Time to Make a Change

Well, it has been many, many years since I last made a post. But here I am, thinking about making a career change and the blog was-a-calling. The last time I posted was after I made my first transition from teaching into the private sector. I gained a great deal of business experience that time around from working as an office manager and executive/personal assistant. I am hoping that will help me easily transition into a career where I can be fulfilled, make a difference, and use my applicable skills. I have always wanted to be a teacher, ever since I was in high school, but things have changed since I began my teaching career in 2005. I LOVE teaching-interacting with students, seeing them get excited about learning, introducing them to new worlds through travel or books, etc. What I don't love is this new assault on teachers--villifying them for simply doing their jobs. Banning books or CRT because it makes someone uncomfortable, blaming them for all that is wrong with education, it is all so disappointing, degrading, and mentally exhausting. Being expected to get the same results even during a pandemic, is just so ridiculous I cannot wrap my brain around it. I could go on and on, but I just don't have the energy. It is time. It is time to explore other options, to find something else to do with my skills and expertise. To find a career where I feel appreciated and valued. One where my mental and physical health doesn't suffer just to justify someone else's job or to meet some unrealistic criteria.

Having New Headshot Taken: The Struggle is Real

Last week, my worst nightmare came true (not really, but close...) my boss Sarah emailed those of us that work for her in Charlotte to let us know we were going to have new head shots taken for the website. I DO NOT photograph well; the only good pictures of me are at my sister's wedding (taken by the fabulous Stephanie Byrne)...and maybe a few other times I can count on one hand.

So of course I called my fabulous hair stylist (Meghan Fanton) who was able to squeeze me in for a color refresher, got a new lip color (Toasted Almond-I used to wear it in HIGH SCHOOL!) proceeded to stress...and agonize over what I would wear, whether or not the crater on my forehead would go away by then, etc. etc. Let me just say, the fabulous Ellie Lacey is a miracle worker! She did a FANTASTIC job on the photos and I LOVE the way mine turned out. I wore green, my favorite color (and according to Mr. Brandon Jones is MY color) and put on plenty of make up (even filled in my brows April Kistler!) and bit the bullet. Check it out for yourselves:

Check out all the beautiful faces of Metro's Other Woman!

Time Flies When You're Having "Fun"

I don't have much time to write today, but I am going to post the link for my DIY wreath blog I wrote for my employer, Metro's Other Woman to tide you over until I do have more time. Please excuse my run-on sentence. Until next time!

Gilmore Girls

October 1st was a big day for Stars Hollow! The since cancelled series "Gilmore Girls" was released on Netflix; all 7 seasons. Why is this important? I'll tell you. Since its final season in 2007, Gilmore Girls (or Gilmore Whores as my husband fondly refers to it as) has become a kind of cult classic, much like My So-Called Life or Freaks and Geeks. Deeply entrenched in our social fabric (I like to think so but you may disagree), GG is a charming story of a thirty-something single mom (Lorelai) raising her teenage daughter (also Lorelai but Rory for short) in a quirky small town filled with colorful characters. The girls are witty, entertaining, and always talking faster than you can say Stars Hollow. Every conversation is filled with movie, music, and other pop culture references, and I am not ashamed to say I have looked up a name or two while watching. Although the show was cancelled in 2007, reruns have been on the Soap Network and ABC Family in heavy rotation. That is how I became a fan; I was "late to the party" and only saw maybe a few episodes while the final season was still on TV. The show expertly deals with serious issues: family, sex, relationships, "bad" boys; and some not-so-serious issues: a clutzy chef, a dog that doesn't like stairs, and a controlling town selectman. Most conflicts are solved with a heart-to-heart convo over burgers and fries, and of course, gallons of coffee at Luke's Diner.

