Random - Vol. 8.9

I love forums!! I belong to many forums that I have found to be extremely helpful. Whenever you have a question about something (in my case, my new car, my blackberry, and being new to gmail) you just go to these forums, post your question and generally get a few people who can help you! How awesome is that?
I always be sure to thank the people who help me, and also try to help others if I know anything about the problem they are having.
I LOVE FORUMS!!!

I purchased tickets to see Wicked!! I'm so excited. I was fortunate enough to see the musical once while in Chicago, and I've been dying to see it again! If you have ANY interest in The Wizard Of Oz (which happens to be my favorite movie of all time), then you must make it a point to see this! It the story of the witches of Oz.. before Dorothy 'landed', about them growing up together and going to school together... simply amazing! I'm so excited!

Sonic in Elk River is set to open in July. They have "Help Wanted" signs up now... Ang is stoked (slightly!) - maybe I should get another job?

I'm a person who generally can't sit still. I try to watch movies and I'm restless, I try to sit and talk to someone and I'm always moving or doing something... while my problem isn't as bad as some people I know... it still bothers me. I don't know how to stop it from happening. I'm also finding that drinking coffee doesn't make it go away, not that I thought it would. It makes it worse... it makes me laugh, actually.

The carpool thing we are doing at work... it's dope as hell! I'm saving so much money (between that and my new car which is getting 35 MPG, so far!!). It's Jayne, myself, and Bob who car pool... we call ourselves The JAB Cab (for Jayne, Ang, Bob)! On days that it's just Bob and I... it's the AB Cab! It's like the dorkiest thing I've ever been a part of... but I love it! Don't hate.
BTW- you can thank us for the gas prices dropping so much in the past couple weeks... car pooling is making a difference, maybe you should start!

Last... and certainly least important...
I don't get the hype over Mariah Carey. How is the song "Touch My Body" a number one hit? How does that song set her ahead of the game over Elvis in number one hits? It's a ridiculous song! She appears to be the biggest bitch in all of the world... she thinks she is a diva; she is not. Sure she has a great voice, I will give her that... but ick, she's nasty.

Random - Vol. 8.8

What an amazing life I have! I wish I could stop and realize that more often.

I had my first experience with a Mac book on Saturday night- taking advantage of the photo effects. We sat in front of this thing for over an hour taking pictures - who does that?! LOL... I felt like such a dork... but it was an amazing time. There was one photo in particular that I hope to share with you, I had like 25 sets of teeth!! I need it to be emailed to me before I can share it...(hint, hint)

I am the biggest cynic of Dr. Phil and everything he stands for and does, but I heard about 10 minutes of his show one day. The show was about some big weight loss challenge, he was telling this man that drank diet soda everyday to stop, and he would lose X amount of weight just from that. It didn't inspire me at first, but after I got to thinking about it, I kind of thought "why not try it, see if it makes a difference." So I have tried.. and it has.
I've stopped drinking soda, and I've actually noticed that my body looks different. I never drank a lot of it... not as much as some people do anyhow... but I would have a can of Dew with lunch everyday. At first it was just no soda, and I noticed a small difference, but any difference is good. Then I started to get better about the gym... and trying to hit it regularly again. That has helped too.
My mother tends to be one of those people who focus on the negative, for example: if I have a huge zit on my face, she'll be the first to tell me about it (even thought I'm well aware that it's there!) but if I dress up and put on make-up and look absolutely stunning... she won't say a word about it (and if she does it's something like "why are you dressed up?"). Last weekend I was outside tanning and I came in the house to make a sandwich wearing my bikini, she said to me "you look really good; have you lost weight?" I almost fell to the floor!! Not only did she notice (which makes me feel very productive) but she actually acknowledged it with a compliment?!?!! Looks like my (hard) work might be paying off

Do you remember the show Full House? Well, it was one of my favorite shows as a child, and I guess some people still watch it! Did you know that Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) from that show is now a mother and a recovering meth addict?! Isn't it crazy what people turn into? Kind of like the Olsen Twins... I've never seen one of those chicks smile! Uncle Jesse was always my favorite, he was sexy!

Don't date people you work with...

I'm tan, for the first time in a long time... and I look damn good with a tan!!!

OMG! I smoked this weekend... shame on me!!!! Don't worry... I'm still a non-smoker.

Oh, I have something to share- On Saturday, Brandon and I were down by the Mississippi River in NE, and we found a branch from a tree (big surprise, right?! lol) anyhow- we decided to write our names and phone numbers on it and send it down the river. Our hope is that it will make it to like... New Orleans, and someone will call us! So I have this friend Joey, who lives in St. Louis... maybe he should go search the river in a day or so and see if the branch is on it's way?!
How dope would it be if it made it out to the Gulf and all the way to South America or even Africa!!!

