I gave in. I ordered a PSL and it was glorious! I try to resist as long as possible because for the last 2 years I have really burnt out on them by the end of the season. I plan to be strategic this year. Which feels appropriate considering it is an election year and there will be strategery all over the place!
Pumpkin Spice makes everything nice.
Did that last comment make it seem like I am plugged into politics!? No? Just SNL? Ha! SNL is different than PSL. Both great, but different.
PS. I know nothing about politics.
I guess I should also mention that it is September 11th. Obviously you already know that, because it says the date in the corner of your computer or on your phone. Also because it is already noon and you don't live under a rock... Or you do, but who am I to judge? Last year I did a post on my experience of 9-11-01. It was a terrifying day for a 14 year old who had never heard the word terrorism before. If only I knew then how it would change our lives forever.
Somehow I tweaked my neck and can’t fully turn my head to the right. Okay, when I say “somehow” I am lying. I know how… and no it was not from something cool like tumbling or wake-boarding. I am pretty sure it is from jumping up and down on the ottoman in my living room and launching myself into the adjacent chair.
You must be wondering, how could this happen? Well, Lauren was over at my house and I was appalled that she hadn’t seen the preview for Pitch Perfect.
The exchange:
Me: I can’t wait until we can go see Pitch Perfect.
Lauren: What is that?
Me: You haven’t seen the preview!? WHAT!? Shut your face! We. Need. To. Watch. It. Right. Now. Now! (Each period represents me jumping up and down and wigging out.)
That is how I hurt myself. Glorious. It is just so incredibly ridiculous. My sister recently hurt her neck too. But she did it running Hood to Coast... not quite the same thing.
In case you live under a rock like Lauren and haven’t seen this:
Oh! Other than my pathetic injury, I recently had a triumph as well. Someone found my blog with the search, “how to be confident doing things alone.” VICTORY!
Okay! I will admit it. I was a sorority girl and I loved it. Lately I have been feeling nostalgic, so here is a post to get it out of my system.
It is recruitment season and one of my favorite things about Greek Life was rush. I know I am kind of alone out here. Most people hate rush. It requires time and practices and planning.
The reason I loved rush so much is because it was time that all of my sisters were spending together! At rush practice we would have our moments to goof-off and socialize. It was fantastic quality time that forced sisterly bonding.
I loved rush so much that I decided to be in-charge my senior year. Well, they actually elected me to be in charge… sooo that’s tight. I'm awesome. Don't worry about it.
Here are a couple of the annual group shots that were taken after welcoming in our new members:
This was so many years ago!! I am too old to be writing about this.
My favorite things about sorority are probably unique. It wasn’t about the events, but instead about getting ready. I liked the quality time and preparation more than actually going. That stood true for recruitment, parties and really anything else! Call me a loser.
My class within the sorority was a lot of fun and one of my favorite traditions was strictly with them. We always went to dinner together after Pref. and no matter what was going on in our personal lives, that dinner was always filled with uncontrollable laughter. We were either really funny or really tired. Probably tired... It was the last day of recruitment after all.
The Pledge Class of '05
It is always fun to re-unite as your friends make big life changes too. The weddings have begun… How long until babies are in the mix!?
My preference (pun!) for preparation and pre-function stands true today. In regard to holidays, birthdays and even weddings! I usually enjoy the day spent planning, primping, cooking and bonding more than the event that follows.
Am I the only one who prefers the pre-party? There can be cocktails! Anyone?
It is not fall. Why is everyone talking about fall? I have not smelled the crisp air, I am not pulling out my layers yet, and I am not about to order a pumpkin spice latte. I was wearing shorts yesterday!
It is still 80 degrees every day!!! Are you people out of your minds? Yes, school is starting and it is almost time for transitional clothing. Key word: ALMOST.
Seriously people. I am still working on my tan. It is always at least a couple weeks into September when the transition happens. You will know because mornings will be crispy, it actually smells like fall and a few trees will begin to turn pre-maturely. Be prepared, but not overzealous. Start planning your fun fall outfits and seasonal coffee order, I know I have. But do not abandon your dresses and iced beverages just yet. If you do, you will be sweltering and uncomfortable.
Don’t get me wrong, I am stoked! I LOVE fall. It is my favorite season and September is my favorite month. So don’t ruin it for me by rushing into November. Let fall come naturally and on its own time. I want to savor every moment.
… while wearing my new suede booties when it is the appropriate temperature.
One more question. Does all this “back to school” talk make anyone else wish they were getting on the Hogwarts Express!? Nope. Just me? Cool.
If you are serious about leaving summer behind. Here are posts from last year about Back to School and the Fall season.
I hope you started singing Jordan Sparks after reading that title! I do realize that probably a majority of you never understand my obscure pop-culture references. Meh. We carry on.
