My Best Friend’s Wedding

In thirty minutes I will be boarding a flight to Madison, Wisconsin with a stop in Milwaukee. With my excitement at a high I was not able to sleep at all last night. Surprisingly, I was able to pop out of bed with little hesitation and my drive to the airport was quicker then I had anticipated. I think traveling for me could be compared to a dog wanting to stick it’s head out of a moving car. I absolutely LOVE traveling and sometimes I think I should of worked for an airlines.

But the real reason I’m so excited is that I’m going to be visiting with my girlfriends Brittny and Holly once again. (The same girls that I went to visit in VA, Beach for Springbreak). We are all going to be celebrating Brittny & Char getting married this weekend! I can’t believe she is getting married on Saturday. The thought has just blown my mind, plus it has also made me realize we are all growing up.

So this weekend should be… no wait… I mean will be Wicked Fun! I will be sure to blog about it when I get back in town on Sunday, I think they are just about to board my flight, so I have to go. Wish me luck I’m the maid of honor and I have to make it through my speech without crying!

Facebook Fan Page

Thanks to Sarah and her comment on an earlier entry It’s Facebook Official, I thought it would be time to make a fan page for Circle City Girl (Sarah, now you can click the like button all you want now *insert smile*).

Of course no one is forcing you to become a fan but I know it is hard to keep up with a bunch of different portals at the same time. At least for me it is and I wish that there was one place just to check everything. Thus the reason for the fan page, to make your life easier! So if you have facebook and you are interested in getting updates that way, feel free to become a fan.

DMB Concert

This past Friday Mr. Facebook and I decided last minute to go to the Dave Matthews Band concert. I was super excited when he called me after work and told me be at his house around 6pm. Friday night was gorgous and what a better way to spend it then go to a concert outside? Walking up to the gate I couldn’t believe all the baby faces I was seeing. I feel like every year the crowd gets younger and younger. Maybe that is to the fact I have to face getting older? Was I really one of those little punks running around like that when I was their age? It kind of scares me to think at the moment, ahh.

Besides the forgetting a blanket, we were able to find an awesome spot on the lawn (shown in the photo above). Which unless you get there early is pretty hard to do. So I think Mr. Facebook was really pleased. As the night went on a few of Mr. Facebook’s friends met up with us along with Mr. Facebook’s sister. (By the way his sister is so sweet, I really enjoy hanging out with her!) I think it was probably one of the best times I’ve had at a concert. Great music, being around friends and one beautiful night, we couldn’t have asked for it to get any better! So Mr. Facebook gets major props for deciding to get tickets.

I also love the fact when I’m hanging out with Mr. Facebook and his friend, I feel like I fit in. In past relationships it hasn’t always been like that. I felt like I was trying to be someone else around them, trying to keep up with their standard or something like that. But with Mr. Facebook’s friends I feel like I can let go and be myself. That is how it should be isn’t it, right? Looking back even as early as three years ago, I realize I wasted so much time trying to impress people with who I thought they wanted me to be, instead of just being myself. I think this behavior was a side effect of my first boyfriend. He was always telling me to modify the way I talked, looked, dressed, etc… I guess at the time I didn’t know any better. I just thought that is how realtionships were. Boy was I ever wrong and the sad part is that I’m just figuring this all out. I mean my next two boyfriends after that weren’t any better. I think Mr. Facebook is the first guy who has never once wanted to change anything about me.

Honestly, it has been so refreshing and pretty life changing. I mean that is one of the biggest reasons I was so nervous about getting into another relationship. I was scared of having to put on another relationship facade. Maybe, you have been through this? I was so brainwashed for such a long time into thinking it was normal to change for others, I never bothered to stop and look at what I really wanted out of the relationship. I think that is what is so different about Mr. Facebook and I really admire him for it. It takes a lot of self control to sit there and say I don’t want to change one thing about you, I like you just the way you are.

