Saturday, May 8, 2010

Family :)

I am so very family oriented! I love love love my Mother, my daddy-o and my two sisters. We are very close and can talk to eachother about anything. I am lucky to have a new bother in law and one more by next year. I guess i am the best for last to marry.

A few days ago i was extremely stressed with a headache and sick to my stomache. I went to my mom to unload and have a nervous breakdown. I cried and i cried about work, school, homework, money and the boyfriend. When i was finally finished and calmed down, i was surprised how much better i felt. Sometimes putting up a guard and not talking about it makes things worse. So my advice when stressed out is to find someone to let it out with. You will feel much better.

I have always looked up to my Dad because he's so hard-working, helpful, and loving. We three girls are truly greatful for all we put him through. Can you imagine growing up and sharing a bathroom with 4 women? LOL. He is the best Dad ever and always willing to help with car problems, house maitenance, or pretty much anything.

We all have crazy work schedules and find it hard to make family time. But when we do it is always a good time. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us, and i definately can't wait til we have babies. My parents keep saying they get asked at work about Grandchildren all the time. But only time will tell. So cheers to the future!!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Poker Night

When i was younger my dad taught my sisters and i some card games. We played Gin, Rummy, Poker, Blackjack and 7 No Peek. He wished he would of taught us Sheeps Head because it is his favorite and he plays it everyday at work with his change. But we never got around to it and we hear it's a little more complicated. I have always enjoyed any card games and even remember playing drinking games like Ride the Bus, Mushroom, Asshole and Bullshit. I would have to say Texas Hold'em is my favorite.

Last night my boyfriend rounded up some buddies for a game. He allowed me to partake since my girlfriends don't know how to play. Oh how i wish they could play. We could have our own game like the Desperate Housewives, but i will have to teach them someday. We usually play with 5-8 players. Last night we had 6ppl.

We play cash games, not tounament style because it's too long. This allows us to play with $10-$25 or whatever we prefer. one of his buddies hates playing with me because he said i get lucky. I would have to say that i take chances and get lucky on the river card. Sometimes i bluff on a large pot and scare them away. But i usually don't lose unless i drink too much and get bored or tired.

One time my dad and i entered a tournament at Emil maze Hall. I was surprised to see over 200 people there. We were way out of our element. I was hoping luck would be on my side but it wasn't. We were both out half way through the crowd and did not buy back in. It was a fun experience to share with dad but these people were smart, attentive betters and more experienced. I quickly realized the difference from our small group to the large crowd. But it was all luck and depended on the cards. Luck was not on my side that day:)

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Stress on Synthesis paper topic

When i recieved the last assignment i had a few ideas on what i thought i wanted to write on. The first things that popped in my head was the car culture of my dad's GTO. But i am not really a car person, and my father wouldnt of made for a good interview. Second i thought the history of my boyfriends Grandma name Tracey. But i think i would of been overwhelmed and had a hard time with all of her artifacts, letters and information because their is so much. Then on class thursday i was thinking Skydiving, Planned Parenthood or the John Michael Kohler Art Center. Today i am thinking Small Business Entrepreneurs. I have no idea what i am excited about researching.

As more days go by, I tend to stress at night with my mind wondering with questions. All weekend at work i ask friends about ideas on subcultures to research but dont catch anything of much interest. I posted a question on facebook and someone told me to research stress and the ways people handle or deal with it. Again i don't know. You would think something great would of popped in my head and grabbed my attention.
Maybe i need to pick one of the ideas i had originally come up with.

My problem always seems to be picking a topic and getting started. I constantly stress each day that i dont have a topic. I'm starting to feel like i'm not a good researcher or writer. Why is it so difficult to get in the right mind set? Why do i feel so overwhelmed and stressed?

