Hi!

So I've been incognito for over a month now and it's been super weird not blogging.  So, my plan is to make posts more often and shorter!

Bam. 

That's it. 

Just kidding. 

Here are a few things that happened since the last time I blogged. 

I've directed and produced my first two broadcasts for our student-run TV station! 

I was the maid of honor at my cousin's wedding!

Mickey and I went ice skating on our way back from the wedding (in Houston)

I've made my own website, business cards, and Facebook personality page

I've been exercising four times a week and have picked up Zumba again!
Mickey and I celebrated our year and a half-aversary! (cheesy?) ;)

Mickey has another part-time job recording videos and posting them online for a magazine!

& we smelled fall for the first time!

P.S. Did I mention we'll be graduating from college in 42 days? Yup.  :)

Our first official Starbucks date the first time we smelled fall!
10.16.13

The First Time I Talked on {LIVE} TV

So some of y'all know of my wonderful career aspirations and how TV practicum this past spring really opened my eyes to it.  As you know, I interned with FOX over the summer as a news intern and recently left.  What I haven't shared with y'all is what has happened next.

I finished my news internship with FOX on August 28.
I had an interview with FOX on August 29 for a different internship and left that day with another internship with FOX! I know, they just couldn't get rid of me!

So, since September 5th, I've been one of the Entertainment and Lifestyle Interns at FOX! I've been going Tuesday-Friday for about 20 hours total! I know! It was the internship I'd been wanting for a while and I'm so blessed and grateful to have it!

Another thing I haven't shared is that my schedule had become very overwhelming.
I had three jobs, about to start a new internship and taking 16 hours.
About two weeks ago, I decided to give my two weeks at David's Bridal.  This was something very difficult for me because I've never been at a job less than 6 months and I felt a bit like a failure.  After much thinking, I realized that I was under so much stress I wasn't enjoying life.  Granted, I'm under stress now, but I love waking up in the morning, even if it is at 5am to go FOX.  I had gotten to the point where I was so swamped with everything I was enjoying anything.  I realized, I needed to step back from something.  I wanted to "focus on my career", which I felt sounded very weird of me to say but that's the truth.  I was veering away from my chosen career path and I didn't like it.  Today is my last day at David's Bridal and I have to say, I learned so much in my two months of being there.  I had wonderful experiences and helped my cousin pick out her wedding gown.  I learned how to use a cash register, how to properly hang wedding gowns, how to be a wedding consultant, how to help bridesmaids out and most of all, how to communicate with all kinds of people.   I don't see this as a bad thing anymore because I know I need to focus on my job as a student, as an intern at FOX, as an Entertainment Director at my university's TV station and as the Assistant Wedding Coordinator at my chapel.  Seriously, when did it become reasonable and okay to use the phrase "focus on my career".  I'm growing up.  Yikes!

So, since that decision my brain has been on TV mode and let me tell you, it's AWESOME.
The internship is absolutely amazing and I'm so freakishly happy to be there.

One more thing, did I mention I was on TV this past Thursday, September 12, 2013 at approximately 9:10am? I was! I talked and everything! The anchors wanted to get a perspective from a younger person on a certain topic (parents going on interviews with their 20-something "child"). I gave a young adult perspective and basically said that was whack.

This was technically my third appearance on TV ever and it was awesome.

1. March 24?, 2008: Good Morning America with my high school orchestra
2. July 2013 FOX lifestyle show dancing during the credits
3. This appearance.  

I have to say, it was a moment I will ALWAYS remember and I still can't believe it happened.
It was also very last minute.  So for those of you starting to get upset because I didn't tell you, sorry, there was no time.  Next time, I will tell me people, no worries! :)

So there you have it.  Things are a changing and I can't wait.

Last Second Day of School

I woke up at 10am feeling super rested this morning which was super awesome. :)

I got to campus and headed toward TV Practicum for the first time as the Entertainment Director.  

Ahh! I was so excited.

Hank talked about all things having to do with the station.

I'm excited to talk to the students about all things Entertainment! 

1:30pm: Creativity for the Arts

This was cool!

There are 16 other girls in my class. 

It felt like slumber party minus the whole school thing. Haha.

It's my first class to be taught by a sister. 

