The Pink Glove Dance

This makes my heart smile. :) 

...not just the raising awareness for breast cancer, one happy dancing person at a time, but the old man in the video...look for him!

Let {Caroline & Ryan's} wedding festivities begin!

So one of my absolute favorite couples ever had began their wedding festivities & I am so grateful to be a part of it!! One of my best friends, Caroline, & her fiance, Ryan, are getting married September 4th & I am a bridesmaid. They had their engagement party Saturday at Caroline's house and it was SO gorgeous outside. Luckily it didn't rain and everything looked beautiful. Having a lake in your back yard helps too I'm sure. ;)

I didn't get too many pictures but here's a couple... here's me & the beautiful bride-to-be...

...and here's a shot of almost all the girls in attendance...such a pretty group :)

Love you guys! ♥

Disney Mean Girls

Seriously, this is one of the most awesome things I have found on YouTube to date.
You'd appreciate it a lot more if you have seen{/are obsessed with} the movie Mean Girls...

"Hey, what side's the gas tank on???"

First of all, don't mind me while I reminisce for a moment. I remember the days when I drove "the Stratus" as I called it. It had no heat, no air, and was forever out of gas!! I drove that thing until, well, it had no heat and no air. I don't recall if the Stratus had this handy little thing, but if it did, I was unaware.

Back in February, driving home from Pat's appointment at Duke Hospital, we stopped at a gas station. I'm pretty sure that Pat and I were screaming at Mom for being a horrible driver {love you Mom!} and I'm pretty sure that she made a couple last second slam-on-the-brake motions before pulling into this gas station. It was when she did it again while she asked which side the gas tank was on, when Pat introduced us to THIS:

Does this mean anything to you? No, not the fact the gas tank's on E, but look closer. Pat thought both of us were pretty out of it to NOT know about this. What is it, you ask?? Well, check out the gas symbol...there's an arrow to the left of it!! That means the gas tank's on the left!!

WHO KNEW?! 

Okay, I understand that probably some of you knew this before. HOWEVER, I KNOW that Mom & I were not the last people on the planet to figure this out! Not every car is blessed with this little symbol, but my car is {which isn't really convenient now that I've pumped gas in it more than once} & Mawmaw's car has it too! I took my grandmother's car to fill it up with gas. Pulling into the gas station I thought to myself, "Crap! I don't know which side the gas tank's on." & BAM! It hit me! I remembered to look for the arrow! Sure enough, I found out the gas tank was on the right!!

Leave it to me to have a brain fart after seeing the arrow and pulling to the RIGHT of the pump. Duh, Nicole!! But nevertheless, had I been thinking {a little more}, this handy invention would have totally served it's purpose!!

Just wanted to educate you a little tonight....You're welcome to those of you who I just enlightened! ;)

a friend-filled three days

I arrived home Tuesday evening "for the summer." {Please note that it's only Thursday evening now.} Since I got home, I have spent an hour and a half catching up with my pal Lindsey {who I am so excited to go see June 25th!}, spent an hour on the phone today with one of my best friends, Caroline, walked 4 miles & caught up with another one of my best friends, Ale, had a Grey's night with the beautiful Meredith, spent time with Alex all three nights, & spent some quality time with both my grandparents!! This has definitely been a productive "summer" so far! Alex & I are planning a trip next weekend to go see our friends Brandon & Meredith {soon to be husband & wife} & then I finally scheduled my trip to the beach to see Lindsey!! By then her baby bump will be in full force & maybe I'll get to see their nursery all put together! Oh & her & Rhine's new house! How exciting! I just can't believe how much "friend & family" time I've had in just these short {not even} three days I've been home. I am absolutely loving it! {TRUE} friends are extremely important to me. I cherish all my girlfriends and love love love when we get to catch up and/or spend time together! I hate that all my close friends live far away- but as I talked to Ale about on Wednesday, the distance has not hurt my true friendships in any way whatsoever {other than the fact that I don't get to physically see them as much as I'd like}. That's what phone dates and roadtrips are for! :) I just wanted to share this & say that I am so proud of all my girlfriends... growing up, buying houses, getting married, having babies....or being the most fabulous camp counselor ever!! ;) I can not wait to meet Baby Jervis or Baby Zoe this Fall!! :)

Now I just have to hope that summer school doesn't suck all the fun out of my friend-filled summer I have planned! ;)

The summer is beginning....

