Gobble Gobble Biatch

GUESS WHAT?!!?! Okay, most of you already know because you saw me buttttttt... I GOT TO GO HOME FOR THANKSGIVING!

I was ecstatic when I found out that I would be home for the holidays, even though Thanksgiving has never been a huge holiday for my family. I think that my mom did a great job of making sure we had family dinners growing up, and even as we got older, we maintained a sense of appreciation for family dinners. Since our Thanksgivings usually include my sisters, my mom, and my brother-in-law, it is usually just a normal day around the house but with more food to bash! Small and quaint :)

The past few years however, we have been going to my brother-in-laws family Thanksgiving. There are kids running around, and my mom doesn't have to cook as much so it's perfect. Plus, Patrick has been a huge part of our family since I was about 12 years old so his family is now our family.

This is the part where I bore you with family photos:

I enjoyed seeing you all so much and I'll be back in less than a month for Christmas! Brandy, can we not get roofied this time (seriously, though) Don't ask.

Random

Ahhhh (big stretch).. it's been awhile.

Work has been hectic, and my co-worker is in South Africa right now at a Baboon sanctuary (really makes you want to save the world doesn't it..) and my boss is out of the office (per usual). I wish I had some exciting news to report but I'm just living life. Same thing different day... so here are just a few random thoughts:

I've had a few people ask me about ShoeDazzle and I have to say that I've been impressed thus far. I've only purchased one pair of shoes so far (one per month) but they are killer over the knee boots and I didn't have to pay for drinks the entire night I wore them so that's a plus! :)

Also, people seem to really love ScribbleToo, the site I wrote about in my last post, and I would love to see your scribbles! You can email them to me at Jbarmstrong87@gmail.com and I will post my favorites. Although, I'm sure I will love them all :)

My sister Brandy's Scribble!

What else....Oh, and one of my favorite musicians right now is Florence and The Machine. I put some of her songs in my October playlist. If you are ever having a bad day watch this cute little boy let Florence cheer him up!

Scribbles!

When I'm bored at work (often) I Stumble and I came across this AMAZING WEBSITE! Okay, so you might not think that it's as AMAZING as I do.. but it's a ton of fun :)

ScribblerToo

My creation

How To Be Alone

Beautiful poem and video :)

Too Nice?

A new friend of mine asked me last night if I got taken advantage of a lot... In the "you're too nice of a person" kind of way.

I instantly wanted to be like, "NO NO. Never. I'm hard as a rock." After seconds of silence, which seemed like hours, I mumbled, "Yeah. Often times I get taken advantage of." The overwhelming sense of embarrassment probably wasn't hard to miss.

Hearing those words come out of my mouth was a little intimidating, but true. Am I TOO nice? Am I TOO giving? Am I TOO understanding? Is giving people the benefit of the doubt a weakness? In most cases, it has proven to be.

In fact, last night I spent way too much money on a gym membership (that I plan on canceling after 30 days to get my money back) for the mere fact that the sales guy was nice, and I didn't want to hurt his feelings. No joke. I signed the dotted line for a gym membership even though the price was way too high, because the guy was nice?!

I know that there are a lot of people who have stabbed me in the back, or kicked me when I'm down, or in one case, took advantage of a decade of friendship, but I also know there are a lot of people who appreciate my kindness. I will do anything for the people I love. I spent too many of my teenage years being angry and bitter; always having up a thick wall. Now, I embrace emotions and feelings. It's a good thing to feel. Even if that means you get a couple broken hearts along the way.

Wait! Why Weren't You Holding The Bird?!

Remember my old post about staying at the Ritz in Atlanta.. well I promised ridiculous photos and here you go:

We didn't pose for this at all... wink* wink*

Well, whenever I have a bad day (such as today) I'll just look at this picture and chuckle. After this picture was taken I looked at my sister (far right. Isn't she cute..) and said "WAIT! WHY WEREN'T YOU HOLDING THE BIRD!?"(note the cute white birds on the table). The best part is, I was dead serious. I had managed to convince myself that perhaps the picture would be complete if she were only holding a bird.. or maybe it would look like we didn't pose but that that bird just belonged in her tiny hands...

I watch too much Disney.

Fascinated by the decor.. I'm easily amused.

Music According to Jes: November

I can't narrow it down to 10 songs anymore... I mean who likes short mix tapes anyways?!

All songs link to YouTube :) Enjoy!

