Gossip

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Gossip is powerful thing. It is so hard to remove yourself from it, no matter how hard you might try. Maybe it is because I work on a college campus that I see it more, but it seems never ending. 

I've been much more conscious of my actions and the decisions that I make because I know they will probably be talked about. I want to make sure that I am comfortable with what I'm doing, so I'm less impacted by what others say about it. 

We have conversations at the beginning of every year about gossip and rumors. The intention of the person sharing the information is the most important thing. If it is in the best interest for someone else to know, great, if it is to intentionally hurt whoever your talking about, that's wrong. Sharing information is important. we all do it every day. 

I'm happy. I like where I am right now. I think I'm really lucky to have great people in my life. I just need to be more comfortable ignoring what others say. Those people who constantly talk badly about others are building their own negative reputation. That will become a big enough problem for them in the end. 

Changes

I finally found out how to make my own header for this blog, thanks to this site and a little help from Picasa. 

Picasa is wonderful! 

Now that I know how to make fun collages, I need to start taking more pictures! 

Good Mood Music

There's no way to be in a bad mood while listening to this song!

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Why, you ask? 

I woke up in a cranky mood. Then I got in the shower and had cold water (which is even more annoying, since it is a frequent morning irritation). Once I finally got to work, I tried to pull my shade because the sun was hitting my computer and knocked over my lamp, breaking the bulbs. 

Grrrrrrr.... 

After work I treated my bad mood with some McDonalds. Always a helpful meal. I went back to the office to finish some things, which cleared my mind a little. 

Now I'm back in my apartment trying to relax. 

I made some tea...

...lit some yummy smelling candles...

(This picture would be a lot better looking if my table wasn't dirty...)

...and decided to write out some thank you cards. 

What better way to boost my mood than to make someone else smile! 

Sunny Day

Today I went for a really nice walk. It was sunny and (semi) warm. I took some pictures using Hipstamatic (it is an iPhone app that one of my students told me about and it is super awesome!)

Since I'm so obsessed with the app, and the pretty flowers that are on my table, I took more pictures...

Things I Love

Some things I'm loving right now...

- The change in weather

- Playing Words With Friends

- Johnson's Baby Lotion

- CVS's Purifying Mint Masque

- This website that reviews "Chick Lit"

- Sushi (this is a new obsession...I'm taking suggestions on what to order)

- This cupcake website

- Cadbury Eggs

-The pretty flowers on my kitchen table

Influence

I have a fortune from a fortune cookie hanging on the mirror in my bedroom. 

It reads "Set the right example, it will inspire others". 

I try to remind myself to think that way every day. I don't always do such a great job, but hey, at least I'm thinking about it. 

But, what happens when you try to set a good example and hold others to a certain standard and it still doesn't work out? What happens when people are a negative influence on those that they are supposed to be role models for? 

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It is frustrating to be in a position where you have the opportunity to have such a big impact on others and really feel like you're making a difference in their lives, and instead you're watching someone ruin it for them. There's a hard balance between getting involved and letting things play out as they will. 

_ _ _ 

Anyways, I should stop complaining and think about all of the AWESOME things that have been happening! 

I got accepted into a wonderful masters program and got an assistantship that will pay for almost all of it! I have amazing friends who have been so supportive, even though we're all sad that I'll be away for two years. I got beautiful "congratulations" flowers and my parents are going to take me out to dinner this weekend. They're the best! 

We're doing a program at work called GetFit. Team Sunshine and Butterflies is (not) dominating. I've been working out more than normal, so that's great....but apparently we're not working hard enough. Oh well, if all else fails, maybe we can still win an award for Best Team Name.

What's the point...

...of this?

Wouldn't it be much more useful for everyone to share their favorite places to donate to? 

I just heard of the Happy Hearts Fund. It helps children who live in natural disaster areas. They are doing a special collection for Japan. Click here to donate. 

warm weather

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Today was beautiful. I spent the weekend at my parents house, watching the dog while they're away on vacation. I was able to see some friends, spend some time outside and relax. So perfect.