I should probably get on with my day now... as always, thanks for reading

Random - Vol. 8.7

So... last night I turned over 1,000 miles on my car. That's kind of exciting.
I love my new car! It has brought back a part of me that was somehow lost while driving a mini-van. I drive my car like it's a race car... I used to zip around in my neon like it was a race car, it's nice to remember and re-find a part of me that I forgot about. It goes deeper than just that... but I'm still discovering it.
I think I've had a lot of things going on in my personal life in the past 8 years... I know that is a long time period to generalize 'things going on'... but the past 8 years have been extremely difficult and I feel like I've been in the process of trying to find who I am, like everyone in their 20's.
2008 was supposed to be my year of making good decisions. It worked for like a week... and now I've decided that as long as I feel it's the right decision at the time, I should go with it... I have to live with the consequences if it wasn't; it's just the way of life.
I went through a really rough patch this year... the weather had a lot to do with it... I made some really stupid decisions and said/did some really stupid things. I am now living with it... and it sucks, but I've learned from it - and that is the best I can do. I'm sorry to anyone I've hurt or offended along the way; I truly am.

I also went on a date last night... it was interesting. I feel like I'm a cynic when it comes to this whole dating thing. Am I really supposed to believe the things a guy says... or is he just trying to get in my pants?! LOL... sounds silly to say at 26 years old... I guess I've had some bad experiences with guys in the past... just makes me think twice every time a guy says something to me. Maybe it has something to do with the type of guy.
The other thing.... I'm not real sure why I'm even dating; I have little to no interest in having a boyfriend. I'm all for making new friends and getting to know someone better, but in the end I'm not looking for a commitment. I'm not looking for a booty call either, I'm pretty happy being single (for the most part) - a little kissy face never hurt anyone though as kissing is one of my favorite past times

After 3 bottles and probably 3 months, I finally have my flattened Golden Gate bottle (I'll try to post a pic soon)! Now, I have a lot of wine to drink to complete my project... anyone thirsty?
The same night that I gave the ceramic shop my bottle, I also made a wine bottle topper. I've had that for quite some time... and I will post a picture soon... it turned out to be pretty dope.

Back To The 50's is this weekend... I'd love to go, it's been years since I've made it down there. I think the last time I went was with Morgan, we drove his Grand Nash down... pretty sure I have some memory of getting pulled over... ???
Anyhow, I doubt I'll make it down there this year either. Oh well, maybe next year.
Thinking about Back To The 50's makes me think about back in the day when we used to go down to Midway and hang out. The old cars, the friends, Porky's!! What an awesome time of my life that was!! I have such amazing memories of those years

Sonic has opened in MN now! I've been there twice now... and I've decided that the food is not the reason to go there (unless you get the popcorn chicken), but the drinks are beyond dope! I still have so much to try... but I'm working my way through it - I can't wait until there is one closer to home.

My niece is going to be 1 in a month!!!! How does that happen?! I cannot believe it's already been a year. WOW.

Lastly - I've decided to watch the Star Wars movies (I've never seen any of them). I'm going to be adding them to my Netflix Q... the big controversy is what order to watch them in... I think I'm going to watch them in the order they were released; that's the right way, right?

So much more to talk about... but only so much time in a day.

Until next time, America...

Texas Roadhouse - Coon Rapids, MN

I have been to Texas Roadhouse a handful of times and never left disappointed! I would sugest doing call ahead seating, because the wait can be up to 2 hours! Great location, great food, great service! The bread they serve once seated is always warm and melts the cinamon butter perfectly. The ribs are excellent (they have replaced Famous Dave's ribs for my mother!). The steak is cooked to perfection and drinks are on point! I have nothing bad to say about this place! The little song and dace they do every (what seems like) 10 minutes is cute... the first time. They also put you as the center of attention on your birthday and sing you a little song... if you are into that.

Pros: great food, great service

Cons: the song and dance... 2 hour wait w/o call ahead!!

Khan's Mongolian BBQ - Coon Rapids, MN

It may not appear to be the cleanest place, I have a hard time believing that its any worse than your favorite local restaurant. Khan's is a "create-your-own stir-fry", you go through a line, pick the options of meat and veggies you want- then make your own sauce, which they are MORE than willing to help you with if you are a first timer or someone who's been there a million times over. It's hard to rate the food, because you pick your own and they just cook it, but every time I've been there it has all been fresh options! There is a location in Roseville as well, and I would suggest either to a friend! The appetizer they bring out of soup, a chicken wing and a fried won-ton is all very yummy- and they will gladly substitute something for another of something else. Service is nothing to write home about, but it's not supposed to be an upscale fine dining experience; all she does is brings drinks and the check... what more do you need? If you are looking for a new experience, try Khan's...

Pros: create your own... if it's bad, it's probably your fault

Cons: looks can be deceiving.

Rose Garden - Coon Rapids, MN

I've only ordered my food to go, so I can't offer much in the line of service. Every time I go in to order my food I am greeted promptly and my order is taken right away. They go out of the way to repeat the order back to be sure it's correct! Rose Garden is DELICIOUS!!! The Chicken Friend Rice is to die for... best I've ever had! I've had many things on the menu and there is nothing I wouldn't get again. My aunt told me about Rose Garden and I am so happy she did. Don't waste your time going anywhere else... but be sure to go out of your way for Rose Garden. Very Friendly staff, amazing prices, and delicious food! A+++ in my book.

Pros: CHICKEN FRIED RICE!!! Cheap prices & quick service

Cons: NONE