Why, you might ask, does a 34-year-old married woman with a Masters degree in English love such a "silly" show?! I guess you could say it is my guilty pleasure? (But it really isn't; that would be the Kardashians--even though I can't stand them and think they are redonkulous) Although I consider myself to be a city girl, I love the quaint, country town of Stars Hollow and would love to live there. There is something refreshingly fascinating about it; the crazy traditions, "unique" townspeople, and especially the camaraderie of living in such a small town. Gilmore Girls is also easy to relate to; we all know someone like Sookie, Lorelai, Rory, Emily, Paris, or even Luke. Ladies, I know we've all known a Jess, Logan, or Dean, right?! Trouble in school? Check. Disagreements with parents? Check. Money troubles? Check. And of course family conflict is something we've all dealt with at one time or another, no matter what our background is. All you die-hard fans out there (myself included), ever wonder what happened after the show ended? Did Luke and Lorelai get married and have babies? Did Rory become like her idol Christiane Amanpour? Did Sookie and Jackson have another baby? Did Christopher ever find happiness? Did Lane and Zack ever land a record deal? I like to think that Luke and Lorelai did get married and had a baby boy (for Luke of course!), Rory did become a famous journalist and eventually married Logan; making them the power couple of the journalism world. Sookie and Jackson didn't have any more kids, and Christopher never found happiness, as Lorelai was his one true love. Zack landed a permanent spot with Vapor Rub and they did get a record deal, while Lane and the twins, Quan and Steve, traveled the world with him. Sigh...

Photos courtesy of Google images

I love getting paid to write...

Well, I wrote yet another blog that was published by my employer, Metro's Other Woman. Our Charlotte team recently got together for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, and it was a great time! Read about it here.

My Favorite Things

I realize I haven't written in a while but after consulting my muse, I have something I'd like to discuss: my favorite things a.k.a. things I'm currently obsessed with. 1. All things pumpkin--bagels, bread, lattes, etc. And if you're wondering, yes I am aware that is soooo overdone. Last weekend I left the house wearing rain boots, leggings, a Victoria's secret PINK hoodie and a North Face rain jacket--your "basic" white bitch outfit. If I had seen myself out in public, I'd kick my own ass. Alas, I am 34 years old and just don't care. It was cold and rainy. But I digress, the whole point to that story (yes there was one) is that I DID NOT imbibe in a PSL. 2. Gilmore Girls--I've recently discovered there are many, many GG gifs that make me giggle. If you are "lucky" enough to get a text from me, don't be surprised if you get a GG gif. Just sayin' 3. Taylor Swift's new CD 1989. If you haven't listened to it, you owe it to yourself. While I don't consider myself to be a complete audiophile, I do LOVE music--of all types. This CD (which is NOT at all country, if you were wondering) is AMAZEBALLS. Yes I just said that. I have been listening to it NONSTOP for days. Taylor, or T-Swizzle as Nicole and I fondly refer to her as, is a genius. I want to be her BFF. Her voice is awesome, her metaphorical lyrics EVEN better, and she clearly has a top-notch production team. My favorites are: Blank Space, Style, Wildest Dreams, Bad Blood, etc....I LOVE the whole CD. Usually when I buy entire albums there are a few songs I can do without, but not in this case. Lines like "I can make the bad guys good for a weekend" and "Cause darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream" from Blank Space are so great. 4. Netflix--which has EVERY Friend's episode...and such gems as Last Man Standing and Gilmore Girls [duh] 5. Stitch Fix 6. My Weim doggies--Busa and Cinder--and the Weimaraner page I belong to on Facebook. I love seeing the gorgeous dogs and what sort of shenanigans they get into. 7. My husband Noah [goes without saying] 8. Meal planning via Pinterest--I DESPISE trying to figure out what to cook for dinner, and Pinterest has made it 100% easier. Check out my boards for inspiration! 9. Having my nails done--yes I am "old school" and still get the acrylic pink and white. I just love them; don't care if the gel manicure is more "trendy" or whatever. 10. Blogging. Check out my latest blog for Metro's Other Woman: http://metrosotherwoman.com/blog/item/222-5-super-cool-time-saving-apps

Well, it is official! I am a published blogger courtesy of my employer, Metro's Other Woman. Check it out here.