More New Places

This is a huge shout out to some pretty awesome people for helping me move yesterday: THANK YOU Meredith, Adam, Mike, Aaron, and Billy (yes, even though you weren't in town, Dixie thanks you -_^)!! We were power movers yesterday...out of one apartment and into another in four hours. Sweet. And it was all done in lovely Florida weather. Seriously guys, thanks.

I am very glad to be out of the ridiculousness that is Blairstone. The new place is pretty cute. I am literally up the street from Meredith and Kinsley...and James and Jill. The neighborhood is nice, and the neighbors are pretty cool so far, too. It is one of four apartments in the building and is two beds, one bath. The second room will likely be a combination of an office and Dixie's room. Thankfully, it is also on the first floor. Plus I finally have recycling again! Maybe I will get some pictures up soon. The goal now is that I will not move again until I am leaving Tallahassee. Moving my stuff every year gets pretty old.

Now the fun part is unpacking so I can get to the real fun part of decorating. I guess blogging and staring at the boxes is not getting me very far...

Depp + Burton = Magic

As most people know, my celebrity crush is without a doubt Johnny Depp. Delicious. As an actor who tended to shy away from the more normal and popular roles (until the Pirates series, in which he is still pretty odd), he is always so intriguing to watch. Even in interviews, he has this down-to-earth sense about him that is really endearing. Of course, I am excited about his newest movie, "Public Enemies," coming out July 1.

However, I learned this morning that he is partnering with Tim Burton yet again to bring a twisted twist to another classic: "Alice in Wonderland." I saw the article from USA Today posted this morning by a friend on facebook, and I was immediately excited. Depp will play the Mad Hatter, and he will be partnering again with Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts and Christopher Lee as the Jabberwock. The movie will also bring in Anne Hathoway as the White Queen, and a new star, Mia Wasikowska as Alice. Burton, somewhat like he did with "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" will put a new spin on the story by showing a tale of Alice returning to Wonderland 10 years after her first visit.

Along with "Peter Pan," "Alice in Wonderland" is one of my favorite stories. I love the idea of a world where nothing makes sense, but it is still somewhere you would love to visit. An escape from all things real with a girl who refuses to be tied down by the natural world. Magical and sometimes scary...and who does not love the Cheshire Cat? I cannot wait until March 2010 to see how cool and off the wall this film will be.

30 Day Challenges - Check!

First, I finished the blog challenge (yea, we still never came up with a 'winner'). Now, I have completed the 30 Day Challenge on EA Active. Woot! I actually finished it in less than 30 days because it is really 20 days worth of workouts with some built in rest days every couple of days, but you can choose to workout instead of rest. I am proud of myself for finishing, and it has actually been pretty fun despite the fact that it often kicks my butt. I still have not really lost any weight, but it feels good to be doing something.

Once I finally decide on a place to live, I hope to get even more active by riding my bike much more than I do now. (Which should not be a hard goal since I have really only ridden it a handful of times since I bought it...ha.) I am still trying to make better decisions in what I eat and drink, although this week has been hard since my GA ,Chris, and another GA, Abbie, had their last days in the office yesterday. This has meant lunches, and yesterday a delicious cake.

So now I just have to keep this up! I think for the next week, I am just going to do some preset workouts, and when I finally move, I will start a new 30 Challenge. Here's to health!

Size Matters (for TV Ratings)??

I have already gone on one rant about body image on television, but they just keep giving me fuel to burn. Tonight, while watching the "So You Think You Can Dance" results for the week, I saw a commercial for a new show on Fox: "More to Love." Teaming up with the executive-producer of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette," Fox is bringing a new reality dating show to air "to prove that love comes in all shapes and sizes" (according to Fox's website description). It will be hosted by the famous full-sized model, Emme, and begins airing next month.

So is it empowering or exploitative? I see where they are going, but should you focus on body size to sell a show? I think all bachelor-type shows are ridiculous in the first place, but if they are going to happen, shouldn't it just be people? In theory, if you are ridiculous enough to put yourself on one of these shows, your size should not matter. Then again, if this were true, they would not only put "pretty" people on the original versions of this debacle. Maybe it is a step in the right direction, or maybe it is just even more degrading. I just do not know how I feel about this. We all know Fox tends to take things too far, but really, Fox? Really?

