NYE, Resolutions & New Blogger in Town!

So, I'd like to start this blog posts by wishing y'all a 

HAPPY 2013!

Whoohoo! I can't believe how fast 2012 flew by.  I'm certainly 

glad 2013 is here and I'm excited for the future.  

Here's a recap of my New Year's Eve!

I woke up and took about 2 hours to exercise, take a shower and get ready. The whole shabang.  

Once I got to Mickey's house we played Wii and watched movies.  

{Side note: My mom and I had this tradition of watching a movie

 in the evening every NYE and so Mickey and I decided to keep that tradition going.}

So we watched two movies actually: 

The Kids Are Alright (his choice)

New Year's Eve (my choice)

Both were good but NYE was a bit of a disappointment, we already came up with a plan of watching When Harry Met Sally next NYE! I LOVE THAT MOVIE! 

It was a fantastic day and it was wonderful to get to see some of Mickey's family again! I missed them so much since I was gone for a weeklong trip up to the Northwest.  And duh, I missed Mickey like crazy. 

Mickey and I rang in the New Year partially with

 New York (this time with Ryan Seacrest) and partially with our city.  

(Another one of our traditions-my mom and mine).

And then! Before we knew it we were in 2013 ringing in the new year the way couples do.  

I'm a fan.  ;)

He's just the bee's knees.

So, as far as today? Yeah, we played Wii again and burned calories! We ate and ate and ate and had a semi-marathon of How I Met Your Mother! Love that show.
{Two words: Marshmallow & Lillypad}

Lastly, I've decided on a few resolutions this year.  Last year I didn't really set
any but ended up eating healthier and losing 20lbs! I think setting
 resolutions is something important and so here are mine.

1. Be more organized.
{Mainly my room.  When I'm in school my room kind of gets all the stress and craziness I experience and so I will work on keeping it as organized as possible with the small amount of space.  I've already kept the bathroom pretty freaking amazing!}

2. Keep losing weight.
{It will soon mark a year since I've had soda! I want to continue to take care of myself.}

3. Work more toward my career goals.
{I've ventured out of my comfort zones this year and it's helped me be more confident but I want to work in my field of choice and no longer just trying to pay the bills.  I'm still working at the chapel :) but as far as Cracker Barrel, no more.  Reasons are just too long to list. Definitely working at a TV station would be good.  So that's a very important resolution to me.}

I believe these resolutions are achievable and I'm hoping 2013
will be filled with laughter, health and amazing memories and experiences! I can't wait!

***Lastly! Welcome my new favorite blogger: MICKEY! 
He likes to blog about films (his passion) and other amazing things as well! 
Check his blog out! 
 Glad to have you on board Mickey! ;)

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! ;)

Worrywart.

Okay, so this isn't news to me but I worry. A LOT.  And well, Mickey has kindly pointed that I need to relax.  It's true.  I am always worrying.  The thing is that I over-think pretty much everything.  What if this happens? How will I be able to pay that? What if they don't let me do it? What ifs and Hows and Whys tend to run my life and I've been working on not stressing out about every single little thing! I mean, can you imagine how quickly that will age me?

See, when my mom was alive I worried about her all the time.  Most of the times it was the healthy kind of worry, you know because she was my mom and I loved/love her.  Other times it was the kind of knot-in-my-stomach-, clammy hands, can't-eat-can't-sleep kind of thing and that's when it wasn't good.  Trust me, this was the last thing my mom ever wanted for me.  But the truth is that when your mom is diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer when you're 16, your priorities shift.  I still kept being my happy, bubbly self but in the back of my mind there was always that fear of losing her. Don't get me wrong, we had PLENTY of good times even after her diagnosis and such but I was still worried.

Credit: Mickey Martinez

Now, after her passing, my worries have shifted to being able to pay bills and life after college and not having enough money or time.  Overwhelming stress-ers for a 20-year old, don't you think? I mean, it's the same story, I work hard and I have fun but I'm still stressed.  And here is where the challenge begins: I NEED TO STOP WORRYING MY BUTT OFF.

Mickey has definitely helped me with that.  And well, today we went swing dancing at a burger joint! I know! It was as fun as it sounds! We do so many fun things together and this was a definite success for blowing off steam and de-stressing.  It was even a good way to exercise! Let's just say, it is truly a blessing to have Mickey in my life.  It's almost as if God and my mom were bringing us together to help each other out in life.  It's cheesy, I know, but I really do believe that.

So, with the help of Mickey, yours truly, will focus on not over-stressing, over-thinking, or worrying too much about stuff I am already working hard for.  Wish me luck!