So here I am....the semester is over! All Almost all of the residents have left. My duties are complete. It feels good to say that! Today was the day I could head home for "the summer" but I'll be back & forth all summer. I'm working at the gym on campus and tried to work it in my schedule to only work on the days I had class, that way I could potentially save myself some trips to Hickory gas money! Today's the first day this semester I'm working here...11-7pm...sitting at the desk, trying to keep myself entertained. I've already caught up on Modern Family {which is my new favorite show} & ordered some Dominoes Pizza {I didn't have time to eat breakfast this morning, and did you think I'd wait til 7pm to eat for the first time today?!} I have a to-do list of things to get done around the apartment when I get off work, just so I won't have to worry about things while I'm away! I'll really only have a week off until I work again, and then another week off until I work again and summer school starts {which I'm dreading by the way}. Not much of a break, but I'll take it!!

This is the first summer in a long time I won't be working ALL the time {except my month-long trip to Costa Rica in 2007, but I worked before I left & worked when I returned} so I'm hoping to at least get a TAN! I'll be taking four summer school courses throughout the summer, so I'll have lots of studying to do...hopefully I can handle it poolside!! :)

I actually have a bit of stuff I want to do/complete this summer. A "bucket list" of sorts, if you will...

I want to:

• Get a tan! 
• Make all A's. Okay, okay, I'll settle for a B in Psychopathology! {Eek!}
• Not procrastinate with my school work
• Continue working on & hopefully complete my 2009 scrapbook
• Post devotions to "ten minutes to get you through your day" at least once a week
• Work on a Bible study of my own
• Read for pleasure...haven't decided what to read first yet! 
• Go see my friend Lindsey in Wilmington
• Have a wedding shower for Caroline
• Exercise at least three times a week
• See Sex & the City 2 in theaters
• See Eclipse in theaters on opening night...ya know, get that fanatic experience {even though I'm not a die-hard fan}

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

This morning in Sunday School, we were blessed with a really good lesson.

The lesson was about what you consider rich, and always wanting more, even though there are people who live on FAR FAR FAR less and there will always be someone that has MORE than you, and what the Bible describes as being truly rich. But that's not what I'm blogging about tonight.

In discussion after our video we watched, one of us mentioned how we, as humans, think that we should treat people how they treat us. An eye for an eye. If someone's mean to us, be mean back. If someone's nice to us, be nice back. You get the jist....

But, not as humans, but as Christians, we should NOT give an eye for an eye. As Gandhi said,

" An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

Matthew 7:12 says, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." 

It doesn't say do to others what they do to you. It is saying that we should treat people the way we WANT to be treated, no matter HOW they treat us! 

I was personally convicted by this statement this morning. I am definitely guilty of this. I try my hardest to be nice to everyone, at first. If someone is rude to me, or does something against me, I'll give them another chance. I'll turn the other cheek. However, after a while, if it continues, I am quick to write someone off. This does did not bother me because I only want to surround myself with those who lift me higher. I do not want to continually bother myself with those who are rude to me, etc. I do not consider it a loss, but my world a better place.

How UN-Christian of me is that?!?! It is probably the rudest people, or people that are the most rude to me, that I should be being an example to the most. Now, let me say, that I do not approve of being a doormat. I am simply saying to not give up on people. I am saying that instead of turning around and walking the other way, avoiding certain someones, or holding anger in yourself... say hello! Give a compliment! Ask how they're doing! It's the least you could do, and maybe all that's necessary. Nothing will be solved if you have a "let's see who can be the rudest the longest" competition. 

My prayer for myself and for everyone else is that we will quit holding grudges, quit being rude to one another on purpose, and learn to let things go. People who say they "don't like drama" are usually the ones who are surrounded by drama the most. FYI: there is one common denominator in all your failed friendships, in all your "dramaful" relationships. And that is YOU! Figure out why, and work to fix it! {and I am saying this to myself as well, don't you worry....} 

After having this conversation in Sunday School this morning, I definitely became aware and convicted, and have already tried working on it! It'll be a life-long effort, but one that's worth it! Life is too short and you weren't meant to hold on to that petty anger anyways. Be free! Free yourself!

