Magnificent Monday

After a somewhat disappointing weekend, finding out I didn't get the job at Ethan Allen, today has been quite a wonderful day.  I had another interview with a new company today and I think it went really well!  I was scheduled to meet for a second interview next week, so I'm hoping (fingers crossed!) that means she liked me and I have a good shot at this position.  I love the furniture and, from what I saw today at the store, I think I would fit in great with the employees.  I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, but I have a good feeling about this!

Not only did the interview go well, but I got my very first bubble necklace in the mail today!!!! I have been day dreaming of owning one of these necklaces ever since they came out at J Crew for $150.  However, those of you that know me, know there was no way I'd ever buy a necklace for $150!  I had seen a few on sale at other places for $50, but that still seemed high to me.  Then I saw an offer on facebook for the necklace at the low price of $9.99 AND free shipping!  I snagged one in navy, and even though I had to wait a month to get it, it was definitely worth it!!  It's my absolute favorite necklace and I can't wait for my ivory one to come next! This is the ivory one on it's way to my wardrobe from Ily Couture :) for only $16!  You can snag this deal on living social here!  Do it, you'll LOVE the necklace!!

And now as wonderful as my day already sounds, it only gets better tonight!  That's right folks, it's that time of the year when all of my favorite shows come back on TV.  While I may sound like a complete couch potato after telling you all of the shows I watch, just understand that if you start watching any of them you'll get hooked too!  And hey, seeing as how I'm unemployed at the moment, I am fully embracing my couch potato days and plan to enjoy every minute of these shows!  Although, I must say that I hate that all the good shows come on at the same time.  Once their sesaons end, nothing is on TV.  I wish prime time channels would space out their great shows throughout the year. But I digress.  It's going to be a good week, I can feel it!

On tonight:  Bones, Dancing With the Stars, Warehouse 13, Alphas,  & Castle
Tomorrow:  Dancing With the Stars, NCIS, & NCIS Los Angelos
Wednesday:  Criminal Minds (My ABSOLUTE favorite!  Everyone must watch it!), CSI
Thursday: Person of Interest

Happy Monday Y'all!!

Mom for a week: Recap

Seeing as how it is currently 6:35am, I am clearly still on duty.  However, it's my last morning and since I have to wait up to make sure they get to school on time, I figured I'd be productive.  The week has been pretty good.  The only thing I haven't liked so far are these 6am mornings.

What I've learned:

1. I do not miss high school.  In the least!  I've been picking up Rebecca from Drivers Ed. each day this week, and while the first day was nostalgic, the next few simply assured me that I don't miss it.  I watched two boys yesterday have a rap competition.  Oh Northern...!  Apparently the white guy won, go figure!

2. Not only do I not miss high school, but I definitely do NOT miss homework!  I've been missing college a LOT the last few weeks, but after seeing posts on Facebook of people doing late night Norton runs, and watching Adam and Rebecca do their assignments, I'm quite content to be finished with that part of my life.  Ha!  No more papers for me!!!!!

3. I do not miss early mornings (even though my college mornings never started until at least 8).  It's been kind of funny this week.  I wake them up at 6 but no one really gets moving until 6:20.  I was telling my sister that I should just sleep in until 6:20 (for their benefit of course) and then wake them up, when she so graciously reminded me that I used to have to be woken up in spells like that.  Sorry mom for making you have to get up earlier just to call me all of those mornings, I've felt your pain this week! Besides that, I've just learned 6am is a terrible time for me to get up.  Hopefully no employer of mine will require this, for their benefit and mine.  I'm more of a 9 or 10 kind of gal!

4.  I actually kind of enjoyed making dinner for them this week.  At home, I normally would rather go grab a quick dinner than to stand over the stove and cook.  However, this week I've kind of enjoyed it. I think having a new audience, who appreciated my cooking, helped :)!

