Cross Stitch My Heart

A few weeks ago, I decided to have  DIY/crafting day with the gal pals. I set out to do this. And today, I finally got to unveil my work for the holiday. Needless to say, I’m hooked and looking for another stitching project. Or maybe just picking a Pinterest post once a month to actually do.

 

 

 

If the Shoe and the Dress Fit

This post is two-fold. One, last week’s Parenthood episode reminded me of my Prom. Which led me to really see the beauty in that night. And two, The Glass Slipper Project officially kicked off in Chicago!

First up: Prom. Prom night holds many expectations, which most of us are accustomed to seeing as we survived and made it out to the other side. For me, it was an awkward time. Mainly because a friend’s ex asked me to the dance during a fire drill. And I thought it was a prank. It wasn’t. I learned I sealed my fate with this date while in Spanish class after Homeró (we had Spanish names in class) said Benjamín was going to ask me, but no longer could because Dan did.

Awkward.

Did I mention he was one of my good friends’ exes? Double awkward. The only saving grace was the fact Dan and I basically grew up together as we went to school together for 10 years.

And prom was fun. I don’t remember dancing with Dan, though I’m sure I did. But I do remember dancing with Kelly’s dad. I remember standing on the stage of the Fox Theatre and looking out and thinking, life is only going to get better for me. And I remember being there with all of my closest friends singing Bon Jovi songs.

We also had a pretty fantastic prom song.

Second: As prom season begins to come around, I find myself just wanting to shake girls from the pop culture prom expectations, Parenthood depicted pretty well in their episode. Last weekend, I did my first shift with The Glass Slipper, an organization I’ve been a part of since I moved to Chicago (it’s my 3rd Anniversary!). The organization outfits (see what I did there) girls in the Chicago area with all of the prom fixings; from dresses, shoes, makeup, purses and anything else a gal might need. And the girls get personal shoppers (enter me and thousands of other volunteers) to cart dress after dress around on their arms while commenting on choices. It’s quite a day as the process usually takes 2-3 hours per girl to dress for the event.

The best part besides seeing a girl smile and get excited for her day: it’s all free.

As I’m not a shopper by nature, or much of a girlie girl to be honest, I live for this day. Aside from getting a fantastic workout (I still cringe when a girl picks dresses with heavy beading knowing I’m going to have to lug it around), you get a chance to meet a girl you normally wouldn’t meet. Often times, these girls have completely different backgrounds than I have, making me that much more thankful, while at the same time challenging myself to do even more with what I have.

Kind of makes me wish I still had reasons to get all dolled up for dances. But then I remember the bobby pins and the headaches and suddenly find it’s okay that chapter’s closed.

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

Your It List had a bunch of their contributors write in on their favorite things of 2010. I wasn’t asked this year, but there’s always next year, so I stole their questions and will answer them here.

Favorite Film
As a film addict, this is a dangerous question. A very dangerous question. We saw two much anticipated serial movies in Harry Potter and Toy Story. Black Swan is just as crazy good as everyone says it is. And the Film Fest delivered some gems in Trust and Nice Guy Johnny this year. If I’m going mega blockbuster style, I’ll have to throw in Inception as well. So really, this year delivered in movies for me. But okay, hands down favorite that I want everyone to see?  Conviction and/or The Town. Ben Affleck proved he’s still got it in Town (both on camera and behind) and Hilary Swank delivers another character driven piece in Conviction.

Favorite Album
It’s no surprise how much I love Mumford & Sons. But sadly, Sigh No More came out in 2009, at least, that’s when I first heard about it, then it crossed over the pond to here. That’s probably the album I listened to the most this past year. And then David Gray‘s Foundling wasn’t a personal fav, but it sure was when he played it live in Millennium Park this past summer. But Brandon Flowers‘  Flamingo was quite surprising and duh, Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy proved he’s still got it. Favorite: Kanye.

Favorite Book
I really got into non-fiction books this year and the best was Jerry Weintraub’s When I Stop Talking, You’ll Know I’m Dead. He literally knows or did know anyone worth anything in Hollywood. And his stories are insane. He’ll make you rethink your sales techniques. Close runner up: Jonathan Tropper This is Where I Leave You.

Favorite TV Show
30 Rock will forever be a favorite/staple in my life. But I’m so excited I finally hopped on the Modern Family bandwagon. Also to note: Mad Men really delivered this past season. So props goes out to the people of Sterling, Cooper, Pryce & Draper.

Favorite Twitterer
He was late coming in the game, but man, he is fantastic. @lord_voldemort7

“Horcruxes before hoes”

Runner Up: @preschoolgems

“I fell because I high-fived so hard.”

Favorite YouTube Video
Every week a fantastic one comes out. But this one from Google that premiered during the Super Bowl is epic. And it also has paved the way for the latest Google Ad.

Most excited for in 2011
Having one W-2 form. After multiple years of multiple jobs, I’m ecstatic to have just one for the 2011 year.

Who you want to kiss at NYE
Jake Gyllenhaal. But I’m sure he won’t be where I am. But just in case, I’ll be sure to curl my eyelashes!

