Day 323 - Day 331

July 21 - August 1, 2010


Has it really been this long since I've last blogged?? Oy! I have so much to tell you! It has been a great last few days. I had some pretty amazing visitors in town. Let's start from the beginning:


Wednesday, July 21st: I worked both jobs and got ready for my mom and grandma to come into town. That's that.


Thursday, July 22nd: After work, I drove to Orlando to pick up the Toncar women from the airport. It is significantly cheaper to fly into Orlando and worth the drive to do so. So, we rented a car which was a Toyota. I did fear for my life due to the recalls Toyota has had. Overall, it was a good car. The second they got into the car, talk of heat and my driving kicked in. My thought: Good Lord, it's been two seconds and it's already started! =) Grandma loves my home! I will take you on a video tour later! It's really fantastic and I love it! 


On the way home from the airport, we stop to get gas. There was no sign out front telling us how much gas was. Do you want to know why?? Because gas cost $4.95! No joke. No wonder they didn't put a sign out front! I refused to pay that much for gas, so I drove off and went two blocks to pay only $2.59. Outrageous! 


Friday, July 23rd: Work. Same stuff, different day. Friday night was pretty low key. Saturday was going to be a big day! I introduced grandma to all of the ducks around my apartment. They love me! I feed them. 

I get home from work and the ladies decked out my second bedroom! So cute! It's hot pink and orange decor. Of course, the bathroom matches the bedroom! They are so funny! I love it! 

For dinner, we went to JB's on the Beach. It's a great restaurant in Deerfield Beach that overlooks the ocean! We had the best food! Gma: Fish and Chips. Mom: Coconut Shrimp. Me: Lobster Pizza. It was a gorgeous night to sit outside and marvel at the beautiful ocean. Thanks to Hurricane Bonnie, the wind was pretty heavy and the rain was unreal. During the day, it was like a monsoon outside! Mom and grandma got stuck under a bridge. Haha! The waves were pretty high and I explained that these were the waves Brett and I dealt with when he came to visit. Not easy. Here are the photos from dinner. Check out the sunset! Breathtaking! 

Deerfield Beach!

Sunset! I love the pink and orange colors! Beautiful!

Fish 'n Chips...whew, so good!

Coconut Shrimp! So good! 

Lobster Pizza! Looks good, huh?? Amazing! 

Dessert. What's a meal without a little sugar?? ;)

Saturday, July 24th: Key West! We wake up early to leave to beat traffic. Ha! Didn't work. Key West is beautiful, but getting there sucks! A two-lane highway, full of Florida drivers. What are Florida drivers you ask? Average age: 92. Average MPH: 23. Ashley's Patience Level: 0. 

We're driving, admiring the beautiful ocean when I decide to pass someone. Well, that didn't work. A cop spotted me going 22 miles over the speed limit. So, I pull over and here comes Mr. Rodriguez. Ugh! He says, "I clocked you going 22 miles over the speed limit. I'm assuming you were trying to pass the car in front of you." Ya' know Mr. Cop...I think you should have went to school to be a doctor because you are one smart cookie! ;) I say, "Yeah." I wanted to say, "Yes, sir. If everyone here wouldn't drive like they were on their last leg of life, I may be a little more patient. I just want to get where I'm going and not take an extra hour." 

So, he takes my license. While he's looking into me, mom's taking pictures! Yes! She is trying to take pictures of me getting my first speeding ticket! Oh my God! We are laughing so hard, the cop probably thinks we're making fun of him. There goes my grace he's going to give me! Here's a picture of mom trying to be sneaky with her photography. So funny! The next picture is of her photographing me while I'm signing my citation papers. I'm trying so hard not to laugh because I can hear the clicking of the camera from the back seat. I'm thinking, no way is she taking pictures while the po-po has his hand on his gun, waiting for my John Hancock! 

 

After that ordeal, we're back off. Driving the recommended 45 mph. You know how slow that is?? Ugh. So, we get there and immediately get sightseeing. Key West is so much fun! They have so much history and so many fun places to look at! We ate the best Key Lime Pie ever, a 1/2 pound cookie, seafood, burgers, crab cakes, slushies, etc. We basically ate our way through the little beach town! 

It's such a cool feeling knowing you are on an island, surrounded only by water! We went during Hemingway Days! We saw the winner of the look-alike contest for Ernest Hemingway. It was cute! They had a street market going on, so it was fun to shop and look at all of the little trinkets! We went to Ernest's house, the cemetery (of course!) =), the Southernmost Point of the United States. This was really cool. Being at the very tip of the last point in our country. Only 90 miles to Cuba. I don't know who says you can see Cuba from the end of the island, but they lie! All you see is crystal blue, mixed with a little turquoise, kissed by the sun! Amazing! 

It's easier to tell my Key West story through pictures. So, click HERE! These are our pictures from the weekend. Please read the captions to get a real sense of all the fun we had! 

Sunday, July 25th: Time to go home. Not without a little more Key West for us. We went to Mallory Square, saw a cruise ship, wondered who lived on Sunset Key (wishing we did), and ate a little more. When we got home, I took them to the best pizza joint in town. Boca's Best Pizza. What did we order, you ask?? None other than BBQ Chicken Pizza! Mmmm.....

Monday, July 26th: I introduced them to my three favorite places in Boca. One: Bliss Designs. It is a little boutique that personalizes different gift items! The last two times I've ordered something from this store, the owner has taken my idea and re-created it for other people to use! I'm trying to convince my mom we need to open a business like this! The last gift was for Maddie's bachelorette party. I walked in to buy another gift and what do I see? The SAME gift I bought Maddie. She loved the idea so much she made them for other people. This time, I got something for Maddie for a little gift she was given! ;) Information to come at a later date about that! My mom went to go pick it up and lady re-created this one too! It's a gift we have! We have been bitten with a creative bug! ;)

Two: Home Goods. It's like a TJ Max for home items! It is so cool in there! Mom and grandma had a hay day! Everything is so cheap! Iowa needs to get one! 

Three: Lucille's Bad-to-the-Bone BBQ. Mom's been there. Grandma was in heaven! It's so cute and the food is amazing! Then we went home and watched Leap Year! If you haven't seen it, it's a must watch movie! I loved it! 

Tuesday, July 27th: I had to work both jobs. Bummer. But it's the real world now, so you have to deal with it. Mom and grandma made a wonderfully delicious dinner. Healthy and all. Guess what I did? I ruined it by bringing home the best mac 'n cheese known to man! The restaurant I work at has the BEST food ever, let alone their lobster mac 'n cheese! They use four different cheeses and mix in fresh lobster. Oooohhhhhh. Yum. And I brought home their ever-popular Coconut Cream Pie! Mom scarfed that thing! It's amazing! 

Wednesday, July 28th: Worked both jobs again. This time, the ladies came into the restaurant to eat dinner. They loved it! The restaurant is so cozy and the service is honest to God the best you will ever get! They just ate a little bit because guess what they did? Sat in the sun longer than an hour. I don't know why people don't believe me about the sun. Apparently, even though I live here, I don't know what I'm talking about. So, family comes down here and ends up looking like they painted on white clothing because their sun-burnt lines are so bad. I don't feel bad for them. 

I would like to point out one little detail. Before this trip, my grandmother thought she knew everything about anything in Florida. She was an expert on their weather, the lifestyle, the people, the sun, etc. SHE even admitted she has never been in this kind of heat before. Of course you haven't. You can't come down between the months of September and February and think you understand Florida summers. No. It's NOT the same. Please view the video below...

