Tuesday, October 20, 2009

i'm killin' time before bed

Current Playlist:
oh the randomness i'm currently listening to is rather ridiculous. it includes (but isn't limited to): cat stevens, beyonce, frank sinatra, adele, owl city, idina menzel, miley cyrus, melody gardot, bangles, beatles, pussycat dolls, britney spears, jill scott, counting crows, billy joel, barry manilow, dave matthews, paramore, michael jackson, john mayer, death cab for cutie, diana ross, dixie chicks, eagles, elton john, duran duran, taylor swift, james taylor, josh groban, kelly clarkson, kate nash, robin thicke, billy idol, lily allen, kenny chesney, lady gaga, monkees, mary j. blige, kenny chesney, mika, sarah mclachlan, tina turner, p!nk, pearl jam, rihanna, sheryl crow, tears for fears, u2, tlc, and the soundtracks to chicago, wicked, rent, and glee..................

Current Guilty Pleasure: watching "sex and the city" every day before going to bed

Current Color:
pink - so much so that i keep a pink scarf tied to my bag, that way i've always got something pink going on... because really, i wear black all the time.

Current Drink: water, milk, dr. pepper, skyy & 7

Current Food: craving a chicken ceasar salad and tomato soup... mmmmm

Current Favorite Show: glee! and flashforward

Current Wishlist: new bedroom set, trip back to europe, 2nd bedroom furniture, roll-top desk (okay a lot of my wishes are furniture...)

Current Needs: a glass of wine at the end of every work day. (and that need, for the most part, is in fact met... almost daily.)

Current Triumphs: getting the ASM spot @ the hulen store (it's the shiny penny!)

Current Bane Of My Existence: awful, unappreciative people

Current Celebrity Crush: leonardo dicaprio. then, now and forever. :)

Current Indulgence: my dvr. worth every penny.

Current Blessing:
there are many - my health, my family, my friends, my job, my home, my puppy, the weather, my car, my opportunities, pretty much everything in my life is good (prettttty much)

Current Slang: idk, really

Current Outfit: jeans, black polo pretty much every day... every. single. day.

Current Excitement: starbucks on the drive home, new iTunes downloads, great tv shows on the dvr, being awake at an hour when things are actually open and therefore feeling like a real person, waking up to texts from people i love...

Current Mood: loverrrrly

Current Link: www.fmylife.com always entertaining... and mildly uplifting, surprisingly enough

Monday, October 12, 2009

jack and skippy

so i was housesitting for mom for a week and got some great photos of the dogs playing. it was entertaining for me at 3am! enjoy :)




















Friday, August 28, 2009

nearly september?! whhhat?

where do i start. how about the cliff's notes version? mmmkay here goes.

i went to san francisco for work. i got to meet the president of old navy and our vice president of operations. i also went ahead and picked out my future office.



i moved into my townhouse. it's flawless and i love it. jack moved in with me. he's the best.





i've been working or driving to/from work in denton for no less than 60 hours a week. but hey, the vp came to visit the store (same one from SFO trip) and it went well. i think the exact words were "yeah! way to go melissa!" that dulls the pain a bit. (that's ann my store manager, jeff the vp, nolan the regional director and your's truly; please don't judge that denim wall - it was 5pm and we were totally busy)



my remodel coordinator duties have taken over my days, er, nights. now 6pm is like 6am to me. i leave for work at 8pm and get home around 7am. thank goodness i've got a bestie who works nights too and is willing to go to "the hidden door" to have a cocktail with me while the sun comes up.

i'm still having fun - i've gotten to see some of my old school denton peeps since i'm working up there; LOVE that i got to meet little jacob john!
and amber got married! the ceremony was in an art studio in deep ellum - kinda sketch neighborhood but LOVED the building.



it doesn't look like much when i cut it down, but lemme tell you - it's been insane.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

soo much

so lots has been happening the last month or so. let's hit the highlights.