Sidenote: I am still upset that my DVR did not record SYTYCD last night, and you cannot fine full episodes online. Boo. Suze, I feel your pain in missing it.

Tuesdays Are Better in Tampa

Conferences are a staple in the world of Student Affairs. Our profession moves on the ability to collaborate and exchange ideas. So, yesterday, my office (plus one) went to Tampa to attend the NACA Drive-In. held at USF, 75 Florida student activities professionals, along with some of our Greek Life colleagues, gathered for a day of conferencing. And even though the conference was only a day, so much happened...

Since Tampa is about four hours from Tallahassee, our director, Joe, decided we should drive down on Tuesday instead of exhausting ourselves to be there by 8 am. Well, why go a day early and not take advantage of it? So we left campus around 8 am on Tuesday to begin what will always be remembered as "Teambuilding Tuesday." Joe rented a van for us all to ride together. Six adults in a van for four hours...you quickly revert to childhood. Especially when we were able to watch "Spaceballs" while I was able to play "LEGO Star Wars" on my DSi. Yea, that is a little odd to do at the same time...ha. I also remember lots of quoting "The Hangover."

After a slight traffic snag, we made it to Tampa. We started at the Tampa aquarium after grabbing some lunch. The aquarium was awesome. The otters may have been my favorite. Cute little things that could kick your ass...animals after my own heart. I was unfortunately too short to see the penguin show, but luckily they brought one around. One of the coolest things we saw was the leafy sea dragon. It was wild looking. They also had lots of giant fish, and we were able to pet some sea creatures.

The feeding of the otters

The leafy sea dragons

Me and Reg in one of a few crazy pics

After the aquarium, we drove through Ybor, which is a kitchy little place in town. I would love to go back and walk around when all the little shops and bars are open. This also lead to an impromptu tour of Tampa as we tried to find our way to our hotel. However, once we arrived at the hotel, it was amazing. We took a short break and then took advantage of the free happy hour in the lobby. From there, we went to dinner. We found a tapas place called "Ceviche," which had a Tuesday special of $4 tapas selections and $4 sangrias. The food was absolutely delicious. I do not even think I can count the number of different plates we ordered and shared, and the desserts we the perfect ending. After dinner, we took a quick trip to the Hard Rock Casino where some of us were luckier than others.

Just a small sample of the food

Wednesday dawned the conference, which was even better than I thought it would be. I really enjoyed getting to meet others who are going through what I am in my position. (I think I may actually be getting better at this mingling thing...ha.) On top of the networking, I was actually able to take a lot from the sessions. I have lots of ideas for the fall now. We were also able to act like students for a while sampling lots of free novelties put on by a local company. At the end, we were able to tour USF's new union, the Marshal Center. It is out of this world. The modern technology alone is great, but it is also designed with their students in mind. They even have a built in "serenity room" where students can sit in quiet that includes a foot wash room for Muslim students who use the room for prayer. Best part? They have a Moe's in the food court!

On the way home, we were all pretty exhausted. The craziest part was stopping at the Green Shutters restaurant in Williston where we reaffirmed Billy's obsession with shrimp, and Adam and I ordered a watermelon cake. What is that? It is a creation that involves grinding watermelon into the cake batter and the icing. It pretty much tasted like a watermelon Air Head. I do not think I will order it again...as was pointed out, I am not much of a "sweetie."

The watermelon cake

All in all, it was a pretty great!

Quotes:

Joe to me: "I think you have enough tattoos for everyone in the van."
Joe in response to not wanting directions: "I like feeling like Daniel Boone in a minivan."
Side of a church: "Everybody can't be right!"
Regina as we passed nice cars in a not so nice neighborhood: "Speaking of supporting meth habits..."
Adam as Regina is giving him a piggyback ride: "I'm made of bricks."
Me to Billy at Ceviche: "I've got the tapas sweats."
Everyone: "Where's Lori?"