It was AMAZING.  We started the class by praying.  

It was beautiful. 

She's actually part of the order of sisters that started and created the chapel.  :)

This girl sitting next to me is having a surgery I had a while ago and I talked 

with her a bit after class.  It was really nice to be able to share my experience about that. 

#schedulethusfar

3pm: Internship 

Oh my goodness. Too many people!

I'm interested to see how it goes.

:)

4:30pm: US History to 1865

He started class early! 

A lot of students.

I'm hoping to learn about history. 

Mickey and I went to a screening afterwards. 

SCARY MOVIE. 

I'm excited for this semester. 

109 days till graduation!

:)

Be fearless.

I realized after I posted last time that I, in fact, did have a resolution last year! It was to 

"try new things, be fearless." 

I don't know about the fearless part but I know I've certainly tried

 new things. Mickey, as I mentioned in our 6 months post, has been there

 for me for a while and he's helped me so much this past year 

with this resolution without him even knowing it.  

It's freaking amazing having your best friend and boyfriend in one person.  

So these past couple of days I've been looking at my Pinterest boards and trying to organize them and looked a lot at my bucket list and I'm proud to say that I'm completing some of them! 

So, in list form, I will talk about {accidentally} fulfilling my 2012 New Year's Resolution!

(I may have mentioned a few of these previously, but there are tons of new ones!)

-Stopped drinking soda!

*It's been a year since I've had soda!*

-Went to a club

-{Danced with a nice stranger at said club}

-Fun fun fun!

-Mickey and I had Chicken and Waffles.
{My first time}

-Participated with television-related stuff at school

-Mickey's 21st birthday!

-Got confirmed

After lots of money that's for sure!

-Mickey and I were going to go there for our first date together but God had much better plans. ;)
We went there eventually!

-Filed taxes by myself

-Got oil change for Anderson {my car} by myself 

-Baked something from scratch

-Became a server

-Learned to drive on highways

-Flown on a plane by myself
{Mickey and I both did that separately but for the first time}

-Mickey and I tried vegan food and here are a few more:

   

I know there are tons more but I just wanted to show how many new things I did this year and how I feel that this resolution is one that many of us can try! 

Lastly, and most importantly, this one happened.

I love you Mickey.  Thank you for making me the happiest girl in the world. 

2012

Well, as with many bloggers out there, I feel it's super important to 

recap the year in a post, so here's my attempt to do so!

{I'll be focusing on happy things}

January: 

-Found the second love of my life...

ZUMBA

-Went to my first nightclub!

-Got dental implant!

-Stopped drinking soda!

-Filmed stuff for Eventually Cool!

Spooky Singles

February:

-Saw Kelly Clarkson in concert for the second time!!!

-Went to G-ton with some friends!

Our first picture together, before we got together.  haha.  

-Got confirmed!

March:

-Went to visit family in the Valley!

-Got together with the love of my life-Mickey!!! {03.18.12}

Our first date.  Downtown. 3.25.12 :)

April:

-Celebrated Easter with Mickey's family!

-Got inducted into Alpha Chi 

(Honor Society for Upperclassmen)

With Deidra!!

-Filed taxes all by myself!

May:

-Sang in the Baccalaureate Mass!

-Discovered my love for raspberries, blueberries & blackberries!

-Turned 20!

-Learned to drive on highways!

June:

-Started working at Cracker Barrel = Good cash flow for the summer. 

-Went to festival with Mickey! 

-Filmed stuff for Eventually Cool!

July:

-Went to Sara's wedding in New Hampshire!

-Saw a quick glimpse of Harvard!

-Flew on my own back home!

-Lost a total of 20 pounds! 

August:

-Went to Sydney's wedding (as a bridesmaid) with Mickey in Tampa! 

Weight loss for both of us!

-Became classified as a college senior!

-Started 5th semester of college!

September:

-Went swing dancing with Mickey!

-Celebrated Mickey's parents' 23rd anniversary!

-Mickey and I celebrated our 6 month anniversary! 

-Tried and enjoyed Creme Brulee!

October:

-Filmed my first PSA!

-Mickey and I volunteered with the Diabetes Walk (JDRF)

-Zombie Walk & our first Halloween together!

November:

-Voted in my first presidential election!

