So so awesome.

Lately what I've really missed is being involved in orchestra. There is no bigger rush than playing a symphony like Dvorak, or 1812, or Carmina Burana. If you've never heard any of those songs look them up- and then imagine trying to play them. It's amazing to feel absolutely exhausted after playing a song because you just put all of yourself into something. AMAZING FEELING. If you can play it correctly of course.

I've been involved with theater my whole life and I never get nervous for auditions of performances really. But playing in an orchestra scares me every time. I have never been more nervous in my life having to play solos in orchestra. Even just in practice I would feel like I could not mess up at all. Which is probably what motivated me to practice so much, I had to be perfect. And I have to say there is no better feeling in the world than playing that solo perfectly at a concert and knowing that hours and hours of practicing had payed off, and you just made amazing music.

I really miss that rush, but maybe someday I'll pick up an instrument again. I bought a guitar a few months ago, hoping that I could teach myself to play. So far I know the first three chords to a Greenday song! One of these days I'll sit down and try to learn more, as for right now I'll stick with my guitar playing comedy routine- which my family loves. That is sarcasm.

I think it would be appropriate to end this blog post with some song recommendations since I just spent this post talking about music.

My friend Lauren introduced me to this song and it is probably the cutest song you will ever hear. Look up the lyrics, and then find me this man to marry. It's called "Campfire Song" by Chris August. Just a warning it starts like 20 seconds in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xZqqCeWFZ4

Check out this guy's youtube song. He is an AMAZING singer and his songs are just plain awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/user/coffeysouthernman

Seize the moment..

I'll be honest, I haven't said this in at least the past ten years.
And it might be a little premature to say this because its only the second week.
But I figure I'll seize the moment and say it now in case this feeling goes away.

I AM ENJOYING SCHOOL.

It's Monday today and I did not wake up dreading the day. It was a really strange feeling.
Who would have thought that taking classes you actually like, and apply toward your major would actually allow you to look forward to school?
If only it had not taken me this long to feel this way.

This semester I'm taking a media communications class which I love! I think it's so fascinating and I really think it is going to help me determine which aspect of broadcast journalism I want to be involved with next year. I am taking newspaper too which I think will be challenging but fun. I'm finally getting a chance to do things that I will hopefully be doing for the majority of the rest of my life and I'm enjoying it. That's a good sign right?
I'm also taking a dance class which I am LOVING! It's a theater dance class and we get to learn to tap which I am ECSTATIC about! I have been wanting to tap for so long and now I get to order my tap shoes. Dorky I know but I'm finally getting to do things I really enjoy. It's a wonderful thing really.

Today as I was walking down the hallway I saw a sign for graduation deadline next week. This excites me so. In a short 16 weeks I will be done with ECC and on to greater things.
I have to say attending ECC was one of the best decisions I've made. It may not have been my first choice, but it was the wisest. I saved $60,000, strengthened friendships that I never would have had the chance to if I had gone away, and of course made some awesome friends through going to ECC. I also got the chance to do more stuff with CYT and try my hand at directing which I would trade with for the world. So all in all good choice.

But with all that said I cannot wait for next year. It has been my dream to attend Columbia for the past five years and now in nine months I'll be there!? It's almost incomprehensible for me. I'll be in the city doing what I love every day! That's unbelievable and amazing to think about. The only scary thing is I won't know anyone. But I'm so ready to start over, where no one knows me at all. I've always grown up with the same people my whole life, and now I get to do something completely out of my comfort zone. I think this will be wonderful for me. Now I just have to finish my app, send it in, & figure out how I'm going to pay for everything. Oh joyyyy.

Retail WILL be the death of me...

"Everyone should be required to work retail for atleast three months of their lives."

A very wise customer once told me this, and I couldn't have agreed more. This of course was after the person in front of her yelled at me over who knows what.
If there's anything I learned from working retail it is that the world is filled with ignorant and mean people. Big suprise right? Work today was just one of those days when I come home wishing I never had to return to work again. Sometime I wonder if it's worth the minimum wage...Ah well it could always be worse I suppose.

But from working retail for the past couple years I have come up with a list of the top 7 different customers that I deal with on a daily basis. It goes as follows.

-Speedy Gonzalez. This customer comes into the store with a plan. That plan is to get in and out as fast as possible. While waiting in line they go from register to register hoping to get to the cashier as fast as possible. When in actuality all this switching lanes is taking up more time than if they stayed in one spot. When they finally get to check out they complain about how slow the rest of the world is and when you cannot understand what they are saying because they talk to fast, or heaven knows you don't ring them out at the speed of sound they yell at how incompenetly slow you are and how you ruined their day. Touche my friend.