I know eventually i will get on track. I just hope it's sooner than later. I wish i could contol my anxiety/ stress and Chill Out!! Good thing i have plenty of time to get organized, focus, and concentrate on the task at hand.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Summer Sports

I have never been involved in sports, even back in highschool. But last year i took up volleyball through Odyssey and enjoyed every minute of it. This year i decided to add and take on softball. I partly only wanted to play sports to get active and get a work-out without actually going to a gym. However i don't know if these sports will interfere with my work schedule.

Volleyball was particularily fun because i got to play with all my girlfriends from work. We drank beers and had a good time. We did have a few things to work on like communication. We needed to call our balls. Also we didnt have the Bump, Set, Spike down like other teams. But all in all it was a good time and i look forward to playing next month.

Softball has been a little more of a challenge for me. I have only made it to one practice because work has been crazy, but let me tell you it's alot harder than i thought. First of all it's coed and many of the girls on my volleyball team are playing which is pretty exciting. But i have never played before so my stance for hitting was way off. I need to go to a batting cage to get it down. the positions i played so far are second and third base. I can catch but i cant throw as hard and far as i thought i could. But all in all it was a good time. But my body hurt everywhere after that first practice yesterday. Seriously.

I guess i am incouraging any slightly older adults out there to get back out there and play some sports. Especially if you have never played before like me. The cost is very little and affordable. Its a great time if you know some friends who want to get together. But all in all it is beneficial for your body and healthy to get some excercise.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

America's Test Kitchen

This weekend i had the pleasure of working at the Demonstration Kitchen in kohler with America's test Kitchen. The show is aired out of boston and the go to guy or celebrity is Christopher Kimball. I am not too familar with the show but was extermely impressed with their demonstration on Saturday. The chefs and people involved work like busy little bees in that small kitchen but prepared some fabulous dishes.

I was tempted to buy 1 of the 5 books for sale but realized i would not use it quite yet and held out for next year when they return. The crowd was quite large and the book sighning had a great turn out. The first show had a breakfast topic of best blueberry muffins and banana bread. Second tigas or shredded pork tostadas and tres leche cake. Third show was beef stew and Apple slab pie. All the dishes were so delicious.

The thing with ATK is that they test ingredients to find the best ending product. For instance with the bluberry muffins for the 1 cup of milk they substitued sour cream, yogurt and buttermilk. The best outcome was the buttermilk. The same with the apple slab pie they used several different kinds of apples and prepared them all seperate ways to find the best outcome. They strive to find the best recipes.

Lastly they test different products and appliances to see which works the best. Anything from juicers to grinders, wine openers and timers, etc. Kitchen aid blenders happened to work for many purposes and had some great power. I learned alot about America's test Kitchen and am a huge fan now. I look forward to catching a show on t.v or seeing them next year.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

What Career to go for???

The reason i decided to return to school was because work started to slow down and i didnt see myself moving up. I love social careers because i am a social person who likes to work with people. It involves informing, enlightening, helping, training, and developing. I've always thought of an artist career in Education also because i absolutely love working with children and watching them learn and grow.

So Apparently according to LTC's Career Focus the top careers for the new decade include Medical Assistants, Pharmacy Technicians, Real Estate Agents and Brokers, Customer Services Reps, Dental Assistants, Registered Nurses, Food Service Managers, Preschool teachers, Sales Reps and Welders, Cutters, Solderers.

What i struggle with when looking for a career is..... One the pay, I dont even have very high expectations. I actually want to earn between 25,& 30,000 a year. Is that too much to ask for? Second the schooling because i find it very difficult to go back to school after a 5 year gap and work like crazy and maintain a lifestyle on your own. Not to mention homework. Definately my weakness. Lastly the career has to be something i would enjoy doing the rest of my life. I dont want to be one of the half of Americans dissatisfied with my job.

I almost wish i could go back into time and do highschool all over. I would of taken the college planning alot more serious. Then maybe i would have found a career i was extremely passionate about and would stop at nothing til i accomplished it. Until then i am going to continue my college journey with an open mind for learning and hope a career comes my way!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Shop Talk

I cant begin to explain how my job has taken a turn for the worse. 10 years ago Hospitality had a high demand for employment. There was plenty of jobs, hours, benefits and money to be made. Now the economy and recession has affected business.
Companies aren't spending money at The 5-diamond resort called The American Club.

