Blabber

Even though I didn't get sleep on Tuesday and Wednesday and I had to call in sick to work, my week ended up being great.

1. I got a present in the mail. It's always nice to be thought of, and even nicer when it's a gift that will help me move along in my career.

2. I was told I have an excellent attitude at the country club, and also that I am good at what I do. I feel that in my heart, but hearing it from professionals means a lot.

3. I was elected Sous Chef for my P&P senior dinner by my peers.

4. Beer was had after class with people I'm really going to miss. We laughed and talked about personal things-something we only get a few minutes each night to do.

5. I got to see my friend who left my primary job Friday for the whole day!!

6. I paid 2 major bills and feel very proud of myself.

7. I sat on my deck, read and ate roasted garlic and bread. It was so peaceful I almost cried.

8. But, being alone and savoring the moment was not enough, so I called my friend Megan and quickly planned a date.

9. Spending time with her and her family always, always, always is the best.

10. Drinking wine on the couch, hanging out with her & her husband laughing...going out for a late dessert and closing the place...laughing up a storm, talking about serious things and just being happy to have friends like them-nuff said.

And...I am off today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots to do. I slept late, mainly due to the alcohol in my system, but also because I stayed up late reading. So, I am behind. Have a WONDERFUL Saturday everyone!! I hope you had as good of a week as I did.

Ultimate Paintball

I was barely breathing for fear that my predator would hear me. In my camouflage pants and green sweatshirt, I was crouching behind a group of azalea bushes, wedged between the sprinkler system and the pretty yellow cape.

I suppressed my urge to sneeze. Every inch of my body felt alive, the adrenaline of being caught coursed through my veins. And then, I sneezed.

Whipping around he scanned the landscape, his blue eyes frantic and wild with desire, his strong arms poised, ready to attack.

He focused.

He aimed.

And I was hit.

Being from New England, playing paintball is almost a teenage right of passage. Running through the woods on a chilly November day, trying to catch someone who is always faster, always lighter-always has the better gun. The very last time I played paintball, I vowed to never let that happen again.

That is why I am psyched to tell you about Ultimate Paintball. The sell Tippmann, Spyder, Smart Parts, Dye and Draxxus paintball gear plus many more brands which you can find on their website.

In my opinion, Tippmann paintball is the grand-daddy of the paintball experience. Had I been hip to their products back in the day, I would have easily selected them as my supplier.

The Tippmann A-5, is a bestseller. Take a look at some of its features:

Cyclone Ammo Hopper
A5 Flatline Barrel and Standard Barrel
A5 WAS Board Egrip
Tippmann A5 Double Trigger
A5 Tactical 6 position Adjustable Stock
UFD Heavy Duty Coiled Remote with Quick Disconnect On/Off
Padded Gun Case
JT Elite Goggles with Anti Fog Lens and Visor
New Premium 20 oz CO2 Tank with pin valve
Aluminum Thread Protector for Tank
Black 6+1 Deluxe Paintball Harness
6 - 140 Round Heavy Duty Pods
Premium 1oz Oil
PhyscoBallistics Heavy Duty Jerk Squeegee
Allen Wrenches
Standard Gun Oil
Tippmann Barrel Condom
2 Cleaning Cables for Flatline and for Standard
Operators Manual
Full One Year Warranty From Tippmann


I could have used that 3-round burst to get out of my last defeat! If you love paintball-don't wait another minute before visiting this site. I highly recommend it, and I know you will not be disappointed!

Friday

Well, hello! It's FRIDAY!!! Is that not a great feeling, or what? I for one am looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend. Though I have a lot of things to do around the house, I am looking forward to it. I'm trying to get my house in order so I can have a real estate agent come look at it, and being so messy isn't a great selling point!

I've decided that tonight I am going to get myself some wine, roast off some garlic and get some crispy french bread and have a simple lovely dinner with myself. (Hey-no one else wants to dine with me on a Friday night, so why not?!) Perhaps I will take a nice hot bubble bath and slather myself in rich body lotion before going to sleep too, so my skin will be extra silky on Saturday when I wake up.

Sounds great, huh?

Saturday will be spent doing lawn work, cleaning out my attic and closets and perhaps also going to Home Depot or Lowes to see about refinishing my worn out tub. Has anyone ever done that? They sell paint for it, and I hear it's pretty good, but I'm not sure. If you have any experience with it, I'd greatly appreciate your input!

I also have a problem with paperwork. I always have. Probably always will. When it reaches a certain point, it just piles up and I can't seem to control it. I think I'm going to have to tackle that this weekend too-perhaps I can find my shredder and get that taken care of. Or, I can burn it in my backyard. Ya think?

What are YOU doing this weekend? Anything fun?

Sous Chef

It's official-I was unanimously voted in as Sous Chef for our Senior Dinner-The P&P.

Every classmate of mine quickly nominated me out loud when the chef asked if they would like to nominate anyone for the job.

This is an extreme honor, and it shows that my classmates not only respect me, but have a great deal of faith in my ability to get the job done under pressure.

I felt very good in the kitchen tonight too-every decision was run past me before the final call was made, and I was in charge of making sure everything got done. This is the type of job I thrive in-I love taking charge, making sure every detail is taken care of, and helping people when and where they need it.