The Five Love Languages... Chapter Three

Chapter Three: Falling in Love

First of all, let me say that when I hear "falling in love" I think about a couple things. I think about "movie love" where there's a music montage full of first kisses and flowers in the park and ball games where you're dressed alike... you know, movie love! I also think about annoying middle schoolers, or high schoolers that act like middle schoolers, or come to find out there's college-aged people that do the same thing- & that's "fall in love" on day one! They're saying "I love you" and posting the date of when they started dating (a week ago) on every Facebook status. They're just so annoying. A month later there's a new date, and a new name, and a new false "I love you" being proclaimed. I really just want to shake some sense into people sometimes! But anyways... ;)

Everyone agrees that being "in love" is the necessary foundation for a good marriage. Now, that, I agree with. {Well, I don't agree with the fact that everyone agrees, but I agree that you're marriage is going to be pretty shotty if going INTO it at least you wouldn't be able to say you were "in love."}

Welcome to the real world of marriage, where hairs are always on the sink and little white spots cover the mirror, where arguments center on which way the tissue paper comes off and whether the lid should be up or down. It is a world where shoes do not walk into the closet and drawers do not close themselves, where coats do not like hangers and socks go AWOL during laundry. In this world, a look can hurt and a word can crush. Intimate lovers can become enemies, and marriage a battlefield. What happened to the "in love" experience? Our problem was faulty information. The bad information was the idea that the "in love" obsession would last forever. We should have known better. 

First, falling in love is not act of the will or a conscious choice. No matter how much we may want to fall in love, we cannot make it happen.

Now...I am not knocking those of you who truly believe you are in love! For some of you, I believe you are too! That is a wonderful thing. Embrace it! The point of this chapter, and something I firmly agree with, is the fact that that feeling will not last forever! There will come a time when you will fight, be hurt, second guess, say things you don't mean, or just simply act selfishly {which is human nature, by the way.} That doesn't mean you give up, or you do not love the person anymore, it just means that that infatuation stage has passed, and it's time for REAL love {so that's a good thing!}

We should recognize the in-love experience for what it is--a temporary emotional high--and now pursue "real love" with our spouse. That kind of love is emotional in nature but not obsessional. {Nobody likes an obsessed person.} It is a love that unites reason and emotion. It involves an act of the will and requires discipline, and it recognizes the need for personal growth. Our most basic emotional need is not to fall in love but to be genuinely loved by another, to know a love that grows out of reason and choice, not instinct.

 I need to be loved by someone who chooses to love me, who sees in me something worth loving. 

That kind of love requires effort and discipline. It is the choice to expend energy in an effort to benefit the other person, knowing that if his or her life is enriched by your effort, you too will find a sense of satisfaction--the satisfaction of having genuinely loved another. It does not require the euphoria of the "in love" experience. In fact, true love cannot begin until the "in love" experience has run its course.

Now, I can see how you fellow hopeless romantics out there may not like this chapter. Where's the shooting stars, the balloons, the deep emotions? What about the spirit of anticipation, the twinkle of the eye, the electricity of a kiss, the excitement of sex? What about the emotional security of knowing that I am number one in his/her mind? Well that's what the book is all about. Meeting each other's need to feel loved, bringing back that infatuation {maybe back, maybe not} into the relationship, to stay, for good! :) If you keep your love's love tank full, you'll be good to go!!

The Five Love Languages... Chapter Two

Chapter Two: Keeping the Love Tank Full

This chapter is basically about the following:

• Psychologists have concluded that the need to feel loved is a primary human emotional need.
• The need to feel loved by one's spouse is at the heart of marital desires.
• Inside every person is an "emotional tank" waited to be filled with love.
• Material things are no replacement for human, emotional love.
• Whatever quality of your relationship now, it can always be better.

I especially liked that last part. Some people think "they don't need help." and that their relationships are "fine." Honestly, it could always be better!  Because you work on better communicating and making your love happy, doesn't mean there was a flaw in your system. It just means that you want to be the best that you can be, together!

The Five Love Languages... Chapter One

Chapter One: What happens to love after the wedding?

I am reading The Five Love Languages: How to express heartfelt commitment to your mate. The title sounds super boring, but let me be one to tell you that this is such a good book!

