White Christmas Afterall!!

Well, it happened!!!!!!!!!!!!! My family woke up to find a blanket of snow on the ground. Fortunately for us, the snow downpour continued throughout the day. We were all shocked, excited, and....... remarkably clueless about the whereabouts of the old red sled. Yep, it's apparently gone for good. However, the next best thing was the construction of a snowman (and later, his friend). It's been years since my family had built a snowman, so we'd almost forgotten the art of gathering, patting, and decorating of such creations. I'd give these guys a B-

Cosmo, curious about the new outdoor "decorations"

Living on a hill=amazing

Yep, that's me... and that's not a ski coat. It's probably missing with the "barely used" sled.

This is DEEP for us!

Garth Brooks Concert

So, Nashville was entertaining, but the concert was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

The concert was held at the Bridgestone Arena, which is apparently a hockey rink too....

About midway through the concert, Garth's wife, Trisha Yearwood, joined him in a duet.

The best and clearest picture of the evening. Thank goodness for zoom!

Country Music? Me??

I have never been a huge fan of country music. However, disliking this particular genre puts me in a minority....... at least, in the south. I will admit that I do have a handful of country songs listed on my ipod, so I can't say I'm completely against this style of music. Even though I'm not 100% satisfied with a lot of stuff that's out there these days, I strive to be open minded.

Tomorrow, I will be doing something I never thought I'd be doing. I'm going to see Garth Brooks in concert. Though he's pretty much been on a decade-long concert hibernation , Garth is taking the stage again to play for a good cause. The proceeds raised by this 6-day concert will benefit those affected by recent Tennessee flood damage.

This will be my first REAL country concert, and I can honestly say I'm getting excited! I haven't spend time in Nashville since.....well, aside from just passing through to visit family, I've barely spent any time at the Country Music Capital.

A not-so-white-Christmas

Every December, I watch old holiday movies and TV shows to help set the Christmas mood. All of these, from Ruldolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life to more recent productions like Elf all have one major detail in common: SNOW. What do people in the south hope to see? SNOW. What do we rarely get? SNOW.

Yep, on December 25th, our Christmas weather is as green as the Grinch himself. I have a red plastic sled stored  away in the attic, and it hasn't seen the light of day in years. It's just so sad. Sure, we see some flurries now and then (if so much as one gram of icy precipitation hits the ground, schools in our area are immediately canceled).

My dream is to one day see a blanket of snow on Christmas morning. However, I know that I'm going to love this time of year no matter what...... but watching snow fall is simply priceless. Maybe that's all I want this year.....and hey, it comes with no price tag!

The Singing Dog

I visited my friend Kristy today. As a straight-A music major and a pro at the piano and clarinet, it should come as no surprise that her Siberian husky can hit a few notes of his own. She and her husband are very musically inclined, so it only makes sense that their pets would also have a love for the arts.

I'm frustrated because I've made several attempts to upload a video of her singing dog, but blogspot is being difficult. For now. I'll post a link. Believe me, you'll want to see this. It's SO cute! Ignore the girl voices....

http://www.vimeo.com/17338889

Black Friday, Red & Gold Saturday

My mother recreated the "Luscious spice cake," which is also on the cover of Southern Living's December edition.

Thanksgiving came and went, but this year, I attended TWO official turkey dinners. I'd love to say that all was splendid and magical......well, it was pretty fabulous, but honestly, Thanksgiving is not one of my favorite holidays. Of course, I have a ridiculous amount of things to be thankful for, but when its over, I don't really look back until the following November. The anticipation of Christmas is just too darn distracting!!

Every year, crazy people camp out for hours on Black Friday morning, hoping to snag the best deal on coveted items like flat-screen TVs or other flashy electronics. I'm never been this extreme, but keeping with tradition, my family drove to the mall and participated in a few hours of "black Friday" shopping. The most interesting aspect of this day is the fact that my parents actually managed to buy clothing for themselves. When my sister and I were small, my parents spent lots of time helping us acquire the things we needed (and wanted)... within reason, of course. Nowadays, I choose most of my own things. This method takes away the element of surprise, but, that's the life of an adult.

This year, I'm trying to tone down the crazy gift-wanting aspect of Christmas. Honestly, there's not a thing I desire that one person can buy me. I have everything I need to survive, and although there are a few items I wouldn't mind receiving, I'm relatively happy. I mean, an iphone would be entertaining, but do I really NEED one?? Eh.

The tree at my family's house changed a bit..... the main colors were once maroon and gold, and now, they're simply red and gold. Yep, my mom is a bit of a fanatic. But it's pretty, don't you think?