So, I did it...I paid of my credit card completely. Well, since I'm bragging, I'll go further to say both of them are now paid off! I'm so happy that I was able to do this. Now I can actually start saving money. I feel like I need a Weight Watchers type program for money. Yes, I know that's called a budget, but I need someone to regulate what I spend. I'm terrible at it. I don't go on huge shopping sprees or anything like that, but stores like CVS and Target get me every single time.

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I know that I really have no choice but to save, since I'll be going back to school in the fall and I will definitely be broke!

Born This Way

If I could have one talent, it would be singing. This little girl is great!

Rant

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It always seems strange to me when someone starts a conversation or a question with "This is probably none of my business, but..." or "I don't care one way or another, but...".

It always seems like a lie. If you really didn't think it was your business, you wouldn't have asked. If you really didn't care, you wouldn't have brought it up. It is funny to me that people think that starting with those comments makes it less awkward to pry. It isn't less awkward. It is frustrating. If I wanted to talk to you about my personal life, I would probably have talked to you.

Although, I guess I could do a better job of answering honestly. I need to stop saying "it is fine that you asked" when in reality I think you're annoying for asking.

I have gotten so much support from my friends and family with every new thing that has come up, whether it is a new job, a new place I am going to live or a new relationship. The people who support me are the ones who I know really matter. I'm not saying that they necessarily agree with everything that I do, but they have a supportive way of disagreeing.

The people who "know it is none of their business" are probably right.

I think this turned out to be more of a rant and more angry-sounding than I actually am. I guess it all started with a bad coffee this morning. Yuck.

Lazy Sunday

Buffalo was wonderful! I'm so happy that after my time there I feel so much better about possibly (hopefully) spending the next two years there. 

Buffalo itself was kind of....gray. It was snowy and a little rainy every day, but I can handle that. The people that I met were really nice and I can see myself (again, hopefully) becoming friends with them. 

So, I've sent in my deposit to the school and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I hear some good news about one of the assistantships that I interviewed for. 

I am becoming more and more aware of how much I am going to miss Boston and everyone here. I'm going to have a really hard time being away, but I know I will be back here in just two years. I just need the weather to get a tiny bit warmer so I can start crossing things off my "To Do Before I Leave Boston" list. 

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I was super tired today because of the long drive home yesterday. I sucked it up though and joined my mom and dad for a St. Patrick's Day race in Somerville. 

People were super dressed up, so it was a lot of fun! 

Now the rest of the day is devoted to sweat pants, naps and some TV. 

And on a totally separate note, I decided that I need to bake soon....I'll have to start looking for a really yummy cupcake recipe. 

I(t) will get better!

So, this week has been full of both smiles and tears. Literally. I've been sick with the flu (which has now changed over to a cold) for about a week now and I finally broke down today. I cried and cried because I just wanted to feel better. I felt like a child!

When I told Mom that I cried, she responded with "Well, yeah, that's what we do when we're sick. Mostly because we feel bad for ourselves." Simple as that. Thanks Mom.

Then she took me to the doctor and I was given some medicine to hopefully make me feel better. Yay!

Tomorrow I leave for Buffalo so I can interview for an assistantship. (If you're worried that I'll get others sick, don't be. I'm no longer contagious!) I'm really excited to go out there. I will have my car so I'll be able to look around the city a little bit. I think it will be a great time!

I am promising myself that once I'm feeling better, I will get my butt back into the gym. My body is so mad at me for just laying around for the past week. I need to get moving again.

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Be Authentic

I just read a great post from Kristen Rupert, who works in Academic Advising.

Evolve with KARupert

Moms really do give great advice!

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Sick Day

So it finally happened...I got sick. I had been lucky all winter but it finally hit me today. Luckily I didn't have too many things scheduled for work so I took the day off. 

I've watched Definitely, Maybe

...and The Blind Side

which are both awesome movies. It was nice to lay around for a while. 

My dad came by. He is probably the most wonderful dad in the whole world. He was coming up just to drop off an old prom dress that I wanted to donate, but he brought about a month's worth of groceries. I'm going to be eating well for a while! 

I found some pictures that are making my yucky day a little better...

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