1. i'm moving into my own place - adorable 2/1.5 townhouse. it's in the same complex i'm in now, but i'll be living solo. nothing bad with frank, just time for us to be grown-ups with our own homes.
2. i'm not working at the irving old navy store anymore. yesterday was my last day. i'll be the ASM in denton until august 23rd, then the remodel coordinator for denton for 10 weeks. i'll be landing as the ASM in the southlake training store around the beginning of november - just in time for holiday! i was in san francisco last week for training for the remodel gig - super excited, and it was so amazing to see headquarters. now i know where i want to go with my career, really.
3. i'm getting a puppy! i'll be bringing him home (to my new place) next sunday. his name is jackson mark cullen... after my three favorite fictional characters.

that's the big stuff. i'm going to be better with the whole blog thing, really i swear. but i've got to admit, facebook and twitter are so much more user friendly on my blackberry which is where i spend most of my free time these days. :)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Friday, May 8, 2009

so the broadway tour of RENT is here in dallas. and of course, i had to go. so i got the best ticket available for myself - thank you, third row center. ahhhhh, yes. it was amazing.

i'm just so excited that i can scratch one off my bucket list: see RENT with original cast members!!!


and then... after the show... i waited outside the stage door, you know, just in case...



and who came out and signed autographs? oh, just a few cast members. can you say, "ANTHONY RAPP"?!?!

so hey, another 'list' item can be knocked off the list - MEET a member of the original broadway cast. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes!!





of course, i ended up going back the next night to see it again with my friend aibi. another great show, and something i'll always ALWAYS remember.


I also got to meet nicolette hart (who played maureen) both nights and lexi lawson (who played mimi) after the second show.


don't you LOVE her yellow bag?!?! don't worry, i asked and it's NINE WEST. super cute.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

100

1. Started your own blog - clearly.
2. Slept under the stars - under a tent... but i think it counts.
3. Played in a band - high school marching band... lame, right, engh well i had fun.
4. Visited Hawaii - nope
5. Watched a meteor shower - yes. sitting on my patio at my denton apartment with mikee.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - what is "more than you can afford"? but i donate when/where i can
7. Been to Disneyland! - heck yes
8. Climbed a mountain - actually... several.
9. Held a Praying Mantis - i don't do bugs
10. Sang a solo -only behind the wheel. in my car. alone.
11. Bungee jumped - nope
12. Visited Paris - yes, but i think i was too young to fully appreciate
13. Watched an amazing lightning storm - i live in texas. they can't be avoided.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - i'm crafty! so yep!
15. Adopted a child - no, but i did adopt a kitten years ago. he's 18 lbs now. guess it worked out for him.
16. Had food poisoning - nope
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - not yet
18. Grown your own vegetables - frank, jake and i tried...
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - yes. it's smaller than you'd think
20. Slept on an overnight train - never
21. Had a pillow fight - yes
22. Hitch hiked - no i'm a wuss
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - not lately. i miss playing hookie.
24. Built a snow fort - fort, no. snow man, yes.
25. Held a lamb - held? or pet?
26. Gone skinny dipping - negative
27. Ran a Marathon - no
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - not yet
29. Seen a total eclipse - not that i can remember
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - i see the sunrise every morning on my drive home from work
31. Hit a home run - nope
32. Been on a cruise - nope
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - nope
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - nope
35. Seen an Amish community - nope
36. Taught yourself a new language - pig latin
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - ha. never.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - not yet
39. Gone rock climbing - i didn't climb, but i was there when other people climbed. lol.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - yes
41. Sung karaoke - yeeeeah not my best moment.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - nope
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - no
44. Visited Africa - not yet but i want to
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - beach, no. been on a boat, yet.
46. Been transported in an ambulance - nope, thank goodness
47. Had your portrait painted - no
48. Gone deep sea fishing - nope
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - not yet
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - actually yes
51. Gone scuba diving - no
52. Kissed in the rain - no
53. Played in the mud - yes
54. Gone to a drive-in theater - not in yeeeears
55. Been in a movie - home movie... yes
56. Visited the Great Wall of China - nope
57. Started a business - i was a photographer in college
58. Taken a martial arts class - no
59. Visited Russia - nope
60. Served at a soup kitchen - sort of, it wasn't an official soup kitchen, it was a thanksgiving meal for the homeless at a church
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - BOUGHT them is more my style
62. Gone whale watching -no
63. Got flowers for no reason - they were actually for my roommate...
64. Donated blood - of course
65. Gone sky diving - no
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - no
67. Bounced a check - engh, personal much
68. Flown in a helicopter - no
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - yes i still have my ted e. bear
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - yes
71. Eaten Caviar - yes
72. Pieced a quilt - helped others do it
73. Stood in Times Square - NOT YET! february 2010!
74. Toured the Everglades - no
75. Been fired from a job - no
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - not yet
77. Broken a bone - no. but i have sprained several ankles and torn an mcl in my knee
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - no
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - nope
80. Published a book - nope
81. Visited the Vatican - not yet
82. Bought a brand new car - i'm a used car kind of girl
83. Walked in Jerusalem - not yet
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - yes
85. Read the entire Bible - yes
86. Visited the White House - not inside, but yes
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - eew
88. Had chickenpox - no
89. Saved someone’s life - maybe
90. Sat on a jury - nope
91. Met someone famous - broadway famous, yes!
92. Joined a book club - no
93. Lost a loved one - yep
94. Had a baby - nope
95. Seen the Alamo in person - couple of times
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - i've seen it, but no swimming thanks
97. Been involved in a law suit - nope
98. Owned a cell phone - it's the 21st century! hello?!
99. Been stung by a bee - no, but i had a wasp in my car that got me
100. Visited Italy - not yet