People speak different native languages. We grow up learning the languages of our parents and siblings, which become our primary, or native language. Later, we may learn additional languages but usually with much more effort. These become our secondary languages. We speak and understand best our  native language. We feel most comfortable speaking that language. The more we use a secondary language, the more comfortable we feel conversing in it. If we speak only our primary language and encounter someone else who speaks only his or her primary language, which is different from ours, our communication will be limited. We can communicate, but it's awkward. If we are to communicate effectively across "language lines", we must learn the language of those with whom we wish to communicate.

People speak different love languages, just like people speak different native languages. This book talks about five different love languages: quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Look at the above paragraph on native languages, and think of it as love languages. We have to figure out the love language of whoever it is we are wanting to communicate with, so they can understand us and the motive behind our efforts!  We also need to figure out our own  love language so we can let others know how best to communicate with us! The important thing is to "speak" the love language of who it is we're trying to communicate with.  Does that make sense? I hope so.

Take my word for it- Read the book! ANYWAYS...

In personal books of mine, I highlight sentences or passages I read that I either love or want to stick with me. I'll share some with you...

The desire for romantic love in marriage is deeply rooted in our psychological makeup. 

{Me, being the Psychology major and Counseling graduate student I am, thought this was important to remember! ;)}

Seldom do a husband and wife have the same primary emotional love language. We tend to speak our primary love language, and we become confused when our spouse does not understand what we are communicating. We are expressing our love, but the message does not come through because we are speaking what, to them, is a foreign language.

Once you identify and learn to speak your spouse's primary love language, I belive that you will have discovered the key to a long-lasting, loving relationship/marriage. Love need not evaporate after the wedding, but in order to keep it alive most of us will have to put forth the effort to learn a secondary love language. We cannot rely on our native tongue if our spouse does not understand it. If we want him/her to feel the love we are trying to communicate, we must express it in his or her primary love language.  

I think the premise behind this book makes absolute sense! I believe relationships are work...especially after you get past that just-started-dating, totally-in-love, they-could-never-do-wrong phase. I also believe that once you have that special someone in your life, the work is worth it. :)

New Makeup!

I can't believe it...but I left North Lake mall Saturday with MORE makeup!

Homegirl did a makeover on me. I asked for an everyday look she could sort of teach me to do. Well, that's what I got! So for that, I can't complain.

I was on a BUDGET though, so I had to be sensible when doing this makeover. I brought my current most-used makeup products with me, to prevent me from buying something I already had. 


I recently got foundation and concealer at Target, so, I'm still trying them out. She used the concealer on me that I had but then tried some Make Up For Ever HD foundation and powder on me. Since I just bought foundation, I didn't purchase the foundation she used on me, but I did buy the HD finishing powder.

 It is a translucent microfinishing powder that will fit any skin tone.  It sets foundation and slightly mattes skin without changing its natural contours. It's so soft, maybe even softer than something like baby powder {but obviously it's translucent}. It just leaves a flawless look over top your foundation. I like it so far! My only pet peeve is with any type of mineral makeup or powder, I feel like it gets everywhere {all over my counter as I'm tapping it out of the container and into the lid or onto the brush}. I feel like I waste so much product! 


I am big on eye makeup, especially eye liner and mascara. If I am not wearing at least mascara, people will start to ask me what's wrong, or tell me I look sick! haha.... It's amazing how a little mascara can make your face look drastically different! Anyways, I told homegirl {who did my makeover} that I had an issue with my current eyeliner and that was that it always "came on" really thick and I looked like a raccoon! She showed me a new technique that really works to make your lines thinner! If I was awesome like Tiffany D then I would do a little video for you to show you, but.. I'm not, so I can't, so I won't. :) 

Another pet peeve of mine I have is having my bottom eyeliner or mascara {yep, just one eye} not run, but almost like smudge, or hit my cheek as I smile or something, and it looks a bit raccooney. She suggested using some primer to set the liner and mascara. I eventually wanted Benefit's Stay don't Stray because it doubles as an eye shadow primer and a concealer, but it was $28 alone so, I didn't. I spent my money on other things! :) I told homegirl about the eye shadow primer I had recently bought. I wanted to try something out before I got Benefit's Stay Don't Stray, to see if I could find something that worked, for cheaper! So I headed to Victoria's Secret of all places and bought some of their eye shadow primer for, get this, $8! I was thrilled! I was even more thrilled to see that the stuff actually works!