It's also a lot of extra work. Which I do not mind, but when it comes down to it, I will be the one that things fall on when we are setting up the production line. I am the one people will look at when things aren't running smoothly. And if the food is late, it is my fault, even though it really might not be.

Yes, it's stressful, but also very rewarding, and knowing that I was voted in, means a lot to me.

And also, it will look great on my resume. 8)

Thursday Thirteen: Things

Thirteen ThingsYup, Just Things 1. I don't understand "Jam On It". Where did this saying come from? What does it mean? Why do singers put these words into a song? 2. I've never heard of the term "Ginger" to describe a red headed person before, but hearing Know-It-All say it is pretty darn funny. 3. Sometimes telling someone you have to poop is funny. 4. I've always been someone who loves winter more than summer, but I slowly see myself changing to someone who enjoys summer more. 5. I still don't like that we wear less clothes in the summer though-too much jelly shows. 6. I went to the doctor yesterday and was prescribed a new anti-anxiety medication. Before I start that one however, I must be weened off of my current one. If you talk to me over the next 2 weeks and I'm crying, you'll know why. 7. Because of my #1, I have "You're so beautiful gurrrrllll...that's why it'll never work." in my head. That sucks. 8. I do not have school next week! This is great for a number of reasons-but mainly I'm excited that I can listen to my MoMo live on Tuesday!! (See The Mo Show link below or on my Blogroll) 9. I've learned that men really like it when you say things like, "I just really wanted to feel her ass." 10. Which is weird, because I don't know many women who are turned on by men touching anything on another man. 11. Which makes me believe that most men can be turned on by almost anything if you say it in the right voice or with the right eyes. 12. I'm going to try it with asparagus. Yes. Asparagus. And butter, you know, for lubrication. 13. I slept on my couch again last night. I'm hoping the reason I could sleep there instead of my bed is because it's the room with the ac in it, and not because I hate my bed.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

Grillin' Season

Good News! I finished my internship hours!!

WAAAAA HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Technically, that means I can quit the country club and spend the rest of my days relaxing. But of course, you know I'm not going to do that. Not only can I not just sit still, but I also can't miss the opportunity to learn lots o stuff from them while I can.

I told the sous chef that I was finished and that now he had to evaluate me, he laughed. This was the conversation.

Me: "Sous chef, I finished my internship hours!!"

SC: "That's great! Congratulations."

Me: "Thanks. Now you guys have to fill out an evaluation form telling them how good I am...and, just so you know, what you write is directly related to my grade. AND...I'm a straight A student...so...give me an A, mmmmk?"

(Insert big cheesy Maggie Moo smile)

SC: "That won't be a problem. I'd give you an A just for attitude alone."

(Insert me doing cartwheels inside my heart)

Isn't that awesome? I have to tell you, nothing I've ever done has ever been so rewarding in so many different ways. I've always wanted to be the best at what I do. I've always tried really hard to project a good image and a positive attitude. But somehow, I always fell into a "fighter" mode-making sure people aren't taken advantage of, being the spokesperson for the underdogs.

And that made me look like a complainer and a bitch to the people who employed me.

But now, the people who employ me and who teach me, respect me. And more than one of them have commented on my strong character, bright smile, and willingness to learn and to be taught.

And that feels pretty freakin good.

Having so many people tell me that they'd hire me in a second, or that they never worry that I'll get the job done, or that they LOOK FORWARD to seeing me each week-that's a great accomplishment for me. It means that I've finally found a place where I belong-a place I can call home, no matter where I reside.

It's a little unsettling, as I've never felt this way ever before. But if unsettling means I'll eventually become even more confident, well known and respected, I'll take it.

I thank God for this great opportunity, and for allowing me the enjoy the ride...

Shameless

Hi everyone!

Can I ask a favor?? If you have come to visit and you like my blog, would you please link me? I will return the favor if you simply email me to let me know you've linked up!

Thanks a ton!!

Meme-licious

**Wordless Wednesday is below!

Thank you Linda, from Are We There Yet (see link below) for tagging me for this meme! To those of you I tagged, please don't feel obligated to play along-I just thought it would be neat to see your answers...


INSTRUCTIONS: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so:

1. The Buzz Queen
2. Opinion Minions
3. Freelance Cynic
4. Are We There Yet??
5. Ms Maggie Moo Talks 2 U


Next select five people to tag:
1. Danielle
2. Greg
3. Kyra of 108
4. Brian
5. Collette


Then, answer the following questions:

What were you doing 10 years ago?

10 years ago I was living in Florida and working full time at Disney's BoardWalk Resort as a Room Assigner and Trainer. I was seriously dating Matt and was on the verge of being engaged. I was terribly homesick, hated my roommates, and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. But, I had lots of friends and basically loved life.


What were you doing 1 year ago?
1 year ago I was a newer culinary arts student, not really thinking about graduation as it seemed so far away. I was just about ready to take a short trip to Florida where I would see Oriolegal and Mith A. I had a boyfriend. He was nice.