Thursday, July 29th: It was a back and forth kind of day. What do we do? What do we not do? Are we hungry? Are we not hungry? Our family is the most indecisive group of human beings you will ever meet. These are always our answers, "Ya' know, I really don't care." I'm just as guilty. We're going to go to dinner and a movie. Well, then we're not hungry. How about a movie. Grandma won't like this movie. How about another movie? No, that movie's fine. Now it's not fine. Ok, well then mini-golf? Okay, let's do that. We drive there to come to the decision it's too hot to go mini-golfing. Let's go to the movies. But let's see this movie. Oh actually I want to see this movie. OMG! 

We end up seeing "Knight an Day" with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. It's really cute! Are you one of those people who buy pop and candy before you get to the theatre? WE ARE! I typically get Sour Patch Kids. I steered away from those this time and stuck with the traditional sweet and salty combo--Milk Duds. Oh, so good! 

Friday, July 30th: We are exhausted. This week has been full of so many fun things, but we are slowly starting to wind down from all of the excitement. I took them to Ft. Lauderdale to go shopping and show them the amazing houses I wish I could have someday. Please click HERE to see an example of what I'm talking about! 

Friday night, we went to Bahama Breeze for dinner. It's owned by the same corporation for the restaurant I work at. It was so good! The prices are incredibly affordable, the food is amazing and the drinks were really fun! Check out the photos below! 

Our drinks! So good mom even drank! ;) Grandma had some amazing concoction of rum, orange sherbert, orange juice, lime-somethin'. Crazy good! Mom had a strawberry daiquiri that was so delicious and I had a Bahamarita--kiwi and strawberry margarita! 

Chicken flatbread with tomato and basil! 

Grandma's Smothered Pork....mmmmm.....

My Lobster & Shrimp Pasta....oooohhhhhhh tastay!

Mom's Fried Chicken. You know how I feel about fried chicken.

Chocolate Pineapple Upside Down Cake! Yes, the title says it all!

Saturday, July 31st: Time for the ladies to go home. Sad day in paradise. It was so nice having people here to do something with everyday! So, we rent another car. This time, it was a Toyota Prius. I'm in love with this car. I agree they do look a little on the nerdy side, but they are so cool!!!! After taking ten minutes to figure out how to start it, we were on our way! It doesn't have a key...just a push start button. So cool! Everything is controlled by a touch screen in the middle of the dashboard and when you reverse, it shows you a camera behind you of what's going on. I said I wanted to drive backwards just so I can watch myself drive! The car gets 39.9 mpg! Outrageous! We had to stop at Kilwin's to get my aunt, dad and brother the best fudge you will ever eat! Then I dropped them off at the airport--yes. I cried. Of course. Moving on. On my way home, I'm talking to my friend Greg and it starts raining. I'm trying to figure out the gadgets in the car when I look up and notice everything in the car is going off. I say, "Oh my God, Greg! I don't know what's going on! My back windshield wiper is flipping out of control, my front wipers are out of control, the radio is changing levels and my lights are flickering!" Pretty funny situation. 

I had to work at the restaurant last night. Longest day ever! I got home pretty late and just crashed. Body-overload. 

Sunday, August 1st: I have to wake up early to return the car. Another sad day in paradise. I come home, look up some stuff on the Internet, then lay back down to sleep. That was at about 10:00 a.m. or so. I wake up and notice it is about ten minutes to three! Oh my gosh! My allergies have been acting up something fierce the last few days! It's miserable. For those who have allergies, you will agree with me. The rest of my day will be spent doing nothing but relaxing. I have a friend from New York coming on Thursday! I can't wait! I miss her tons! 

It's all about movies Sunday night. I can't believe how many movies I've seen the last few days. Your mouth will drop when you see how many! Maybe my movie-A.D.D. is going away! 

Bounty Hunter

Leap Year

Valentine's Day

Knight and Day

The Notebook

Failure to Launch

Step Up

That's a lot! Yes, I know. Notice the trend? I love romantic comedies! I'm a hopeless romantic! Now if I could just find a man that's normal, such as these actors from the movie. Normal men don't exist in my life! ;) 

Note to self: Realize how lucky you are. When you complain about the things you don't have, why don't you pay attention to what you do have? Sure, you don't have something you want, but you do have a family and set of friends who care about you more than anyone could ever ask for. A lot of people can't say that. You have been blessed with people in your life who would do anything for you and not think twice. Be grateful and thank God everyday you are so lucky to call these people your family. Be lucky you can call your friends your family. Growing up in a place where people take you in like their own is something that so many people don't understand. Even though Iowa has a reputation of being "hickville" and "not up to modern speed," we at least know how to treat people and appreciate and respect someone for who they are. Not how much they have. 

Being able to look at your life from the outside in and realize what a lucky woman you are is really something that opens your eyes. When you see everything you have gotten to experience in your lifetime--all of the lessons you've learned, the times you were hurt but had people there to talk to you and cry with you and understand and just listen to you; the times where you laughed so hard, your stomach hurt; the joys you experienced in weddings, babies, or just a night of summertime and wine on a porch. You have no idea how many people would love to be in your shoes. Don't take it for granted. Enjoy every single moment while you can and just remember...you can take the girl out of Iowa, but you can never take Iowa out of the girl. ;)

I'm sorry for the long blog, but I had so much fun the last few days! It's almost time for one-year blog post. I've been working on some things that I think you will enjoy. 

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR KEY WEST PICTURES! HERE! 

Day 318 - Day 321

July 16 - July 19, 2010

I have become extremely lazy with my blogging! Apologies don't even cut it anymore. I've decided to do another video blog about the weekend.

I do want to post other things on my blog. You will see me say things about Twitter. I love it! Check out some of the great things I found on there today! (This is just a tini-tiny sampling...as new "tweets" are posted every second!)

Top Secret America-Find out where your local governments are hiding! ;)
Tweets to TV- Could be me someday! =)
Age Calculator- What's your emotional age? I'm 23.85! Whew hew!
Feed Your Appetite- What you should be eating!

If you don't have Twitter, you should get it! I can't believe how addicting it is, but you will become a real news junkie!

So, now I'm SO irritated! I spent almost TWO HOURS getting this video to upload and then YouTube decides to tell me after the process is over that it can only be so long. Excuse me, YouTube, I've seen things on there that go for an hour and a half! You're going to tell me my little video is too long?

Ugh! So, I don't have one for you today because it's too late for me to start ALL over...jacks!

I'll have it for you tomorrow.

Have a good day tomorrow!

Day 310 - Day 314

July 8 - July 12, 2010

I know. I know. I'm sorry AGAIN for not blogging. Fifty more days and I'm done! I was talking with my mom when I was home about what I'm going to do after my one year is up. Hmmm...I'm thinking about keeping my blog, but tailoring it to a specific subject. No more about my life. I'm getting kind of tired of blogging about it. Sorry, I know some of you don't want to hear that.

What do you think I should blog about? Email me your ideas! =)

So the last few days have been....what else? Work. Now that I have another job, I'm one busy lady! However, I love my new part-time job! Everyone that works there is so nice! And I want to thank my manager in NYC for giving me a great recommendation! So nice of her! ;)

So my mom and grandma come in ten days!!!! And my friend from NYC comes the week after that!!!!!! It's going to be two solid weeks of craziness! The real Ashley can finally come out! ;) Do you like how I referred to myself in the third person?