1. Howl - Florence and The Machine
2. Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
3. Linger - The Cranberries
4. Swimming - Florence and The Machine
5. Lost and Found - Johnny Flynn
6. She's Got You High - Mumm-Ra
7. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - The Postal Service
8. Apologies - Grace Potter and The Nocturnals
9. Paperweight - Joshua Radin & Schuyler Fisk
10. The Lovers Are Losing - Keane
11. Piano Song - Meiko
12. Sick Muse - Metric
13. Where You're Coming From - Matt & Kim
(couldn't find it on YouTube but you can find it on Grooveshark.com)
14. For The Summer - Ray LaMontagne
15. How Do We Know - Katie Costello

Marilyn Sharpie Stipple

Just added a new piece to My Art. Look closely! Except for the green background, it is made entirely out of dots :)

Where Do They Hide All The "Junk"?!

Last night was the DC Drag Queen Race 2010. I headed to Dupont Circle right after work to ensure that I got a good spot. Before heading to the street, some friends and I stopped in Mad Hatter to get some dinner and drinks.

Mad Hatter is one of my favorite DC spots because I am a huge Alice in Wonderland and Tim Burton fan. After last night however, I am also a HUGE fan of their food! I got the Psychedelic Dog which is covered in potato chips and pineapple. This may sound like an odd choice but I love pineapple on my pizza so why not hot dogs too?! And last but not least!! *drum roll please*... THE BUFFALO CHICKEN FONDUE! The most amazing thing I have ever put in my mouth (que the "that's what she said"...har har).

After Mad Hatter deliciousness, we headed down to the street to admire the costumes and continue to be surprised by how they tuck you know what where?! Seriously. In a leotard where do they fit it all... it's beside me.

Anyways.. meet miss Katy Perry!

Is she your Teenage Dream?

Jet-Setter

After 10 days away from my new home, I forgot how beautiful DC was. A week in Atlanta almost made me forget the beautiful Autumn weather that I got to return to Sunday evening. The leaves have turned so fast over the past 10 days and the commute to work is beautiful!

Arlington Cemetery

My trip:

1. OU Homecoming was amazing! Surprise, surprise. It felt so good to be reunited with my best friends and walk on the Court Street bricks again. There were some people I would have liked to see that I didn't get the chance to due to day long binge drinking but it's so tough to cram it all in. Luckily I got Sunday afternoon to spend with my old roommates, best friends, and family. 

Going back was so much fun but I noticed that I'm not the same person I was 4 months ago, and neither are a lot of us. Relationships change over 4 months and that can't be ignored.. no matter how hard you try to ignore it. Some relationships however remained exactly the same :) Laughs are shared as if you never left. I also didn't realize how much I missed inside jokes! I say things to new friends around DC and I realize, they have no idea what I'm talking about... (followed by awkward silence and awkward laughs) ha.

2. Week long conference in Atlanta. The hotel was contemporary and beautiful and I got some free wine out of the gig :) My favorite part of the conference was dinner at the Georgia Aquarium. We had exclusivity of the aquarium from 6-7 and then had a dinner/cocktail reception from 7-9.

Underwater Tunnel

 I didn't touch the ocean until I was 18 years old so as beautiful as the aquarium was, it terrified me at the same time. I screamed when one of the bull sharks swam above me and I was around all of my "clients" so that was just dandy. But they're massive... honestly 20 feet long. How the hell am I supposed to feel comfortable getting into the ocean, pre-wrapping myself in a wet suit, and hoping on a board that is ironically shaped like a seal. Seriously? I'll pass.

3. A weekend in Atlanta with my big sister :) Due to the nature of my job, I got a free stay in the Ritz at Buckhead in Atlanta. I have never stayed in a Ritz before but walking through those massive wood and gold plated doors was enough to make you suck your cheeks in, walk straighter, tighten that gut, and smooth your hair.

HUGE!

My sister adopted the "Ritz walk" one foot in front of the other, ever so lightly ha. You had to see it I guess. Oh! And there was a chandelier in the elevator. No biggie.

When we approached our hotel room door we noticed massive double doors and a sign that read "Presidential Suite." We opened the doors to find a luxurious room with a kitchen, dinning room, office, living room, master bedroom and master bath. 

Only separated by 6 inches of acrylic!!!

The first-class experience was complete when we noticed the complimentary bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. We persisted to parade around the room in our robes, drinking champagne, and taking ridiculous photos.. (anticipate photos later).

I had an amazing couple of days with the people I care about most, and the job perks definitely helped! :)