-Dia de los Muertos Festivities!

-Went to Vegan Restaurant!

-Went and filmed/took pictures of a quince as Mickey's assistant!

-Celebrated Mickey's 21st Birthday!

-Celebrated Thanksgiving with Mickey's family (& my aunt and uncle separately)

December:

-Participated in first 48-Hour Film Festival!

-Mickey and I decorated our first Christmas tree together!

-Went to Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA

SAW SNOW FOR THE FIRST TIME!

(& snow tubed, saw Pacific Ocean, went to the Northwest! and faced my fear of heights)

I guess you could say that this year treated me very well.  I know my momma 

would be very proud of how I'm doing.  I still can't believe I lived a whole year without my mom, 2012 was lived without her here.  A part of me is freakishly proud and another part of me is extremely sad.  I had a lot of firsts this year and I wish I could have shared those with her but for now, I'll just know she's watching me from above sharing those moments with me.  

I can't believe I'm 20, or that I found the most amazing guy in the world, or that I saw snow this year, or that I even had two jobs for 5 months while taking on a full course load at school.  I'm just blessed and thankful to God and my sweet momma for all the blessings they've given me and even though we lost some loved ones this year,  I know they're in heaven having a blast.  

So, thank you 2012 for being much better for me than 2011 was. 

Thank you for my loved ones.  Here's to 2013 being even better! 

I can't wait for all that is to come!

I know I'll certainly be ringing it in with some of my favorite people! ;)

48-Hour Film Experience!

So, as promised in the last post, I will talk about participating in my first ever: 

48-Hour Film Experience.  

It all started a few months ago, when some of my Comm Arts friends asked me to be a part of their team as "talent" (that's what on-camera people are called) so I immediately said "Duh!" Mickey came on board a bit later as Assistant DP (Director of Photography).  I knew this was going to be a blast.

So here's the premise of this Film Experience.  Each team (or director and asst. director actually) go to this place on friday evening at 8pm and get the genre and location.  The theme was retro. Our genre was horror and location was 50s.  All teams would have 48 hours to film, edit and everything to turn it in by 8pm that Sunday.  And so it started!

That friday night several people got together to write the script/rough outline and the rest of us got info for Saturday (shooting day).  And so, after a slow start that Saturday, we were off!

That's me!!! 

We filmed (almost) everything on campus because its architecture is very 50s and it was perfect!! 

Just some of us. :)

I played the new girl out of town who's being haunted by The Clique (behind me).  

Then, everything takes a turn! Dun...dun...dun!!!

In the wee hours of the morn'. 

We finished filming that night/early morning Sunday at around 1am. We were freakishly exhausted but so excited to see the final product!!! That following morning I had to meet the crew at a local high school to shoot a shot and then we wrapped filming! Then it was crunch time! They turned it in in the knick of time.  :)

Mickey and I the last day of shooting. Bright & Early. 

Next up was the screening that week.  I was so pumped and excited! I couldn't believe all the people that were there! Even more so, all the people that were gonna see MY FACE on a BIG SCREEN! I could hardly contain myself.  I was like a little kid! 

MY FACE on the freakin' BIG SCREEN! Oh. my. goodness.
My momma would've been so proud!! ♥

Everybody's films were very nice.  Although, I did think ours was just the bees knee's.  Haha. Get it? :)

We went to celebrate after the screening at a local Mexican Restaurant.  Only in the South.  

Not all the cast and crew were able to go but it was wonderful to be able to celebrate. 

 It was actually Anthony's birthday and so we surprised him with a birthday sing-a-long at the restaurant, along with a balloon and cake.  It was a fun time!

Some of our amazing cast and crew. :)

There was an awards ceremony the following week but unfortunately we didn't win anything. BOO.  We all thought 3rd place was ours. Oh well! There's always August and December for some more film experiences.  We are all hoping to get together and hang out because, well, we're pretty awesome.  

All in all, this was an AMAZING experience.  Thank you Joel and Ysenia for asking me to be a part of your fantastic team!

 If you want to see the video, just let me know! 

(acssndr2010@gmail[dot]com)

New Kind of Thanksgiving and Black Friday!