5. It's been fun getting to spend this extra time with my cousins this week.  I've always grown up going to my Grandma's house, and spending long school breaks or weekends, with the other side of my family there.  This is simply because she lives so far away that we have to make a long trip out of our visits.  Because of this however, I've gotten really close to the cousins on my dad's side of the family.  It's not that they are any more special, or that I love them any more than the other ones, we've just grown up spending so many nights and weekends together that it just happened.  I don't get to see everyone on my mom's side of the family as much, unfortunately.  We all live so close together that we can make our get togethers a day event, so we typically spend the holidays together.  It's been really fun getting to spend this extra time with Adam and Rebecca. It's felt like one of those weeks at grandma's with them.  I've really gotten to see their personalities and spend some quality time simply being their cousin this week.  It's been really fun!

6. This week has made me very grateful for all of the things moms do for us.  Like waking up at the crack of dawn to see us off to school, reminding us of all the little things (like progress reports and picture day envelopes, etc), making our lunches, cooking us dinner, helping with homework, rubbing our backs when we're sick, etc.  To all the moms, especially mine, all the things you do for us don't go unnoticed!  We as kids simply don't take time often enough to recognize them and thank you for being mom.  Love you mom!

7.  And finally, I love getting to go back to bed when they go to school!  I think I'll do that now!

Mom for a week :)

That's right, I'll be playing mom for the next few days!   My aunt Wendy and her husband are going on a little (I'm sure much needed) vacation without the kids.  Since it's school time, she asked that I come house sit and you know, make sure the kids: get fed (without burning the house down), do their homework, wake up for school (not skip like I would've at that age if left alone), and in general don't do anything crazy while the parents are out!  Haha it's going to be a fun few days!  I'm used to babysitting kids age 8 and under, and even got pretty good with handling rising 8th graders this summer. However, high school age is going to be a new and hopefully fun adventure for me this week!  I love my cousins, and always enjoy when they come spend a night at our place, so I'm sure it's going to just be an extended sleepover with a few extra rules enforced. :)

I've always heard babysitting is great birth control, and that's definitely proved true over the last few years.  I'm sure watching teenagers will be even more of an incentive to never have kids!  Haha only kidding. But seriously. 

Don't worry Dee, we will be just fine!  I will make sure they do everything that needs to get done, and have a little fun while doing it :)

Let the adventure begin!

The Waiting Game

That is about all that has been happening around these parts lately.  I'm still waiting to hear from both Ethan Allen and Drexel Herritage.  Both positions would be incredible. Both jobs are great places to start my career; and both would be an incredible opportunity for me to grow and learn in.  But I've done my part, and all I can do now is wait.

I know, I know, not the update you were hoping for.  Me either, but it's all I've got for ya right now.

I just have to wait it out and keep praying.  I'm still looking for new positions to apply to, and will actively keep myself out there in the job hunt until I hear something.  When the time is right, I know I will get into the job that God wants me to have.  Until then, I am going to have to patiently and confidently wait on God's timing, not my own.

I did apply for a opening with a new firm in Durham today, so that was kind of exciting.  I'm actually excited about the position and really hoping they will contact me for an interview!  But like I said, I'm just waiting for now.

Other than, that I have been trying to soak up all the free time I've got right now.  There are days I think I will go absolutely bonkers if I have to watch another TV show, or sit on the couch for another minute,  but it has been nice to relax. I've had a lot of time to reflect on the past four years, and what I want to do with my life.  I've had the chance to enjoy time with my friends, hang out with my sister, and soak up the sun while the warm afternoons are still here. I've spent way too much time snuggling with my puppy and watching TV, but hey you gotta do what ya gotta do! It's a tough life, I know!

There are days where being unemployed and waiting is difficult, frustrating, and even a little depressing at times, but I'm trying my best to enjoy this time I have, and to trust that God is in the middle of it all.  A good friend of ours the other day said I should be excited during this time, because I'm in the middle of God's plan, and I can be eagerly anticipating what He has in store. It's so easy to forget sometimes that this life is not ours.  It's easy to forget that this world, our fears, and our doubts, do not own us, God does; and He will always take care of His children.

So for now I wait.  And I'm ok with that.  But, I would love to have your prayers as I continue this journey!