I may itch my throat and ear at the same time, not think in the most logical manner and have a rediculous laugh that everyone makes fun of me for; But that is what makes me… well me! Don’t let anyone ever change you, I had to find this out the hard way. However, if I had to go through this all over again just to be in the same place I am now, I would do it in a heart beat. There something about the struggle that makes us appreciate the good times when they happen.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” -1 Peter 1:6

The New Olympus E-P1

Not knowing it, I ran across a new camera that just came on the market in July. I saw a video called The Pen Story made for the E-P1 today that one of my friends posted a link to on YouTube. Interestingly enough the video made for the E-P1 caught my attention that I did a little more research about the camera to find out more about it.

Coming from having a photography background and a fond love for SLR cameras. I’ve always wanted an today’s features of an SLR in a camera that had a smaller camera body. However that is something that just never really was available. Even though I absolutely LOVE my Canon 20-D can be such a pain to carry around when I’m out with friends so I use an Olympus compact camera to take some of the weight off. However the image quality of my Olympus compared to my SLR could not even be compared. Now with the Olympus E-P1, I may be ringing a different tune?

Overall I found it to be a great little compact camera and really interesting that it has a lot of features that a regular SLR camera embody. I also found out that the E-P1 has HD Movie with stereo sound featuring depth of field and Art Filters! To see the specs of the Olympus E-P1 visit their website. Hum… all this talk about the E-P1 kind of makes me want one now. I wonder when they will start selling it in stores in the United States?

July…really?

Is anyone else wondering how it is already is July 1st! Are we really getting close to the middle of the summer? Seriously the 4th is in just three days… you have got to be kidding me! By the way that reminds me I probably should figure out what to do for that. (Mr. Facebook is on vacation right now but  comes home that afternoon, so we can hang out that night) Anyone have some fun ideas of things we can do for the fourth? Or do you have a great recipe you could share? I would appreciate the feedback… I need help, I don’t have much time! I guess this really shows you what a last minute planner I am.

Anyway, even though the summer has been going by quick and my weekends are pretty much a blur; I’ve been enjoying it so far. From weddings, Festivals, baby showers, birthdays, etc. on the weekends the summer feels like a never ending party. I think I’ve spent way more then I should have on gifts for other people. After two weddings in June, a babyshower and a birthday; I’m glad for a little break. It will gear me up for the three back to back weddings I have coming up in August!

Mr. Facebook:
Just thought I would recap and say Mr. Facebook and I have had a steady relationship for almost FOUR months now! This is a huge deal for me considering my last two relationships didn’t last over three… so knock on wood I really like how this one is turning out. Now I know I said I’m taking it slow in my last post and I that still rings true. I’m just really happy that the past four months have been so great between the two of us. He is just as sweet and caring as the day we went on our first “real date“. I’m starting to really love our history together;  I don’t want to jump the gun yet but I feel Mr. Facebook is someone I’m starting to see a future with.

Italian Street Festival:
Some summer activities have included going to the Italian Street Festival downtown with Mr. Facebook and even though it was raining, we still had a great time! I had no idea they had this Italian festival in Circle City until Mr. Facebook suggested we go to it. Even though the food was great and the weather could have been better I wouldn’t of had it any other way. Because for the very first time I saw a diaper made in to a make shift hat. That is right you heard me… a DIAPAR, haha!!!  As we were standing under this tree trying to wait out the rain, a family was sitting right next to us. Low and behold the mom pulled out a diapar from the diapar bag and put it on her head! I couldn’t believe it! I guess when your hair is getting wet and your a mom you could care less what is on your head. So I pulled out my camera and took a picture. Why? Because who in a million years would catch an adult woman wearing a diapar on her head… willingly. I think this has been one of my favorite highlights of the summer thus far.

Weddings:
Now for the past two weekends, I’ve attended two weddings! Thus the reason I have not had a moment to sit down and write. Both couples that got married are great friends, of whom I’ve kind of grown up with over the past 7 years, Kristen & Joel and Ryan & Tory. I can’t believe all four of them are now married and all grown up. I got choked up watching Kristen & Joel say their vows. And Ryan & Tory could not have looked any happier. I’m honored I could be a part of both of their special days and I wish them both the best as they head for marriage bliss.