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Edge Fest '09

My good friend Mike D. is in a band called REDEFINE. They're in the final 10 to be the local band to play at Edge Fest on May 9. PLEASE VOTE for the guys @ http://www.kdge.com/pages/promo/EDGEFEST09/localband.html

(Mike D. is on the far left - he works at the club with Frank and is awesome!)

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

5 best

a friend of mine was trying to come up with her five best moments of her life and her five worst. she admitted that coming up with the five worst was a lot easier than the best. being that i'm a realist (and cynic, really) i decided to see if i could come up with my own best moments without just thinking about the worst ones.

five best moments/days (because sometimes it lasts longer than a moment)

1. graduating from the university of north texas, august 2-something, 2006. almost every member of my family was there along with my best friend. i had gold glitter all over the top of my cap and my family was in matching tee-shirts (it's a family tradition, don't ask). the after graudation party was great too--more friends, awesome food and a cake that said "it's about damn time." how could i NOT put it on my list?

2. my aunt lisa's wedding. i was only like ten years old, but i remember that i got to wear a puffy dress and then i danced all night long to the hits of the 80's. (thank you, billy idol and b52's!) that was when i discovered the party girl within... i hate that i tried to suppress that for so long.

3. the first time i was in dc, taking the tour via stretch limo with a bunch of my family members, february 2007. being the nerd i am, seeing the nation's capital was amazing enough. but i was able to frolick on the lawn in front of the capital building with my aunt lisa. that was a good time.

4. elton john concert with mom in vegas, october 2008. i don't really need to say much more. it was elton john. i was with my mom. and we were in vegas. yeah, it's on the list.

5. moving to west village, may 2008. moving in with frank and jake to our place in the west village was like a dream come true. i still love this area more than any other place in texas. and the day when the old apartment was empty and finished and i was an official dallas resident was like coming home. that was a great day.

other great days of note: climbing the eiffle tower, white water rafting in oregon, my 20th birthday, hiking in colorado, seeing RENT for the first time, taking the metro to DC on my own for the first time, my 26th birthday, moving to denton for college, hiking in bosnia, hosting a talent show in college solo, making my first thanksgiving meal without help, going to my first nsync concert with my girl friends, my last day working at THE BANK, the day i got my first car....... there are more. but i felt the need to stop....

have a good night. :)

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

well alright.

just for the record: having a stomach virus is a bitch. nothing about it is enjoyable. (except maybe for losing a couple pounds, but even that isn't quite worth it.)

