Atlanta, Day 1

Traveling to Atlanta this time wasn't so bad.  There was absolutely no line at security, which was totally bizarre.  Why doesn't that happen more often?!  My flight was only an hour delayed (as opposed to many more like last time).  It actually worked for the better because it shortened the time that I would have to wait at baggage claim for my boss.

After we picked up the rental car, we met up with other work colleagues that were in Atlanta for another work-related meeting.  We gathered who wanted to go to dinner and then we headed to Tin Lizzy's, a place that had a Mexican flair.  I had the cobb salad.  I really just wanted vegetables and I was nervous that the tacos or greasy food would make me feel gross later.  I shared a pitcher of margaritas with some of the people at the table.  After one glass, I was starting to feel very drowsy.  So much so that I started to space out and my boss had to wave her hand in front of my face to get me to perk up.

The entrance of the restaurant had this operation game guy.  It was kinda cool, but creepy at the same time.

Book #1 of 2014

I finished Sophie Kinsella's Wedding Night last night.  I enjoyed her previous books (i.e. the Shopaholic series), and I thought this one was pretty funny.  However, I don't think it's something that I'd buy to read again though because the pace is a little slow and the book is rather long (400+ pages).

Doing Makeup on a Dreary Day

I told myself that I HAD to go to the gym today.  No excuses.  I skipped out on spin class because it was raining outside, but I did go and do about 35 minutes of cardio and watch Courtney Loves Dallas while I was there.  Multitasking at its best.

To get myself out of the house, I told myself that I could go to Ulta for one last purchase before going on a no-buy.  I picked up a new mascara (Maybelline's The Rocket) and a Maybelline gel eyeliner in Blackest Black.  I got a really good deal on these products because there was already a buy 1, get the second for 50% off, plus I had a $5 off $10 purchase, plus I reached enough points that I could get $3 off.  WOOT!  I am determined to perfect my winged eye liner skills.

I must have looked half dead, sans makeup, going up to the counter to check out.  Whatever.  No need to get decked out to go to the gym, only to sweat it off 30 minutes later.

There wasn't anything good on tv so I played with some of my recent makeup purchases as well as my Urban Naked palette.  I have to laugh at the transformation because it only took about 10 minutes to do and I'm really pleased with how much more alive I look.  The gel eyeliner was so much easier to work with (read: forgiving) than my liquid liner.  I got this winged liner to workout in one try.  The eyeshadow is darker in real life, but the bathroom lights are very bright.
Song of the day: "Va Va Voom" - Nicki Minaj.  Heard it this morning when I was watching Claire Marshall's YouTube video.  I thought it was a clever way to show lipstick swatches.

New Year's Resolutions 2014

2014 Resolutions to complete by January 1, 2015 (2015?!  Are we going to be driving around in flying cars then?  It sounds so futuristic...)

• I feel like my recent resolutions have had something to do with my house.  This year, I want to do at least one of the following:
• Get my windows replaced as I find them to not be very energy efficient.
• Get my shower door replaced with a shower curtain.  The door is so hard to clean!
• Get my closet doors replaced.  I think the metal ones that I have now are functional but I don't find them to be particularly attractive. 
• Read at least 15 books.  I'm hoping to curve my NCIS, Law and Order: SVU, and Real Housewives addiction.
• Utilize the gym more often other than going to spin class.  I'm paying for the membership, I might as well go!  Maybe this is where I can watch my reality television, tee hee.
• Limit new make-up, clothing, and craft supplies.  I have enough of all three categories. 
• Branch out a little more when it comes to make-up.  Rock a more colorful lip or a more dramatic eye every so often.
• Do at least 10 volunteer events.  I did a lot of donating last year in terms of clothes and some craft supplies, but I want to do more and focus on donating my time this year.
• Try at least 10 new recipes (baked goodies/desserts do not count).  I have my eye on this Taiwanese sesame oil chicken recipe and was inspired when I ate it at my parents' house recently.
• Get to at least 900 Etsy sales.  I'm currently at 824 sales.

Alright.  Let's do this.

Friday Frustration

We got a little bit of snow in Maryland last night.  While the county schools were closed, the federal government was open with optional leave or telework.  Since the roads weren't that bad, I decided to clean off my car and go to the office...where it was a ghost town.  I'm sure some people took advantage of the telework arrangement and some people aren't coming back until Monday from the holidays.  Anyway, not too long after I started working, I got locked out of my computer because I reset my password and then promptly typed it in wrong a few times.

