cheesed

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

You know what really gets me? Is that every time I go to Dunkin Donuts I order a coffee and I ask for cream and sugar and it's always bitter no matter how many they add. And that when I'm getting ready in the morning and I'm clearly not dilly dallying and PDF says "we really need to leave soon..." and then I get all flustered and try to hurry when really we don't need to be in any sort of rush at all. Or when my alarm clock goes off at 6:30am so I can get up to go to the gym and instead of hitting "snooze" I hit "off" and I wake up late. That just really irritates me.

Whew! My ranting is over, I just needed to get it off my chest.

I hope I find better coffee soon.

defining real life

It has come to my attention that some terms in my vocabulary are not universally used. So without further delay:

A list of terms to help define my real life adventures....

Advobuddy- this is equivalent to a little brother or little sister in Devils' Advocates. My "big" is the amazing Patty, and my "lil" bro is the fabulous Brett.

Advobuddy Challenge- various tasks Patty, Brett, and I must complete in order to win an amazing prize that is to be determined. Tasks include but are not limited to: seeing a movie together, attending Devils' Advocates events, winning a scavenger hunt, and singing karaoke.

Babeway- also known as the Safeway on the north east corner of Broadway and Rural. Every time I'm in there I spot the HOTTEST guys! Not to mention many of my comrades who live in the area also acknowledge this to be true. Everyone knows that if they want a little eye candy to go with their groceries to hit up this supermarket. Don't forget to do your hair, just in case you get the courage to ask for his number.

Bee- the nickname for my baby sister of about two and half years also referred to as Haleigh. She is awesome and beautiful. I hope to be just like her when I grow up.

CFE- a mandated 200 volunteer hours by the School of Community Resources and Development titled Career Field Exploration hours in which I (and all SCRD) students must complete before graduation.

Chi Omega- a greek organization on the ASU Campus of which I am affiliated with. I have served on the exec board for two years and lived in the house for three. My best friends are Chi Omegas and so is my baby sister!

Devils' Advocates- a paraprofessional volunteer student organization on ASU's campus committed to giving tours to prospective students. They are most often recognized as "the kids who wear white polo's and walk around backwards on campus". I have been giving tours since Fall 2007.

Dinosaur- the pet name I have given my laptop due to the length of its existence. It was manufactured in 1998 and has a Pentium processor. Yep folks, just a regular Pentium. Although he is old and somewhat slow (I can't open Internet Explorer and run Itunes at the same time) I have somehow found a patience for him.

Panhellenic- national panhellenic council. This is the council of which Chi Omega belongs to along with 11 other social sororities on ASU's campus. The council unites the many organizations and plans community events, recruitment events, as well as guidelines and rules to follow.

PDF- potential dating future. I met a boy in early December of 2009 and we've been pretty much inseperable since. He is Wonderful. :)

PRSA- parks and recreation student association. A student association on the Downtown Campus associated with my major. I was the secretary for the 2008-2009 school year and president for the fall of 2009.

Psi Epsilon- the Chi Omega Chapter name at ASU sometimes referred to as Psi Ep. With over 175 different chapters across the nation, there has to be some way to tell us apart.

Stats- statistics. It was PRM 402 that I took in the fall of 2009. The class was at 7:30am on the Downtown Campus. Needless to say there was much caffeine involved.

Terrible-Stepmother-To-Be- the name I used to refer to my Dad's fiance until my intoxicated Aunt told me that they had already gotten married. Her title has only been changed by dropping the "-to-be" part of her former name.

TR- therapeutic recreation. I am in the parks and recreation management program at ASU's Downtown Campus and I am specializing in therapeutic recreation which means I will get to help mentally and physically disabled individuals through rehabilition by means of recreation. Woot Woot!

I hope this helps.

love your loved ones

Hello my name is Aimee and this is an (unpleasant) real life adventure...

Last week I was hanging out with the beloved PDF when he received a phone call. I can't remember who called him, but one of his neighbors with whom he spent a majority of his childhood was brain dead in the hospital on life support. Apparently she had taken a bottle of pills earlier that day in an attempt to commit suicide. The family decided to discontinue the use of life support.

