Jobs

Well, I am just sitting here contemplating work and my job, and I want to know....

What do you love most about your job?

AND

What do you hate most about your job?


For me, I probably love my flexible schedule the most. You really cannot beat every other Friday off and every OTHER Friday working til 12 or so. Also, the fact that they don't block many internet sites here absolutely rules. The things I probably hate the most are my supervisor and the many, many, MANY inefficiencies and lack of sensical things that go on around here.


Please comment.

Taylor Swift's new video

Here is Taylor Swift's newest video blog! I love these things.

If you haven't seen any of them before, click here for a link to her other ones.

This is the kinda video I want to make one day. It would be soooo fun! Any ideas as to what song I should set my video clips to?

Rain

It is raining right now - my favorite kind of rain!

The sun is out, and there are realllly huuuuuuge raindrops. I love love LOVE it. I can hear it hitting my office window behind me, and I love it. I am sitting here wishing I could go out and run in it. I love doing that.

Yarn contest!

In order to get an entry in this contest for some great yarn, one requirement is to post a link to it somewhere. Any knitters out there who are interested, it ends tomorrow night, so enter fast!

Click here for the link!

Just a lil reminder...

I got this in an email today and was reminded that life is short. Sometimes it is easy to forget that, but it is completely true, so I am sharing this lil reminder today with anyone who reads it.

Life is short!
Break the rules!
Forgive quickly!
Kiss slowly!
Love truly,
Laugh uncontrollably,
Pray without ceasing,
and never regret anything that made you smile.

Has everyone seen this???

This is the funniest thing ever.

Run, run, run, run, run!

Today, Jake, Dusty, and I all registered online for the Flying Saucer 5k! It's a done deal. Based on my poll, those who said to run the race definitely outnumbered the one who voted to head straight for the beach. Thanks to everyone who voted!

Anyone want to join us?

Tornado Dreams

Twice now I have dreamt of tornadoes. The first time was a couple months ago maybe, and I dreamt one came and tore up my house. Yesterday afternoon, I was in the middle of an amaaaazing nap until I began dreaming of being stuck in the middle of a storm with about 30 tornadoes. The weird thing about both of these dreams was how well I was able to remember them. Even still.

You know how sometimes when you dream, you might be in your house, but it isn't really your house? That is what happened in the first tornado dream. In the dream, it was MY house that was being destructed by the tornado, but it wasn't MY real house in real life. Anyway, I survived that one unscathed, and that was pretty much the extent of it. It came and tore up my house, and then I woke up.

Yesterday's dream took place in Lake Wylie. And Beth Funderburk was in it. For those of you who don't know her, she is a girl I went to school with since elementary school. We were never really friends, but we were always in the same classes together all through high school. Anyway, she was driving me from my dad's house to my mom's, and as soon as we got out on the main road, there were no cars on the road. Instead, they were all in the ditch along the side of the road, bumper to bumper. I was so confused as to why the cars weren't driving on the road and naturally instructed her to just drive down the road, when she pointed out that there was a tornado behind us. Soon after that, we noticed one in front of us as well. It was then that I decided we better stop and get out. So we did. We pulled off the side of the road and laid on the ground. It soon became apparent that the only reason I wasn't blowing away was because Beth was holding me down. I then got the bright idea that we should roll across the ground and be blocked from the "wind" by an old Volkswagen Beetle which was nearby. So we did. Then, Beth started yelling about how she wished the car would be lifted up by one of the many tornadoes that kept coming up, all the while holding me down to keep ME from blowing away. Nice of her, I suppose. Now, I had a bag with us containing stuff belonging to both Beth and me. Of course it all got blown out of the bag, but naturally didn't blow away. So, at one point, we thought the storms were over, and Beth disappeared, leaving me to gather up our things and put them back in the bag. Then, I started walking down the road and realized that the tornadoes were still coming, so I ducked into a house, where lo and behold, there was Beth. With Lori Baird. For those of you who don't know her, she also went to high school with me. The three of us were "safe" and watching the tornadoes continue out a large window in the front room of this house when I woke up. So bizarre.

I don't know about any of you, but I am really fascinated by dreams. Most of the time, I don't remember mine.... but I definitely think they all have some kind of meaning. So, those of you who know me well know that I google EVERYTHING. Naturally, then, I looked up online dream dictionaries. See below for what I found about tornadoes.

From http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary:
To see a tornado in your dream suggests that you are experiencing some extreme emotional outbursts and temper tantrums. Is there a situation or relationship in your life that may be potentially destructive? To dream that you are in a tornado, signifies that you are feeling overwhelmed and out of control. You will be met with a series of disappointments for the next week or so. Your plans will be filled with complications. To see several tornadoes in your dream, represent people around you who are prone to violent outbursts and shifting mood swings. It may also symbolize a volatile situation or relationship.