If that wasn't bad enough, none of the IT folks were around.  I waited for about an hour for someone to show up, but alas no one showed up.  I had been texting my boss to keep her updated, and it turned out that other people were having technical issues that needed to be addressed.  Fortunately, I did a lot of work yesterday so I didn't have to freak out about any deadlines.  Planning pays off!  I told her I was going to go home because at least I could access SharePoint from my personal computer.  I later found that I could get into my computer, but the same password to get into my computer wasn't allowing me to log into my email.  Blah.

I had texted my friends Meg and Robyn about my situation.  They didn't have much luck today either.  Meg woke up to a freezing apartment and an iced over car.  Robyn had troubles getting to work.

I'm so glad for the weekend!!

P.S. On a brighter note, the receptionist complimented me on my nail polish today (Ulta brand in Envy).  It was chipping a little so I went back to red today...China Glaze in Vertical Rush.

First Card of 2014 and Some Surprises

Surprise #1: My water heater was acting up the last few days.  The water would become scalding hot despite me turning the heater's themostat down.  A plumber came over today and installed new thermostats so I'm hoping that it's all fixed.  The kitchen sink seems to be working ok, so fingers crossed.

Surprise #2: I got an email from my friend Steph last night.  She got engaged over New Year's Eve!  Ok, I guess it's not too much a surprise.  I had an inkling that it'd be happening soon since she and her boyfriend live together and have been dating for a while.

Card: This is my first card of 2014.  One of the things that I want to do in 2014 is not buy so many crafting supplies.  I did pretty good in 2013, but I want to be even better in 2014.  With that said, I dug around my supplies on my desk and found a set of stickers I hadn't used yet and some rub-ons and an unused card base with an embossed panel already on it.

This card is for my friend Page as she begins another semester of pharmacy school.

Card Specs:
Embossing Folder:  Sizzix- Retro Circles
Die: Lifestyle Crafts- Hello. Goodbye.
Sticker: Martha Stewart- Stitched Fruit Stickers
Rub-On: American Crafts- Sentiment Phrases

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  As planned, Julie and Robyn came over to make dumplings last night.  It was kinda a food fusion night because we had Asian food w the dumplings and Robyn brought salsa and Julie brought tiramisu from Safeway (which was surprisingly good!).  Then we watched a lot of Food Network.  One show featured those Asian preserved duck eggs.  Mom likes to eat those, but I've never had one.  The color is kinda a deterrent.

Time to revisit my 2013 Resolutions to complete by January 1, 2014.

2013 Resolutions to complete by January 1, 2014

• Decorate my bedroom and living room.  Right now, the majority of the bedroom walls are still void of any artwork, so it's time to fix that.  I have some pieces that I have saved for my bedroom, but it's not enough to fill an entire wall.  I hope to find some good pieces in the spring during yard sale season.  As for my living room, I have one wall left.  The thought of putting up a vinyl quote in both rooms crossed my mind.  I'll have to look to Etsy for something inspiring. Done and done!
• Save enough money to buy a new car.  My youngest cousin will be graduating from college in the Spring, and the plan is to give him my car (2002 Civic) as a graduation present.  Which means that I'll have to figure out what I'm going to drive after I hand over my car. Done!
• A modified version of one of last year's resolutions: use 15 brand new recipes that do not use a crock pot and is not a casserole or baked good. 2 of those dishes have to include some sort of seafood. I got to 10 recipes, but some of them included baked goodies and I didn't do any seafood (maybe I just shouldn't force it).  The one that I'm most proudest of is learning how to make dumplings. 
• Continue to have an open mind about online dating.  I don't think I fully utilized my 6 month membership last year because I only dated 2 guys (1 only lasted one date and the other guy 4 months).  Yeah, that didn't happen.  I tried a round of Match and another round of Eharmony and I feel like there's a bunch of inactive, non-assertive people on there to make it worth the experience.  I would contact people, and they wouldn't even make an attempt to reciprocate.  Sheesh.
• Get to at least 800 Etsy sales. Currently at 824 sales :)

Things that I accomplished but were not on the list:

• I traveled to new cities for work: New Orleans and Raleigh.
• I took my first real vacation since 2011 and went on my first cruise to the Bahamas with my friends.
• I stepped a little out of my spin class bubble and did some weight training with the 30 Day Shred Jillian Michaels DVD.  I surprised myself by completing 2 rounds (1st round, 2nd round).
• I found a new income source with channeling my yard sale skills and reselling items on Ebay.
• I did 3 outdoor markets, my first ones ever.  (May, June #1, June #2).

I'm still compiling a list of New Years Resolutions, but it's nice to reflect on how the previous year went.  :)