Five snacks you enjoy:
1. Pretzels-both hard and soft
2. Ruffles Potato Chips, though I don't eat them
3. Cheez Its
4. Pickles
5. Berry Berry Kix


Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
1. Silent Night
2. Stay, Lisa Loeb
3. The Lords Prayer
4. On My Own from Les Mis
5. Where Are You Going? from Godspell


Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. Pay off all of my bills and buy my house
2. Quit my job
3. Travel to Europe to learn more cooking
4. Buy top notch catering supplies
5. Pay off the bills of my Parents, my sisters, Greg, Megan and Terri and put money away for Rye Breads college.
(6) Adopt a baby


Five bad habits:
Wait-are the 5 of MY bad habits? Why would I want to point those out? ;)
1. Procrastinating
2. Trusting the wrong people
3. Not folding my laundry
4. Eating take out
5. Staying up too late


Five things you like doing:
1. Kissing
2. Laughing
3. Cooking
4. Traveling
5. Reading


Five things you would never wear again:
1. Spandex
2. Leg warmers
3. Sweater Dresses
4. Acid Washed Jeans
5. The fluorescent green windbreaker I begged my parents for in 8th grade


Five favorite toys:
1. Barbies-in general
2. Playdoh
3. Legos
4. Light Bright
5. Baby Beth

Wordless Wednesday: Confidence

A Night Out

I'm a FoMo-R U?

TONIGHT!!!

Blog Talk Radio

Go early & get signed up, CHECK IT OUT!

6:30 pm Easter Standard Time for the LIVE show.

Are you a FoMo? Go find out...

*

Break a leg my Mo Mo...I'm sorry I can't listen live.

Toosdae ?'s

1. If you had to write a song about an ordinary everyday item or task, what would you choose to sing about? Bonus points if you write out some of the lyrics for me.

2. What appliance or electrical item would you be lost without if it broke? How long do you think you could live without it before you bought a new one?

3. Do you own anything special that was passed down to you from older relatives? If so, what and who did it belong to?


1. I think I would choose doing dishes. There can be a lot of funny yet gross things to sing about (like food stuck on plates) and it can be a blues song because who likes dishpan hands?

2. Recently (yesterday) my professional grade curling iron broke for good. And I am also broke for good so I won't be getting a new one for a while. And I'm sad, because when I curl my hair, damn, I'm hot.

3. I used to have a charm bracelet from my Dad's mother who I only met a few times, but it got stolen from me a couple of years ago. Recently, my mother gave me a ring that my Great Grandmother used to wear. It's not very pretty, and I'll never wear it, but it was neat to see how tiny her fingers were and to know that it was at one time, on my Great-Nana's finger.

Manic Monday: Grace

I feel that I need to preface this story, mainly because of the man my father has become, but also because I have 2 younger sisters who read this blog. Luckily, they were not affected as much as I was, because it was those years in which they were growing that he began trying to get sober. Mostly, he failed, but it should be known that he ultimately succeeded, and by God's GRACE he has been sober for approximately 7 years. My father, though I do not agree with many of his parenting decisions, is a good man and a hard worker, who always made sure we had food on our table, clothes on our backs, and a place to live. This story, however, is mine, and no matter how far he's come, my journey, in a way, is just beginning...

I don't remember the exact moment I realized that my dad wasn't like the other dads. In adulthood, I see flashes of things I recognize as bad now, but back when I was very small, my life was good.

We lived in a two story house, a block away from my grandparents. One of my mom's sisters lived under us. My other 2 aunts and 2 uncles, still in high school or early college, lived with my Nana and Papa.

And I was the center of their world.

I suppose the fact that I can't remember much about my father when we lived in New York means he must not have been around much. Because I surely remember being with my mother and her siblings, and watching them sit around in fits of laughter drinking red wine out of a bottle like you see in old Italian movies.

Then again, I suppose I am probably the only girl who's parents didn't own a restaurant or a bar who was considered a regular, who played on the monstrous computer slot machines and yes, who washed dirty glasses behind the bar.

I was in nursery school.

I liked to wash the glasses. The little brushes looked like Christmas trees and they spun around furiously inside the glasses, taking with them the whisky, or rum, or whatever life sucking liquid formally filled them.

To this day, whenever I walk into an empty bar, the smell takes me back to those days. The verdict is still out as to whether or not that is good.

No, my life in New York wasn't bad. I was surrounded by people who adored me-who taught me how to play hopscotch and Marco Polo, and that a junky old rock from the front yard could make my Papa's eyes light up.

But then we moved.

And the people who were donning their love on me like protective gear were 2 hours away, and we didn't have a sidewalk to play hopscotch on. I couldn't climb down the stairs to see my Aunt Carol, or to "steal" a perfectly placed pineapple juice from her bar.

It was, then, when we moved to the place I will always call "home" that I realized that my daddy might destroy it.

On The Rise...

About 2 years ago, I started this little blog in secret, mainly out of curiosity, but also to feed the hunger I had to write. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined that I would have met so many loving, caring people over the Internet.

Nor did I expect to be awarded for it.

Thank you, Rising Blogger, and to whoever nominated me for this award.

I truly appreciate it, and am humbled by this award...