Birthdays:
Now that is not all these past week… I also had a birthday party for Ashley to go to! Where I caught up with Erin and a bunch of other girl friends I hadn’t seen in awhile. I was happy we were all finally able to get together, because like I said earlier the summer is going by fast and there just doesn’t seem to be enough time to hang out with everyone. Plus I think I’m getting to the point where I’m starting to feel older. I can not stay out like I used to. When eleven rolls around I’m about pooped for the night, haha. But one late night on the town won’t kill me right?

Well I think I need to think about what I’m making for dinner… but hope you enjoyed the fun update of what happened in my life these past two weeks. Hope you have a great rest of your week and an awesome 4th of July weekend!

Summer Sizzles

Summer is here and I felt like it was time for some short recaps on things you missed! I’m not even going to try to explain where I have been the past month or so. Life was a little overwhelming and I have had lots going on with parents coming to visit… work… dating… friends… the list goes on and on. I just didn’t seemed to have the time to sit down and write.

Mr. Facebook Update
Anyway, Mr. Facebook and I have been doing well. We have been enjoying each others company and have been just going with the flow. From playing football in the park, baseball games, concerts, hanging out with friends, festivals and random movie nights… we have been keeping it rather low key. However, He has officially meet my parents! What?!? Hold up how did I jump from, “we are keeping it rather low key” to “oh and by the way, he meet my parents” haha? Well…I figure since they really never make their way up here he might not have the opportunity to meet them for awhile if he didn’t meet them then. I think I was more nervous then he was because my parents are a pretty good judge of character, I know their opinions really matter to me. Overall meeting my parents ended up being a really good thing. So we will see what happens when I meet his parents sometime. hum…

I think I’m really starting to grow fond of Mr. Facebook and find myself building up real feelings for him. It has been a little tough because I’m scared of being hurt again so I trying very hard to guard my heart. But I can’t complain, I’m really happy where things are right now and I am excited to see where they lead.

Should I Sell My Oil Paintings?
Lately, I have gotten back into my oil paints and I’m finding I miss painting with them a ton. In the last couple weeks I have painted two different paintings, which I’m even more fond of because my skill set has actually started to improve. Painting has now become this moment in time where I can escape to another place for a little while and really get my mind of things. So here is what I’m thinking, maybe I will start a website for my oil paintings and try to sell them online. What do you think? It would be a great way to make a little extra money and plus it would give me a purpose for painting. I have seriously run out of wall space!

20 Mile Bike Ride
You might find this crazy but just recently I went on this 20 mile random bike ride to BRipple. Totally out of the blue but my bike is fixed now, thanks to my dad! I’m so grateful he fixed it when he was up here. Now I can ride whenever I want! However, I wouldn’t recommend riding a bike 20 miles without pads on your biking shorts. I was so sore afterward.

Fall Marathon Training
I believe training starts soon for the fall marathon I’m planning to do in November. I’ve been back and forth about wanting to do it, but I really think I should. Plus because of my foot I didn’t run a half in the spring and I kind of feel blah now because I missed out on it. So wish me luck, here goes to another summer of running!

My Wish List
I don’t know if you have seen Maid of Honor or not but I’m obsessed with this really unique gold necklace Michelle Monaghan (playing the character, Hannah) wore in the movie. I absolutely love it and today I found out the designer was Zoë Chicco !!! I’m so happy I found it because it was driving me crazy looking for it in the stores just hoping to run across it. The mixed circle necklace will be one of those things I keep on my wish list!

Laundry
Seriously, I should be doing some of that right now. blah. But I think I will go to bed instead. So with that, I will say goodnight… it is way past my bedtime.

24 hours & 24 years

Sorry I haven’t been able to write about this past weekend till now but I had a publication for work going to press this morning, so my life has been a little hectic. We ran into a few issues but finally they are all resolved and everything was approved. I can’t wait for this May issue of the Magazine I create to come out, it is a brand new layout and I designed every inch of it. That alone makes me extremely proud of myself (I think I will pat myself on my back).