I guess there is a need to follow-up after my last post. How do I stay confident doing things alone? Glad you asked! Well, it is super shallow.
When I show up to events alone or just need some extra confidence for the day, I try to make sure I am feeling sassy and put together. How do I do this?
Step 1: Lipstick (My summer color is called Love Test)
Step 2: Freshly painted nails
Seriously, if I am wearing lipstick I feel unstoppable. The same goes for freshly painted nails. My outfit feels complete and I feel like I can do anything!
I have been wearing Love Test a lot this summer. Last fall and winter I rocked a berry shade. It of course depends on your skin tone. Go to Sephora and try before you buy!
If it is not a time where I feel like I need extra confidence. Like going to the store or errands or really any time it isn’t a date night… I am just in yoga pants (not that I do yoga. I find yoga super boring). I do things alone dressed scrubby all the time. But if there is insecurity accompanying your alone time, try to be put together and don't forget your armor!... aka lipstick.
How do the rest of you embrace your singledom? Is lipstick one of your weapons too?
My final pieces of advice are to not take yourself so seriously:
"Learn to laugh at yourself more freely. Don't take yourself or your circumstances so seriously. Relax and know that I am God with you. When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening. Stop trying to monitor My responsibilities--things that are beyond your control. Find freedom in accepting the boundaries of your domain." -Jesus Calling
And spend time with people who build you up! Even if they live far away.
As a single 20-something I do a lot of things alone.
This past weekend I was alone for most of the weekend. Not like in a weird or depressing way, just alone. Not to be confused with lonely.
My friends were busy or out of town, my parents were in Black Butte, my sister was running Hood to Coast. This all added up to me spending the weekend alone. This is something I have grown accustomed to. Don’t get all depressed for me. I'm not sad about it or anything, I just wanted to share my experience in case anyone is having a similar one.
I used to always have someone with me. I wouldn’t do anything alone. Seriously nothing. During college I went to the grocery store with roommates. I never got a pedicure alone. Even if I was just running to grab a coffee, someone would join the party.
Here is an example of the co-dependence I had in college. These are my friends napping at my house as I got ready for my sorority formal. They were simply there to keep me company as I primped:
Lauren and Marina keeping me company (circa '09)
These days I go it alone more often than not. Part of it is that I don’t live with 4 other girls anymore! Also, I have a full-time job and I am not in a relationship.
And to be honest, I have kind of enjoyed this transition and time in my life. I like going to coffee, contributing to the community crossword and lingering there for a bit to people watch. I like the independence and have learned to embrace the alone time.
I am of course saying these things in a Destiny’s Child ‘Independent Woman’ moment. Call me in a month when I am desperate for a relationship and I’ll eat these words while wallowing on my personal island of loneliness.
I have yet to eat at a sit down restaurant alone. But when I do, I will be sure to let you know. I mean, I have eaten at a restaurant where you order at the counter and say “for here.” But I haven’t done the menu at the table with a cloth tablecloth thing alone. Do people do that? Or is that reserved for the fancy confident single ladies of Sex and The City and Nicholas Sparks novels?
This weekend was amazing. I literally had zero plans. Well, that’s a lie. I had a few plans on Sunday, but mostly I was totally free to do what I wanted!
I did laundry and watched Netflix on Friday. I know it sounds lame, but it was completely therapeutic.
On Saturday I went to Zumba, grabbed coffee and effectively spent the afternoon at my parent’s golf club pool. It is official; someday I will lead a dance on the stage at Zumba class. I have to. It is now a goal. If only I had the guts. Oh, and I will also have a rockin’ mom bod like all of the ladies at the pool. Psych! I haven’t had kids and they look way better than me. So… I guess I’ll let that one go.
Sunday I made it to the blogger meet-up! Barely. I was literally there for 30min of the 3 hour event. I am the worst. All of the PDX bloggers who helped did a really great job putting it all together! Snaps to Jenni for taking on the planning of these events! I started thinking about it as I talked to Sam. I have met both her and Jenni in real life ONE TIME! Yet we greeted each other like we are old friends. Why? Well, we read each others blogs! Shouldn't it be weird? Somehow it isn't.
I am not very good at the blog meet-ups… due to not being a serious blogger and being as awkward as I am. I like blogging, I just don’t have very many readers. So when I go to stuff like this I sorta feel like a wannabe. But you know what!? That is just lame and insecure and I didn’t start this blog to feel validated by strangers. So whatevs.
Check out the cute party favor and the earrings I won from the meet-up!
Oh, and am I the only one who benefited from the outrageously awesome line-up ABC Family had going this weekend? Not that I watched TV all weekend… but Stepmom, My Best Friends Wedding, The Notebook… just to name a few! Their programming was dominating my TV.
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