So, we went out Saturday night to a fantastic night club. They play the BEST music of any place I've ever been! I spent an hour and a half trying to find you my new favorite dance song! It's impossible! I'm having a friend look tomorrow and I WILL get it to you! Because I know you're going to love it! In the mean time, I found these songs that I enjoy!

Feels Like A Prayer
Fire With Fire- Never heard them before, but really like them!
Shark In The Water- Very chill, it's nice!
Rich
Diary- Cheesy, but good
Ba Da Hum- Okay, randomly found this while trying to Google the lyrics for my song- "bah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dahhhhhh"- Just wait until you hear it! But this girl is great!

So, I've told you about the ducks by my apartment. So cute! And we keep getting little duckies! I love it! Well, I've been keeping my leftover bread, crackers, etc. for them. I was carrying some crackers from my car and they spotted me! How, I don't know. I didn't think ducks were smart whatsoever. They started chasing me! I'm not even kidding you! I stopped and stared at them. They kept running as fast as they could closer to me! I got nervous and turned around and started walking the other way!

They started flying at me! Ahhh!!! Are you kidding me?!?! So, I start laughing out loud and talking to myself, "What do I do?! Quit chasing me!" I quickly got out the crackers and threw them in the complete opposite direction from where I was. Then I walked away rather quickly! I knew birds were aggressive, but I never expected it from a group of ducks! It's like you see in the video games. They had those beady eyes that were destined to get their crackers, even if they have to tackle you! Next time, I'll plan it out a little more inconspicuously.

Then a little later, I see my hot neighbor. God, he's hot! I, of course, had my hair in a ponytail, minimal make-up and my glasses. Oy! He can't see me when I'm all cute and getting ready to go out with friends. Nah. And he was coming back from the pool or the beach. I don't know which one. I didn't have time to think about it. I was too busy focusing on checking out his insanely sculpted abs and tan body, beautiful face and perfectly sculpted biceps. All the while, trying not to make it obvious that he makes me completely nervous and God forbid he knows what I'm doing.

Him: "Hey, how's it goin?"
Me: "I'm good. How are you?" Having a completely giddy grin on my face because I'm laughing at the fact that I only see him when I look like I just woke up!

Can you believe I'm getting sick? Yea, I think I'm getting a cold. It's freakin' 100 degrees outside! Who gets a cold in the middle of summer?! Outrageous, I tell you!

Do you watch The Real Housewives television shows?? Hahahahaha, I love it! These women are something else! The New Jersey cast is full of some crazies, but I love every minute of it! And Danielle? She sucks! So overdramatic, she's disgusting! Barf! I'd pull her hair out too!

Danielle: "That's not even my extensions, that's my real hair!" She's nothing but walking plastic. I like Teresa! She's really ghetto and I love it! Jacqueline is my second favorite! She tries to be the mediator, but I wouldn't mess with her. She's like my mother--silent, but violent!

Note to self: Realizing you're not smarter than a 2nd grader in China just puts the topping to your day!
Test it for yourself! Here! Let me know how you did it! I've spent a couple of hours and I can't get it!

"A person does not seek luck; luck seeks the person." Check this out! Here!

Day 303 - Day 304

July 1 - July 2, 2010

Happy July! It's summertime! Enjoy my favorite summer song here! It gets me fired up to come home and hang out with my friends! Whew! ;)

So, yesterday I did not get home until about 1a.m. We had another grand opening of a really hot mexican restaurant on Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. Have you ever heard of Cabo Wabo Tequila?? I hadn't, but apparently it compares and competes with Patron. I'm not a tequila person--I think it's disgusting and this is what happens to me. Watch here...

Okay, totally kidding! ;) Anyways, the party was so much fun! It led to some pretty hilarious conversations.

So, I'm driving to the event, talking to Brett when I interrupt with, "Oh my God, Brett! I found the place that sells chicken 'n waffles!" Please tell me you know what chicken 'n waffles are. If you don't, please don't talk to me. I was so disappointed that only one of my family members knows what this is. Ugh! It's not even American to now know this crazy combination of deliciousness!

For those who don't know (which I'm ashamed, but I can forgive)...it's fried chicken and waffles together. Yes...together. So anyways, we're at the party and I mention something about it to the crowd of people we were talking to. All of them from Florida, except one other person from Champagne, Illinois. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy!

"You're from the south!" I said. "You should definitely know what chicken 'n waffles are!" It's the All-American southern food! I swear in a previous life I was born and raised in Georgia or North Carolina on a farm, or I was African American. The only other person who knew what chicken 'n waffles was the person from Illinois! Way to go Midwesterners knowing your food!

My friend says, "So...do you eat them for breakfast?" Oh, how you have so much to learn. "No, you can eat them any time of day!" I say.

Someone else, "So, do you pour syrup on them?"
Me: "Of course you do! It's the perfect combo of salty and sweet!"

Someone else: "Before you know it, they'll have drive-thru liquor stores!"
Me: "Actually, they have those in Iowa!"

Everyone died laughing! Hahahaha! Of course Iowa would! Such a coincidence they would bring that up!

We got to go in the office late again today! I love nights we work late...that means I get to watch Regis and Kelly in the morning! So, I get to work and I think to myself, Whew it's hot in here! Well, that's because the air conditioner was broken. You think Iowa's hot in the summer? Ha! It's twice as bad down here! Our office was literally 87 degrees. Awful. We were all sweating, falling asleep at our desks, and basically just zombies lurking the cubicles.

Our boss let us leave early! Awesome way to start the vaca! We go for lunch at JB's on the Beach. It's an awesome place in Deerfield that overlooks the ocean! Beautiful! The ocean says hello, by the way! ;) I order fish tacos. Since I've moved down here, it's become my new favorite food! It's such a light dish, but perfectly filling. I love the texture and saltiness of the fish, but the sweet and spicy flavors that go into the mango salsa (sometimes they use papaya or pineapple). Delicious! You must try them!

So, I got another part-time job today! It's at the same restaurant I worked at in NYC! I'm so excited! I loved working there and it's a great way to meet new people! The manager asks if it's too much that I work full-time and part-time. Heck no! This will create a little more excitement in my life! He doesn't know me yet and the fact I get bored in .2 seconds.

It's thunder-storming here tonight, which I actually love--they don't scare me as bad as they used to. It's such a cool night out and a perfect one to just relax and get ready for my drive tomorrow to Orlando. Yea, I'm leaving from Orlando which sucks because it's three hours away, but I'm saving almost $350! Crazy right?? It's well worth the drive!

Maybe I'll stop at Disneyworld or Islands of Adventure. Or I'll stop in and see Shamu! Oh so many options! My parents are taking a week in September--we should totally go then, don't you think?? And my parents are so much fun to go to theme parks with! They ride everything! Done deal. No more contemplating. Now I just have to tell them that's how it's going to be. ;)

So, I'm proud of my mom today. She got Facebook (which I swore I would never let happen, but it's okay!) and today she posted her first status. Want to know what it said? "Both of my kids are home for the holiday weekend. SUPER excited. Haven't seen them in weeks/months!" Awww...it's so sweet! I love it! I'm just as excited! I pretty much already have my whole weekend planned. Tomorrow starts with hanging out with the family and then seeing the ever-exciting Eclipse! Ahhhhhhhhh, I can't wait! It's going to be amazing! Are you Team Jacob or Team Edward? I'm definitely Team Jacob now. He's so....I don't know....perfect!

The fourth book is really interesting. A lot of things happened that I didn't expect, but I suppose I'm not shocked. Ugh, I can't believe I've fallen into the Twilight craze. Listen to me. I sound like a teenager. It's completely mindless reading, but it's so enticing!

