Laughable Discoveries of a Tuesday Morning

So there have been a series of things that have made me laugh today so far and I just HAD to share these funny moments of the morning with you guys. Here they are in bullet form for easier reading.

1. According to Google Analytics someone apparently found my blog by goggling the term "Amazing race butt shot". I dont know if I should be more disturbed that someone is actually searching that term, or that my site was linked with it.
2. I get a text from my friend this morning alerting me to this alarming news story. Thats right kids...who knew he was so spastic?...oh wait, I take that back, I just watched his infomercial.
3. After telling my mom the other day that I eat cottage cheese nearly everyday, she calls me this morning to tell me about a report on the news about a lady who is 130 years old. What does she say helped her to beat father time?...eating cottage cheese everyday.
4. My roommate is offically off her "500 calorie a day INSANE diet". Proof? I open the cabinet this morning to find that she has gone through two BOXES of Special K in two days.
   

So much entertainment today already!

I am currently headed over to my mother's house to bring her some POM Wonderful and get her review of it. She called me this morning to tell me about a new "healthy" recipe that she was trying for lunch. We will get her to love healthy foods yet! :) I packed up the camera, pen, and paper, and will be writing up her review in the next post.

Busy Girl

Wow people! I have been BUSY the past couple of days! I'm so sorry that I am letting my bloggin slack. But I'm trying to keep up because I just cant get out of the loop :)

So like I said before Saturday one my very favorite people in the world had a baby shower...Nutritious is Delicious asked me what I finally ended up getting (after four stores!). I wish I would have taken a picture because I got the cutest pack of about 10 onsies, some matching bootie socks, and two big furry soft blankets. Here are some pics of the party though

Here Jenie is reading the card I got her.

The Miss Preggers and I

After the shower I had to jet off to job #1 (Rave). After work me and three of the girls that I work with went to the movies to see The Haunting in Connecticut. Now, for those of you who have not heard of this movie, it is based on a true story. I have seen the documentary with the real people on Discovery and some of the story of course was played up in the movie. But it was pretty good...and really scary!

After the movie the girls and I wanted to go get a drink. Well, everyone except for my manager, because she never stays out late. She had rode with me to the movies from work, so the girls and I thought it would be funny to pull up to her car and then drive off before she could get out. haha. We kidnapped her and forced her to come have fun!

She didnt mind too much after we got a drink in her.

The two on the ends are my managers, and Tina is a co-worker in the middle.

Yes, that girlie drink in the corner is mine. Its a Pomegranate Martini.

She cleared the drink!

Then she attempted to kill Tina...

And strangle her.

Im so unorganized with all my pictures so here are some random eats throughout the past two days:

The people from POM Wonderful were nice enough to send me a care package of their yummy pomegranate juice. I finally got around to trying and LOVED it. As an avid supporter of cranberry juice, I think I may actually be making a switch! I liked this juice ALOT and it has TONS of nutritional value. I'm sending over some to my mom (who we are trying to get healthier!) And I will have her review up of it as well.

Also, for those of who are interested the new job is going great so far! I feel like I may jinx it by saying that so soon, because I have only worked two shifts so far. Today I'm working a double...I finished my first shift around 2 and I'm going back for the dinner shift around 6. The people are really nice so far, they play awesome, hip music, and I still get to wear whatever I want! I'm hoping it continues to go well. We shall see!

Hope everyone has a great Monday! I'm hoping that this week goes by pretty quick because I have a pretty exciting weekend planned...hint: it involves a boy ;).

Serving My Favorite Food

Oh my gosh! Last night was totally crazy. Starting out at a popular weekend hangout on a Friday night was def. overwhelming, but I actually liked it. I get bored so easily, so I need a job where I keep moving and always have something to do. It makes the time go by really fast, and I was done with my first night before I even knew it. I'm gonna break down the night just so I dont have a huge block of writing for you all to read through!

• We can wear whatever we want as long as it is a black top, other than that anything goes. Even with the top as long as its black it can be a t-shirt, tank top, whatever. That is AWESOME! You can even chew gum, wear your hair down, and wear whatever kinda jewelry you want.
• I get 1/2 off sushi, 1/2 off meals, 25% off alcohol, and free admission to any of their events. They have some really HUGE events like rail jams, "white" parties, magazine launches, and they have a band every Friday and Saturday.
• I got to sample all of the great food that I have never tried before!

The only bad thing is that the menu is so CONFUSING! They don't just serve sushi (which is hard enough to remember all those different rolls) but they have a full grill too AND a full bar! My trainer gave me a to-go menu and wrote little notes all over it for me to learn, just look!

