Hi, Denzel: Nice to meet you!

Saturday, January 16th, 2010
Family & Friends, Photos
17 Comments

On Wednesday my Mom, Kathleen, and her sister Joanna went to NYC to go and see the Regis and Kelly show. It was awesome. My mom picked the show with special guest Freddie Prinze Jr., Tim Gunn was also on the show, and they let us stay to see the taping of Friday’s segment as a surprise. The segment featured DENZEL WASHINGTON! I love him as an actor, and one of my favorite movies is “Fallen” which is one of his older movies in which he tries to catch this demon that passes through people. It’s really a great movie, so I give it a watch if you get a chance.

As we were exiting the show, I saw a ton of Paparazzi standing outside of the door and flashes were going off like crazy. At first I was confused and then my Mom said, “Denzel Washington is right in front of us!” Kathleen and I dove in and I whipped out my cell phone to take photos. I managed to get two decent ones.

The first one was the best one, but I really liked that happy lady with the hat. Denzel was tall as heck, and we were, as Joanna put it, “uncomfortably close to him.” Ha!

At the end of all of the excitement, my Mom asked him for an autograph. She realized all she had was her disposable camera. She handed it to him and he said, “Wow, this is a first, I’ll have to work on this!” and smiled. He was truly such a nice person and did not rush to get into his car, talked to people, and signed things for people too. It was truly an amazing day.


This is my Mom’s camera, haha. With Denzel Washington’s autograph!!

The day was completed by purchasing amazing cupcakes at Crumbs Bakery, which I’ve wanted to go to for a while now, and lunch at Junior’s. Waking up at 3:30 to catch a 5:12 train was totally worth it!

New Toy!!

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Beauty & Fashion, Daily Grind, Photos
26 Comments

My old straightener was a dinosaur. It had huge hot plates on it which my hair dresser told me was bad for my hair and I should switch to a thin plated straightener. Plus, that old boy has been in my bathroom since I was in high school. Without further ado, I stopped at Ulta and bought myself a new straightener. A Zoe with a limited edition design and purple hot plates. Super!

I used it yesterday to test it out (much to Keith and my Dad’s dismay. They hate, HATE, when I straighten out my curls). First I wanted to see how long it was when it was straight, and it’s well past my shoulders now.

I decided to be silly and hide behind my massive amount of hair. The total straightening time was about a half hour which is amazing since my hair is so thick and curly. I also picked up some straightening product which also protects hair from heat. It’s by got2b and it’s called XL Conditioner. Amazing product for only 6.00!

When it comes to my hair, I absolutely love my curls. I didn’t really begin to appreciate them until I was in high school. Everyone I know loves my curls the best too. But sometimes it’s fun to have a bit of a change. All it takes is one drop of water and I’ll have a GIANT curl where ever that water drop fell. When I straighten my hair I feel like a different person. I also look so much like my Mom that it’s almost scary how close the likeness is.

This iron was only 29.99, so if you’re like me and only straighten your hair a few times a year (I’m lazy, what can I say?), this is an amazing straightener. It works, it’s pretty, and it’s not a drain on your wallet.

2009 Reflections

Friday, January 1st, 2010
Daily Grind, Family & Friends, Keith
13 Comments

First and foremost, I hope that all of you fabulous pals of mine had a safe, happy, and fun New Year’s Eve and Day. Keith and I celebrated at his house with some friends and his family like we usually do. We drank some Busch Light (light, so it’s healthy–right?), some green, and some xbox. We continued the celebration into today when we came back to my house to have a nice dinner and dessert with my parents. I thought it would be fun to reflect back on good ole 2009, and what I’m looking forward to for 2010.