There would be no funeral, but a celebration of her life the following Saturday at her home next door to the Nelson (PDF's) household. I was asked to attend with the family. I decided to do the most classy Audrey Hepburn-ish thing possible. I pulled my hair back, applied waterproof mascara, dressed in black, and put a handkerchief in my handbag. Before leaving my Aunt Lani warned me not to try and make any jokes, suggest any games, or tell any stories (see birthday ruiner). "As a matter of fact, just loop your arm through his and keep your lips shut" she advised me. Good advice.

The day was a chilly, overcast one like today. I was running late (like always) and the memorial service had already started once PDF, his brother, and I walked next door. Eyes followed the three of us as we made our way across the living room to where the rest of the family had assembled. The remaining part of the service we were in attendance for was surely the most heart wrenching. The surviving brother spoke first barely choking out words to describe their childhood memories and the sudden void in his life. Her mother spoke and wondered aloud if she had been home if her daughter would have made the decision to take her own life. Her grandmother spoke about a memory from a few years before involving her grandfather. Her sister-in-law spoke about her zest for life and love of others. Lastly, her friends filled the room with her hobbies, traits, and memories.

Although I didn't know the family or the victim of her own selfish action I couldn't help but recall attending funeral services for those I did. It reminded me exactly how fragile life can be and that each day should be lived to the fullest rather than wasting it on resentment, anger, or fear. In futile attempts to avoid small talk I let my mind wander to the things I would do today if I were to die tomorrow.

1.Tell my loved ones they were loved
2. Skydive
3. Call my Dad

My list was quickly interrupted when the strong boy I was clutching on to began to tear up. My heart sank and I silently wished to never have be in this situation again.

I hope you live each day to the fullest.

spring semester line up

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

In desperate need of a 3 hour upper division credit I enrolled myself in WSH 421 Girlhood and Adolescence at the end of the week last week. It's a T/TH class so unfortunately I missed the first two class periods, but after attending today I will never miss another lecture. It was phenomenal. I really enjoy the topics we discussed and the themes and ideologies that went along with the subject. This is one textbook I cannot wait to purchase. Doing the homework for this class will in fact be exciting. I'm glad I have found at least one class to get excited about.

On a different note I am becoming more and more nervous about my final TR courses I am taking. One is a hybrid class that meets on Tuesday afternoons (I really like this) and the other is completely online. The online education system scares me. Mostly because classes I have taken online previously have not been essential to my major or challenging in any way. Last semester two of my key TR courses were online and I did moderately well in one class and just awful in the other. I am afraid of being tossed into an internship with hardly any knowledge of the subject simply because I can't navigate Blackboard.

My other class I am taking is PRM 401 with Dr. Yoshioka. This M/W afternoon class is going to be my biggest challenge in the sense of staying awake. I have established a routine of going to the gym on M/W mornings with lunch following. After sweating at the gym and filling my belly with (mostly) health foods I find myself nodding off to the incessant chatter of the instructor. I do hope the course content gets more exciting. Perhaps I will utilize this class time to write about my ridiculous adventures.....

In the meanwhile I am trying to figure out a schedule that allows for an adequate amount of time to complete my homework and readings, blog and do office hours, go to the gym, and goof off.

I guess since I am committed to these classes I should probably go ahead and buy the books.

I hope you didn't procrastinate purchasing educational literature like myself!

Day 6

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

My arms are sore and my legs shake when I walk. Today's workout was successful, but I haven't been taking my exercising/eating healthier plan seriously. The last week has been spent recovering from my intense swim workout and consuming fatty foods. Today I am getting serious. I am so excited that PDF not only supports my workout plan, but actually accompanies me to the YMCA on Mondays and Wednesdays. Yay!

Exercise

I spent a half hour on the treadmill today as well as 20 minutes or so on a mat working my abs and stretching out.

5:27- I am running at 6 mph. Some morning show is on and the host has the tiniest legs I have ever seen. They are twigs. Literally. I can feel mine giggling and shaking with every step. I hate her.

5:29- (Still running at 6 mph) PDF notices my disgust for the TV Show host and comments on her legs. They are gross and too skinny he says. I love him.

10:00- I have reduced my speed to 5.5 mph for fear of a heart attack. I am completely drenched in sweat and i can hear my heart pulsing in my ears.

