30x30: Part 9

Less than a week to flirty 30!  FIVE MORE DAYS!!!!

That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

I had a fantastic childhood.  I thank my parents for letting me flourish and grow.  I also thank my parents for being parents.  They knew when to say no and when to send me to my room.  I believe I am better able to be an adult because I was first allowed to be a child. 

What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

I believe it's hard to know exactly what, but I do know to what lengths. 

That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.

Well I might not have learned to floss every day, but I do more and more as I get older.  As for the rest...I've lost more than one wonderful person in my life to cancers and other side effects related to smoking I would prefer not to lose anyone else this way.  It is a long and painful process.  

Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

I'm a very trusting person, but over time I've learned to be cautious with my trust.  I'll still always give someone the benefit of the doubt, but I'll ask more questions than I used to.  I only take it personally when someone I should be able to trust proves themselves to be untrustworthy.  

Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

I only apologize when it's warranted.  Generally when somethings not my fault it doesn't warrant me apologizing for it.  ☺

And just in case you missed it... 

30 x 30

Part 1 

Part 2

Part 3 

Part 4 

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

30x30: Part 8

TWO WEEKS!  FOURTEEN DAYS!  SO CLOSE!!!!!

By 30, you should KNOW:

How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

I moved out of my parent’s house when I was 24 (actually the week before my 25^th birthday).  I wanted my own place.  I wanted to live without anyone else, no roommates, no sharing, just me in my own space.  I’ve come to appreciate living alone and I appreciate that I may not be the easiest person to live with.  And I know that unless my circumstances drastically change…the next time I live with someone they’ll be stuck with me forever.  ;o)

How to take control of your own birthday.

I’ll admit I usually don’t make a big deal about my birthday.  I want a little cake and maybe a song, but I haven’t asked for a party in a very long time.  This year I wanted a party, a big celebration with family and friends.  It's just not meant to be this year.  I'm upset, but I'll live, I'll have other birthdays and if this countdown has proved anything…I’m excited for my 30^th birthday and what lies ahead. I took the day off work and I'm spoiling myself with a fancy pedicure and manicure at a local spa. 

That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.

Psht I wouldn't want to change ... good things come in small packages!  While growing up with hips wasn't the most fun, I've come to embrace and love my curves.  And my parents, they are my parents, I love them.  You know what they say...insanity is hereditary...

And just in case you missed it...the full list of 30 x 30.  Here is Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, and Part 7.

30x30: Part 7

 Hey guess what...TWENTY-SEVEN DAYS!!!!  Getting excited???

When to try harder and when to walk away.

Check.  This was a hard one to learn.  I still struggle with it, but I am more able to know when to keep fighting and when I need to let go. 

How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

Well... I’d like to think so. 

The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.

Not gonna lie I had to look up the secretary of state.  Fail.  Course once I opened the page I was like ooooooooooooooooooh ya. *facepalm*  I know my great-grandmother’s names, but I’ve never met them.  I met one of my great-grandfathers once.  He was a cool dude.  I’m working on finding a tailor now actually.  I’ll let you know how it goes!

first fire of the season!

And just in case you missed it...the full list of 30 x 30.  Here is Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6.  

30x30: Part 6

HAPPY APRIL!!!   

Mother nature decided that it would be a real funny joke to have it snow.  I am not laughing.  

39 DAYS!!!

By 30, you should KNOW:

How to fall in love without losing yourself.

CHECK.  I know who I am.

How you feel about having kids.

I want kids.  I’d love to have four, and I’d love to adopt as well as have them myself.  We shall see what the future holds. 

How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

CHECK.  I’ve done all three things.  It’s best to be honest and just talk it out.  And sometimes it’s best to just make a clean break.  

And just in case you missed it...the full list of 30 x 30.  Here is Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5.   

You know what ELSE today is?????? RED SOX OPENING DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  yay baseball! yay Red Sox!

20 Questions

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?

I don't currently have any pets, but they are members of the family. 

2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?
to at the end of my life look back and love the life I lived

3. What would you do with a billion dollars?
everything.  pay off my school loans and mortgage, buy a new car (mini cooper!), quit my job and travel the world

4. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
music, chocolate, chatting with friends/der Goob

5. What is your bedtime routine?
brush my teeth, take out my contacts, go upstairs, put on my pjs, crawl into bed, send the Goob a goodnight text

6. What activities did you do in high school? If you could go back, would you do the same stuff or something different?
volleyball, softball, drama club, Executive Board, the newspaper, Science Club....I had a great time in high school I wouldn't change it!

7. What kind of books do you read?
mystery, drama, chicklit, sci-fi, historical fiction...depends on my mood really

8. How do you see yourself in 10 years?

hopefully happily married with a brood of youngins to chase after

9. What’s your fear?
beyond spiders?  not realizing my dreams. 


10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?
 yes

11. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
hit the snooze button.  oh wait I'm not really awake then! 


12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?
I don't want to change him.  to quote Bruno "I think you're amazing just the way you are"
As for my least favorite habit...if he happened to choose to stop smoking I wouldn't argue with that decision, cause I want him to stick around for quite some time. :o)

13. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I wanted to be named Tiffany when I was little (oh hey I grew up in the 80s), but I love my name now and I wouldn't change it. 


14. If you had to choose between six months of sun or six months of rain, what would you choose?
sun.  hands down.  I would need a lot of sunscreen though!


15. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
hmmm....buffet!  that way there is variety hahaha. 

16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?

when people comment...I'm a comment fiend

17. Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?
Sweet


18. What items are in your purse right now?
camera, wallet, change purse, assorted makeup items, gum, ipod


19. Name three things on your bucket list.

see pyramids in person, have babies, enjoy a long happy marriage

20. What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn’t?

 umm nothing really.  I'm mostly a Criminal Minds, Glee, Dr Who kinda girl...I don't watch reality TV beyond So You Think You Can Dance. 