Well, time to watch the Georgia v. Georgia Tech. Go Dawgs!!

Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 1, was amazing. It was 8th grade when I read my first Harry Potter book, and though I was initially skeptical, I became captivated by J. K Rowling's wondrous wizarding world. Therefore, when news of a film series reached my ear, I was ecstatic. Unfortunately, the first two movies felt like a letdown, and I criticized them for leaving out so many of the book's details. Why do that do that? I wondered. Many readers prefer to simply read novels and ignore big-screen adaptations, arguing that actors and script writers depict poor adaptations of well-written literature.

It's true that I'd always pictured Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, and several other characters rather differently than their real life counterparts, but I quit complaining and stuck with this consistent thought: I'm a Harry Potter fan. I've read and re-read the books countless times. Therefore, it's only fitting that I see the movies too. Luckily for me, the movies got better and better.

I LOVED Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (The 6th addition). My confidence restored, I knew I needed to view the newest production quickly.....or else, hear a personal review from a friend, or worse........be tempted to read all the details in Entertainment Weekly.

The movie ends beautifully yet somberly, approximately page 500 of a 760 page book. I'm anxiously awaiting part two of Hallows, which I believe releases in July. I think it's wonderful to see this story come to life. Oh, but I am curious about one thing........... how does the evil Voldemort breath out of that repulsive slit of a nose??

A hoarder no more

 I'm currently going through a new a phase where I'm craving change. This is unusual for me, because I normally prefer to keep my life routine, as well as my surroundings, consistent. But yesterday, I briefly glanced at the space atop my handmade bookcase and realized the cheerleading trophy from high school needed to go.  I kept that ionic object around not because I loved cheering, but mostly because that trophy happens to be the largest and flashiest prize I ever earned. I suppose that's not too embarrassing, but I also have a 3rd-place science fair trophy from the 5th grade, a D.A.R.E Graduate keepsake with a gold eagle mounted upon its base (also from elementary school), not to mention my graduation tassels from every school I attended. I wonder...... why do I hold on to such trinkets?


I've visited the homes of many friends, and my critical eyes are always quick to spot neglect and shameless pack-rat syndrome. It's a sticky situation however, because I have to constantly remind myself that I am no better than them. Down deep, I'm a natural hoarder, yet my OCD, which I guess developed with maturity, forces me to clean out the old and the unnecessary.

This isn't my real room. But, I would love to have it!

Oh, but you can bet I most definitely have my collection of sweet stuffed animals stored safely away for .....well, I guess when and if I ever decide to marry and have children. Yep, my former fuzzy friends will charm the socks off the little munchkins. Honestly, after watching Toy Story 3 this summer, I'm never getting rid of them. Ever.

Anyway, with everything that's been on my mind lately, I'm in awe that I even noticed with sight of my outdated stuff. Perhaps the wild downpour outdoors inspired me to lock myself inside and give my living space as many expense-free renovations as possible. Converting to a minimalistic style would be AMAZING, and I plan to make my future living quarters more scarce and less cluttered. If you're not clear on "minimalism" an excellent example would be the decor used on the drama "Nip Tuck." I know, it's kind of a terrible, immoral show, but I like the ultra-modern design used in their chic homes and work places.

Football: Fun or Foe?

For many, crisp Autumn Saturdays in the south usually mean one thing: football time! These days provide ample excuse to stock the kitchen with tasty snacks like chips and guacamole, cookies, hamburger meat, and various tasty refreshments.

Yesterday during a local football gathering, the smell of a freshly baked batch of pig-in-the-blankets wafted into the room, and believe me, it didn't take long to gobble up a huge handful. I love the days where friends can temporarily put their career and family responsibilities on pause and gather together for the enjoyment of a rousing sporting event.

Many people are outraged by the wayward behavior displayed during last evening's Georgia/Auburn match-up. Punches were thrown, teammates grew enraged, name-calling ensued. I watched the TV screen from kickoff to the end, but cannot describe all the actions in full, nor can I declare which team deserves the most blame. Honestly, in my 11 years of casually witnessing football, I still understand very little about the sport. While watching one of these Saturday events, the excitement of the competition certainly becomes contagious, and I can comprehend most of the basic details. However, I spend a lot of these moments watching, listening, and naturally, pretending.

I actually used to dislike football, simply because I did not understand it. Basketball is still more of my thing, but over the years, I've watched it less and less. Hopefully, this winter I'll get back into a routine of watching more b-ball. We'll see.

I love Fall, 90210, and Gossip Girl...