Im def. going to be studying that all weekend. And probably goggling pictures of the food so I know what they look like :)

Ok anywho, before work I had to do a TON of running around, because my friend Jenni is having a baby shower today and I wanted to get her something great. I ended up going to four different places before I found a gift! After all that I came home for some lunch!

Turkey sammie, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Close-Up/Break-Down:

• Wheat Bread
• Garlic and Artichoke Hummus
• Turkey
• Spicy Mustard
• Spinach
• Cucumber

When I got home from work last night I was starving, so I fixed up something quick and easy:

• Kashi Pilaf
• Bit o Hummus
• Sauteed Spinach
• Salad (not pictured)

Now on to the fun part...the fearless and fabulous Miss Jaime tagged me! Here are the rules:

The rules are as follows: List 7 things that you love, and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you love! Be sure to tag them and let them know that they have won. You can copy the picture of the award and paste it on your sidebar letting the whole world know…you are Kreativ! Soooo here goes:

1. My Family:

I truely am so blessed to have the BEST sisters in the world! We are all so close and whenever we get together you can bet we are laughing and having the best time. My sister Allie (middle) is 19 and we have a great friendship. We hang out together and she was one of my biggest support systems when I was going through my hardest times. She went to group therapy with me, talked to me, and was there when I needed her, more than anyone else.

And of course my parents, who are THE BEST. I am also so lucky to have two loving parents that do everything that they can to provide and take care of us all. My mom is my best friend and my dad is my hero :)

ALSO HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

2. My Second Family (AKA Rave Co-Workers)

This was when my manager Stephanie got married and that is all the girls. I know that I have talked about them before, but I can not say enough about how much I love them. I feel like I really found my place when I got a job there almost two years ago. I really clicked with every single one of the girls there and now they are my best friends. They also were HUGE supports when I was at my worst time with my ED. They helped me through it and they still are the first people I talk to when I have a problem or need good advice. I make sure that I tell them all how much I love them every time I see them.

And when we all get together and go out on the town?! You can BET we have fun and are the life of the party! We know how to do it right!

3. My Best Friends

First of all let me just say, I'm picky about my friends. I have had alot of friends come and go because they just are not good people for me. The friends that I surround myself with now are only the BEST. They are all the greatest people you will ever meet. They are kind, fun, and would be there for me in a flash if I needed them...and they know that I would do the same.

Thats one of my best friends, Jenie and her boy Chris. They are having a baby in less than a month! I am going to her baby shower today! She is from Korea and one of the sweetest, most interesting people that I have ever met.

Did I mention that we also have a freakin' blast together?!

4. Running

Running has also been something that I have been so lucky to discover. It really is therapeutic! It helps me think through my day, blow off steam, and energize me for all those fun times with the friends. Oh yeah, and its also freakin awesome bragging rights that I recently ran a 10k. Next up?! Half marathon!!

5. The Beach

I have been to both coasts! Above: Venice Beach, CA. (West Coast). Below: Panama City, FL (East Coast) During MTV's Spring Break last year!

No where else on earth could make me feel more relaxed and wonderful then the beach. Charleston, specifically has been like a second home to me and I hope to one day live there. Its my life goal. :)

6. Teaching

I have always had a special connection with children (maybe its because I am just a huge kid myself) And I love the rewards of teaching children something that they did not know before. Seeing their faces light up because of something that you taught them is one of the most wonderful experiences that I have ever had.

haha. Cracks me up everytime!

7. Shopping

Clothes shopping, grocery shopping, housewares shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping, I LOVE SHOPPING. Ever heard of shopping therapy?! Um yeah...its what I do.

AND OF COURSE I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ON OF YOU! I FEEL SO BLESSED TO BE A PART OF SUCH A LOVING AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY. I HAVE MET SOME GREAT FRIENDS THROUGH BLOGGING AND HOPE THE FRIENDSHIPS CONTINUE TO GROW. :)

Wow! This took me a good hour to complete, hope you enjoyed it! Now I gotta get ready for the baby shower!

Lots of Love, <3 Ems.

Addin to the List

Thats right I'm adding another onto the "list of firsts" tonight. I am starting my new job as a SUSHI server!! There is an up and a down side to this. UP SIDE = I have a job at my favorite little hip sushi hangout. DOWN SIDE = I hope working there does not spoil my love of the place. I know I have posted about this restaurant several times, because it is my absolute favorite place to go. Its called Stir Fry Cafe, I'm pretty nervous/excited about starting tonight. I just hope that all the other servers are nice, I know how things can be with "the new girl" so I'm a little scared. But we will see!! Wish me luck, I go in at 6 tonight for the Friday night dinner crowd...AH!

I have so much to blog about later...hint: more firsts! But I am running late to get ready for the new job so I gotta run. Don't worry, Ill update later for sure!