I work in banquets and we handle anything from weddings, christmas parties, Events like Beerfest or Food & Wine, Easter, Mother's day, and Thanksgiving buffets and any other banquet booked functions. I can honestly say business is not steady. We use to have 20-30 staff members on our team, and now we have 12. People are losing benefits and hours are hard to come by. Several of us resort to Unemployment which isn't always enough.

When business is busy we tend to struggle with long 12-13 hour days because the shortage of staff. But yet we are not allowed to hire more staff because we are not in high season. So, we can have a busy week with lots of hours and then the next week with less than 20. Which makes everyone a little stressed and overwhelmed at times, apprehensive about 2nd jobs, and a little unimportant or mistreated.

I know i am lucky to have a good job, but when i lost my benefits last November i was frustrated and pissed. That is how i came to the conclusion to return to school. However i find school and work a hard lifestyle to balance. And i struggle to find a major, But I am going to continue what i started and hope for the best.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Powerball

One day I was stressing to my mother the struggles of not working enough, going to school and paying tuition,and living on my own with bills. I was feeling like i've been living paycheck to paycheck. But she expressed that i was lucky to have a job and family to support me. Which she was right, but what else could i do? She suggested i play powerball and take my chances because i had always been lucky! You have to play to win!!

I have only been playing powerball for the last month and only buy $2.oo worth at a time. I dont have a strategy. I go to the same gas station by my house and let the computer pick my numbers for me. I don't know, Maybe i should switch it up?

I never seem to catch the live show because i fall asleep so i check on-line the following day. I'm always excited thinking i'll match one or two numbers and I'm always disappointed. I'm lucky if i get one number right. Then i start to think whats the point? The odds of winning are 1:195,249,054.

Wednesday March 10th's pot is at 170 million! Thats the inspiration! If i won the lottery i would pay my school and credit card debt, buy a house, give my family and friends money, take a vacation. Maybe even open up a business. Then i would research investing and donating. Afterall, pay it forward!

Sunday, February 28, 2010

TV JUNKIE

Something that i dont always like to admitt, but tend to blurt out when talking about t.v shows is that i am a huge tv junkie. I watch anything from House,Grey's Anatomy,Private Practice and Desperate Housewives to Bad Girls Club,Keeping up with the Kardashians, The biggest loser, American Idol and Project Runway, which to my boyfriend is garbage, But together we enjoy Pawn Stars,Shark Tank and Law & Order SVU. Thank goodness for tivo because i have several favorites recorded for the week and i cant always watch them the day aired. I keep pretty busy with work,school,dinner and homework but always look forward to ME time and thats when i catch up on MY shows.

I particuularily watch American Idol and The Biggest loser because the stories always seem to make me cry every once in a while. Everyone's story is different and it gives them a chance to open up, change, grow and achieve greatness. On American Idol the stress and nerves show and lead to bad performances. I was not impressed with the top 24 this past week, aside from Katie Stevens and casey James. On the Biggest Loser i get all emotional because i see how hard they work and the stress of the scale when the outcomes are shocking. I constantly put myself in their shoes.

I watch House and Grey's Anatomy because first of all, we all need to go to hospitals and see doctors and we are all patients at some point in our life. Well, these patients,diagnosis, and accidents that happen in the show always seem to be real situations. Which they aren't all, but it always makes you think what if? Secondly, I like the drama and comedy of the characters they portray and the love aspects that always keep you guessing and wanting more. I get anxious to see whats going to happen next.

My arguement is that my boyfriend would watch all Sports allday long if i let him. At least i like a variety. My mom and i talk about Project Runway over lunch, Larissa and i will buddy up and watch American Idol together and my girlfriends and i gossip and laugh about Bad Girls Club and Keeping up with the Kardashians. I think it's a girl thing! I guess it all depends on your preferences. What are some of your favorite tv shows to watch and why?