Why have I abandoned my blog? Well, I could always blame that wicked enemy we call "writers block" or the "I've been terribly busy" excuse, but perhaps the real culprit here is sheer laziness.

Bottom line: I've been distracted. I need to continue writing so that my skills stay sharp, but falling out of habit is far too easy.

Meanwhile, I've made several changes since my last entry, from my dating life to former career expectations. I think all is for the best. However, some things change slower than others, one such thing being my fixation with teen shows, such as the CW's 90210 and Gossip Girl. Yep, I'm watching them as I type, I cannot help myself. I assume I'll grow out of my juvenile television favs eventually, but as for now, I plan to faithfully watch these shows every Monday night.

October '10 was wild. I survived four haunted houses (one containing live snakes and fake flying babies), I raced go-karts, carved pumpkins, endured an "almost" tornado, purchased fallish flannel shirts and..........ok, so aside from one or two details, this October was fairly low-key.

Since summertime has gone into hibernation and autumn has arrived, I'm welcoming change.

Farewell to the Gold Dome

Wow, it has been a long Session. Clearly, the Capitol has kept me pretty busy, hence my neglected blog. Working here has opened my eyes to the world of state politics. It's amazing to think how much I've learned in just four months.

My re-location to the Speaker's Office has been a fantastic experience for me, and yep, I felt pretty important at times. Technically I work for the Speaker David Ralston, but my boss is his Communications Director, Kristy Lindstrom.

I have received positive feedback from the work I've completed here, and I feel good about that. However, the professional and casual friendships I have have positively impacted me, and I will be so sad to leave!

This year, the Georgia General Assembly has completed a number of duties, including:

*Changes to the House Rules
*Eliminating the "Hawks System"
*House Helping Haiti Fundraiser
*Worked closely with the Lt. Governor & Senate on various issues
*Reforming Ethics rules
*Creating a Transportation bill that will form 12 special tax districts along Georgia's Regional Commission's existing boundaries. Through these districts, constituents will be allowed to vote preferences on transportation projects.
*Amending the state's Fiscal Year 2010 budget, and creating the Fiscal Year 2011 budget....due to our struggling economy, our state must create a balanced budget. This has required months of analyzing, amending, and studying.

Tomorrow is the 40th and last day of the legislative session, also known as "Sine Die." This Latin phrase means "without assigning another day of meeting." The session will reconvene next January.

More later.

Videos!!

My video page is up! Most of these videos were shot and edited during college. The "news" videos were used at West Georgia's weekly newscast, and are posted as portfolio material, memorabilia, or just for fun. Some are good content, others are just aight.

The rest will be miscellaneous, for now. Check them out at:

http://www.vimeo.com/user3366176

Never Alone when I'm with my Phone!

Just an observation.....

People no longer meander down the streets, cruise in their cars, socialize with pals, or even order a steak without one key item: a cell phone. I mean, take a look around! People can't take two breaths without glancing these little hand-held communication devices.

This is especially true in the working world. That irritating school rule of "no cell phones allowed" is completely forgotten once you are issued a "work" blackberry. While typing press releases and shooting video around my office, I feel my phone should be on silent, tucked safely away in the confines of my purse. However, other people wouldn't dare live life this way.

Buzz buzz. Ring-a-ling, ring-a-ling. Even as I type this, I hear the persistent chirping and vibrating of my co-worker's phones. I suppose I should expect this, after all, I work in the communications department. If cell phones are so essential to most Americans, why do they annoy me?

I like having a phone, I really do. But I'm not obsessed with mine. I really have no reason to be glued to this thing 24/7. Perhaps my year-old LG shine could be a contributing factor to my cellular boredom. I can't really check emails on the thing, or efficiently manage twitter, or navigate gps. But I mean, I have my laptop for that stuff. When I'm on foot, I appreciate the break from the internet. When I return to my post, I look forward to checking my recently filled email or facebook inbox. I enjoy life just fine without having those instant alerts. Do people really like being bombarded that much? Call me old-fashioned, or uptight. But I just don't need my phone to be my second computer, no siree.

Grammy Schmammy

Oh my goodness, it's February and I've fallen way behind. Shame on me. Buuut, it's Valentine month, which means I need some of those little candy hearts pronto. Maybe I'll receive some on the 14th. No, how about now!? I need something to snack on during these wee hours of work.

Well, as I'm sure everybody knows, the 2010 Grammys aired last night. Did I watch them? Shockingly, no, but I have no regrets about missing it. I'd honestly rather read about the Grammys than watch because, let's face it, we've all heard most of those songs played and replayed, over & over, tens of thousands of times until we want to scream "make it stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plllease stop the music!"