I've been trying to apply it to my lashes and eye line to prevent the running in that one eye, ha, but, my allergy fit at the pond last night definitely kicked my sweet little primer's butt. :/ But! It serves it's purpose for keeping my eye shadow on for a long time. So, it gets an A in my book! I've been watching some YouTube makeup reviews and it is totally comparable to Too Faced Shadow Insurance which runs for around $17! {FYI}


Hmm...what was next?? OH! So I was telling homegirl about wanting to keep my bottom eyeliner in place & wanting thinner lines. She explained to me how normal it was for people to wear one type of eyeliner on their top lid and another type on their bottom lid. That's what she did on me and these were two products she had me sold on.


The first one she used on my top lid with an eyeliner brush- which she was very helpful in assisting me master my technique! ;) She used Smashbox's cream eye liner in Caviar. Basically it looks like this --> but in jet black! It goes on smooth & lasts a long time! I've heard so many makeup fanatics rant and rave about Smashbox, and now I have some Smashbox products of my own. I hope this doesn't start a trend. :)


But, it might...because as I was checking out the "sample area" I came across another Smashbox product- their Photo Finish foundation primer. I have heard so so so many good things about this stuff. Apparently it keeps your makeup going strong all day long! Smashbox products are a bit pricey {I'm not gonna lie} so I surely wasn't going to buy any foundation primer, until I saw the sample size.

Honestly, homegirl used it on my skin and I could tell a definite difference of the texture of my skin before she put any foundation on. I liked the stuff! I just didn't want to pay $36-$49 {depending on if you bought 1 oz or 2 oz}. Since I was just trying the stuff out, I bought the sample size, which is 0.5 oz. for $16! I thought that was a good deal, considering I'm just trying the stuff out. Can I just say that I love Sephora's little sample section?! It's great for trying things out for cheap{er than usual}.


I also tried out Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara for less than $10. The guy at the counter was telling Jodi & I about how it comes off in tiny little tubes, won't clump and is weather proof. I had heard good things about Too Faced products before, so I thought what the heck! and tried it out.

I am rotating now between that and Benefit's Bad Gal mascara {which I also got in a sample size for less than $10!} My friend Amber said she used it in her wedding, so I thought, hey! That must be good stuff she trusted! It has a huge wand so I know my lashes will be big and bold using it. I'm digging it as well. :) Now that I put pictures of both of my new mascaras up, I see their packaging looks a lot alike. Don't you think?? Interesting!

But anyways...like I said, she used one type of eyeliner on my upper lid, and another type on my lower lid. She used a pencil on my lower lid. She used {and I bought} this --> 
Sephora's Keep Kohl! waterproof eyeliner. I got it in "Keep Black." Sephora's website describes it as a "deeply pigmented, richly-hued pencil that smooths on in seconds and stays put all day- even through a good cry or a quick dip." I actually did a double take when blogging about this, because all I can remember is last night, sneezing 2346345 times at the pond, and my eyes watering ALL over my face. My mascara didn't run, but {it must have been} my eyeliner that smudged a bit during my allergy attack. I thought to myself, "Man! I should have bought the waterproof, and then I looked at the eyeliner, and I DID!" Dang...I guess my allergy attack would consider to be more than "a good cry or a quick dip" haha...Oh well, while I'm NOT going sneeze-crazy, the stuff works and looks good!

mother's day & "fish pics!"

First, let me give a shout out to my awesome Mom and wish her a Happy Mother's Day! I know she ran around all over the place today but I hope she had a great day! We went to brunch first thing this morning at Cracker Barrel {OMG their french toast was A-MAZING!} and by the time we got out, hours had passed and she had to leave to drive to Charlotte to go visit Pat. I got to give her her present though and take her to brunch and spend some time with her, so, for that I am extremely thankful. I am so glad I got to spend a part of Mother's Day with my mother. I am blessed to have her as my mother and even more blessed to say that she's such a big part of my life today! She's an awesome lady, super hard working, and would do anything she could to help Pat and I out. I love her to death and don't know what I would do without her. I wish her all the happiness in the world. She deserves it so so much! ♥

So, after she left, I took a NICE nap until time to get up, get ready, and go meet Alex's family for a Mother's Day cookout. {Can I just say that I LOVE his family?!} But this blog isn't about the cookout, or his family {well, it kind of is...}, but it's about our FISHING fun!!