So, the other day I go to log into my Google e-mail account. It wouldn't let me on. It said my password wouldn't work and I had to enter my phone number to get a special code. My heart sank. I've known people to hack into others' e-mail accounts and delete them! Yea, people are crazy?! ;)

I freaked! A big portion of my life is on that thing! Someone hacked into it and decided to send Canadian medical e-mails to every. single. person. I've ever e-mailed. Grandma got an e-mail about female Viagra! Yep. So, people that I e-mailed while working at BHG, friends, family, whoever got Viagra e-mails and God knows what else. So, if you were one of these people...I apologize. Some crazy person thought it would be funny. It's really funny, actually. But not when some of these people are big wigs at New York City companies!

Okay, so I'm one of those people who bought something, wore it, then returned it. Is that bad?? I don't think so. It was just a bracelet. I took the stretchy tag off, wore it last Saturday, put the tag back on and took it back. No harm done. The bracelet was $60! Are you nuts?! I'm cheap! I don't even spend $60 on a dress or pair of shoes! I can't justify it. Like Brett says, if it's not $2 or $100,000, "she doesn't want it."

It happens.

Since moving here, I've really gotten into DJ's. They are so hot down here! I'm not talking about their looks--the music and mixes they come up with are amazing! My friend listens to this guy, DJ Cha Chi. Check out his website. I don't know if you've heard of him, but he has awesome mixes! I Googled him and found some mixes on YouTube. Since it's live taping, parts sound a little weird because of the base. Check them out below!

Mur.Mur. Mix
Shrine
Show Me a Virgin Mix

I recommend you go to his website and download his mixes onto iTunes. It's free! I love how he incorporates old school and new school! It fascinates me how he works on the computer and on the turn tables. So cool! I could watch it all day!

Heads up: I probably won't be blogging this weekend while I'm home. In fact, I know I won't. Check back Wednesday night. I get back to Florida on Tuesday, but not until about 11:45 p.m.

Happy 4th of July! Have a fantastic weekend! Enjoy lots of fireworks! I LOVE fireworks! They just make you feel like a kid again. All of the Oohs and Aahs! So magical!

Note to self: "God Bless America. My Home Sweet Home." Remember this 4th of July the thousands of American troops who have died and risked their lives so our country can be just a little normal. With all of the craziness of war and politics, it's very rare that people stop and really look at what our troops go through for us.

Watch this video. KISS performed for our soldiers. It makes you proud of these men and women. You don't know them, but the undeniable amount of respect we have for these people is incredible. America is truly an amazing country, filled with so many great people. Unfortunately, America is quickly becoming something completely different. It's sad to know we are conforming so much to other countries and losing our identity in the process. We are fighting for our freedom, but our culture is being diminished. I think culture is great, however, I still think we need to keep America's culture. If we don't stop the irresponsible immigration, then America will no longer be America. We'll have to call it: Amerimexifranadiagypt.

Watch video here.

Day 298 - Day 300

June 26 - June 28, 2010

I just remembered I forgot to blog this weekend! Oops!

Saturday was crazy busy! We had the grand opening of one of our restaurants, so we had a lot of prep work to do. We were outside doing physical labor for three hours in 95 degree heat! Whew! It was hott! I tell ya' what...I lost about five pounds! ;)

Then we went to Max's Grille for a little lunch. The place is so good! I had a great chicken salad sandwich! I'm tellin' ya' what though...honestly, no one can beat Jason's Deli chicken salad. If someone finds a place, please let me know. But until then, it's my all-time favorite!

I met the movie producer of all the Alfred Hitchcock movies! Crazy, huh?? He's about 84 years old and he asked me out! Hehe! Cute old man! I told him, "Gordon, you're dangerous with that charm! I'm going to have to watch out for you!" ;) He just laughed. I love old people and he had so many interesting stories! Fabulous!

Saturday night was all kinds of things. Crazy, busy, irritating, hot, humid, annoying, fun, outrageous, crowded, upbeat, outgoing...on and on and on...

The grand opening was a success! About 950 people showed up! I met a lot of people and got to see a lot of people I've met while down here! Afterwards, we sat and had a drink to celebrate all of the hard work everyone put in! I didn't put in near as much work as everyone else, but it was nice to sit and relax after standing in heels for five hours! =) Here are a couple of pictures! The third picture is from a digital images, red carpet photo booth! It was really cool!

Then, we went to Denny's! The second time in my life--it was so good! I have to admit, Perkins is still twenty times better, but it does the job for now. 

Sunday is my 300th day of blogging! It's crazy how fast a year goes! It's scary, really. And I still have no idea what I want to do in life. I mean, I know what I want to do, but there's too much to do in one lifetime. =) 

What a better day to celebrate than The Hottest Bartender's Competition?! It was the coolest thing I've ever seen! These men were tossing bottles and cups all over the place! It was mesmerizing! I was in awe for three solid hours!

You're going to be so proud of me! I was getting ready to go out when I thought I saw something squirm across the floor. It was my first little lizard in my apartment. It was maybe an inch long! It was so cute! And I didn't even freak out! Gasp! I know, I shocked myself! And I was talking to him like he was a human being.

"Okay, little buddy just crawl into the container and I'll take you outside." I'm an idiot. He can't understand me! Nor was he listening to me. I chased the little f-er around my hallway until he finally got in the plastic container! I scrambled to get the lid on and took him outside to be free! Way to go, me! 

Monday was nice. My boss let us sleep in and not come into the office until noon today! Just because the weekend was so busy! How awesome is that?! I got to watch morning television! Regis and Kelly, Maury, and Gilmore Girls! Do you know how long it's been since I've watched my all-time, favorite tv series?!?! Gilmore Girls has taught me all I need to know in life! ;) Okay, not really, but I really love that show! 

And Maury? Holy cow, these people are outrageous! "Imma tellin' you. He my baby daddy. I slept wit no otha man. You my baby daddy bitch!" Maury: "Tyrese, you are NOT the father!" And the crowd goes wild! Baby mama knocks over the chair, does a lap or two around the studio with her arms flailing, she's balling and falling down on her knees. Classic American television. This is the epitome of our nation. 

I hope you had a great weekend and a happy Monday! Oh yea, I'm going home for the holiday weekend! I can NOT wait! Iowa, here I come!!! =) 

Note to self: "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It's just that yours is stupid." Quote of my life! =)

Day 295

June 23, 2010

Okay, I'm so sorry my blogs have been blah the last few days! I've been either really busy or really tired. My apologies. I'm not really going to blog tonight (or should I say this morning) either, but I'll give you bullet points as to my more extensive blog tomorrow:

• Getting my hair cut at Aveda Institute--turned out pretty good...
• My fabulous lunch at our client's brand new restaurant (Trust me! You want to hear this!)
• All I want is for a guy to ask me to dinner. Not to the Bahamas, not Costa Rica, not New York, just dinner...is that so much to ask? Is it me or are all guys down here like this? I don't know, but it seems to be a growing trend with the men I'm going out with. Super nice guys, but I just don't know... Hell, I'd even settle for an hour phone conversation. Apparently, in an hour and a half they seem comfortable enough with me to go on a spicy weekend getaway. Sounds fantastic and I have always said I love spontaneity. HOWEVER! Not in one two-hour date. 
• Martini Bar--Ladies Night (or should I say...Cougar Night!) Hehe! 