Friday, February 19, 2010

Tiger Woods

I am not particularily a huge golf fan, but i am interested in Tiger Woods for 2 reasons. One because he's suppose to come to the 2010 PGA in Kohler this year.
Two because like everyone else i am curious about the incident that occured on Thanksgiving night. Either way he is a huge celebrity and icon and needs some kind of explanation to his fans.

What took Tiger Woods 84 days? If he would of just came out right away his situation wouldnt be such a mess. Maybe then he wouldnt of lost some of his sponsers like Gatorade. And the huge matter over whether his wife was domesticly abusive or not. Which turned out to be a fabrication. But none the less, the paparazzi continues to harass Tiger's wife Elin and their children.
So I agree with him when he says "Please leave my wife and kids alone."

The truth of the matter is that Tiger Woods was an unfaithful cheater. After watching the ABC News, I am relieved of his honesty and touched by his painful tears. Also for his efforts to continue therapy and practice Buddhism. But what does everyone else think? Do you forgive him or not?

Some may argue that he is still another cheater in the sports world and got what he deserved. Others like myself are more forgiving and want to believe in him again. I want to see him here playing the 2010 PGA. Either way he has had a tremendous professional golf career!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Talk of the Olympics

The talk of the Olympics was the luge crash by the 21 year old Georgia luger named Nodar Kumaritashrili. I looked everywhere for the video and finally found it on Abc News. I dont see what the big deal was about whether to show the video or not. I understand it was a tragedy, but regardless people want to see it. The video i saw wasnt bloody or gorry. It was Nodar running off the track and banging into the support beam.

After the accident, it took the commission less than 24 hours to fix the problem. They immediately built a wall where the incident occured. They made the athletes start farther down the track which took out the equivalence of a 9 story drop and the length of nearly 2 football fields. They also shaved the ice track where the incident was so that there was a less of an angle.

This is one of the fastest courses they have ever had in the Winter Olympics. And yet athletes are hitting well over 90 miles per hour. The commission should of taken major precautions with a sport so dangerous as this one. There shouldnt be any deaths in the Olympics.


There was major debate whether the luge sport would be cancelled or not.
But the truth is the sport must go on. This is the Olympics and these athletes have trained and dreamed of this opportunity. There is always going to be some risk of danger involved in any Winter Olympic sport. Right?

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Superbowl

I didn't really have plans for the Superbowl this year. One because i had to work 7-3pm and two because i partly didn't care. I was invited to two Superbowl parties and asked to get a drink at Bourbon St by another. But i wasnt really interested.

Usually my boyfriend John and I will have a few people over and i will make some taco dip and pigs in a blanket. I can usually sit through one game. But anything more than that is too much football. I would actually say that i like football, but i dont love it.

A few things i enjoy about football is our home team the Packers, the quarterback sneak, stiff arms,touchdowns, rough sacks and fast running backs. A few things i dont enjoy about football are the penalties that i dont always understand, all the other pre and post game shows, and the volume my boyfriend puts the tv on.

I have had one experience going to a Packer Game in 2007. I enjoyed it for the most part but disliked the mad dash of shopping at the Sports Shop. I hated the weather and being cold. I didnt like the sardines in a can seating because i spilled my beer. But the company of friends made it all worth! Dont know if i will ever partake in another football game, but We'll see.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

My first blog

Seeing that my first blog isn't due til Feb. 8th. I thought i would just say a few words about my thoughts on blogging. I find it crazy how fast blogging and twittering has become popular. Its everywhere from celebrities, to fans, the news or even the NFL.

I understand that it is a way to get your opinions and thoughts out there. That it may even relieve stress or anger management. That it can be relaxing and let your words come alive. BUT What is it about people that feel they need to tell the whole world what they think, when its not always of importance?