No chocolates or roses for this gal, I'm
a sour patch & carnations kind of girl. Mickey knows
his way into this girl's heart. ♥

So, I realized I left out vital information in my last post, so here's to catch y'all up.

I mentioned about a year ago that I was going to become part of Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) and I'm proud to say I was initiated on the 18th! Let's rewind a bit though.

The following weekend after I posted, Mickey and I went to a quince where we were the photographers and videographers.  They are family members of his and we've been working with them for a bit.  It was really cool because working at the chapel, I've always been on the other side so it was nice working as a photographer! It was also amazing to be able to use Mickey's Canon t2i! It's absolutely gorgeous!!! I want one SO bad! We were alternating using it, it was fun!

On the 17th of November, my darling Mickey turned 21! I surprised him the night before with a surprise birthday party at Magic Time Machine.  The details of how I planned this are too extend and so I won't bore you with them, just know there was lying and sneaking around being done.  Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right? Anyway, we rang in his 21st at midnight right after singing karaoke! We sang Twist and Shout (the day we got together-03.18.12-we watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off and so this song has special meaning to us).  That was the end of that night.  Each day starting from Thursday I had a surprise lined up for him.

Thursday 11.15  BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES!
Friday 11.16 SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Saturday 11.17 JACKET HE WANTED FROM TARGET!
Sunday 11.18 GIFTCARD FROM SALTGRASS WAS USED!

It was an amazing weekend.  We also went to a friend's wedding dinner/reception and our school's holiday event oh and of course, my CDA initiation! I know I had an amazing time planning everything for him and I LOVED seeing his face react to all the surprises.  I shocked myself by how well I kept this surprise!

Fast forward a bit to this week/weekend.  We celebrated our first Thanksgiving together!! I, unfortunately, had to work at Cracker Barrel but was out at 2pm.  I then headed over to my aunt's house and munched a bit and then went over to Mickey's parent's house.  It was so nice to see their traditions and how they do certain things. It was pretty awesome.  It was hard celebrating yet another Thanksgiving without my momma but I'm sure she loves seeing me happy and taken care of, not just by my aunt and uncle and friends (and her friends) but also by Mickey and his amazing family.  It was nice trying something new on Thanksgiving.  I've always celebrated it with my mom, my aunt and uncle, or neighbors, never with my boyfriend's family, so this was a HUGE deal & I absolutely loved spending time with him.  ♥

CDA flowers given to new inductees. :)

We wrapped up that night by going to Target and seeing some of the Black Friday deals.  My mom and I always wanted to do the whole Black Friday thing so it was nice to venture out and so.  We got a few movies and called it a night.  Today we got a bit more shopping in! Guys, Black Friday is the real deal! If you've never done it, I strongly recommend it.  Mickey and I already have a new game plan set up for next year! Why? Because that's how we roll!

BTW.  I MISSED FOREVER 21. ;)

Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was wonderful and good luck on Cyber Monday my fellow shoppers!

I've got the power!

So, I will not talk about who I voted for but instead on how blessed I feel that women now days can vote.  This past summer, Mickey and I took a Women in the Media class and I was introduced to so much more information I wasn't aware of about the Women's Suffrage movement.  We watched Iron-Jawed Angels and oh my, I still remember certain scenes of it that are ingrained in my head.  It's crazy to think that there was a point in time when women couldn't vote.  That we were seen as inferior and not able to make important decisions, such as electing our nation's leaders.  So, today, when I went to vote for the second time in my life (the first time was in a small election), I realized the true blessing it was.  I was majorly excited and sported a cheesy smile as I walked in to the country club near my aunt and uncle's house.  I was in and out of there in 10 minutes! I was scared it would take too long but I went in around 10:30 am before my noon class and did my part!
It's crazy because I remember voting in the small elections with my mom and acting the exact same way so that people ten miles away knew it was my first time voting.  My mom was so happy for me! I'm so glad we were able to share that together.  I remember going with her to vote for other elections but there's a different feeling when you can vote yourself, it's indescribable.  I will treasure that moment we had together.

So, here's a bit of an update on life since I last blogged:

1. Dia de los Muertos happened.  Mickey and I went to a festival at his high school program and then we went to an exhibit.  It was all very nice.  It's weird because I don't even remember what I did last year.  I think I was still in a daze from my mom's passing.  At this event, Mickey and I touched a burmese python! It was insane!!!