i got back to dallas from midland and all it's dusty-oil-george w.'s hometown-glory on friday night. after a quick night out to catch up with friends and my weekly requirement of tequila, i slept at least 12 hours to recover from the 16 hour days i had when i was on the business trip. when i rolled out of bed, that's when it hit. fever. aches. headache. the whole deal. i didn't eat that day. or sunday, when i tried to go to work... of course, i only lasted a few hours before i gave up and went home.

on my way home from work, i called dad. we'd been playing phone tag for a few days and i figured the 13 minute drive home was the perfect opportunity. so we chatted for a bit. then the conversation went a little something like this:

me: "so, where are you? home? on a trip?"
dad: "well, actually, i'm at my new place."
(PAUSE)
me: "in L.A.?"
dad: "yep, drove the car out, found a place, all moved in."
me: "you moved to california already?"
dad: "yep."

now, he told me he was going to be flying out of LAX starting in the next few months (it's going to be April or May before he officially flys out of L.A.), but i had NO idea he was going to be moving to the west coast during the five days i was in midland. so how does that feel? shitty. he left without a goodbye. he didn't send an email to let me know when he was becoming a california resident. nothing. i wonder that if i hadn't asked... would he have told me? oh, he went on to refuse to give me his new address. said i should use his mom's in grand prairie since that's his "permanent mailing address". WOW.

ON A BRIGHTER NOTE!!!!!!!!!! my birthday celebrations are split into two nights!!

Saturday, Feb. 14th @ 10pm. Station 4 in Dallas. I'll be at Frank's bar--come find me!!
Tuesday, Feb. 17th @ 7pm. Speed Zone in Dallas. We'll be driving, playing, putt-putting, drinkin'--come join the fun!!

I'll update with pics sometime next week - since I'll be on vacation Feb. 13-28! YAY.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

new family member

i'd LOVE to introduce you to the newest member of the family... mom's new puppy...


SKIPPY!


is he not the cutest stinkin' thing you've ever seen?

and he's a lover, not a fighter.
just what mom needed. :)

worky-work

hello to my blog-readin'-friends! so i have my mildly fun updates to share. last thursday my district manager (selena) came for our monthly store visit. well she told me about some fun "stretch assignments" for me for 2009.
first off, i'm going to be part of the "building the bench" program in the district. basically it's for managers who are secure in their current positions and show the potential to do a lot more in the future. there are meetings, mentoring for others in the district, special assignments, etc. it's a kinda big deal, and i'm pretty honored to be included.
secondly, my assignment for 2009 is over all the "grade 2"s. first here's a breakdown of our core management structure:
1. store manager
2. assistant store manager <----ME :)
3. operations manager, service & training manager
4. pricing associate, merchandise associates <----GRADE 2's
the 11 stores in the district all have between 2-3 of these grade 2's. i'll be responsible for them. for helping to train and develop them, for coming up with classes, conference calls, additional materials that will help them do their jobs.... it's whatever i want to make it, and my dm has high hopes for me.
thirly, i'm going to midland, texas! whooo! just for a week (not a transfer--not to lonely west texas, no ma'am!) with another manager to help train 4 brand-new leaders. it's my first real business trip, and i'm stoked. my only concern is if they have a hotel bar. lol. just kidding.

so yeah, work is going well. it's much better than it was during the holiday season. the other managers are back in the store and i've had TWO four-day weekends this month. what what!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

so funny...

I received this in an email from my Aunt Karen... I thought it was hilarious and wanted to share... Please know that I do respect the office; I do not however, respect the man who holds that office today. (Can't wait 1/20/09!)

The President George W. Bush Library is now in the planning stages and accepting donations.

The Library will include:
1. The Hurricane Katrina Room, which is still under construction.
2. The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won't be able to remember anything.
3. The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don't even have to show up.
4. The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in.
5. The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out.
6. The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.
7. The National Debt Room, which is huge and has no ceiling.
8. The Tax Cut Room, with entry only to the wealthy.
9. The Economy Room, which is in the toilet.
10. The Iraq War Room. (After you complete your first visit, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth visit.)
11. The Dick Cheney Room, in the famous undisclosed location, complete with shooting gallery.
12. The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty.
13. The Supreme Gift Shop, where you can buy an election.
14. The Airport Men's Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators.
15. The Decider Room, complete with dart board, magic 8-ball, Ouija board, dice, coins, and straws.
Note: The library will feature an electron microscope to help you locate and view the President's accomplishments.