Alex caught the first fish of the day! :)

Then we came across TONS of baby frogs! They must have just hatched or something. To tell you there were TONS of frogs doesn't even cover it. Literally {not even exaggerating} there were thousands of tiny tiny tiny frogs all over the outline of that pond! Check out how little they were! {Click the pictures to see an enlarged view.}

Alex said something about "yeah there are tons of them, but hardly any of them will survive." I can't remember why he said that, but that's probably a good thing because CAN YOU IMAGINE alllllllllllllll those frogs hanging out in the area? Seriously, it'd be enough to drive someone crazy! I also found a "school" {?} of tadpoles too...tons of them...but here's a shot of one group...

Seriously- just begin to envision the plague of frogs we'd have on our hands if all of these survived.

Okay, here's some more shots of the evening...

Here's Wesley, Alex's cousin. Jeez Louise let me tell you something! The boy probably caught 20 fish while were were fishing at their pond! "It's all in the reel" haha... We all thought he was in a "bed" of fish or something, but he proved us wrong but moving to another area of the pond and {again} almost immediately catching another fish. One {dumb} fish he caught twice because he "recognized" it {hahaha} and noticed it's lip was bleeding in another area. {Which led to a discussion of "branding fish" haha but anyways...} We kept telling Wesley we were going to submit him to "Fish Pics," which is pictures of people and the fish they catch on the local news. Either that or sign him up for a professional fishing tournament! I mean, the boy was on FIRE!

That's Drew's {Alex's brother} dog, Weezy. I thought this picture was hilarious!

Funny story behind this picture --> : Olivia {Alex's cousin} caught this fish and was attempting to get the hook out of it's mouth, when it went crazy on her, flipping around like crazy...which, of course, led to her dropping it in the sand!! Not digging how fish feel, Olivia decides, and tells us, "I'm just gonna leave it there." hahahaha...she cracks me up!! {PETA: Don't worry, we thought about it for a second, decided we couldn't leave a fish in the sand, saved it, and watched it swim away, slowly.}

Gosh what a beautiful and fun evening....if only I would have stopped SNEEZING! ;) Darn you, allergies!!

Date Day

Gosh! This weekend was such a good weekend! I don't know if it is because I have such a weight lifted off my shoulders because my school load is done for a few weeks, or if I was just in a genuinely good mood this weekend.

First, let me say that Alex & I have done the long-distance thing before, many times actually. I don't really consider our living situation right now "long distance" because really, we only live like 30 minutes away from each other. It's nothing to just drive for a quick visit and drive back- that is, if you don't have a full-time job, meetings, programs, "mandatory gym visits" {lol}, evening classes, duty, no energy, etc., etc. Since Alex got his job {which I am extremely thankful for!}, we have been doing the "see ya on the weekend" thing. Frankly, I'm not digging it, but we do what we have to. It makes the weekends that much more special, right? Right!

Well, this weekend was filled with fun! However, Friday came & no Alex. I was bummed because I had waited all week to see him and our time together last weekend was limited too. {Stupid finals!} He had a meeting or something of the sort until 8:30 that evening and I had to report to Midnight Breakfast duty at 9:15 so, hanging out wasn't an option Friday. Alex definitely made up for it on Saturday though!!

Bright & early I got up and got ready! Not my favorite thing to do on a Saturday {the bright and early part} but I knew Alex had a fun-filled day planned! I went to pick him up and we headed straight to the shoe store! I had been complaining to Alex for {probably} months now that I had "NO BROWN SHOES!" How am I supposed to wear anything in my wardrobe that has brown in it without brown summer shoes?! He wasn't 100% sympathetic of my pain {boys!} but, nevertheless, he still graciously offered to buy me a pair of new brown Rainbows! That right there would have made my day! I LOVE my black rainbows! {I also have a pink pair I hardly ever wear, and I ruined my first pair in Costa Rica soo...a brown pair was definitely "needed."}

We then headed straight for North Lake Mall! I had a makeover appointment at Sephora at 1:00 that afternoon and I/we were going to meet my FABULOUS friend, Jodi, at the mall for lunch! {Then the plan was for her to accompany me to Sephora & Alex find something to do for an hour or so!} I love love love Jodi and we recently decided we were going to be adopted sisters so, it was necessary for her and Alex to meet. ;) Spending time with Jodi NOT talking about school {we're classmates} was so much fun & we will have to do it again soon!

