A Serious Case of the Monday's

Someone's got a case of the Monday's... today. And that someone is me. Whether it is due to the amount of time I have spent at the workplace, the anticipation of an upcoming trip (and a few days at home), or the fact that everyone in any customer service center seems to speak broken english, I have a serious case of the Monday's.

You know the days when you just don't feel like interacting with the outside world? Well ladies and gentlemen, that's where I am today. Just a blah, yucky old day for me. Maybe I still have not yet gripped the fact that even some people will still only leave you 13% for the best service possible. Sometimes working in the food industry really turns me into quite the pessimist. 

However, just when I'm feeling like sitting down and having a good cry for no good reason, I open the top to a nice cold Magic Hat #9. And, no, this is not what made me feel better. For goodness sake, the beer wasn't even mine, it was for a customer I tell ya! However, if you're familiar with this particular brewing company, you know that they are known for putting little sayings underneath all of their bottle tops. Granted, most of the time these sayings either don't make sense or are silly, today's saying could not have hit home in a more direct manner.

Four simple words. "No rain, no rainbows." These four little words brought everything back into perspective for me. Life isn't always rainbows and butterflies, it's compromise that moves us along (credit to Maroon 5 for the lyric interjection here). Just when I am thinking how bad of a day I am having, I realize that it's not so bad afterall. I should be thanking the high heavens that I don't have more serious issues on my plate instead of complaining about the trivial things in life. Have I reached some sort of enlightenment today?

Whether it's the slogan on the bottle cap, or this delicious Magnum chocolate ice-cream bar, I'm feeling a little bit perkier. All I know is when you're down, just be glad you're not out. Be thankful for what you do have, rather than crying about what you don't. And for now I'll step down off of my soap box and get back to reading my book about Dewey the library cat.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

It was just brought to my attention that I am almost a quarter of a century old. A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OLD, PEOPLE! Next year I will be 25, and I cannot even begin to tell you how uncomfortable that makes me feel. Granted, my birthday isn't until the last month of the year, the timeline is approaching at the speed of light.

I feel like it was just yesterday that I was getting ready for a themed Friday night football game, or buying a new dress for prom, or having sleepovers with my best girlfriends, or even sitting in the parking lot of the local Harris Teeter (hey, I didn't say I had the most eventful high school experiences).

And now here I am, a quarter of a century old wondering what in the heck am I going to do with my future. I guess you could say it's crunch-time (I can only stay in school for so long.... or can I?), it's that time where the rubber meets the road and I need some direction.

I recently heard on the morning radio news that the number one way to becoming a millionaire is to start your own business at a young age. You just have to have some good ideas. And I, my friends, am full of good ideas. I suppose if I put one of these great ideas into motion, I won't have to grow up too quickly.

A wise person once told me, "You're only as old as you feel." And I suppose I'm just choosing to feel younger than my other quarter-century counterparts who have faced their destiny in the real world. And hey, who knows, maybe one day I will grow up....

This is How I'm Feeling Today

Rahr.

Hello 1990s!

Boone is such a beautiful place in the Summer. Although it is approaching 80 degrees, the wind makes it the perfect temperature. I can't imagine a place I would rather be in the summer months than this amazing town (the winter months are a completely different story).

On my day off I decided to run a few errands. And instead of driving, I decided to be eco-friendly and walk instead. This not only helps the environment, but it also promotes a healthier lifestyle for yours truly.

And what did I wear on my adventure around town? An honest Boone outfit consisting of: a headband, air-dried hair, graphic tee, neon shorts, side bag (of course), and these puppies...

So yes, I did just bring these back. Not only do they provide ultra comfort, but let's face it people, these are a hot ticket item. And if anyone is stylin' and profilin' in Boone, it's me.

It's Now or Never

I have met my true love. We bonded Saturday night over a conversation that emerged due to the fact that I had toilet paper stuck to my shoe. What can I say, I have always been so graceful. After a quick exchange of numbers, I was off to sit on top of rooftops.

After a few days of texting (which is my preferred method of communicating), my dream-boat and I decided we would get lunch today. However, this presented numerous obstacles. First and foremost, I don't necessarily remember his name. I know it is either Alex or John (maybe Steven), and I am utterly incapable of recalling what he looked like. Give me a break people, it was dark when I met him and approaching 2 am.

So I did what any other girl does, I asked my friends for their support. After getting a brief description of what they thought he looked like, I agreed to meet this mystery man. Until today. At 11: 33 I backed out on our "meeting" (a date involves a meal that doesn't have an option of a lunch combo). So in this fight or flight scenario, I decided to fly.

Rather than dealing with the awkwardness that comes along with getting to know someone new, I decided to conveniently 'be sick for the day'.  What is wrong with me? I meet a guy who has all the qualities I look for:

1. He was tall. This is one instance where I like when people look down on me.

2. He was sober. I like a guy who will be able to take care of me if duty calls.

3. He is college educated. I've run into some issues here in my previous dating life.

4. His job involves two of my favorite activities; drinking and dancing. And no, I was not initially attracted to him because he worked in a bar.

Regardless, all of these benefits still weren't enough for me to meet with him today. I guess my mom was right, George should be the only boy in my life. I'm starting to question her motives for the purchase of George in the beginning.

I'm Human Again

Due to a very eventful weekend, the Blackberry has finally had it. Numerous 'drops' of my beloved phone have led to her ultimate demise. And although the replacement phone I have now is nowhere near what I had before, I'm not really in a position to be too picky.

After an agonizing two days without a cellular device, I have returned to civilization. Although the ordeal was short-lived, my time without a phone led me to an enlightenment of sorts. I now realize that I do not need a phone to live, I do not necessarily have to text every minute of the day, and mobile uploads of George can wait...

Honestly, if you thought I was serious, that last comment should have re-directed your suspicions. If anything, my time without a phone showed me how utterly incapable I would have been living in a time when this type of technology was just a dream. And even though my temporary phone isn't as 'smart' as I would like it to be, at least I don't have to deal with this guy's issues...

 

Recently, I have begun to reflect on how I was as a teenager. After coming into contact with this subgroup on a regular basis in my job profession, I began to think back on my youthful days. Not that I am ancient now, but in a sense, more mature.

I think of my teenage angst only a few short years ago. And angst is an understatement. I was a horrid child at times.  Undoubtedly, I thought I had the world figured out and I was simply waiting for everyone else to catch up with me. My poor mother.

This realization, and the fact that it was just Mother's Day, led me to the conclusion that my mother is simply a saint. I mean this in the literal sense, not in a facetious way. Without her guidance and constant support, there is no telling what my present status would look like. Time and time (and time and time and time......) again my mother had the patience to deal with my issues and once again, set me in the right direction.

This also led me to question my ability to parent. If I am anything like my mother, there will be no worries. However, it's obvious we haven't seen eye to eye a few (or countless) times. Although this could be due to the fact that these squabbles occurred in my prime, there is still that possibility that I won't be able to live up to this standard my mother has set in place.

In the end, my appreciation for my mother continues to grow substantially. If you are lucky enough to have your mother in your life, you should tell her this everyday. Although Mother's Day is a special day set aside during the year, the appreciation for your mother should never go unnoticed. Plus, if I am ever worried about my potential to mother, I am always able to drop the children off at grandma's.

I love you dearly Mom and am thankful for you not only on Mother's Day, but everyday!