From http://www.sleeps.com/dictionary:
If you dream that you are caught up in a tornado, or see other people in one, or you are in danger from a tornado, then you will find all your well laid business plans come to naught and failure will dog your footsteps until you do something to change your chances of success; more education, better training or so forth.

From http://www.thecuriousdreamer.com/dreamdictionary:
-An overwhelming or destructive situation in real life, most likely out of the dreamer's control.
-A feeling or fear of being taken advantage of or victimized, especially suddenly or in an unpredictable way.

From http://www.newagedirectory.com/dream/dictionary.htm:
Being overwhelmed by work or circumstances. You are stressed out. If you are overtaken: Things are out of control in your life. If you escape from or avoid it: You are stressed but can handle the situation.

From http://www.dreamloverinc.com/dictionary1.htm:
Tornado is a violent storm in nature, and it may represent violent emotional storms in your dreams. If you have reoccuring tornado dreams, consider the emotional changes in your life and also the amount of anger and rage that you may be currently experiencing. Tornadoes could also represent disruptions and upsets in your immediate environment and specific or current issues that may be overwhelming.


So, based on this research, I conclude that work is stressing me out and causing me to dream about tornadoes. That or the CPA exam.... but I think it is changes at work more likely.

Do you ever have crazy dreams? Ever dream about the same thing more than once? How often do you remember your dreams? Ever dreamt of tornadoes? Please comment. I am fascinated.

Curious orange kitties!

This post is brought to you by the letter L...

Back in May, my mom emailed me a link to this blog post. It is by a woman who has decorated one wall in her house with the letter L. (And, I just realized that I chose the same title for this post as she did for hers. Oh well, I am not changing it now.) She has since updated her blog about her L wall. Anyway, I thought the idea was sooo cute as soon as I saw it, and I began my lookout for the letter L wherever I went. I have found none... until today. I stopped into Hobby Lobby, and found all these! And the best part is that they were all 50% off.

So far, mine are not looking near as bright and exciting as I hope they will. I may have to make some adjustments to them, but I am just excited to have found some. Now, I just need to decide which wall to put them on while I continue my search! The blogger I am copying did mention someone with an etsy shop selling letters - and you can get 20% off by mentioning "Artsy" in your notes to seller! However, I checked and didn't see an L for sale.......

Here is another example of a letter wall using the letter H.

I just think they are so cute!

Mom's visit!

My sweet Mama came down to visit me and spend the night last Friday night. Jake treated us to a delicious dinner at Za's, and we spent some time in Barnes and Noble on Friday night. Saturday, we got up and went to the Farmer's Market, and I got some peaches and a cantaloupe. Mmmm yummy! Then, we had lunch at Lizard's Thicket and made a trip to Walmart to get something to hang up my quilted Palmetto wallhanging that my mom made me for my office. Then, we went down to the office and hung it up! It is soooo beautiful, and all my coworkers are definitely jealous. Here is the only pic I took during her visit.

And I'd like to say a very big thanks to Mom for all your help cleaning up my house! I love you!

Happy Birthday, Steve!

Well, as I mentioned in an earlier post, last week was Steve's birthday! Jake and I met up with him and some of his friends, as well as Robert and his girlfriend, Jessica, at the baseball game. It was such a treat to watch Steve's heckling skills of the opposing team, especially number one-seven, from about 5 rows behind their dugout. It was so fun, we hardly noticed the rain falling on us. Funny, it rained last year while we were there celebrating Steve's birthday, too. And it was so great to see Robert and meet Jessica! After the baseball game, we headed on over to the Flying Saucer where we were served by a Beer Goddess. Wish I had gotten a pic of Steve with her. Haha fun times!

Here are some pics!

Just like old times...

The birthday boy and me!

Jake and me

Had to include this one just because of Steve!

Robert and Jessica

Now, these pics below are of #one-seven and Steve with the ball that #17 threw to him after much heckling.

Yes, it does say "To Shrek"

My Columbia Blowfish cozy that Robert bought for me! I love these things!

And finally, a couple pics from Flying Saucer...

And awaaaay she gooooes!

I ran a mile last night!

It has been a looooong time since I've done that. Well on my way to running a 5k next month.

Oh yeah... Jake did it, too.

Cupcakes, anyone?

Columbia is getting a Cupcake! Now, I have never actually been to one, but I have heard good things about the one in Charleston, so I am excited!

Study, study, study

Yesterday, I finally scheduled myself to take my first part of the CPA exam - Business Environment & Concepts (BEC). I signed up for Monday, August 17th at noon. I wanted to do it on a Monday so that I can study the entire weekend leading up to it, and I had the options of 8am, 11am, and noon that day. No brainer, right? Anyway, I had thought of scheduling it on the 24th or 31st of August to give myself a couple more weeks (since I can't take it in September), but Jake and his parents have invited me to the beach for a week from August 22nd - 29th, which I am soooo excited about, so that pushed the exam up to the 17th. That gives me 5 weeks from yesterday to study for this darn test. I think I can do it, though! I have been dabbling with studying for it a little ever since I mailed in my application back in May, but now I am in complete study mode. And I will definitely be glad when I finish on the 17th to have the rest of that week to get packed and ready for my beach trip! Wish me luck!