-The Slowsky. The total opposite of the speedster. The Slowsky spends HOURS and HOURS in the store slowly meandering through the aisles for fun. This customer especially likes to come in just seconds before closing and slowly wander through the store not exactly sure what they want. They don't seem to care that they are causing everyone to go home twenty minutes late. Usually after this customer decides they actually do not need anything anyways. Thats great because I love just standing around waiting for you to leave.

-The Blue Toother. This one is always hard to spot. You think a customer is sparking up a nice conversation, but after a dirty look and a point to the ear you realize that conversation was not meant for you. While in line they act annoyed when you ask them simple questions like if they needed anything else, or tell them what their total is. Sorry for doing my job, I did not mean to get in your way. A wonderful blue toother will stand in line extra long organizing their things while talking on the phone not paying attention to the other people waiting in line. This will cause even more pleasant customers.

-The Victim. The customer that thinks the world is out to get them. What I can't return my computer that I bought eight months ago because I decided last week that I did not like the color? I just haven't had time in the past year to bring it in because I fell and broke my foot, my dog died, my brother got sick, and I had malaria for three months, and I can't read so I had no way of knowing. Nope, sorry, I don't care what your silly excuses are, rules are rules. And guess what the world is not out to get you. You are just too lazy to get up and do things like the rest of the world does. You aren't special so don't expect any special treatment.

-The Ignorant DASHDJKSADHKA. My personal favorite type of customer. The one who does not care what he/she says they are getting what they want. And they don't care who or what they hurt on their way to get there. All the worst names and things said to me have been from complete strangers. From the Ignorant DASHDJKSADHKA. Luckily I am not scared when you threaten me, or call me any mixture of profanic names. It's more humourous than anything. I feel sad for you, sad that you think the only way you can talk to people is treat them like they are less than human. Well you are less than human.

- The Talker. Now this isn't necessarily a customer I dislike. After a day dealing with Ignorant DJASKLDAS and Victims, and Blue Toothers a Talker is not so bad. Maybe I do not care about how your identity was stolen, or that your husband is a total tool, or that your dream is to move to the Caribbean, but you sure make the day a whole lot more interesting. Sometimes sharing family gossip with a complete stranger is good for the soul, and I really don't mind listening. As long as this doesn't go on for twenty minutes, Mr. Anti Obama man.

- The Saint. Of course with all bad customers, there are not many, but there are a few wonderful people. These people give me hope that this world is not full of complete and total morans and ignorant fools. It's nice to have someone ask how you are, or after you say the have a nice day, they sincerely shoot one back. It's nice to hear the occasional thanks for helping me. I really sometimes do enjoy hearing about people's lives- the positive things please. It is always especially nice to have the Saint come after the Ignorant DHASLDJASH and assure you that you really aren't some imcompenet failure at life, but really it's the other way around.

Now of course not every person can fit into one of these categories, sometimes it's a mixture, and bits and pieces of a few. Some days are worse than others and some days I wonder why I even bother working at place where people are so under appreciated. While other days aren't so bad and the people I work with make up for the crazies that come in throughout the day.

All I'm trying to say is next time you go into a retail store just try and act humane to the person on the other side of the counter. Just because they are working retail doesn't mean they are a failure at life and it gives you no right to belittle them. Sometimes you need a job to get through college and pay some extra bills. Hey I don't want to be there anymore than you do, but someone's got to do the job. Just remember that person on the other side of the counter is someone's daughter, mother, son, father, cousin, grandparent, sibling, friend, neighbor, teacher, leader, mentor, etc. Treat them that way. It will make my time and yours so much more enjoyable.

In the begining...

I am horrible at first impressions.
I get so nervous about saying the right thing, and not looking like a complete nut.
This consumes my thoughts so much that I usually do exactly that.
Thank goodness I am lucky enough to sometimes get a second chance.

So I have decided to start a blog. I've always wanted to have one, because I figure people are dying to hear my innermost thoughts and all about my exciting life.
Or you know not.

I'm more doing this for myself. I figure it will be good for me to get my feelings out on....line i guess? I don't know if I'll really tell people about it, though if you're here and reading this you must find what I say semi interesting? Maybe?

But yea this is my blog.
I don't know how to really start this off. I don't want to be one of those bloggers that gives a history of my life because I know you don't really care.

So on that note here's my blog.
It's where I'm at.