30x30: Part 5

 FORTY - EIGHT DAYS!  Is everyone getting excited!?!?!

By 30 you should Have:

Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

I’m working on this.  I’ve recently (over the past year and a half) lost about 45 lbs (don’t look so shocked, it’s the truth).  When I hit 50 I’m treating myself to something from Tiffanys.  Cause I earned it. 

The belief that you deserve it.

I will absolutely deserve it. 

A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.

Well I use lotion with spf on my face, I dance Irish style and hit the gym and I’m working on the healthier eating thing.  Here’s to the next 30+ years!

A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

Working on the career...ya.  Relationship...check.  I have a lot of faith in life.  2011 is going to be a great year!

see... I dance Irish style

 And just in case you missed it...the full list of 30 x 30.  Here is Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.  

The Boyfriend Blog

Well hello there blog-land.  I know you have awaited this blog with breath that is bated.  I know the man himself has wondered (aloud, to me) when he will get his own entry on my bumbling blog. 

The wait is over.  It is now time for the *drumroll* boyfriend blog (og og og).  

How we met:

Well that's a story you partially heard already.  There was this wedding.  I am a friend of the bride, he is a friend of the groom.  This was almost the introduction that never happened.  Thanks to Jessica's perseverance a save the date for this happy day made it's way to Afghanistan.  Now why on earth would she send a save the date THERE you ask?  Well himself was deployed with the Army National Guard for a year in Afghanistan, set to return the week of the wedding...if all went as planned.  Luckily there were no delays and he made it home safely and in time!  We were seated at the same table and chatted away during cocktail hour and dinner and then proceeded to dance the night away.   

the night we met!  (November 27)

That Just Happened:

So um ya, we met.  Less than 24 hours later himself was on a plane to Japan...for three weeks.  And then he came home, and then Christmas happened...apparently he really likes arriving JUST as a big holiday happens.  Good to know.  I texted about half the world to wish them a Happy Christmas and since we'd traded numbers at the wedding he happened to be in that half. (I wasn't sure I'd hear from him, glad I did.)  He returned my Christmas wishes and the rest is becoming history. 

We went on a date.  Now believe me this is easier said than done.  We live approximately one hour away from each other.  Easy plan a date somewhere in the middle right?  Harder when neither of us are familiar with the middle area.  Japanese restaurant and pub.  Done.  We ended up talking until midnight.  That made for a sleepy next day at work!  

We continued spending time together.  Good times were had by all. 

Out to dinner with the Masons, Feb 5th

Will you be my Valentine?

Himself had some plans for Valentine's Day.  I'm going to stop right here and say I was COMPLETELY. SPOILED. this Valentine's Day (eagerly awaiting next year :op).  Sunday, the day before St Valentine's Day I get a message asking if I'm at home.  Indeed I am.  The follow up says don't go anywhere and don't fall asleep (apparently he knows me, I was totally already curled up and contemplating a nap on the couch).  Roughly an hour later I hear his jeep in the driveway.  I go to the door and he's in the driveway, in uniform, holding a chocolate rose, a bottle of wine and ... wait for it ... An Officer and A Gentleman.  *swoon*  We drank some wine and watched the movie.  A lovely pre-Valentines date.  And let's face it, I was not expecting much else since this was so well planned and executed! 

Well it snowed this winter.  A lot.  A LOT.  So much so that I worked at home at least one day a week because it was safer not to leave the house.  Well he made me promise to go to work on Valentine's Day.  It was a hint of something else yet to come.  So I spent the day in antici.........pation.  Well in the afternoon I get a phone call.  I have a delivery!  Flowers and a teddy.  Spoiled.  But wait...there's more.  Turns out that at the VERY end of the day one of the guys from the mail room made a special trip upstairs because I had a package waiting.  Chocolate!  

spoiled!

It was official I was having a record-setting Valentine's Day.  Himself asked if I was having a good Valentines to which I said FANTASTIC.  I asked how his was going (I got him stuff don't worry, but his birthday is the day after so there was more to come for him) and he said alright...alright?!?!?!  I asked what I could do to make his day better, and he asked me if we could make our relationship official.  Such a goober.  Such an adorable goober though. 

oh hey we're a couple:
That week was his 30th birthday.  We went to Brooklyn with his best friend and were tourists on the bridge, ate delish pizza, he got a job and we celebrated with cocktails and Egyptian food.  Yum! 

awwww we are so cute *vom* I know :o)

and then I lied:
So remember me mentioning that it was his birthday.  His family and friends planned this massive surprise birthday party.  I'd never met them before, but they asked me to help (I felt so importantish).  I was the "bait".  Himself is a Mason and the party was being held at the Knights of Columbus.  Now apparently the two go together like oil and water.  The ploy was that I was doing an Irish dance show there (it's only going to take a half an hour I SWEAR) and we were going to head to dinner after.  It was hard not telling, and I almost slipped up a couple times...but in the end SUCCESS!  He was surprised and I met a bunch of his family and friends, and they are awesome people.  A good time was had by all!  (and he forgave me for lying to him hehe)

I made a Guinness chocolate cake with Bailey's frosting.  YUM!

So maybe I'm not the only one who is a little spoiled ;o) 

I'll stop gushing I'm sure you've all thrown up in your mouths a little at some point in this post...and if you haven't just let me know.  I have more adorable stories, and there are many more to come I'm sure.  I suppose the moral of the story is I'm a fan and I think I'll keep him around for a while.  :o)