Happy Labor Day! Happy Tuesday!

Hello, my name is Amy and I'm a college senior.

Okay so, where has the time gone? I'm a freaking college senior! I became one after last semester but it's still like, what? Anyway, I think this semester is going to be a VERY good one! So here's my review of it thus far. 

Tampa! 

Aesthetics of Vision and Sound

-LOVE the teacher, I've had her before (the same semester my mom passed away) and she was so very helpful to me throughout the whole process

-The class sounds like it's going to be a blast! I'm so excited!

-This is part of my Comm Arts major requirement stuff

Speech

-The teacher is funny and young

-I know somebody there back from freshmen year of college and so that's nice

-The class seems interesting!

-There's a guy from Australia there and a girl from West Africa!

Intermediate Acting

-BY FAR, MY MOST FAVORITE CLASS OF THE SEMESTER

-I met the teacher during the Fall 2011 semester (the semester my mom passed) during an audition in which I didn't do so hot. I was running late and everything was a mess.  I performed two monologues and they did laugh but my goodness, the song sucked! I was so nervous and I was still recovering from running.  Well, anyway, my acting teacher at the time was talking to him (my new teacher) about me so that was cool. Anyway, yes, I have him now for Intermediate Acting and the first two classes have been absolutely fantastic & wonderful & amazing & awesome!!! I'm so excited for the rest of the semester.

-My only worry is we have to impersonate someone for our first performance.  It sounds fun but the list only includes theatre folk and I don't really spend time there because I'm not a theatre major and it may surprise some of y'all but I can be shy.  But, you know what means? Somebody is going to be casually observing some people from the list! Wish me luck guys! I'm excited!

-I've only told one person this and I don't really know where it came from but I want to study acting more.  Go into it further.  

Roma! 

-I'm so excited to get assigned scenes!!! AAAAHHH!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!!

Creative Writing: Non-Fiction

-The teacher is super nice and funny!

-It seems like it's going to be a really fun class! And, as y'all can tell, I love writing!

-I presented this review I had written which was assigned the first day and she complimented me on my presentation!! :)

Theories of Communication

-The teacher seems nice.

-It's a once-a-week class so I'm glad about that!

Social Media

-I had this teacher my first semester of college and so I know his style, he's pretty cool

-The class seems like it's going to be fun!!!

-I'm excited

So, four more things!

1. One of my closest friends, Sydney, got married August 11 in Tampa and Mickey and I were able to go! I was a bridesmaid and it was so much fun! I still cannot believe she's married! She looked absolutely beautiful!! The wedding was on a ship and it looked so nice outside! 

2. Mickey and I are looking into both being able to study abroad in Rome next semester and we went to talk with the Study Abroad Coordinator and she remembers me from December 2011! She's so nice and helpful, she gave us a bunch of information!!! We are crossing our fingers that everything will come through!

Weight loss!

3. So a while ago I went to a casting call for a show that a student at my university was starting.  I almost didn't go because of time constraints but Mickey encouraged me, he even helped me memorize the script the night before! I went ahead and had his support and guess who is the host of Off Broadway???? Yup! Yours truly! 

I will keep y'all updated with all the happenings of that but as of now, I'm finishing up the script and we'll begin shooting next week! Wish us luck!! Mickey even gets to be in charge of lighting and stuff!! Yay!! I'M SO BEYOND EXCITED FOR THIS! 

4. Lastly. I've got some wonderful news! WEIGHT for it! I've lost... 20 POUNDS!!!!! It may not seem like a lot since May but trust me, you can see the difference! I'm a size 6 now!!! My goal is to be a 4.  I'm so freaking proud of myself and I'm even getting compliments! That's nothing compared to Mickey's 44 pounds! He certainly got a lot of compliments himself too! We look really good! I'm so happy for us! We are continuing to exercise and I'm looking at starting Zumba back up again, I miss it.  I've been running a mile on the treadmill every other day and it's been fun! 

Well, tomorrow I have work at the chapel and then it's an 8-hour shift at Cracker Barrel on Sunday and then school on Monday! I will do my best to keep y'all more updated! 

Weight, Family and Spurt of Energy

HAHA.