Afternoon activities!

This afternoon, Jake and I are getting off work at 3pm. We were supposed to head to Charlotte to see Aerosmith with some friends, but the show was cancelled due to artist injury. So, we decided instead to go see the movie Up! in 3D at 4:30 and get that crossed off both of our lists.

Also, tomorrow is Steve's birthday, and he has chosen to celebrate it tonight at the Columbia Blowfish game followed by some quality time at Flying Saucer! Steve is one of my best friends, and I am really excited to be celebrating his 25th birthday! WOW. I cannot believe he is that old. In other exciting news, my friend Robert (Steve's brother) is coming into town for the birthday shenanigans and bringing his new girlfriend, so I am very excited to see him and meet her, and for him to meet Jake as well! Robert has been in law school up in Minnesota for the past couple years and I cannot even remember the last time I saw him, so I am doubly (is doubly even a word?) excited about that! These two boys are like family to me, and I don't see them near enough.

So, I have a very fun afternoon/evening ahead - movie and baseball game and Flying Saucer with some of my all time favorite people! What could be better? Let's hope it doesn't rain on us at the game like it did last year. If it does, that just means more time at the Saucer!

I hope to get some good pics tonight!!!

A Capitol Fourth!

Well, our trip to Washington D.C. was a great success! We left Columbia just before 8 am on Thursday morning, and we were on our way.

We arrived at Lark's apartment in Arlington just before 5 pm, and after resting for a little while, went out for dinner at Ragtime, which was a delicious restaurant and bar just up the street from Lark's. I had clam bisque and crabcakes with onion rings. Soooo yummy! We left there and went for a walk around Arlington where we saw the Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington cemetary.

Lark and I ran to hug this tree.

This is the view of D.C. from Arlington.

Goofy times with Lark!

Friday morning, we got up and headed into the city to check out the White House first. We then went by and saw the Washington monument before heading to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. This was one of my favorite stops because we got to see the original Star Spangled Banner that our national anthem was written about. I remembered seeing it as a kid, but back then, they had it displayed hanging, and now it is laid out flat. Unfortunately, you aren't allowed to take pictures of it... but I think it is one of the neatest things to see. It amazes me that they actually still have the original flag intact and on display for everyone to see. We left that museum and went to get some lunch on the National Mall - hotdogs of course! After our we satisfied our hunger, we checked out the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. It was a pretty good time. At some point, Jake and I were able to buy a couple of $4 souvenir t-shirts.

I loved this building with all the flags hanging on its windows!

Here, Lark and Thomas Edison shared a special moment!

Nilly, this picture was taken with you in mind.

After that, we headed on down to the Capitol building, where they were busy setting up and rehearsing for Saturday's concert. We climbed all 75 of the Capitol steps and rested for a while. This was probably one of my favorite parts of the whole weekend.

After that, we headed over to the Sculpture Garden for some jazz and Sangria! Then, we headed back to Arlington, and we were exhausted, but we went up and sat on top of Lark's building where we enjoyed seeing some early fireworks from all different directions!

Here is the view from the top of Lark's building.

Saturday morning, we got up and headed back into D.C. for a reading of the Declaration of Independence in front of the National Archives and the parade. We ended up skipping out on the reading and grabbed ourselves a prime spot for the parade. Jake did go over and get some pics for us of the front of the National Archives, and more hotdogs were consumed while we waited for the parade to begin.

Jake wanted his picture made in front of the IRS building.

Waiting on the parade

The National Archives - reading of the Declaration of Independence

The parade came down Constitution Avenue.

Saturday afternoon, we ate lunch back in Arlington, where I tried some of Lark's falafel (yummy!), then Jake and I ventured out on our own on the metro back into D.C. to visit the International Spy Museum and then to the Mall for the fireworks that night. Cameras were not allowed in the Spy Museum, so no pictures from there, but here we are waiting on the fireworks.

None of my fireworks pics came out very good, so I won't post any on here, but it should be noted that they were AMAZING! Sooooo beautiful - exploding right behind the Washington Monument. Best in the nation. The metro was PACKED leaving the mall after the fireworks, but we managed to get back to Lark's with no trouble and in less than an hour. We took a total of 429 pictures and videos over the course of our 4 day weekend, so I have really just posted the highlights here. One video is of me trying to do a cartwheel on the National Mall. haha

Anyway, we had a FANTASTIC 4th of July holiday weekend in the D.C. area, and we want to give a HUGE thanks to Lark for letting us come stay with her! We do hope she'll let us come back again sometime, and Lark - come visit us in Columbia! Hope everyone's 4th was as great as ours!

Happy Birthday, America!