I will probably put up more pictures later on Facebook. ^_^

Half-Way There

Just an update: I have reached the half-way point of the 30 day challenge on my EA Active. Woot! It has actually been lots of fun, despite the days of soreness and a little pain. And, with the exception of Friday and today, I have done well at getting up and doing it in the mornings. (I made them up in the evenings.) I cannot rave and say I have lost a bunch of weight in two weeks or anything, but I am starting to just feel better in general.

My soda and coffee intake has dramatically decreased as well, and my goal to drink lots of water has been pretty good. It helps that Billy D has been joining me in the office with his water bottle as well. I have tried to be more conscious of what I eat, even though Billy and I do eat out for lunch everyday. I am not trying to cut out certain foods, but I am just trying to be more aware of my decisions. Of course, going to the movies killed it a little today. I have a slight obsession with movie popcorn, which is best accompanied by a Coke. ^_^

So here's to the second half of the challenge. I am looking forward to it!

Sidenote: "The Hangover" is absolutely hilarious! I was a little skeptical, but it was great. I highly recommend it for a good summer laugh.

Zac Brown Band Rocks My Face

Okay. We all know, it is no secret, that I am pretty much a Zac Brown Band groupie. So much so that some people in Tallahassee have thought that I am just a country music fan (they clearly do not know me very well). Not that I need to justify my obsession, but I feel like giving a little background as to why I love ZBB so much.

Josh and me with Zac Brown in Orlando

I have to first say thanks to Josh for getting me addicted to the group in the first place. He found out they were playing a late night event put on by Carolina Productions on campus after having seen them downtown at Five Points after 5, and he encourage Alicia and me to go. We were 3 of at most 10 people there. But the band still played an amazing set and we were able to get up close and personal. From that moment I was hooked. Any band that loves playing enough to play for that few people is amazing.

Since then, I have seen them six times. The genre of music is not what draws me to them. I am in love with their passion for music and the meaning in their lyrics. I have to admit, if I had seen their new music videos before I saw them live, I may not be the fan I am now. However, they truly encompass everything a live band should be. Plus, the talent they have on their instruments is amazing! Zac Brown tears up the guitar, Jimmie De Martini kills the violin, John Hopkins plays a mean bass, Coy Bowles shreds the guitar, and Chris Fryar brings it home on the drums. And the way the harmonize can impress anyone.

Zac Brown is also a pretty good cook. He has even been on Paula Deen's show. A true mark of fame...ha. The band is getting their time in the spotlight having won Best New Vocal Group from the Academy of Country Music, and are now up for awards from CMT. Plus, he is giving back to the music community by bringing stardom to amazing acts like Sonia Leigh, Levi Lowery, and Nic Cowan. Two singles on the radio, each with music videos, and another single on they way soon. Seriously, if you have never listened to them, you should. Of course my favorites you will have to search a little harder to find. And I still refuse to lump them into country music.

Sidenote: ZBB also has a roadie that is pretty delicious. I may have stalked him as much as the band since Carolina...

Pride Overshadows Jealousy

Officially ended the contract with our old student organization system. Finally gave an agreement to go with the new one. Had a productive day at work. Made a good homemade dinner. Watched SYTYCD. It was already a pretty good Monday. Then it got a thousand times better. Chris was offered a job! He will be the new Coordinator of Student Organizations at Towson University.

I am SO proud of him! Since day one, Chris has been so amazing. In my first year as a professional, I do not think I could have asked for a better student to work with me. He is truly passionate about students and what they can do together in organizations. While we have always functioned more as co-workers instead of supervisor/GA, now we will truly be colleagues. We will have similar positions, and actually will be working with the same software system. Pretty cool. Towson is pretty lucky to get him, and it is even better that he is excited for it. It was pretty much exactly what he wanted to find.

And the jealousy part? This is the only job to which he applied. Was offered the phone interview. Scored the on-campus. And now has the job. In the world of Student Affairs, we know this is just not right...but I am truly more excited for him. YAY!