Update

So, I go back and forth on whether I should blog about the random thoughts and insights I have or if I should use it to keep family and friends updated on my life in The Volunteer State (which is what I intended this to be because not everyone has Facebook). So, I've decided it to be both. When I look over previous posts, that's what it's been all along. Anyway, moving on...


2009 is going by fast! I cannot believe it is already March. Of course you all have heard about my awesome January, and if you didn't you must be in space because I have told everyone I've met! February was a good month. Bryan and I got a pizza and watched Ghost (he'd never seen it! I told him he'd like it because it was about avenging one's death, and of course he did) for Valentine's Day. It was a perfect night. Also in January, I've been trying to get into a regular work out routine. I will be the first to admit, I'm so bad about this! Once I get into the groove I love it, it's just a matter of getting there. I go through this every spring. Then summer hits and I get busy and don't do it, winter hits and it's cold and I'm not motivated and then before I know it's spring and I'm thinking about swimsuit season again. So, I've decided to make it a regular part of my life, not just because I'm going to Florida in 10 days (YEA!) but because I want to be healthy. I have heart disease on both sides of my family, cancer and diabetes and so on. I figure this may help me fight the inevitable genes against me. Also, I have a dear friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She has fought it and is cancer free now. She is 52 and doesn't look it. She has always told me it's because she takes care of herself. That alone is such an inspiration. So, I guess you could say that is my life resolution since I want to keep it longer than through the new year.
Can you BELIEVE she is 50?!?!?!


Last weekend, I went to MS because a friend of Bryan's threw him and another friend a joint birthday party. (Bryan's birthday isn't til 3/18 but they celebrated early since we'll be in Florida). I tested out my genes to see if I inherited the birthday cake making one from my mother. (In case you don't know, my mom always made us elaborate birthday cakes growing up with theme parties. One year she made a watermelon that was red velvet cake, AWESOME!)Indeed, I have. I made Bryan an Indiana Jones cake, and not to toot my own horn but toot! toot! I'm pretty darn proud of myself.
Yes, I am my mother's child!


I'm continuing to listen to audiobooks thanks to Cracker Barrel and am in the middle of an amazing book, "7 Rules to Live By," by Robin Roberts form Good Morning America. As an aspiring journalist I am unbelievably inspired by this woman. I recommend it to anyone with a dream. Apparently there's a new version out with an eighth rule that deals with her experience with breast cancer.


And that brings me to my biggest update:
I realized after talking with my friend Beth the other day that not everyone knows I'm not pursuing teaching anymore. I have decided that I'm going to continue to pursue journalism (which is what my BA is in). I am still at UT right now getting a second BA in history. After taking a more in-depth look at journalism and speaking to a few people in the industry, a master's isn't necessary for a successful career. I've felt like I've wasted some time and I'm ready to move on with my life. I'm currently waiting to hear back from UT to see how many holes I have from UNC to fullfill at UT for a second bachelors. If there aren't too many, I'm going to finish. A second BA won't hurt by any means and I think understanding American history helps one to better understand current events. Also, anyone who knows me, knows I always wanted to go to UT. This is how I can have my (cup) cake and eat it, too.


If, there are a lot of holes (i.e. I need another math, science, foreign language, etc) it will be decision time. Finish or look for a job? I've already started sending out resumes. I've made a list in my favorites folder entitled "jobs." Under that folder I've created a folder for every state in the nation and under that I have the websites for every news station in that state. I found a great website that lists the news stations for every state. I realize this is very OCD of me to do, but that's me! I figure by sending out that many resumes, I'm sure to get at least a few interviews. Oh and the plus side of the history degree? If I do decide to teach (maybe later in life when I have kids and want a better schedule) it'll be a lot easier to get the license. Again, having my (cup) cake and eating it, too.


Ok, I have rambled on enough. I hope everyone is now caught up to speed on my life. We're going to Disney/Ormond Beach in less than two weeks and St. Patrick's Day and Bryan's birthday fall during that week. So, I'm sure I'll have plenty more to write (type?) about.


Oh yeah, I hope she doesn't mind but my friend Becky does this thing where at the end of every entry she says the things she's grateful for that day. I've decided to take a cue from her. As Charles Caleb Cotton once said "Imitation is the sincerest of flattery."


Today I'm thankful for the opportunity I got to move here, my dog Libby and God's eternal grace.

Book Smarts

Okay, because the stretch of I-40 between Knoxville and Memphis so frequently sees my SUV I have discovered the joy of audio books. Cracker Barrel has this awesome thing where you can buy an audio book from them and if you return it within a week they reimburse you minus $3.50. I think this is so great because it's cheap and convenient. Honestly, if I buy an audio book (which is rare), I'm not going to listen to it again (with the exception of Harry Potter and the Shopaholic series) so this just makes so much sense. However, this situation brings up a question: If I listen to a book on CD, can I say I've read it? I love to read, and I admit, I judge people who say they do not. I feel like I'm cheating. I love books on CD and they make car rides much more enjoyable, but I'm not actually reading the book. So can I say I read it?

Stop!! Ladies, read this first before leaving the house!

Okay gals, before you leave your house I want you to reach back and feel your hair. Are you wearing a banana clip or a scrunchie? No? Okay, go on and do your thing. If you are, I want you to take it out and put in the drawer with your leg warmers and tee-shirt tie. Sorry for the dramatics, but I saw the most disturbing thing yesterday. I saw, now one, but TWO girls wearing banana clips! First let me say, it was two different instances. It wasn't like two girls walking together going to a "Hey, remember the 80's?" party. The worst part is this was on campus, and they had to have been freshmen or sophomores! They shouldn't even be old enough to know what a banana clip is. Does this mean they still sell them in stores?! That should be a crime!

This whole banana clip episode got me thinking about a very disturbing episode of Sex and the City. No, I'm not talking about the one where Samantha thinks she's a lesbian (all that one was bizarre), I'm talking about the one wear Berger and Carrie get into the debate about the scrunchie. Yes, the writers were absolutely accurate in saying that they are out of style and should only be used when ay home, washing your face. But, the disturbing part was when they ran into a woman in a bar wearing one. Carrie says the woman can't be from New York, hinting that no self-respecting New York woman would be caught dead in public wearing a SCRUNCHIE! (imaging her screaming the word scrunchie in a high pitched voice) They ask the woman what part of New York she's from and the woman turns and says (in the worst fake Southern accent I've ever heard) "Why! I'm from Macon, Georgia!" She then turns to her husband and says "Can you believe it? They thought I was a New Yorker!" She says this very excitedly as if someone had just mistook her for Victoria Beckham.

Okay folks, this is the problem:
1. No self-respecting, Southern woman would be caught dead wearing a SCRUNCHIE! Southern women pride themselves on their looks. Contrary to what pop culture might tell you, we DO wear shoes down here and if you're a woman they more than likely have a spiky heel. Hello! This is the part of the country where Neiman Marcus started for goodness sake!
2. No true Southerner would ever be excited about being mistaken for a New Yorker. We down here in the South are extremely proud of our Southern roots. Why do you think we get dressed up in Antebellum costumes and give tours of 200-year-old homes? Why do you think we have decorative license plates on the fronts of our cars with our state flag emblazoned on them? (you see this a lot in South Carolina)

So, one of two things happened with this particular episode of SATC. Either the writers didn't do their research or the Georgia woman's character was a traitor to her Southern heritage. I'm thinking it's the former. Please know that I love SATC and that I do not judge anyone who wears a banana clip or scrunchie if they are in the privacy of their own home. But the minute you leave the house sporting either one, you're fair game.