Note to self: Again...don't ever go against your gut feeling. When you tell yourself, I don't think it's a good idea to go out tonight. Maybe you should, I don't know, start listening to yourself. When your head is pounding, you feel hungover, although you didn't drink, and your stomach is churning in four different directions, don't go. Just stay home and sleep. I know, I know. You're young and why not go have a drink?  Maybe because you have a big day tomorrow and you need to be focused. Drink coffee and quit bitching! ;)

Day 287

June 15, 2010

Today was a great day in Boca Raton. Work was work...nothing new. A potential for something great, but I'm not really getting my hopes up too much.

After work, a co-worker and I went to Baja mexican restaurant for a margarita. It's really funny because when you order a pitcher, they serve it to you in a gas can! Hehe! We didn't get this, but I've had it once before. It's fun! We're sitting there and an older gentlemen starts talking to us. Why?

A commercial comes on about football and Iowa State pops up on the screen. "I was on the dance team at Iowa State," I say. A gentlemen next to us interrupts and starts talking football. Okay, I'm game! He's from Ohio, so we instantly have a midwestern connection. Mind you, he's about 50+ years old and married, but the first person in Boca who I've actually had a normal conversation with. It was great!

We talked Iowa, he pinpointed I was German in the first two minutes I met him, and he told me all about his wife and dogs. Such a nice guy! And genuine--insanely hard to find these day. He said he use to dream of marrying a midwestern girl, and he got one. I told him that I want to marry a midwestern guy--you just can't beat their charm and respect for relationships.

Anyways, I don't feel like blogging tonight. So, I'm ending my night here!

Note to self: I don't really know. Don't deal with people's stupid crap. That's all I got today.

Day 279

June 7, 2010

You know when you just get back on your feet and life kicks you so hard, you feel like getting jabbed in the gut would be a better option? Today was this day for me. On top of all the stress from work, my car decides she wants to cost me my life savings. Yes, the car that's worth about $2 wants me to spend an outrageous amount of money on it.

I don't want to talk about it, but all I ask is I get one week where life is stress-free and I have NO worries in the world. I really don't know how I'm going to handle kids. But I have somewhat of a solution: A nanny and a psychiatrist! ;) Just kidding!

My day was pretty fun though! Another co-worker and I went to a day party for restaurant business people! We went to this bar in Ft. Lauderdale where they had a pool, a hot tub, free drinks, music, food, dancing, on and on and on...we got a free t-shirt! It was seriously like Spring Break all over again. Only this time, we were sober! ;) Kidding again...

But in all honesty, it was so much fun! Everyone was in swimsuits, they had all kinds of contests, and the weather although scorching topped it all off! I had a blast! One of the funniest moments: A man who could barely speak English and barely stand up came up to me and my co-worker saying, "Hey shladies, what'sh up?"

Me: "Nothing."
Him: "What'sh you guys doin' here." As he almost tips over into the pool.
Me: "Advertising for the hottest bartender competition."
Him: "Hey! I'm a bartender! I'm a bartender! Do you want my number?"
Me: "No, that's okay. You're not really a bartender."
Him: "Come on. Why don't you like me?"
Me: "Because you keep spitting on me!" Hahahahaha! It was really funny! You had to be there!

Then I see him later and he says, "Heeeeyyyyyy I know you. What'sh yur name?"
Me: "Brittany."
Him: "Brittany, yur beautiful."
Me: "Thanks."
Him: "Can I have your number now?"
Me: "No, sorry, but you keep spitting on my arm. I don't think it's going to work out."

Hahaha! As he wipes his mouth and walks away. Classic!

So, I'm told I need to stop working at night when I get home. But my mind wanders just sitting around. This is why I'm terrible at watching movies. Not all the time, but a lot of the times I can't sit still and watch a movie. It would be a challenge for me to get through a whole movie without talking.

I decide to try and do nothing when I get home. Clearly, didn't work. So, I thought to myself...I wonder how many towns in the United States are named Ashley. Don't laugh! It's such a crazy thought, but interesting. Here is some of the stuff I found:

Ashley, Indiana- Check out their website here!

Ashley, North Dakota- Now I have a reason to visit ND! Website here!

Ashley, Illinois- I've actually been there! It's the size of my backyard! And I asked a little girl on her bike how many Ashley's lived in Ashley, IL and she said three! And she was one of them! Ha! Website here!

Ashley Township, Missouri- Website here!

That's enough for now. Do you notice, they're all Midwestern states. I feel like I need to be wearing a prairie skirt or something. It's such an old-fashioned name, but another interesting fact: Since 1980, over 801, 525 girls have been named Ashley! That's the population of San Francisco!

You should really Google your first name and see what towns have your same name!

Well, I've had enough excitement for one day and I'm so mentally tired I could cry. Oh, wait I already did! ;) Okay, goodnight!

Note to self: "Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts." -J. Wooden

This man knows his stuff! After today, I need to tell myself this every morning I wake up!

Day 272 - Day 274

June 1 - June 3, 2010

June is here! Summer has officially began! At least for me! Problem: this is my first summer where I'm actually a working woman! Not really a problem, but different. Work is going great! Stressful, but good!

And that's about the extent of my updates. That's all I've been doing the last three days--work, work, work! Story of my life! But it's good because I'm learning a lot and very slowly but surely getting better!

Tuesday...what did I do Tuesday? I swear, life needs to slow down for one second! I hate how fast it goes! It's true when they say, that life goes faster the older you get! Remember when you were a kid and Christmas vacation began? Don't you remember it feeling like forever until Christmas Eve came? Did you ever have those cute little countdown calendars? I remember looking at it twenty times a day and thinking, why can't I just move the days quicker? Christmas needs to get here! And then you woke up every 30 minutes to see if Santa came? Then New Year's Eve was light-years away! Now I wish there were 30 hours in a day! Twenty four just isn't enough.

So back to Tuesday. Oh yeah. Bad day. Just a bad bad bad bad day. I went to Checker's after work and gorged my face with a cheeseburger and fries. Yes, I'm the one who promoted Subway and feeling so much better after eating that than 1,600 of fried goodness. But I was the one who went off track. I scarfed those 1,600 calories with no remorse and complete indulgence! It never tasted so good in my life! There's nothing a little (or a lot) of greasy food to fix a stressful day. And after I scarfed down all of the yummy goodness, I wrote the best pitch of my life!

Wednesday. Chow's--women drink for free and again, another stressful day. It's the place to go! Then $5 burger night. Then Dubliner. It was a great Wednesday! I had a lot of fun and got my mind off work for a split second! The Dubliner is an Irish bar in Mizner Park. It's a really chill place that's fun to go and shoot the you-know-what.

Thursday. A better day. Could have been better, but better than Tuesday and Wednesday. Maybe this means my life is taking a turn for the better. Let's all keep our fingers crossed and our faith going strong! ;) I assisted on another television segment. It was fun! I like working with television!

I made some killer guacamole tonight. I've pretty much perfected the art of making perfectly mushed avocados, scallions and lime juice! I have two secrets that I will never tell to making it a success!

Well...back to work! Goodnight!

Note to self: Reach for the stars. When people tell you to maybe scale back and not focus so broad, don't listen to them. Do what you want to do because your persistence and hard work will definitely pay off! Don't lose faith and just keep pushing because those who reach small, catch pebbles. Those who reach for the stars, catch the moon! Don't forget the little guys, but still focus on the big picture! I'm telling you, it will be worth your while! ;)

Day 251 - Day 259

May 11 - May 19, 2010

Yeah, yeah I know! I apologize for the delay in blogging! Brett and I had such a great week! Crazy busy, but fantastic! It was so nice to have family down here! Let me start from the beginning.