The library will also include many famous Quotes by George W. Bush:
1. 'The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.'
2. 'If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.'
3. 'Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.'
4. 'No senior citizen should ever have to choose between prescription drugs and medicine.'
5. 'I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change.'
6. 'One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.'
7. 'Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things.'
8. 'I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future.'
9. 'The future will be better tomorrow.'
10. 'We're going to have the best educated American people in the world.'
11. 'One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.' (during an education photo-op)
12. 'Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it.'
13. 'We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.'
14. 'It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.'
15. 'I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.' - George W. Bush to Sam Donaldson

Saturday, January 3, 2009

out with oh-eight

in honor of the end of 2008, i'm giving you a list of some great top 8's!

8 TV shows I watch:
1. CSI
2. 90210
3. Absolutely Fabulous
4. Will & Grave
5. Friends
6. Sex & The City

8 favorite restaurants (in no special order)
1. Village Burger (American)
2. Uncle Julios (Mexican)
3. Texas Land & Cattle (Steakhouse)
4. Casa Blanca (Mexican)
5. Jake's (American)
6. Ghengis Grill (Mongolian)
7. Maggianos (Italian)
8. Tom Tom (sushi)

8 things that happened yesterday:
1. I bought a new deep freeze.
2. Did laundry.
3. Ate at Ghengis Grill with Frank/Jake.
4. Went to Target and didn't spend money.
5. Enjoyed some Chopin Vodka.
6. Went to Panda's at 3 in the morning with Frank, Onyx, Mike D., Ben, Michelle, Chanel and some other people I don't know.
7. Got a kiss on the cheek from a drag queen.

8 things I'm looking forward to
1. MY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA!
2. Vacation to Washington DC
3. Sleeping in my bed tonight (I got new bedding for Christmas and just got around to getting it set up today)
4. Meeting my mom's new puppy, Skippy
5. The other two managers coming back to work after their maturnitity leaves (I'll be working lots of 4-day weeks in January since they'll be back!)
6. Cooking dinner tomorrow (Taco Salad-watch out-tasty!)
7. Finishing reloading my iPod with all the music that I lost when I had to restore the damn thing a week ago.
8. Spending time with my friends (I'm always into that)


8 things I love:
1. Mom & Family - Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins - I have the best
2. My roommates, Frank & Jake
3. Making things pretty
4. A good bartender
5. Long books/series of books
6. Movies that entertain and/or make me think
7. Music that fits exactly into my life like a soundtrack
8. Cheese. No seriously.

8 things I can't stand:
1. Those who are jerks, self-rightous, hypocritical and hateful.
2. Carolyn.
3. When people complain and do nothing to solve the problem.
4. Tuna. The smell. The taste. The texture. Eww.
5. Running late
6. Not having money to do things I'd like to
7. Workloads that require more payroll than what is funded. Ugh.
8. People that don't drive as well as I do.

8 things I think are beautiful
1. Yellow roses
2. Baby animals
3. Sunsets - no matter where; the beach, city, mountains
4. Children laughing - not screaming is always a good thing to see
5. People in love - straight, gay - if everybody would backup and see the love, it's beautiful.
6. The face of a family member after a long time apart
7. Air conditioning in Texas.
8. Kids (especially teenagers) who are learning something

So here's to a FABULOUS 2009. I've got high hopes for this one. :)

wrap up

so christmas eve didn't turn out the way anybody really hoped/wanted. suffice it to say, divorce is ugly, especially during the holidays. my mom's heart is not the only one that has been destroyed. at any rate, christmas day was great--really special sharing it with mom and grandma in our cutesy matching pj's. christmas night i celebrated with my dallas family and it too was great.