Holiday Gift
Seeing as Edward Burns broke my camera during the Film Fest (yea, I’m never going to let this one go or stop believing it), I should probably get a digital camera. But Mom did get me some stellar rubber boots for the Chicago winter!

Quickie: Ad of the Day

I know this spot seems a bit creepy, but I just cannot get enough of it. Since we work with Sony, I’m always interested to see what other agency’s on record do for them. And this is a great take on their slogan “Make.Believe”. The Saatchi & Saatchi Argentina office put this together, which is interesting given the song selection I think. Thoughts?

Advertising Agency: Del Campo Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi, Argentina
Executive Creative Directors: Maxi Itzkoff, Mariano Serkin
Creative Director: Joaquin Espagnol, Miguel Usandivaras
Agency Executive Producer: Adrian Aspani
Producer: Lucila D’amico
Account Director: Joseph Baide
Executive Account : Reinier Suarez
Regional Account Coordinator: Ana Bogni
Production Company: Garlic
Director: Marcelo Burgos
Executive Producer: Alvaro Gorospe/Irene Nuñez Palma
Post Production Company: Serena
Sound Company: Sonomedia
Song: “Young at Heart” by Frank Sinatra
Advertiser’s Supervisor : Mark Stanley/Rossana Schach

The List

Everyone seems to be putting out lists of regret sorts: “25 Things I Wish I Knew…”, “10 Things Someone Should Have Told Me”, etc. And I for one, am sick of it. Why reflect back on life with wishes? Regrets? So here’s mine:

25 Things I’m Damn Proud of and Glad I Did By the Time I Was 25

1. I studied abroad out of the college setting. In today’s world, it seems like you’re a rarity if you don’t study abroad in college. But going in high school was quite the wake up call. Living in a city where you don’t speak the language at the age of 17 is mortifying. Living in an apartment with 6 other people is hell. Using a “hose” to bathe with really makes you wish for the days your biggest problem was the shower ran out of hot water.
2. I quit a job. And not like a part-time job (because I don’t think I ever “formally” quit the Dairy), but like a full-blown grown-up job complete with a resignation letter. And yea, doing it during the downfall of the economy just made it that much more exciting. I felt like an adult. An adult who knew what she wanted and was going to go and get it.
3. I got fired. And again, like a real, full-time-with-benefits kind of job. Talk about an ego blow. Talk about knocking you off your high horse. Talk about a moment of “Holy Mother what do I do now?!” I learned you can lean on people you never imagined. I learned life goes on. And I learned that if you’re going to be unemployed, Chicago in the summertime is the perfect place to host the event.
4. I made a lasting impression. After helping Louise secure funding for her sculpture, there today, at one of the busiest LUAS stops in Dublin stands my Summer 2007 work. It will be there forever. Carrying with it graffiti from hooligans and snapped in tourist pictures as they make their way to the Guinness Factory for a tour.
5. I read. Even after the 600-minute club stopped, I still had a healthy appetite for books. And I still do. I’m so glad I learned how a book can cure any ailment.
6. I answered the volunteer call. I don’t remember when it happened, but at some point during childhood, I learned that volunteering isn’t volunteering; it’s just doing what’s right. I’m still so amazed when people are like “Oh my gosh! That’s so great you volunteer!” When my reaction is just simply, of course I do!
7. I realized the benefits of a public library. Public libraries in Chicago are insane. Books for a month, DVDs for a week and museum passes for a week good for up to 10 people. Seriously, thank you ChiPubLib for satisfying my culture palette.
8. I do activities you would never do alone. This includes movies, eating at restaurants, going to events, etc. Learning to just be with yourself is scary and so rewarding. Opens your eyes to new ideas, people and more importantly, who you really are.
9. I moved away. While others still wonder why I have yet to move back to St. Louis since I left in 2004, I’m proud that I haven’t. I would have fallen back into a groove I already created. Instead, I’m exploring new cities, new time zones and new people.
10. I drove cross-country. Granted, Katie and I nearly killed each other in Western Kansas, we made it. And we learned a ton about each other in those few short days than we’ve learned in our 3-year friendship. I know that girl inside and out. And I know that the sweet sounds of Enrique Iglesias can elicit euphoria in two gals.
11. I lived without a car. After being fortunate enough to have a car early on, I’m used to the luxury. After moving to Chicago, the luxury became a hassle. A costly one. And then…
12. I mastered public transit. Growing up without public transit and all of a sudden having to use it takes a bit to get used to. But now I know how to map my route (with the help of Google Maps) to anywhere in the city. I’ve even grocery shopped with it and lived to tell the tales.
13. I asked a boy on a date. Man, that seriously is so nerve-racking. And I now have a new appreciation for all boys who continue to do this. The guy I asked said yes, we had a great time and then things didn’t work out. We’re still friends and he still says that’s one of the things he’s always liked about me, my assertiveness.
14. I asked for help. After getting fired/let go, I realized I lived in one expensive city. So I asked for help from my mom, who fortunately could help me. And while it was hard to swallow at 24, I think it made me humble. Made me appreciate what I’ve known was always there. And made me more willing to help a friend when they need it, even if that just means buying them a bottle of wine or some Ben & Jerry’s. Because I’ll probably be there again too.
15. I didn’t change. Some people might think that when they hear, “God you’re just like you were at 17” is an insult. But I don’t. I’ve stayed true to the person I was. I’ve always shown my true colors. And I will always continue to do so. I now the kind of person I am. I own her. And my interests at the age of 13 are pretty similar to interests today. That shows passion, not the fact I still might be immature.
16. I tried seafood. I’m not a huge fan. But I’ve tried it at various points of my life. And with enough sauce, butter, salt, you totally cannot even taste that fishiness. Sometimes something you thought was so scary younger (eating things that could potentially rise from the dead and swim in your stomach), isn’t all that bad these days.
17. I never lived alone. I know everyone harps on how you need to live alone, but frankly, I’m glad I never did. Yea, I’ve had terrible roommates that make me wish I lived alone. But then I remember the few amazingly awesome roommates I have had. And then I remember how if you live alone and start choking, you could potentially suffocate and die and no one would know. Yea, I’m pretty glad I never lived alone.
18. I don’t have regrets. Looking back, there are definitely dumb things I’ve done. But I’m not wishing it never happened. They provided life lessons. And some hilarity (but only when looking back, at the moment, not very funny). Besides, wishing and hoping doesn’t lead to a whole lot of doing.
19. I started a journal. I’ve got a lot of journals, from travel to Ireland to happiness to quote to texts…It never ends. And man, they provide the best laughter in my day. When I’m struggling to find something that made me happy on the day, I flip back to that day in past years. I find that I got excited over a phone call with Jeremy. Or the fact Grey’s was on. Or the fact a class got cancelled. Really puts things into perspective for you.
20. I went on a blind date. And now I don’t have to waste my prime dating years on ever doing that again. Seriously, that can really make you zero in on what you want from the dating world and in a potential partner.
21. I achieved some goals. I firmly believe that writing down your goals makes you more determined to meet them. So I started doing that. And I started achieving some. Which is an awesome feeling of self-worth. And a great practice to continue throughout your years.
22. I found a mentor. I have many mentors in my life, but this was my first stranger, real world mentor. After reviewing my favorite paper store on Yelp!, the owner contacted me and thanked me for my kind words. That was a year ago. She helped me work through my unemployment. She kept me to continue my path of excellence in this world. She continues to inspire me.
23. I wore my confidence proudly. Starting in the real world takes a certain air in a person. Moving to a new city where you know no one takes a certain kind of boldness. I’ve always worn my confidence on the heart of my sleeve. I’m glad I realized the importance of this characteristic early on. It’s definitely gotten me to where I am, and more importantly, where I’ve been.
24. I got a disease that can’t be cured. Getting Rheumatoid at a younger age made me really value life and my life and things that I can do, while other sufferers can’t. While I know my road ahead is a long one, I’m thankful that I get to spend years managing this disease. I have the time to constantly search for a new medicine to try out. I’m confident that whatever comes my way, I can find a solution, both a short-term and a long-term. I lost my fear of needles, which was huge.
25. I plunged a toilet. Growing up with just a mom around, I have seen a woman figure out how to catch a mouse intruder, plunge a toilet, kill bugs and mow a lawn. These factors have made me very desirable as a roommate. Also, Lisa legitimately called me to come over in college to kill a spider. They’re things my friends truly admire about me.

    Your turn! What do you think is something everyone should do by the time they’re 25?

A Liz Lemon in the Making

I won’t lie, I resisted 30 Rock for quite some time. In high school, Senior Year Charlar Time in Spanish 4 to be exact, José (that was his Spanish name, his real name was Kyle) said for his Charlar point on the day: “Yo pienso que Felipa es Tina Fey”. Roughly translates to “I think Hanna is Tina Fey.” Yes, my Spanish name was Felipa and I will still answer to it. But ever since this moment, I vowed to not be like Tina Fey. I wanted to be my own person. Then I wised up and realized that homegirl is fantastic. And Kyle/José quite possibly fed me the best compliment I have ever received in my life (and I received a lot of “Well done you”s in Ireland).

Ever since I caught myself up on 30 Rock while living in the desert, I have found I am much like Liz Lemon. And my Jack is every Kansas boy I still hang with (mainly Chris, BLB, Pat and Donovan). Tracy Jordan/Morgan’s character would obviously be Manch.

Came across the best moments of Liz Lemon and Jack today on Hulu. It’s a great 5-minute breather on a hectic Wednesday.

And now that it’s winter, I can’t help but think of the gem Liz Lemon said a couple of seasons ago about the danger of the puffy coats people wear during this time:

“You can do some serious subway flirting before you realize the guy is homeless.”

And I’m pretty sure I earned the nickname of “Manna” from Mike Maniaci after he ate my pudding. I’m sure the moment was something like this:

Slippers

Not sure my feelings on these just yet.

Quickie: Want It, Need It

Rawr.