Y'all will not believe this but I've lost 16.5 pounds! Isn't that great? I have been on a high since I weighed myself this morning.  It feels so good to be getting in shape and eating right.  Seriously, the best decision I've made in a long time.  It's crazy because I never thought about completely cutting out Coke from my drinks but it just kind of happened.  After my implant surgery (tooth), I didn't want Coke to be affecting my gums or teeth so I stuck with water and then, next thing I knew, I hadn't had a Coke in four days and so that's when I began keeping track of how long I could go without drinking a soda.  To this day, I haven't had soda (with the accidental drinkage of Ginger-Ale-two sips).  No, get this, I actually got nightmares that I drank soda.  Haha.  Now, it's been a little over four months! I've been exercising way more and I enjoy it because I try different things.  Since school ended, therefore Zumba for a while, I have begun creating my own version of Zumba at home.  Starting this monday, I've been exercising for an hour  every day.  It's been really nice.  I've been keeping track of my calories and I look forward to losing more weight!  It's been nice too because my special someone is also being healthy, he's lost 24.6 pounds! He's been exercising too.  12-inch stepper thing is his cup of tea. :) It's amazing what determination can do. I'm so proud us.  I hope know my momma is.

Other news: My mom wanted for the longest time to get in touch with some family members and family friends.  We had the hardest time trying to get a hold of them and now, through the wonders of facebook, and my mom's sneaky ways (in heaven), I have gotten in touch with many of them, well actually, they've gotten in touch with me.  Long story short, the woman who used to babysit my mom when she was 10, Tila, is going to come into town next month.  This is so ironic because she had been trying to reach us for the longest time and my mom wanted to get a hold of her especially.  I have a strong feeling my mom is working her magic from heaven.  Thank you momma! Things have a way of working themselves out.

Lastly,  this morning after working out for an hour and showering and eating, I decided to clean my room.  Now, this was a large undertaking because it's not like it's a complete mess or anything but there were things from when my mom passed that I still hadn't organized.  It's crazy because I wasn't even planning on cleaning my room yesterday.  I just woke up today and decided it would be a good idea.  I didn't completely finish but I accomplished about 93% of it.  I will continue this task another day.  I even broke a sweat moving boxes.  Intense.  I know.

Well, if these past few days are any sign of what the rest of summer is going to be like then I'm a fan.  Weight loss and productivity are wonderful!

Thanks for reading!

Here's Johnny!

Johnny.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have picked up my violin and played it for the first time in a year! I am helping my friend Cassey with her recital in the fall semester coming up and we had our first practice this past week.  I was seriously surprised I didn't completely suck.  It was nice to play Johnny (my violin) again.  It was kinda weird too that this was my first time playing the violin without my mom listening.  I know she'd be proud though.  Oh and by the way, my violin's name is Johnny because the first piece I played on him was When Johnny Comes Marching Home.  :)

I saw Titanic with a special someone and oh dear did I cry! I knew the parts I would be sad at because I've seen Titanic so many times and it was my mom's favorite movie but this time, it was way worse.  I mean, it was in 3D people! I guess what also got to me were the credits with Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On because it has sentimental value to me and it just was absolutely beautiful.  I'm really glad we went to see it.  It's crazy to watch a movie again after not seeing it in a long time, it really opens your eyes to things you never saw before.

-Happy Easter y'all!
-I've started looking at classes I will take during the summer and fall semesters and I feel like there aren't that many options for some reason.   A lot of the classes available are for graduate students, so I'm hoping they can change that.  They already made minor adjustments to the summer schedule but not enough to influence me.  It's nice, though, to be able to plan.  I already had my dream classes figured out, now all I need is for them to be there.  :)
-School will be over in less than a month!!!!
-Tomorrow I'm going to help someone with their video project, I will be acting in it and I'm so happy!!!! I already helped someone else with their video project for the same class, I helped with a voice over which was really fun as well.  I love performing!!!! :)
-I've lost 12 pounds!!!!

Well, I think that's it for now. Have a great day guys! Happy Easter!

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!

Weight, Giants, Acting

-I apologize for not blogging as much but I've been super busy with stuff but I'm glad to tell y'all that…DRUM ROLL….I've lost 3 more pounds! I have lost 8 pounds total!!! :) I'm so excited! My pants are big on me! I'm waiting to get to my goal weight so I can get new jeans!!! 

-School has been going okay, some classes are definitely not as fun as others but that's what college is so it's all okay.

-THE NEW YORK GIANTS WON THE SUPER BOWL! 

-My friends and I are part of this skit kind of company thing and we have been working on shorts and stuff and it's been SO. MUCH. FUN. Not even kidding.  We just finished filming this one horror short film and it was frickin fantastic! I got to cry in it! It definitely cured my acting withdrawals for the time being. I will most likely share this with y'all because I'm beyond proud of it.

-I will share more info soon but I just wanted to post something because I really needed to share stuff with y'all. :) 

-P.S. Happy Monday!

My momma would be so happy for me. ♥