Tuesday: Brett arrives. I tell him that the front office will let him in, and where the building is located. He got lost. Of course! So, he starts walking and the people from the front office pull up to him on the golf cart and say, "Are you Brett?" He replies with yes. Apparently, someone from my complex called the front office, telling them there was a man roaming around! Hahahaha! I love it! It's nice that we have a neighborhood watch dog! After I got off work, it was nice not coming home to...just myself!

I took him to the Whale's Rib. Go figure, right? I know, but it's so good and it's so much fun! Then, we went to the ocean! I saw my first jellyfish and held my first coconut! I wanted to take the coconut home, but was a little grossed out by the sea moss, or whatever that was hanging off of it. So, I threw it back down. Then, we went to Target to go grocery shopping. That was basically the extent of our day! We were at the ocean for quite a while. Wouldn't you want to hang out at the ocean all day? If I could, trust me, I would! But then again, maybe not. I'm already looking like I belong to Oprah or someone, I'm so dark! I don't want leather skin!

Wednesday: I told Brett before he dropped me off at work, "Now, don't stay in the sun longer than an hour." Him: "Okay, okay I won't." Guess what? He stayed in the sun for about three hours! He picks me up and all I can focus on is the white outline on his face from his sunglasses. "I fell asleep." My response, "Clearly."
Brett: "Is it bad?"
Me: "Ummm.....yea, it's bad."
Brett: "Damn it!"
Me: "I told you! And you're meeting everyone from my work tonight!" Hehe! Big dummy!
That's what he gets for not listening to me! I tried to tell him, but I'm never right, apparently. Anyways, he loved Burger Night! I'm telling you, if anyone comes to Boca, they need to go! The food is amazing, and the service is always fantastic! And like I said, I took him to Chow, where he had the grossest drink ever! He didn't even like it!

Thursday: It's Luau Anniversary party time! I felt so bad for Brett that night! I didn't know I had to work the event all night long, so he had to sit there by himself for four hours! I felt horrible!! Solution: $2 beer. Needless to say, he entertained himself! ;) It was his first night trying sushi. I think he was impressed. There's another sushi place in Boca that I find absolutely amazing and the best I've ever tasted. I wish I could have taken him there for a better understanding of my love for raw seafood! =) Mmm...it's so good! I want to learn how to make it! I've already decided that when I do, I'm going to have "Sushi Sundays" at my house! Sunday Funday with Sushi and Saki!

After the luau, we got lost. Oh man, I was pissed! My GPS, aka Esther, needs to be thrown out the window! She is on my shit list, hard core! Instead of taking 45 minutes to get home, it takes us an hour and a half! By now, it's midnight. I'm tired, cranky, and still have work to do when I get home!

Friday: TGIF! We're goin' out! We grilled out and made fajitas! I do want to tell you that Brett and I make really great food together! Thanksgiving dinner: priceless. Fajitas: priceless. My homemade guacamole: priceless. You can't beat a home-cooked meal from the Toncar children! I took a picture of the deliciousness we consumed!

It's time to head to Atlantic Ave.! Oh man, we had fun! I danced. Brett stood there. We decided no one was going to talk to us, considering everyone thought we were a couple. So, we split up. After reconvening, we decided that was pretty much pointless. People here don't really branch out from their mini social groups. It's so strange. I'm all about meeting new people! I think I may be the only one who feels this way down here! Even Brett noticed. Mr. Intuitive and can pinpoint someone's personality just by having them say 'hi' to him! He's so smart and saavy this way! I think everyone's nice--it takes me a long time to realize someone's true personality and intent. I am getting better though! So, kudos to Brett, life experiences, and maturity!

Saturday: Oh Saturday, how fabulous you were! The morning started off with surfing! Awesome, right? Let me explain. The waves were between two and four feet tall. That doesn't sound like a lot, but when they're plowing into you, it sucks. I got my ass kicked! Oh buddy, did I get the crap kicked out of me! My swimming suit top kept falling off. My boobies kept coming out to say hello to everyone. I couldn't get my feet stabilized. Every time I came up from getting pulled under by a wave, another came and knocked me back down! I'm yelling, "This is ridiculous!" "Why in the hell can I not stand up?" "Come on, now! I'm getting pissed!"

Brett's just hanging out on his surf board, laughing at me. I'm standing there, when all of a sudden a wave comes and punches me in the stomach. I go coasting...no...flying to the shore. The wave hit me so hard, the velcro leg-piece came unattached! When I finally get on the surfboard, waves come and knock me off! Or instead of standing and surfing, the wave takes me all the way to shore, while I'm on my belly. It was insane! Then, we had to carry the surfboards back. They don't look heavy, but it was the longest walk I've ever taken! We didn't have normal surfboards--we had those ridiculously long, styrofoam boards for beginners. They are so heavy! Our arms were shaking by the time we got them back!

Next on the list: Snorkeling!!!!! It was so much fun! We were literally, in the middle of the ocean, swimming free! Before we left, they warned us of the massive waves...some people tend to get seasick. Nah, Brett and I are fine. We don't medicine. The boat takes off for the 45-minute ride out to sea! We go through what's called, "Millionaire's Row." I can't even explain to you these houses! We saw the house from Miami Vice, Taking Back Sunday (I think that's the name), and other movies. The founder of Sunglasses Hut; the grandchild of the man who invented Alkaseltzer; the guy who invented electric windows for cars! His story's cool! Him and Ford Motors were in a 30-year legal battle over his invention. Ford claimed he didn't come up with it, but he had the original patent to prove it. He got $3 for every single car that drove off the lot since the early 1900s! His house is for sale! It was on the market for $54 million, but he lowered it to $36 million. That was nice of him! We saw Tiger Woods' house pre-wife and beating. I can't remember the others right now, but they'll come to me!

Can I just say, I should have got the seasick medicine! I about had 17 heart attacks! The boat was rocking something fierce, I thought we were going to tip over! I can't even explain it to you! Everyone was like "Whew hew!" "Whooooaaa!" I was like, "Oh my God! Oh my God! I'm gonna die!" as I'm gripping the ladder with my life! We finally make it to our anchor point. Then we get our instructions on what to do, what not to do, etc.

I can't swim. Yeah, laugh it up! Very funny! My body just doesn't like to do it. I can doggy paddle with the best of them, but when it comes to actual swimming, you can forget about it. It's not happenin'! So, I tell them this because hi...we're in the middle of the ocean! I don't get the flippers because I'm not "experienced" enough. Screw that! What's the point of snorkeling if I can't have fins! Whatever! Brett jumps in and goes to town! He's diving under water, swimming everywhere. I'm still hanging on to the side of the boat, working up the courage to jump in!

1..2..3...go! Into the deep blue I fall! So exhilarating! You're literally in the middle of nowhere, where you have no idea what's under you, around you, behind you! You're just swimming, trusting that everything's going to be okay! Being a bit of a control freak, it was a little strange knowing this. I swore to myself that one of the times I stuck my face in the water, a shark would suddenly appear! Never happened, but it's such a rush knowing it could! I did get the guts to hold my breath and swim eight feet down to get a good look at the coral, fish, etc.! The ocean is the most amazing place on the planet! It was one of the best things I've ever done in my life! I will most definitely go back and do it again! Brett had a ball!! Well worth the money!!!!