Hope everyone has a great Friday night!

Two Down, One To Go...

Well peeps, I have made it through two interviews this week and now I'm waiting for my last one in about a hour. I'm telling you its been so rough and discouraging. I'm not really doing as well on the interviews as I would have hoped, and then when I do think that I do good I don't get the response that I expected. Yesterday's interview was just horrible, so I'm pretty sure I messed that one up. And then the interview that I had today I thought went really really well. Both while I was waiting to be interviewed I was listening to the guy that was being interviewed before me, and they hired him right on the spot. But me? they said they would call me next week. So, I dont know about that. The interview tonight is my second interview so I'm thinking that's a good sign. But its just a serving position at this little hip restaurant downtown. But a jobs a job, I guess and it is a really cool place. I probably won't be finding a teaching position until the beginning of the next school year, since summer is coming up soon. So, I need something to bring in the cash flow while I wait. ;)

Keeping with the warm weather theme, I wanted something cold for brekkie this morning...so I had some cereal!

• 1 Cup All-Bran Flakes
• 1/2 Nanner
• Cinnamon
• Blueberries!

For lunch I wanted something for my sweet tooth. Whenever I get a sweet craving for lunch I always fix up a yummy grilled peanut butter and Jayjay.

• Grilled Honey Wheat Toast
• 2 Tbsp. Mighty Maple Peanut Butter
• Other half of the 'Nanner from brekkie
• Blackberry Preserves
• Cinnamon

I wanted to try Chobani flavor #2. I have heard rave reviews of the blueberry flavor, so I decided this was the one for me today.

I added some chopped up strawberries, just cause.

Ok guys, I know that you all LOVE the Chobani, but I must say that while I do like it a lot, I think that I like the Oikos better. Its just thicker and creamier. But then again, I haven't tried the plain Chobani, so it might be a little thicker since it doesnt have the liquid fruit flavoring at the bottom. I think that if you were trying to ease someone into greek yogurt that Chobani would def. do the trick. But for someone who has been eating greek yogurt for a while, I have kind of built up a taste for the thicker kinds.

Now I have to freshen up and head out for my THIRD interview in the past 36 hours. This whole "job hunt" thing is really starting to wear on me. I feel like I have definitely at this really hard cross road in my life right now, and I still haven't decided which way I want to go. I have a lot of options that I have been considering and have made steps towards all of them, just to see what pans out. I need everyone's prays and support right now, its a pretty hard/confusing time! Right now my options include:

1. Grad School for my Masters in Education
• Steps towards this: I have signed up to take the GRE (which is like the ACT for grad school) and I take it next Tuesday. I have also applied for scholarships and financial aid.
• Pros: It will help me build up my credentials for a better chance at scoring a teaching job when I graduate with my masters. Also, the economy will hopefully be better when I get out of school
• Cons: I'm not sure if I want to continue with education, or do something else. I'm not sure if I would be able to pay for it.
2. Pursuing a second degree in Nutrition:
• Steps toward this: I have met with the nutrition director of my old college and reapplied for admission to ETSU for a 2nd degree.
• Pros: Nutrition is something that I am way interested in and would love to pursue it. Also, I think that with 2 degrees I will have more of a range when looking for a job.
• Cons: I'm sort of ready for a change of scenery and don't really want to go back to the same school I just graduated from.
3. Continuing in my job search for a teaching position:
• Steps towards this: Put in multiple applications and gone to interviews. Also, I am attending a job fair in April in Nashville for teachers.
• Pros: Well, obv. its what I set out to in the first place and it would be nice to be settled with a career (and steady paycheck).
• Cons: It's so hard to find and job with the economy how it is and nothing is guaranteed. Also, I'm not 100% sure that I am ready to settle into a career just yet.

So there you have it. This are the issues that have really been weighing on me lately. I know that everything will work out the way that they are supposed to, but it is just so hard and confusing! Any advise?!

Woah! I wrote way too much...I gotta RUN! I'll let you guys know how this interview goes when i get back!

Lots of Love <3 Ems.

Edited to add: I just got home from my last interview and I got the job! I start on Friday. Its just that job as a server at that little resturuant, but it will have to do for now. I need some cash flowage, so hopefully this will help while i decide what the HELL I wanna do with my life! Thanks for all the postive comments guys, you always put a bright spot in my bad days, it is much appreciated. PLUS, it totally made me day to hear that Katie thought I looked like Elisha Cuthbert :)

Interviews, Veggies, and Excitement in the Yogurt Aisle

Man guys! That interview was intense!! I spent all night "studying" for it and putting together a portfolio of my work that I did during student teaching. I didn't feel 100% prepared, but I don't think you ever do for these kinds of things. I was extra nervous because the school system that I was interviewing for is BIG TIME, I mean its hard to even get an interview much less an actual job. But, this morning I woke up...put together my new cute outfit that says "I'm professional, but still have a fun side", and had a little breakfast. I stuck with my usual, because I was limited with my morning time and I didn't want to do much experimentation.