  • I finally began shoveling. Before this year I never picked up a shovel to clean up the driveway after a snowstorm. When my Dad hurt his knee in February I stepped up to the plate.
  • I made some amazing new friends. People who were in my classes, but I never really spoke to have become some great friends to me. I’m so glad that this year I actually talked to more people.
  • Keith and I attended three weddings, one of which we were both in, and started to realize that taking our sweet time on the engagement, wedding stress, and house buying is A-Ok!
  • Attended the sex museum and braved NYC without the guidance of my Dad who happens to know how to get EVERYWHERE! It was so fun to experience.
  • Said goodbye Keith’s dog, Royal. Keith’s golden retriever was one of my favorite dogs ever. In April he passed away due to cancer.
  • Learned how much work a puppy is–and how much of a cat person I am–when we babysat Brody, Keith’s new golden/chow pup for the first three days of him being home.
  • Realized that crying doesn’t mean you’re weak.
  • Learned from Kenny that “Showing No Weakness” is what you need to do, even if you want to crawl into a ball…and cry.
  • Kept off my 50 pounds that I lost–and have continued to reshape my lifestyle with health and fitness.
  • Realized that good people get screwed when the economy fails. Keith and I learned how to be frugal and still have fun when he was laid off. (He now has a new job!!!)
  • “Reinvented” (for lack of a better word) my relationship with God. It’s one of the most amazing things I have experienced.
  • Gave up shaving for 2 weeks ala Amanda Palmer, just to see what it was like. Liberating? YES! Doable for me? NOPE!

    And my goals for 2010 thus far:
    -Get a teaching job when I graduate in May.
    -Survive student teaching–and hopefully love it!
    -Work on my birthday notebook, so I can have everyone’s birthdays in order.
    -Write in my journal more often. No more 3 month lapses.
    -Continue filling my recipe box.
    -Write more letters.
    -Maintain my weight loss.
    -Spend time with family and friends.
    -Enjoy life, and try not to stress out as much as I do.

    What are some of your highlights of the year? What do you hope to accomplish? Here’s to a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2010!

    Gifts Under $20

    Monday, December 21st, 2009
    Beauty & Fashion, The Media
    14 Comments

    It’s officially Christmas week. The holidays we have been waiting for are slowly creeping up on us. To me, it seems like Christmas is still weeks away because this is one of my favorite holidays of the year (and probably because all of my shopping & wrapping is done!), but for many the stress of finishing last minute gifts is setting in. So, for those of you who are still wondering what to get that special someone: here you go! Gifts that will make people smile for under 20 bucks!

    For your chill married friends: Give your friends this awesome tea set for Christmas. Target offers you The Tea Spot Tea & Teacups Gift Set. At a modest price of only $19.99 it comes with two fancy mugs as well as two different types of tea; Meditative Mind Tea & Snowflakes Tea. If you want to bulk it up, you can add a tin of tea biscuits or pirouette cookies and make your own fancy gift basket for only a few dollars more.

    For the beauty junkie who has “everything”: I’m a makeup junkie who people say has pretty much everything under the sun. But there is one thing I can never have enough of, and that is lip gloss. Give her the Sephora Brand Magic Lip Gloss Set. It comes with six glittery shades which are perfect for fancy holiday looks, and the colors are gorgeous. I especially like the Silver and Gold. It also comes with a cute lip gloss brush and is only $10.00. Also, with every Sephora order you are able to choose three free samples, they can be for you, or for that makeup addict on your list.

    For your SO’s parents or in-laws: For me, shopping for Keith’s parents used to be scary. I never knew what to get them. Now I know a lot more about what they like, but if you’re celebrating Christmas with your SO’s parents for the first time, why not try a Harry & David Snackbox? I personally love H&D products, especially their amazing Moose Munch confection. This snack box comes packed with Cheddar Cheese, Sesame Toast, Smoked Sausage, Caramel Moose Munch, Mixed Nuts, and Honey Mustard. With all of the yummy snacks in this box, and for a price of only $19.95, it’s a perfect gift to share.

    For your creative writer pal: Do you have a friend who never leaves home without a small notebook or her journal? Do you often find her writing in her journal when you had plans to leave the house an hour ago? Does she tell you that her writing is “almost done?” This year give her the best writing journals she can ask for! A pack of Moleskine Journals is an amazing gift for any writer. They now come in this fancy and pretty pink, but you can buy them in a range of colors. Barnes & Noble is offering this gift for a very fair price of only $12.00 when you order online.

    And for those other giftees that you’re stumped on:
    Your little cousin or close friends kid wants to be a chef: Betty Crocker’s Kids Cook is an awesome full color book that has kid friendly recipes for that aspiring chef to experiment with. A few of the recipes are: Squeeze and Scribble Pancakes, Whatever Pizza, and Puddle of Fudge Cake. ($17.95)

    Your guy who smokes but hates cold hands: Gap Fingerless Gloves. They come in a cool red striped pattern. Functional and badass at the same time. ($14.50).