2.  I have 4 projects/presentations this week.  I've completed/presented 3 of them, so here's to the last one!

3.  Halloween was fun.  Mickey and I went to Chipotle and each had ourselves a $2 burrito! It tasted so much better knowing it was only $2.  We then went to his parent's house and celebrated a bit.

4.  For my social media class I made a PSA for this organization I founded.  I've gotten such good feedback that I'm excited to continue with it for our final project! Susan G. Komen (the city organization), American Cancer Society and Lane from Gilmore Girls shared the video on facebook making me the happiest girl in the world! Mickey and I met our Congressman and even got a picture with him! Here's the link to the video and don't forget to 'like' our facebook page here!

I will attempt to continue keeping y'all updated on life and all it's happenings!

6 months. ❤

Before.

Mickey and I have been together for six months as of today! (9.18.12)!!! I cannot believe it's already been half a year.  Seriously, that just flew by! So to celebrate we went to this fancy restaurant and stuffed our faces.  He had a hefty giftcard and we definitely did put it to good use.

Here's a summary of our wonderful experience at Fleming's:

-His first time eating calamari (he liked it!)
-Our first time eating filet minon! IT WAS SO FREAKISHLY GOOOOOOD!
-His first time eating lobster!
-His first time seeing the waiters "comb" the table for crumbs.

-AND MOST IMPORTANTLY... OUR FIRST TIME EATING CREME BRULEE!!!!


-Oh my goodness was it delicious or what!


So, here is a little information about us and how we got to where we are now.

We met in our Intro to Mass Comm class our first semester in college and we were kind of friends, we didn't have each other's numbers but we knew each other.  Second semester, we had a class together, Audio Production, when we exchanged numbers so if we needed to get a hold of one another we could.  We started becoming closer friends then.  That's when Mickey met my mom! It was awesome!
That summer 2011 we didn't talk too much although we began texting because I told him about my mom's health situation and our friendship just grew immensely.

Mickey ♥

During the fall of 2011, we had Video Production I together.  He helped me out with our first project, which was a countdown.  I did mine with gummy bears.  My mom got to see it and she loved it! During that semester, Mickey and I became even closer of friends.  That friday, September 16, he along with his girlfriend at the time and Katie, along with other very important people (Deidra and her family) were there for me during the hardest time. That's when Mickey saw my mom again.  That evening when they all came over to the hospital room, my mom basically told them to take care of me because this was going to be the most difficult thing I was going to have to face.  I feel Mickey has definitely done this.  

Mickey visited my mom and I at hospice.  At this time, my mom wasn't really conscious but I know deep down, she knew he was there.  He went a couple of times while we were there and it meant the world to me.  I mean, there I was.  Looking like a zombie, with hair all over the place, wearing scrubs and looking like poo and he was there for me.

When my mom passed away, he immediately asked me what he could do. He was there through it all, especially the day of the viewing.  I remember he got there early with Katie and they stayed there the entire day! He gave me hugs when I needed them and let me vent when I needed to.

After

After the viewing, through the healing process and my visits with Dr. Tucker, he stuck with me.  He never got annoyed by me or ignored me.  He let me cry my eyes out and then made me laugh.  He became my best friend.  The new year came and he was single and then, the rest, as you could say is history.  March 18, 2012 we got together! (A day after his mom's birthday) Yay! I know cheesy story right? But you have to admit it's one for the books.  I'm a lucky girl.  

So, that's a small little bit of my life I never really shared before! I hope y'all enjoyed this super positive post.  Here's to making this 19th (the day my mom went into hospice) an okay day. And here's to making the 26th an okay day as well.

Thank you Mickey for everything you ever did and for everything you continue to do.  These six months have been my most favorite and I look forward to everything that is to come! ;)

Raspberries & Avengers & Mass

So, BIG NEWS.  I just found out like three days ago that I absolutely LOVE raspberries! It's crazy because I've always thought raspberries and blueberries tasted weird because I just assumed but I finally had the guts to try them.  My aunt had gotten raspberries and blueberries on her recent trip to the grocery store and so I thought it would be a good idea to try them.  Oh my goodness guys! Raspberries are SO much better than any other fruit.  Blueberries are really good too but they pretty much taste exactly like grapes to me.  Which reminds me, I had like 115 calories left for the day today and I had strawberries, green grapes, blueberries and raspberries.  FRUIT OVERLOAD.  So good though.  I guess it's a sure sign of summer!  Seriously guys though, they are amazing.  Try them if you haven't! Also, blueberries and raspberries have potassium! That's always good. My mom would be so happy I am still trying new things!