Whole Wheat Toast with Apricot and Blackberry Preserves. Sorry, I was nervous and took a bite before I remember to take a pic.

1/2 cup fat free Cottage Cheese with Cinnamon

I, of course, threw down several cups of coffee as well. Hey, I'm trying to sell myself as "energetic" I need it! haha. So I get to my interview and see that I will be being interviewed by two women. Which was really intimidating! So,I had studied all night on how to answer questions that I thought that they would ask and the VERY FIRST QUESTION completely threw me for a loop! They asked "What do you think are the three most critical issues facing teachers today?" I completely blanked. I have no idea what I said, but I know it wasn't good. When I got home and was talking to my friend about it I could think of so many things to say, but I guess I was just nervous. Oh well, if anything it was good practice. But we will see what happens! I dont think I did horrible, but I def. didn't kill it.

For some reason today all i could think of for lunch that I was craving was celery. How weird it that?! Sometimes I just crave the weirdest things. But then I thought it would be yummy to make a big huge veggie plate. So I stopped by the grocery store to pick up some veggies. Im walking out of the store, past the yogurt aisle....and what catches my eye?! THESE:

Chobai Greek Yogurt. This is the first time I have ever seen it in the stores, so I of course excitedly put all four flavors that they carries into by basket! :)

When I got home I prepped my veggies while listening to some Lil' Wayne. Doesn't everyone listen to rap music while they chop up celery?! Here is my lovely plate o' veggies (With hummus for dipping)

• Baby Carrots
• Grape Tomatoes
• Celery (of course)
• Cucumber
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Garlic and Artichoke Hummus

And I of course could not wait to try the Chobani. I decided to go with the strawberry and mix in some fresh strawberries as well.

My first timer Chobani thoughts: YUM! Now I know why everyone seems obssessed with this stuff. It is def. my favorite greek yogurt that I have tried so far. And I cant wait to try the other flavors. It was very creamy for greek yogurt too and had a very nice strawberry flavor.

I swear, when it rain its pours...because I got calls for TWO more interviews tomorrow. One is at 145 and the other is not until 6! I'll be gettin the practice in, thats for sure.

Now, time for a run and maybe some shopping! Hope everyone is having a great day!

Lots of Love <3 Ems.

Interviews, Florals, and Awards

Happy Monday everyone! I know this is everyones least favorite day of the week, but I hope that it has gone well so far for all of you! I cant believe that I totally missed yesterday! I had spent some time over at my parents house and then my friend Lucas came to visit because he was in town for the race, so I didnt get much time to post anything.

Today has been soooo hectic too. It started early this morning when I got a phone call from a number that I did not know. When I answered it was an elementary school that I had applied for asking if I wanted to come in for an interview tomorrow morning! AHHH, I had to rush to get ready and head out to accomplish the #1 most important thing for an interview.....what to wear! Of course I got a little sidetracked and might have bought a couple of other things. But you girls know how it is when you step into a target ;).

Here is the shirt that I picked out for the interview:

Im gonna wear it with some black pants and heels. I think that its fun, but still grown-up looking. I want my fun, bright personality to show though! And I'm not going to give up my fashion for some boring plain interview suit!

Of course I just could not resist some summer time dresses. It is spring now you know! Keeping with the floral theme I scored this cute dress:

its long and strapless, and I can NOT wait to wear it!

I also picked up this little dress for summer:

Now I better hope I get this job, because I spent all my money I made working at the race. :)

All that shopping made me mighty hungry, so I came home and fixed up some lunch.

• Italian Herb Flat Out Wrap
• Artichoke and Garlic Hummus
• Turkey
• Salsa
• Spinach
• Cucumber
• Spicy Mustard

With a juicy pear on the side:

The artichoke and garlic hummus was a new find for me. Upon opening the container, I thought "The name sounds like it would make my breath scare away vampires, and the smell smells like it would make my breath scare away boys." But hey, I'm not too worried about either one today, so I gave it a try. And it was pretty good. Not my favorite flavor, but still pretty good. You could definitely taste the artichoke in it.

Also, I was so excited today because I received an award from the wonderful Jenny. She always knows how to brighten up my day :)

It makes me so happy to think that I am helping anyone with anything! I love to make people happy and help out in whatever small ways that I can.

Now, its back to shopping and getting my portfolio ready for tomorrow. Oh man, I am so nervous! But I can do it!!! Keep your fingers crossed guys, you always send me good luck :)