Anyway, back to my birthday weekend…

Friday:
What a day… working like crazy getting things wrapped up for the weekend, I couldn’t wait to get off work. I just keep watching the clock… oh please hurry! Mr. Facebook planned to pick me up at 5:15pm to take me downtown for my birthday party and if that wasn’t good enough it was beautiful outside. Which finally gave everyone in Circle City the glimpse of spring we have all been waiting for. I was so happy to be getting a short break for the weekend and be able to enjoy the festive events of turning 24.

Arriving at Howl at the Moon, an old piano bar which is famous in Circle City for having awesome live music. I wasn’t sure who was actually going to show up. But low in behold I saw a friendly face as soon as I walked in. Siobhan… you are awesome girl! I was so glad to see you there and I couldn’t thank you enough for the gifts you got me. I loved them! While talking with Siobhan and Mr. FB, people I knew started trickling in. Before I knew it I was catching up with old friends and gabbing away about new things happening in my life.

This was the first time that Mr. FB was being introduced to some of my closest friends and I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out. But much to my delight he was amazing. He not only seem to handle himself very well but he had a way of talking to new people he never met before. Making it look like they could have been good friends chatting. Afterward I got some rave reviews from some of my girl friends, which made me feel much better that they all liked the guy I have been dating. And yes, my friends opinions matter!

I didn’t want the night to end… it was so good just kicking back and laughing with everyone. Just like in the good old college days. I can’t believe it has been two years since I graduated. Jeez… has time flown by or what! As the evening went on so did the fun… except I feel really OLD right now. Because what I’m about to tell you just might blow you away. Even though I was having a blast hanging out I was whipped by 11:30pm. What happening to me staying out all night?!?! I guess this just goes to show I feel my age just a little more each year. So Mr. FB was nice enough to bring me home, which I might add I fell asleep on the car ride back. haha what a big birthday bash I had, the clock strikes 12 and I’m sleeping like a baby. Oh well… nothing wrong with that, at least I know I did have a great time with everyone!

Saturday:
The next morning I was happy that I just popped right out of bed. So I guess it pays not staying out till the wee hours of the morning. Mr. FB asked if I would like to go to get a birthday breakfast at Cafe Patachou. That same cafe that we were suppose to go to on our first date but didn’t get to. Which the food is amazing by the way if you haven’t gone you really should. It was really sweet of him to come take me out for breakfast even though he was coming back later that night to take me out for a birthday dinner! Can you believe that??

After breakfast Mr. FB had to run a couple errands before dinner that night, so I was able to relax for a bit (time just to be me). Which was great since most of the week before I had been working really hard and it was nice just to take a break to chill for a little. It also gave me a chance to catch up with a couple of my best friends and family on the phone. Besides that the rest of the afternoon I was totally shocked at how much people really cared for me. I got flowers delivered to my door, music sent to my e-mail, Facebook messages on my wall and a ton of cards from loved ones and friends in the mail. Not expecting anything, I’m truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family in my life! It really made my day to get things in the mail.

You know sometimes it is really hard being away from family around holidays and birthdays because you never really have the chance to share those moments with them. And I know for myself I would of loved to have spent the day with all of them for my birthday. It really makes me cherish those moments when I am able to spend time with them even more.

Saturday Night:
Okay now to Saturday night, just what you all have been waiting for right?!?! Mr. Facebook showed up promptly at my doorstep with a present and a dozen white roses in his hand. All dressed up in a nice collar shirt he was so cute because he couldn’t wait for me to open up his gift. Seriously he is spoiling me with roses… (side note: I absolutely LOVE getting flowers) except I don’t always get them. This means his roses were a real treat!

Opening his gift he anxiously waited for me to open the card. I think I was so excited I opened it right away without looking at the front at first and he stopped saying wait don’t you want to read the front?!?! I could tell he spend a lot of time trying to find just the right card. As I read it, I felt just a little emotional because not one guy I have dated has ever gotten me such a sweet card that was this nice. I can count on one hand how many times someone has done this for me before. And to think this is only after dating a month!

