Smiling

I've been dating A for the past six months, and I couldn't have asked for more.  Meeting him has been one of the best experiences of my life because he has made me laugh and smile everyday that I'm with him.  I hope this continues to grow into something great.

A Great Love

It's not everyday that you run across a story about a great love, the type of love that radiates and inspires those around them.  While driving to work, I heard one couple's story that really touched me.

See story here.

She says, "I bet you're mad at me."  I said, "No - matter of fact, I'm still in love with you."

Walk Off the Earth

I was looking up viral videos from the past week, and ran across the band Walk Off the Earth.  They are fabulous.  Listening to their music reminds me of a red, icy popsicle you can't get enough of on a hot day.  It's that whimsical perfection that makes you feel like there are no worries in the world.  It's wonderful :)

"Somebody that I Used to Know" (Goyte - Cover):

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Workin' Hard for the Money

I worked almost 70 hours this week...I cannot wait until this busy season is over.  Gotta take one day at a time.  As for tomorrow, GO TEXANS!!!  Just play hard and good luck!  I'm supposed to go watch the game tomorrow at BW3 with my friend K.  I hope it's a good one! 

Currently listening to Jesse J's "Domino":

Two-Zero-One-Two

Jay Sean's "2012":

As 2011 wraps up in a few hours, I wanted to look back on my 2011 Resolutions and list out my 2012 Resolutions.  Last year, I wrote the following:  "As I look back on how things turned out over the past few years, I classify those periods as the following:  2009 was a year of hurt, 2010 was a year of healing, and 2011 will be a year of living...living, loving, and appreciating life more than ever before."  Standing here a year later, I could not agree more. 

Below were the resolutions I wrote for 2011 and commentary is included in green:

1. Exercise more:  Youth is amazing.  Your metabolism works like a little hamster running in its wheel.  We all know it will catch up to us one day, though, and I want to be prepared for that day.  My goal is to run 3 miles with out stopping.  I would also like to tone up my arms, abs, and glutes.  Better health in general is a good selling point, too. - I did exercise more, especially during the first half of the year.  Although I did not make it to 3 miles, I did manage to get up to 2-2.5 miles without stopping.  I'm still proud of making it that far, and I'm not finished with it yet.
   
2. Pass the CPA exam:  It's a beast.  You can do it.  First time around! - CHECK!!!!!!!!
   
3. Capture the memories:  I can spend hours looking at old photographs.  They are priceless, and I want to take more pictures to remember these days.  Maybe I will try to also write more entries here and fill them with photos.  It would probably make this blog more interesting... - This was a great resolution that I'm so glad I kept.  I did the 30-Day Photo Challenge in May, and I took so many pictures of my senior year in college, I don't feel like I missed much.
   
4. Cook more:  Learn new dishes, and make them with style.  Taste remains the most important factor, but serving beautiful dishes is an art. - I learned maybe 3 or 4 new dishes this year.  The result is not as impressive as initially hoped for, but we'll say I met this one to some degree.
   
5. Get a boyfriend:  I know, I know.  This sounds terrible, like a I'm a desperate, naive, hopeless, pitiful, little girl.  Whether this is true or not, I wrote this down because I want to be more open to dating.  I've guarded myself for a long time.  Granted, I know it was the right thing to do because I wasn't ready to date again.  I'm ready now, though.  I am a bit picky when it comes to guys, but I believe I will find someone who is worth waiting for. - I honestly did not believe I would go on a date with any guy this past year, but who knew that I'd blow this one out of the water lol.  A few weeks ago, I did speed dating for the first time in my life.  I guess I "dated" 17 guys in 2 hours...We can debate on the technicality of it, but It was a fun experience, nonetheless.  I'm glad I did it.