The most annoying song ever.... "All the Single Ladies" won song of the year. Um, why?!?!?! Would somebody plllllease give me concrete reasons as to why this annoying number deserved an award? Not to knock Beyonce though, I really do enjoy many of her songs. It just kills me that the most irritating one received recognition. Heh, if I were a boy, I would've puked. Actually, I feel a bit sick to my stomach just thinking of that song.

Oh, and of course, TS wins her millionth award during her tiny lifetime. Was anybody surprised? I suppose not. I think I need to do more research and try to find something positive about last night. So far, everything I've seen or heard is nothing short of an eye-roller.

Any comments or passionate opinions? Let's get a healthy discussion going.

Stranger Danger

"Don't ever go anywhere by yourself."

If you are a female, you've probably heard this phrase many times. Heck, if you have parents, those words most likely reached your ears more times than you can recall. When encountering a situation with potential danger, people love to give this sort of advice. Society likes to plant fear into our hearts by making comments like, "going anywhere alone is just asking for it....you'll be a walking target."

As for me, I'm currently working right smack in the heart of Atlanta, and, naturally, my mother told me to "always have somebody with me while going to and from my car."

Ok, this sounds like a safe idea, and it's certainly more fun being with a companion compared to a lonely sidewalk stroll, but the stress of seeking constant a hand-holder is tedious. I'm sorry, but it's pretty much impossible to avoid "alone" situations. They don't have to be frequent, but you can't have somebody with you 24/7. People have other responsibilities, places to be, people to meet. It's unrealistic to assume a person can drop everything and devote valuable time and energy for your sake. After all, there are things people need to do alone.

As children ,we're heavily guarded, but adulthood teaches us to use common sense. At times, we're faced with daunting moments of being "the last to leave the office" or being "stuck in the back, shady parking lot." I don't want to be mugged, lost down a dark alley or taken advantage of, but to be paranoid is just miserable. I refuse to live in fear.

I think it's selfish ask for a constant escort. It's inconvenient, illogical, and childish. Really, how can anybody depend on anyone to be a successful employee if they're seen as the "office baby?"

I do take necessary precautions by leaving the office with my bosses and maintaining common sense. I've traveled through and worked in this nutsy city for a while, yet I still become confused....... a lot. It's easy to make mistakes here, and it's very easy to get lost.

However, I do hope my readers and loved ones will be safe!

Cold at the Capitol

Wow, what a week. Despite the shockingly cold weather, I've managed to awake around 6:30am, clothe myself in professional attire, and cruise i-75 to the Georgia Capitol. I'm currently interning for Member and Constituent Services, and it's so exciting! Unlike my previous internship, which only required 20 hours a week, I work "real" work hours....8 a.m-5 p.m. This, naturally, provides a challenge. Honestly, for a person who occasionally enjoys sleeping 'til lunchtime, I'm doing well. I dislike mornings. I dread the sound of the evil alarm, I shiver at the mere thought of the unfriendly chilly air that lingers in the wee hours. I dislike how the bathroom light causes my eyes to painfully squint in protest. I nearly cry when I discover my ice-crusted windshield requires several minutes of scraping and heating. However, somehow, this experience leads to rewarding things.

I have met more people in the past few days than I have for.....oh, months!! Tons of Representatives from counties I never knew existed and Capitol staff who is usually very friendly. So far, I've sat in the Gallery of the past 3 sessions, and witnessed Governor Sonny Perdue giving his last state of the state address. Oh, and not to mention the free soft drinks!

Most importantly, I'm enjoying the networking and witnessing actions I only heard about in history classes.

More to come. I'm exhausted.

New Things in 2010

Happy 2010! I'm a little behind on the blogging, but honestly, things have been pretty uneventful. This is how ideal holiday time should be, right? Relaxing and peaceful.

I'm entirely grateful to have 2009 behind me. I won't drone on with complaints, because it was a year of growth and learning......but ug, what an emotionally trying time!! I was slightly fearful that the month of January would be an extension of the mundane routine...... a silent cell phone and an uninspired, surly attitude. Well, this week, I got a call about a paid internship with the Georgia Capitol! Yep, I finally get to do something useful again. Also, I get to leave my house. Yes!!!

I will record more details later, when I have them. Right now, I'm packing all the professional clothing I have into my blue suitcase. The funny thing is, I had just placed it back into its attic home, thinking Sea Island was the last interesting place I'd be for a while. Now, my freshly-laundered socks & such are once again crammed and zipped into their proper places.

More soon!!