The card read as follows…

“Happy Birthday to the one who makes me feel special and important, cared for and HAPPY, excited and content- all at the same time. I’m so glad you’re in my life. Happy Birthday with Love… CCG, I have truly enjoyed every minute we spent together and look forward to a future with you. Happy 24th Birthday! – Mr. Facebook”

I think I read the card at least 100 times after that night… I just totally blown away. Not only did Mr. FB get me beautiful white roses and a birthday card that just wants to melt your heart, he also got me a shirt! What, another thing I was totally surprised about. I pulled out the shirt and not only did I love it but it fit! Now when does that ever happen, seriously?!?! Needless to say I ended up changing so I could wear the shirt he got me to dinner.

For dinner Mr. Facebook took me to Maggiano’s Little Italy… a great Italian food restaurant where again the food is absolutely amazing! I am very blessed to have had such an fantastic day with such an great guy! At the end of our meal, Mr. FB made sure I had cake with a candle to blow out. I really couldn’t have asked for a better birthday, it was more then perfect. After we were done with dinner he asked if I would like to go to a movie… so the night was far from over. We end up running to the movie called State of Play. If your looking for a great movie with a lot of unexpected suspense, I recommend it. I love movies like this for some reason… I guess I like the fact that it is unpredictable and I don’t know what is going to happen next.

Thus by the time the movie was over it was 12:30am and my birthday had past. It only took 24 hours to have a birthday come and go and 24 years to get to where my life is today. And I’ve come to the conclusion that I wouldn’t change a thing. I have learned some valuable lessons during my 24 years in this world but I’ve also learned the value of life and what it means to live life to it’s fullest. Gaining that wisdom alone is the best gift I could have ever received.

Hope you enjoyed my long post about my birthday… man, I had a lot to catch you up on!

Birthday Bash

Tonight is the night for my birthday bash… I’m turning 24 at midnight! The weather is going to be amazing… looks like in the 60s and clear skies which I couldn’t be happier about. We should all have a ton of fun and I’m excited Mr. FB is going to be picking me up to take me to the party after work. We will see how many of my friends can make it out tonight. I’m sad though that my family couldn’t join in the fun, I think that is the biggest downside to living in another state. Boo.

Man, I can’t believe how much time has flown by… I still remember my 16th birthday bash. Wow… that was 8 years ago, okay that is making me feel old. I’ll stop talking about that now. Anyway, I’m sure there will be some fun stories to tell after tonight. Be sure to look for a blog post about my birthday after this weekend.

Lastly, Mr. FB told me last night that he has reservations tomorrow for dinner somewhere… hum I wonder where he is going to take me? hehe… I love surprises! Eeee… Can’t Wait!!!!

Rockin the Graphic World

So I would have never thought I would love working from home this much! I can’t believe even after a few months working for my new job I still enjoy it just as much or more then the first day I started. I just realized I’m a few days ahead of schedule which is amazing considering I still have tons to do and I won’t have to be putting in anymore 19 hour days. Yahoo! Plus today my boss was in such a good mood… that it made me feel a ton better about my work. I guess this means I’m rockin it up in the graphic world today!

Right now I’m still working but I’m about to wrap stuff up and meet Mr. FB up for dinner… not sure if we are just going to pick something up or make something back at my place yet but whatever do I’m sure we will have fun. I really do enjoy our talks and just simply hanging out. I kind of miss being away from him… (does this mean I’m starting to really like him?).

OMG, plus I just found out some juicy relationship gossip from my previous job! Can’t believe sometimes how two lives can change so much in the course of the year. It is unreal how two people that lived totally separate lives would actually end up together. It truly boggles me.

Only four more days till my birthday… Ahhh….EEEE…. OooOOoOo…..heheheh I CAN’T Wait!!!! (can you tell I’m excited?)