"If we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently." -Romans 8:25

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future."  -Jeremiah 29:11

Labor Day Weekend Movie Review

Since I am currently in this on going state of unemployment vacation, and the family left for Grandma's this weekend, I have had quite a bit of alone time on my hands.  A house to myself, with no commitments calling my name, and it's completely my decision what to do next.  Sounds heavenly right?? Well for me....I'm kind of getting worn out from sitting at home.  Sure it was fun for the first day or two, but now I'm itching to get out of the house and get working again.

However, it's Labor day weekend, everyone is out of town or busy doing their own vacationing at home, so I figured I might as well enjoy the quiet and freedom while it lasts.  So, I figured I'd keep Redbox in business and rent some movies.  And yes, I'll go ahead and admit that I have rented and watched 6 movies this weekend.  I know I'm a complete bum.  I did go swimming this weekend, so I wasn't a complete couch potato, but how else is one supposed to fill three 12 hour days??

So since I watched them, I figured I'd give a quick little review on my movie choices.  You know, in case you decide to help keep Redbox in business this weekend too ;-)!

Movie 1:  Act of Valor

Rating: 4.5/5

Rated R

This is a movie about Navy Seals who are on a mission to rescue a kidnapped CIA operative. In the process they discover a terrorist plot against the US and set out on a mission to stop it.  The movie is action packed and gives a very eye opening picture of what our troops do for us each day.  The men in the movie have to balance family life with their mission.  While the movie was shorter than I had hoped, it was fantastic.  I'll go ahead and warn you it's a little bit of a tear jerker near the end, but it really makes you proud of our men and women who serve this Country each day.  I'd definitely recommend this if you're looking for a movie that's action packed and you want something both men and women will enjoy.

Movie Two: Think Like A Man

Rating:  5/5

Rated PG-13

I have wanted to see this movie ever since I saw the first commercial.  It's a story of women who discover the book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man."  They use it's techniques to get what they want out of their men.  When the men find out, they join the battle and use the book to what they hope will be their advantage.  While it may not be the most appropriate movie for a family, it's absolutely hilarious!!  This is a great chick flick that I think even guys will enjoy.  I was cracking up the whole time!  Every one will enjoy this!

Movie Three: The Devil Inside

Rating:  4/5

Rated R

For all you horror movie junkies out there like me, this is a good one!! For those of you that don't like scary movies feel free to skip this review.  However, I LOVE a good scary movie.  I have been wanting to see this since I first saw the preview, but when I heard from a friend it wasn't good I forgot all about it.  Since Redbox is only $1.20 I figured there was no harm in giving it a shot.  This movie is about a girl who's mother, Maria Rossi, murdered three people during her exorcism. Isabella, the daughter, travels to Rome to visit her mother and learn more about exorcisms.  She meets two guys that are practicing exorcists and they begin the journey into her mom's case.  It's suspenseful and an edge of your seat kind of movie. You can kind of see the twist coming, but it's still good!!

Movie Four:  Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Rating:  1.5/5

Rated R

This movie is about a guy, George Smiley, who is forced out of semi-retirement to uncover a double agent in the British Secret Service.  That's about all I can tell you about the movie because I was so bored that I turned it off 30 minutes in.  I thought it was going to be good from previews I'd seen, but I should have read the reviews on Redbox first.  It's got an overall 2/5 rating for being slow and boring.  I'd definitely agree!  Don't waste your time on this one!

Movie Five: Man on a Ledge

Rating 5/5

Rated PG-13

This again is another movie I'd been dying to see!  It's the story of a ex-cop set out to prove his innocence.  All the while, his suicide is attempt is really just a cover for a huge diamond heist that will prove his innocence.  I loved this movie!! It's another great one for couples to watch.  It's got enough action and love make everyone happy.  The action, and suspense are great.  I haven't seen this great of an action movie in a while.

Movie Six:  Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Rating:  5/5

Rated PG-13

This movie tells the story of an 11-year old boy, Oskar Schell, who's father died in the towers on 9/11.  After finding a key in his dad's closet he sets out on a journey to discover the lock it opens.  This is an incredibly heart-wrenching and moving story.  Go ahead and get your tissues ready and prepare yourself for one of my new favorite movies.  It's a great story of healing and finding yourself after tragedy.  I can't recommend this one enough! Go watch it for yourself!