Saturday night, I had to work, but we were so worn out from the day, that not going out to party was okay with us! We still went to a club, but kept it low key. Brett was sick because of all the salt water he consumed, and I was still sea sick. I did learn that seasickness comes from you inner ear. Apparently, your inner ear knows your body is off kilter when it's on the water. Your brain is telling your body, everything is fine, but your inner ear knows it's not. That's why people get sick! Our whole boat was so sick! It was really funny! On the ride home, no one talked to each other because we were all trying not to vomit!

On our way home from the club, we were hungry for pizza. We went to a hole-in-the-wall place where I had the best (besides my own) bbq chicken pizza! This place was so fantastic!!! It's called Boca's Best Pizza--and rightfully so! It's now my go-to pizza parlor! ;)

Sunday: We went to Miami!! Brett got his shopping fix at Lincoln Road shops. They have a Penguin store. Need I say more? Then, we go to the Marlins baseball game! We got the cheap tickets and sat in the outfield, but we had so much fun! Our section was so funny! They played the Mets and it was a great game! The final score was something like, 10-7. High scoring! My friend Maddie, who just got married...I saw her husband's twin at the game! I had to do a double-take! It was weird! I was thinking, "Brent! What are you doing here?!" Hehe!

We cooked again Sunday night. Oh yeah, we cooked Saturday night too! Steak, potatoes and sweet corn. Guess what they call their peaches-n-cream sweet corn? "Bi-colored corn!" Hahahahaha! What?!?!?! Bi-colored? That's discrimination! Sunday, I came up with a rather delicious sandwich! Cookbook to come at a later date! ;)

Monday: Brett's last day in town. =( We ate at an amazing Italian restaurant! Brett's favorite kind of food. Which another interesting fact about Brett I never knew...he doesn't produce tears. Strange! And his eyes aren't curved...they're more flat. What a weirdo! ;) Anyways, the food was amazing, and again, I found my go-to Italian joint! The service was excellent!!! After dinner, we went mini-golfing! This place is amazing! It's like the mini-golf places you in Orlando, or on tv! I love mini-golfing! We had so much fun! The lady told us we only had 30 minutes because they closed. Okay...whatever...just give me a golf ball, lady!

So, we just plow through the holes! Taking pictures, maybe breaking a bream, jumping in the waterfall, I don't know. I'm just tossing out scenarios! But yes...Brett did break a beam. I told him to jump over the gated off area to stand on the ledge for a picture. We got the photo, but when Brett went to hop back over, the beam gave out and he fell. I laughed so hard, I was crying! So, we get to the end and we see a group of four starting to play. Okay, wait a minute. We were told they closed at nine. Well, since they were playing...we're still going to play! So, we played the other course they had! Our mission: a hole in one. Did we get one?? I did! Brett didn't! Hehe!

As we're leaving, the inside of the game complex looks really dark. I ask, "Do you think they locked us out?"
Brett: "Nah, they can't."
Me: "Okay."
We walk towards the door.
Brett: "Yup. They locked us out."
So, we have to figure out an alternate route to leave. We hit the parking and Brett says, "Did we really just walk out with these putters?"
Me: "Shh...we're not to the car yet."
We put them in the trunk, and drive away. Hey, if they're going to lock us out, we have no where to put the putters! So, we're taking them with us. We're laughing about it, until we come up to a stop light.
Brett: "Is that a cop pulling up behind us?"
Me: "Uhh...yup. What do we do if he pulls us over?!?!"
Brett: "We just tell him that we're planning on returning the putters tomorrow." And he was dead serious when he said this. Really, Brett? Like he's going to believe that!
Me: "Do you think he saw us steal them?"
Brett: "There's no way. Unless he was hiding."
Me: "Oh my God! We're going to get arrested for theft!"
Brett: Laughing hysterically! "That would happen! We get arrested for theft of mini-golf putters!"
Brett: "Don't you think he would have pulled us over by now?"
Me: "Not necessarily!" Then the light turns red. We take off and the cop goes around us!
Me: "My heart is palpitating right now!"
Brett: "That would have been awful!"

Tuesday: Brett leaves. Such a sad day! I love hanging out with my brother! He's awesome! But now that it's official, and most probably know...I want to wish him the best of luck this summer in St. Louis! And a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS is in order! He got an internship at Rawlings, designing baseball gloves! How fantastic is that?! I told him he's going to learn so much and get to see so many wonderful things! St. Louis? Yeah, I know. I thought the same thing. He needs to buy a gun. =) But in all honesty, I am so proud of him and this is just what he needs. It's his first time away from home, so he'll have to grow up in a second. It's good for him! Good luck, Brett. I know you will be fantastic and show them how great of a person, worker, and student you are!

Wednesday: Work is great! I'm learning so much! I'm learning how I still have a lot to learn! I got to go to a television segment shoot this morning! So cool! It's for a professional, who I found out used to make $90,000 a month! Are you kidding me?!? Hell, knock off one of those zeros and I'll take that much a month!

He said to me, "If you can't learn how to fail, you'll never make it. If you don't know how to be broke, you'll never make money. I mean broke. Because then you understand how much fun it is to make money! There are very few people who are born rich. Everyone has been poor once in their life. It's those that learn how to deal with it, that make it. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Make it happen."

Okay, so I had this talk with my family just last night. I was crying because I'm broke and it sucks! I hate money! Absolutely hate it! It's the root of all evil and the biggest stressor of everyone's life. No matter how much of it you have. I know everyone goes through this, blah blah, but it's not okay with me. I can't live paycheck to paycheck. So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about making more. But I'm done talking about it because it literally pisses me off so bad, it ruins my day! Moving on!

I have quite a bit of work ahead of me still tonight, and I'm sure you're ready to be done reading this rather extensive blog. I tried to catch you up as much as I could. But in summary: Brett's trip was so much fun and much needed! Good luck in St. Louis and show them what a great asset you would be to their team! Love you!

Note to self: "You can never really get away. You can only take yourself somewhere else."

As much as I don't want to live in Iowa, I miss it. Crazy, right? And no one can truly understand it, unless they've moved away for a while. You can't beat Midwestern people. They are the most genuine and honest people you'll ever meet. If they like you, they'll take a bullet for you. If they hate you, you know it, and you better not cross them. Yes, every place has their bad apples, but even the bad apples in Iowa look good compared to some of the people I've met. I've always prided myself in not changing who I am--the naive girl from Iowa who loves life, meeting new people, and trying new things.

The girl who loves listening to country and dancing in the middle of the dance floor--even if it is by myself. The girl who will tell you like it is, whether you like it or not. The girl who can't wait to come home for the Iowa State Fair because I haven't missed one in 25 years! I love Florida, don't get me wrong, but no one can replace friends and family. I have the best friends anyone could ask for. They don't act like they're in high school, we have so much fun together, and we get each other. My family is unbeatable--everyone knows that! ;) No one can replace family!

Day 247 - Day 249

May 7 - May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day!!! I hope all of you mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and friends had a terrific day with your families! I, unfortunately, was not able to spend it with the women in my life. I love you, the women in my life! Without you, I would not be where I am today. I wouldn't be the strong woman you influenced me to be. Women have such an effect on people, it's amazing! I got an email from a friend about women, that I think is appropriate for Mother's Day! It reads:

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she
carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Busy, busy weekend. Friday night, I went to a restaurant/nightclub to promote for work. I had to go by myself, which I thought would be intimidating, and I was really nervous. It was so much fun! I met so many people and had such a great time! When I say promote, I mean I took pictures for future promo events, got names, and email addresses. And c'mon...people in South Florida LOVE to get their picture taken! So easy! The owners of the club are so nice!