-So. AVENGERS. THE AVENGERS.  Seriously amazing guys. I strongly recommend y'all watch it.  I mean, c'mon, it's a Joss Whedon baby.  Need I say more? It's got a mix of action, adventure, comedy and so much more.  I loved it! I loved seeing it with my special someone too! It was his second time. :)

-I sang at the Baccalaureate Mass today and that was really fun.  It was interesting because it took place in the same venue where my high school graduation was.  It's crazy how time flies by, it's been about two years since I graduated from high school! TWO YEARS! And in about a year and a half, I'll be graduating from college.  I'll be the first in my family to attend and graduate from college.  Insane.  It got me thinking about my future and all, even more than I do already. It was nice though.

Hope y'all have a good day! Good luck with finals and such! Thanks for reading.

Wake up and smell the roses

Two things I need to share:

1.  I have officially stopped going to Dr. Tucker.  I have been doing pretty well and I felt that going to see him every Monday was too much and almost a weekly reminder of how my mom isn't alive anymore.  I jumped from seeing him every week, to every two weeks and now, it will just be on a call-in basis kind of thing.  If I feel like talking, I will call to set up an appointment.  I'm not gonna lie, I did cry a bit after I left his office because I had this ginormous flashback of when I first saw him.  It was barely a week after my mom had passed.  I was quiet, pale (he told me all these things), I was devastated and confused.  Now, this last time I saw him, he told me I spoke louder, I didn't look pale, I'm taking care of myself (exercise), I'm doing better.  I do have those days when a bit down but heck, they sure aren't as bad as they used to be. So, with that being said, I'm proud of myself.  I'm pretty sure my mom is too. It feels good, you know? It feels good to know I'm getting through this.  It's been 160 days and I'm still here, living life.

2. As a child/kid/whatever, I never really could smell flowers.  Everyone around me told me that flowers smelled nice but all I could ever smell was humidity and wetness.  My mom even took me into a flower shop once in middle school just to show me I could smell flowers...but nothing.  Well, and this is probably symbolic or something, but yesterday I smelled the roses! I was working (10hrs ahh!) at the chapel and I was putting the flowers to the Virgin Mary in a vase and I wondered what this one smell was and I smelled the rose and I figured out THAT was the smell.  I'm smelling flowers now! Pretty freaking excited.  My mom used to be allergic to flowers, except for carnations, which were her favorite, but she stopped being allergic sometime in 2011.  I can't wait to start smelling other flowers.

As far as the exercising thing, I've still kept the 8 pounds off.  I think I've hit a plateau but I think I've lost inches.  I'm just happy either way.  It's been 59 days since I've had soda or coffee!!! :)

Hope y'all are doing well! HAPPY MARCH!

Tadaa!

Well this is officially my first blog post! Yepee! I'll get started right away.  Life has been pretty complicated and crazy (alliteration, haha.) since my mom's diagnosis of Stage IV Breast Cancer on June 4, 2008.  I am an only child to an only mother, it's just the two of us.  I will write about more of this later, but I wanted to start with other stuff first.  I am very random when it comes to writing so, I might jump around a bit.  Anyway, tomorrow my mom has an appt with her oncologist (one of my heroes), so this time is more stressful than the other days of the month.  I'm crossing my fingers and praying that her cancer is not spreading.  My aunt had a lung biopsy today, that was pretty scary, I was at school and I kept calling my mom to see how my aunt was doing, so far the doctors are thinking that it is not cancer, but they just need to make sure.  I'm a college freshman so besides this whole cancer shmancer thing, I'm getting adjusted to college.  My major is communication arts. :]  I think this is for now.  I'm going to eat some chicken now :] I will try to post updates at least every week :] Tata for now!

P.S. Thanks for reading!