    Your college pal who likes planning and Harry Potter: Harry Potter 2010 Calendar. Awesome full color photos of your favorite witches and wizards. ($13.99)

    While giving that perfect gift can be stressful, especially if you’re still shopping for it, I always remember Glamour’s advice from last Christmas. “You don’t have to be Ivana Trump to give an awesome gift.” I live by that. It’s always, ALWAYS, the thought that gets put behind the present you’re giving. Hope you all have a very happy holiday and a merry Christmas. Enjoy the festivities!

    End of Semester Meme Fun

    Thursday, December 17th, 2009
    Daily Grind, School
    7 Comments

    As of 7:15pm, I am officially done with my Fall 2009 semester. Next semester is Student Teaching and then I’m graduating and shipped off into the big, scary world of “finding a real job.” I wanted to do a college meme, but since I’m not done I found this fun high school meme on a blog and decided to be nostalgic and give you all a glimpse of what I was like in high school. Since I’ll be teaching high school this was especially fun for me. Enjoy!

    This is my friend Kelly and I in high school. Please excuse my visor. I got it in SF, wore it throughout my wine country tour, and still have it. I don’t know if Kelly still has her awesome pants, but I sure hope so. Yes, we are still best friends, FYI. I’m aware that I look goofy as hell.

    Where did you graduate from and what year?
    Hamden High, 2005.

    Who was your significant other?
    I’m only going to talk about important ones, haha. I guess Stan and his blue hair when I was a freshman/sophomore, and then Keith from then until now. There were some other people in between, but I’m all set with including them. Let’s just say these are the ones I DON’T regret.

    Was your Prom a night to remember?
    I went to two, Keith’s and mine. Keith’s was cool, but I was sick as hell. Mine was awesome. It involved a sleazy hotel room, dancers, and a graduation party the next morning. My hair was sick.

    What was your favorite song you danced to the night of Prom?
    I couldn’t tell you what was played. Sinatra was playing during dinner, but we weren’t allowed to dance during dinner.

    Do you own all 4 yearbooks?
    Yup, I’m spoiled.

    What was your favorite movie in high school?
    Idle Hands, SLC Punk, Billy Madison…a lot of the same ones I have now, but less zombies.

    What radio station did you jam out to in high school?
    I didn’t jam…I rocked. RADIO 104. You wouldn’t know how cool 104 really was. I woke up to Dee Snyder’s morning show every day. 420 Brownie, I miss you.

    What was your number 1 choice of college in high school?
    SCSU, the one I ended up going to. I only applied to one college and hoped for the best. Yay hoping!

    Were you involved in any organizations or clubs?
    French Club, GSA, and Culinary Arts when I was a senior.

    What was your favorite class in high school?
    The Restaurant hands down. I loved eating and cooking things. I ate my weight in hash browns, and back then, that was a lot.

    Who was your big crush in high school?
    I guess who I was dating. OH! And Mr. Sudusky. OMG.

    Would you say you’ve changed a lot since highschool?
    YES! I’m smarter, skinnier, and stronger. I also use more alliteration.

    What do you miss the most about it?
    I miss the easiness of it. I always had money back then for the movies.

    Your worst memory of HS?
    When I got dumped? That was serious business back then. And probably any Math class.

    Did you have a car?
    My senior year I had a cavalier. But until then Keith drove me to school junior year, and I always made us late. Before that, my Mom would drive me a lot because I never made it to the bus.

    What were your school colors?
    Green and gold.

    Who was your favorite teacher?
    Mrs. Frumento. She made me want to become a teacher.

    Did you own a cell phone in high school?
    Yup, a sick, thick, brick. Complete with blue LCD display.

    Did you leave campus for lunch?
    We weren’t allowed to, but we did anyway.

    If so, where was your favorite place to go eat?
    Chili’s…bottomless chips & water all around! And Acrop, which I still eat at quite often.

    Were you always late to class?
    First period, senior year…more often than not.

    Did you ever have to stay for Sat. School?
    Nope, I just got suspended. They jumped over Saturday Detention with me.

    Did you ever ditch?
    Yeah, a lot once I hit senior year. But before that I’d have my Momma call me out. I skipped once to go see “The Passion of Christ.” Good times.

    When it comes time for the reunion will you be there?
    If I’m not on the West, why not?

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