Here's us after our Sephora makeup makeovers/$hopping sprees! I love it! :)

After Sephora fun was over, I met back up with Alex and he, surprisingly, showed me where the mall sells Dippin Dots and we had some ice cream! {I say "surprisingly" because he's such a health nut lately.} Then we went to see Iron Man 2- which was pretty good for a "boy movie," I will say. It'll probably be like the first Iron Man, though, meaning that I'll forget everything in it in a year or two when they make the next movie in line. That'll happen. All the superhero movies run together in my head.

Then Alex informed me we had dinner reservations at 6:30.

We shared a yummy Chinese dinner at PF Changs. It was the first time either of us have been there. {Eliz, he didn't know I was boycotting it. :)} I'm not one for Chinese food, but Alex has been hearing such good things about PF Changs for so long now, that he was itching to try it out. I will say this- Egg Drop Soup is something I use to cringe when hearing it's name, but tried it and it honestly just tasted like Chicken Noodle Soup. :) Alex and I pretty much shared my plate of sesame seed chicken {the only thing I've ever liked at a Chinese restaurant in the past} and the yummy veggies. {OMG, did I just say "yummy veggies??" Alex is wearing on me!!} All in all, I'm glad to say I tried it, but it was more of the "surprise" and the dinner reservations and the making him happy that made dinner so special for me.

It was a GREAT day & I couldn't have asked for anything more! He's truly a gem and I couldn't be more blessed. Thank you, God, for such an awesome boyfriend!

Random update at 5AM

So earlier on Facebook, I posted a status saying something along the lines that I needed to get this paper written because I can't stay up until 4 AM again tonight and that by that time, my body would be on strike. Well, I guess it is- with a surprising twist! I finished ALL MY WORK FOR THE SEMESTER :D around 1:00 tonight, and have not been able to sleep since. It's a quarter til FIVE now. Ugh!

I have GOT to get on a better sleep schedule than this. {I think I've been saying that since the beginning of time.} But now that I'll have a semi-break for a few weeks, I really want to work on that. Also, be prepared to get some Facebook messages in your inbox saying that I have added new devotions to ten minutes to get you through your day. :)

I have written 36 pages of papers this weekendish and my brain is officially o-f-f. I'm awaiting my Statistics grade and, well, I'm afraid I might lose my 4.0 GPA. (Stats sucks and I'm SO glad I'll NEVER have to take a stats class again. {I think I said that before. Uh oh.} We shall see. (UPDATE: I made an A!)

I want to give a lil post-birthday shout to my bestgirlfriend, ALE ARCE. I view days as from when I wake up to when I go to sleep. I haven't gone to sleep yet, so, Ale, guess what! It's still your birthday! :) I hope you had fun out celebrating!

Random thought: I want to adopt a dog at an animal shelter!! I have Baby, which is MY baby. I love her to death. But, that doesn't mean I want her to be an "only child" forever. ONE DAY, when I have a permanent place of my own, and Baby's all settled in, and not going ballistic on my blinds, then I would love love love to go rescue a dog from the pound.

Okay, I think I might sleep now. Blogging is the new counting sheep.

Numa Numa

I promise you, this video NEVER HAS FAILED to put a smile on my face. I can be in the worst mood ever, and come watch this, and I DARE myself not to crack a smile.

Kendra Spoof

I'm sorry but I just find this hilarious. I love watching Kendra & think she's a lot more down to earth than most reality stars. And whoever Hank's playing in the NFL for, I'm pulling for, because he gets an A+ for being celebrity husband of the year. Anyways, if you watch Kendra too on E! then there's a chance you'll find this funny too. I follow Kendra on Twitter and saw that she had posted a link to this video on there, saying she thought they were hilarious! Anyways, laugh a little. :)

The results are in!

My addictions textbook has two tests, or scales, used professionally to screen clients for compulsive buying.

Well, I took the tests and the results are in!

For test one, if your score is -1.34 or lower, you are classified as a compulsive buyer.
I scored a -2.46.

"Nicole, 'You are the weakest link. Goodbye.'" hahaha.

Next test: If you score a 42.2 or higher, you're a compulsive buyer!
Guess what I scored. A stinking 48!!

Houston, we have a problem.