St. Patty to Easter

So the last you read I had a date with Mr. FB on good old St. Patty’s Day… WHOA hold up, has it really been that long since I’ve neglected to tell you what happened next!!! Where did the time go… ???? Well at last things have finally slowed down where I found some time I could write about it. (However, it was fun to see how many people actually read this! Considering I got a lot of questions/e-mails about what happened to me, thank you for your interest in my crazy world… you know who you are).

This past month has been insanely busy… from going out to visit my girls on VA Beach, keeping up with my new job, managing a dating life and trying to plan my big birthday coming up I just haven’t been able to keep up with it all!

VA Beach & Job
What an AMAZING time I had out there. It was so good to see the Brit and Holly. It had been far to LONG and a much needed trip after my first publication went out. I worked a crazy 19 hours straight right before I left for the trip and couldn’t wait for a little R&R. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE my new job so I don’t mind working that much but I was really happy for the break.

I miss these girls so much and it is beyond wonderful to have their ongoing support and friendship over the years. I appreciate all the fun memories we share and the the laughter that comes from it. To start off the weekend Brit picked me up from the airport and Holly was able to join up later that night. We went to EVERY seafood restaurant in sight and didn’t stop running around the entire weekend. So from Classes, Chocolate Factories, Shopping, Playing on the beach (Both rain & shine), Restaurants, Basketball Games, Surprise birthday parties, Church, Going to Waa Waa (turns out this is a gas station not a coffee shop…oh Holly, haha), we even managed to squeeze in going to a Law School Dance! What an a CRAZY fun 3 day weekend!!! I think though when things are planned on a whim like what happened that weekend things just couldn’t get any better!

The only downside to the whole weekend is that on the way home from VA Beach I had a layover in New York that was only suppose to be 2 hours, which turned into 5! Gate 25 how I loath thee!!! I was sad that I didn’t know this before hand because I definitely would have gone out and explored New York for a bit if I did. Instead I got stuck to a wall with my cell phone plugged in (due to my battery dying) and keeping my sights on an old guy with a guitar that was on the same flight because I was scared they were going to change the gate and I wouldn’t know.

However the layover wasn’t all bad. I got to talk to Mr. FB for most of the layover and we really a great time chatting the few hours away. I got to learn a lot more about his likes/dislikes and how much he LOVES the Cub’s baseball. At this point I really started to like Mr. FB… he kept telling me how much he missed me while I was gone and told me he talked about me to some of his friends/parents. Wait hold up… friends/parents… this is BIG!

Mr. Facebook
Since then Mr. FB and my relationship really started to bloom… you could say we almost have been inseparable. He got me flowers the very next day I got back from VA. Beach and is always staying in touch with me. Wanting to know how my day is… so on and so forth. Which is something I haven’t had a guy do in a long time, but I really like it. His consistency, sweet personality, communication skills and honesty have been huge for me! Besides that he goes to church with me, which is the most important of all! To me this is amazing that we can share this together. I’m really happy for I found someone who is treating me the way I’m suppose to be treated and not like a piece of meat to munch on every once in awhile.

I’ve really enjoyed all the time I’ve spent with Mr. FB and can really start seeing a future possibly. Of course I still have a lot of time before it comes to that but the thought has crossed my mind and I can see it happening. As far as right now we are dating just each other, we don’t have any titles on it yet but I’m not really worried about that. We will just see what happens over the next month or so, I’m just putting everything in the Lord’s hands.

Turning 24
This week I am turning 24! Crazy isn’t it?!?! I can’t believe it myself… time has really flown by. I’m having a big party this Friday downtown in Circle City and hope everyone will be able to make it. But no matter who shows up it should be a good time.

On my actually birthday (Saturday) Mr. FB asked if he could take me out to dinner! Yayayay I’m so excited… I can’t wait to see what he has planned up his sleeve. I loved being surprised! So I will be writing more soon to let you know how that goes.

So…I have many more stories about Mr. FB and I to tell soon but they will have to wait till next time. This is getting pretty long right now and I have to run. Hope you enjoyed the long over due update and again sorry for not being better. I’ll write again soon… but until then I will leave you with this amazing verse I hold dear to my heart.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and will bring you back from captivity…” -Jeremiah 29:11-14