With 2011 coming to a close, it's time to look forward to 2012.  If I had to describe my outlook for 2012 in one word, I would say this will be a year of discovery.  After being out of college for a few months, I'm starting to feel this need to push myself to try new things in my new working life.  23 is too young to become complacent, and there are so many things still on my ever-growing bucket list.  With that, here are my resolutions for the next year:

1. Continue exercising:  I still want to reach that 3 mile mark.  The most difficult obstacle that stands in the way is finding the time and motivation to exercise during busy times at work.  My cousin, L, also recommended I try Ashtanga Yoga.  I'm still debating about whether to get a gym membership, but from what I hear, there are usually special deals in January...If all else fails, there's also Zumba dvds!
2. Learn to use my camera:  I received a Nikon dSLR as a graduation present.  It's really awesome, but I want to learn about all of the features that a tricked out camera like that holds.  I've seen friends post photos and projects they've done, and I love looking at them.  Hopefully, I'll turn this into a serious hobby.
3. Make macarons:  Macarons are one of the hardest desserts to make.  They look so delicate, and achieving the right texture is not easy.  I've made a few batches over the past few months.  They either ended up too sweet or not the right texture.  This one is going to be a tough one, though.
4. Find what I'm passionate about:  I was talking to one of my friends from high school, M, and when I told him that I wasn't currently passionate about my job, he made it a mini life goal to help me discover what I do have a passion for.  It was funny to watch M get so riled up over this, but I will admit, it got me thinking.  Life can be extremely interesting and meaningful if we make it that way.
5. Open my heart:  I will continue my previous resolution of getting a boyfriend lol.  I've been pretty open lately to getting to know people and going out on dates.  The next step is actually letting someone get close, which is not something I do very often.  Going on the premise that I do find a guy that I like, I want to try to give him a fair chance and not compare him to my past.

Cheers to all of the wonderful memories of 2011, and best wishes for 2012!

How Much Money is LOVE Worth?

Vsauce's video:  How Much Money is LOVE Worth?

Terrible Presents Make for Good Times

Jimmy Kimmel's Youtube Challenge:  I gave my kid a terrible present!

Mies Container

Hooters has been known for their wings, even though I was never a fan of them.  So what's on the trend radar nowadays?  Apparently, a hip restaurant in Seoul, South Korea with handsome waiters is.  Oh my.

CNNGo covered this trendy restaurant, called Mies Container, in an interesting article entitled "Mies Container restaurant:  A tasty, trendy Hooters for women."  Read it.

The following youtube clip shows a more detailed look at the inside of the restaurant.  It's a bit long, but if you skim through the video, you get an idea of the atmosphere.  The big barrels and metal bowls are a bit too industrial for my tastes, even as my daydreams go wild over potentially meeting a waiter who sweeps me off my feet and coincidentally looks like Hyun Bin. Perhaps some of the magic is lost through the grainy internet stream.  But realistically, how romantic does a garage setting usually turn out to be?

I must admit, the concept is intriguing.  What girl doesn't wish to meet a cute, friendly guy?  And now there are dozens of them waiting in one place at Mies Container!  The likelihood of actually finding a date at this place is unrealistic, but it's fun to window shop.  I finally understand why guys like the wings at Hooters.

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I couldn't resist posting a picture of Hyun Bin...now he would make a great Christmas present!

http://visitkorea.or.kr/ena/HA/content/cms_view_316160.jsp?gender=M

Listening to...

Ry Cuming's "Always Remember Me"

Hello, Holidays!

Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe" music video:

Although I would not want to be under the mistletoe with Justin Bieber - despite all his baby boy swagger and  coolness, he's way too young for me - I like listening to this song because it puts me in the holiday mood.  And with another Thanksgiving gone by, the holiday season is officially here!

As I was driving home from dinner tonight, I started thinking that it would be nice to be with somebody right now...namely a tall, dark, and handsome somebody since I might as well make the most of this wish.  Is it just me, or do the holidays bring about a longing for companionship to other singletons as well?  Why is this?

My hypothesis is that one, it is cold, so it would be nice to have another person to snuggle up with and stay warm.   It's probably an evolutionary trait.  In March of the Penguins, the penguins huddle together when it gets cold, as well:

http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2011/08/19/movie-reviews-arthur-2011-and-march-of-the-penguins-2005/

Two, people finally have time to slow down from their busy lives and travel home to be with family.  This could go two ways. Either you enjoy the time with family so much, you want to keep adding to it.  Or you've spent a little too much time with your family, and you'd like an extra person there to entertain you and help you eat some of the leftover turkey and ham.

Three, this is the season of giving and sharing.  The holidays are usually a special time, and it would be nice to have someone to share these special moments and memories with.

Best of luck to all the singles out there who are looking for some holiday love!  I hope everyone finds a shawty (or a Bieber) to kiss under the mistletoe this year.