I made a bet with my friend, Greg. He told me, "Ashley, so many guys are going to hit on you." I tried to tell him, it just doesn't happen. And it really doesn't. So, our bet was that whoever loses, has to buy the winner a beer or corn-dog at the fair this year! Hehe! Guess who was right? Yup. Me! I sent a text that read, "Does it count if I approach them and then they hit on me? I don't think so. They only look. Otherwise, you owe me! I told you!" (followed with a profanity) Well, I accidentally sent it to Roxy! Oops! She text me back and said, "Well they are just stupid to pass up someone like you." I just stared at my phone, thinking, well okay, that was nice. But I don't understand. It wasn't until later that I realized what I did!

You really need to pay attention to who you send your texts to. It could get you into some trouble. As it has done me many times in the past! Texting is one of the best things ever invented, but is also a very dangerous tool! You have the sexting (which I don't do!), drunk texting, sympathy texting, funny texting, etc. You can get yourself into trouble and make yourself look like a major idiot! If you are one of those drunk texters, pass your phone to a friend! You don't want to read them in the morning and regret what you said! That's never good! Again, I'm not saying I've done these things...I'm just giving advice--don't drunk text, sext, sympathy text, whatever. Keep it funny, or normal, or just whatever. And never try to have a serious convo. over text. That's one of the most irritating things ever! Just call me!

So, I wake up Saturday morning, to a HUGE bug on my kitchen floor. Can I just tell you that bugs are seriously, the most revolting thing ever created! I literally shiver and dry heave because I can't stand it! So, I call my dad. I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do with that thing! I'm not touching it! Are you nuts?!?!

Me: "Dad. There's a huge cockroach, dead, on my kitchen floor."
Dad: "Well, pick it up and throw it out."
Me: "NO! Are you nuts?! What if it's not dead?! I'm not having that thing jump up and fly into my face! I can't. I just can't."
Dad: "Is the bug on its back?"
Me: "Well, yeah."
Dad: "Then that means it's dying."
Me: "But maybe it's not. I can't live like this."
Dad: "Jesus Christ, Ashley! You have got to be kidding me! I'm telling you...if it's on it's back, it is dying."
Me: "Dad, I'm serious. I can't do it."
Dad: "Ashley, I can't fly to Florida every time you find a bug in your apartment. Either ask your neighbor to get it, or learn how to deal with it."
Me: "I just don't want it to start moving and jump on me."
Dad: "Maybe it's one of those back bugs."
Me: Silence................"Are you making fun of me right now?"
Laughter bursts on the other end of the phone.
Me: "Dad! This is no laughing matter! I. Am. Serious."
Dad: "Ashley. I don't know what to tell you. Scoop it up with a paper cup and throw it outside. I don't know what else to tell you." (By now, he is getting really irritated with me)

To make a long story short. I go to Wal-Mart and get tons of cleaning supplies. I can't have bugs in my apartment. Just can't happen. Apparently, it's normal for down here, but it's not okay with me. All I wanted to do was lay out on Saturday, but instead, I'm sanitizing my living quarters. I get a broom and dust pan, sponges, etc. You name it. I got it! And who the hell spends $5 on a broom?!?! It's a plastic stick with bristles! Stupid.

I get home and the bug hasn't moved. So, I think. Okay, it's dead. I go to pick it up and the little bastards 700 legs start moving on me! I drop the broom, shriek, and run away! I decided right then, I can't do it! So, I go to pick up the broom, and the little f-er is stuck in the bristles! Okay, so I thought this was going to be easy. I slowly move the broom close to my glass sliding door. I can just dump it outside. No. Instead, it decides to fall out of the broom and start scrambling along the floor. As I'm yelling at the bug, running away, and chasing it with my broom, pounding it, trying to kill it, it keeps running. Finally, I get it. I continue to beat the poor thing because I'm so disgusted, that I just want it to die! I try to brush it outside, and it's still moving! Why won't it just die?!?! I just keep brushing and brushing, because I know that I will get that little sucker outside and dead! Yeuck! I can't even think about it, it's so awful!

Saturday night, I work again at the same nightclub for promotions. Before hand, a co-worker and I go to eat at The Office. It's on Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. The place to be, apparently! The food was amazing and the atmosphere is fantastic! I will definitely go back there! Promoting was good! It's nice because I'm starting to recognize and see the same people, which is nice. And they are recognizing me, so it's good! I'm starting to get in the loop of Boca and Delray's social life! Yay!!!! It's only been about a month, but I'm ready to have a group of friends!

I'm telling you what. I think I need therapy or something to teach me patience. I am honest to God, the worst person when it comes to this. I know I keep reiterating this point, but it's getting to the point, that I can't even handle it. I'm getting so irritated with myself! It's absolutely terrible! I know I'm being tested, but I am failing, miserably! I'm ready for friends. I'm ready for a boy in my life. I'm ready for everything to just be settled. I know. I know. Everything happens when it's suppose to. You just have to give time, time. I don't want to give time, time! And yes, things happen for a reason, but damn it! I'm ready for my reasons to start working out!

Sunday comes, and I get to sleep in! Oh my gosh, it feels great! If I had a TV in my room, I would have stayed in bed all day! Instead, I wake up and watch "My Big Fat Greek Wedding!" Such a cute movie! I know it was Mother's Day, but every movie was about love and relationships. Of course. Made me jealous.

Then, I go to the ocean. It's time I become the sun-kissed lady I want to be! I go to Deerfield Beach, which was packed! There were people everywhere! So much fun! It was so hot today, I cannot even tell you. The temperature only read 84 degrees, but the humidity down here. Forget about it. Even I thought it was hot. And when I think it's hot, it's damn hot! Like sitting on fire! Because I'm NEVER too hot! I got too hot today! Anyways, I'm laying out and guess what? Someone asked me to put lotion on their back!

Do you think it was a celebrity? Nope. A hot man? Nah. Too easy. An old, wrinkly woman? Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! Son of a B! Are you kidding me right now? Why? Why me? Then, she asked me to fix her crooked tankini straps! Nice lady, but come on....

I took a joy ride tonight. When it's hot outside and night time, I love being out! It's my favorite thing to do! Go for a walk, grab dinner on a patio, go to the beach, go on a ride! I absolutely love it when it's dark outside and it's still 75+ degrees! It's my ideal situation! I just drove around the parts of Boca that I've never been before. But I did make note to where I was because the houses I saw...holy huge!!! They are magnificant, and I want to see them during the day!!!

Now, it's time for bed! I had a great and busy weekend, and I now have to rest tomorrow because Brett comes Tuesday!!! Yay!!! You know what that means! You read about our NYC experience! Nothing but good times, laughs, food, drinks, shopping, and clubs! Only this time, we're throwing in surfing, boogie boarding, the ocean, and hot weather! Oh my! I already have my game face on!!!

Note to self: Tonight I have two quotes that I heard this weekend, that have kind of stuck with me. They're completely different, but I just really like them. Enjoy!

"Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education." - Dr. Martin Luther King
So fantastic! Anyone can be intelligent. But without good character, your intelligence doesn't matter. At least to me, it doesn't. A really fantastic and admirable person portrays their intelligence lightly, but effectively. Someone who is genuine and kind-hearted, but professional and tough. It's difficult to balance, but someone with true character and integrity pulls this off with grace and elegance. Something every person should strive to do. I know I strive for this.

"The hardest thing is loving someone, and then having the courage to let them love you back." - The Wedding Date
The man in that movie is perfect! I love this!