12:00- (Still running at 5.5 mph) I now know why everyone brings their Ipod to the gym. It's so you can tune out the sound of your own panting.

17:00- (Barely running at 5.5 mph) These stupid gym shorts keep riding up. I have found a rhythm of pull my shorts out of my butt, take three steps, and do it again.

25:00- I have reduced my speed yet again to 5.0 mph. I am starting to see black spots.

27:00- People walking by are staring. I think my face must be beat red, or I look like I'm about to pass out or something.

30:00 (Chugging along at 5.0 mph) The machine tricked me! I ran, panted, and sweat for a half hour and now it added 5 minutes for a "cool down". This is absurd. I want to speak to a manager.

31:00- The machine automatically reduced the speed to 4.5 mph. I guess this isn't so bad.

32:00- Down to 4.0 mph. I am performing a quick paced walk/awkward jog maneuver.

33:00- 3.5 mph. I am starting to hear other noises besides my heart. I think the gentlemen next to me just uttered something in my direction, but I cannot make it out.

34:00- 3.0 mph. I am comfortably walking. I can see how a cool down is effective...

35:00- 2.5 mph. PDF has come to save me from this wretched machine. Thank God.

Diet
Breakfast- I was at the gym
Lunch- Although it had Parmesan cheese, dressing, and croutons I had a chicken Caesar salad for lunch with a pita. It was delicious and healthier than the gyro I watched my counterpart eat.
Dinner- Sushi at Ra! I had a Tootsy Maki roll and half of a Viva Las Vegas roll. Yum!
Late Night Snack- Two oatmeal stouts from 4 Peaks Brewery and a 100 Grand candy bar.

Okay, so it's not great but it's better than McDonald's!

I hope you are achieving your goals.

spring break shape

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

After weighing in last year at 10lbs OVER my ideal weight when Spring Break rolled around I've decided to get into shape before embarrassing myself in a bikini. I do not like the idea of crash dieting (although I did manage to lose over 10lbs in 10 days after having my tonsils removed) so I am setting out on my weight loss/toning adventure on a healthy note. This means I will achieve (let's keep our fingers crossed) my goal weight through means of exercise and healthy eating. Here goes....

Day 1

Exercise:

Went to the Downtown YMCA and had 45 minutes before class to get my heart rate above 90 beats per minute. I ended up swimming 1650 meters (about a mile). I attempted this (partially) through swimming 15 x 50m on a minute. For those of you who do not speak swim coach (don't feel bad, I just learned this past summer) that means you swim 50 meters (at the Y it's down and back) in a minute or less fifteen times in a row, or in 15 minutes. I went something like this:

1x50- Oooh... this water is chilly (this becomes apparent to the entire pool).
2x50- Warmin' up, and it feels good.
3x50- Wow! I'm making it down and back in 50 seconds this is going to be easier than I thought!
4x50- Too much warmin' up.... I think I just pulled something.
5x50- Mister Man just asked to share my lane. Of course! I say, after all I am a good sharer.
6x50- Whew! Was that four or five?
7x50- Not as fast as I thought.... gettin' kinda tired. Mister Man is literally a Swim Master. His goggles are shiny, his speedo is tiny. He makes me look dumb.
8x50- NEED AIR, I can't breathe due to my hair falling out of it's pony tail.
9x50- My thighs have turned to jello and cannot kick...I am sinking. Swim Master has moved lanes, perhaps he did not appreciate my slower pace.
10x50- Pretty sure the lifeguard almost jumped in after me.
11x50- Forget the minute mark, I'll be lucky if I make it down and back in 2 minutes.
12x50- Pain is pulsating through my body, my ears are buzzing, I am blinded by my bangs. Swim Master is making waves in the water with his speed. This makes me motion sick.
13x50- Doggy paddling counts as a stroke, right?
14x50- One more, concentrate Aimee.
15x50- Is that my bobby pin floating on the bottom of the pool?!

Diet:
Breakfast- 2 pieces of toast slathered with butter and jam on one and butter and cinammon sugar on the other. 1 cup of coffee with three cremes and two sugars.
Lunch- I was in the freakin' pool.
Mid-Afternoon Snack- Hot'n'Spicy Chicken sandwich from McDonald's w/o mayo and added Mac Sauce and some of my sister's french fries.
Dinner- A barrage of Golden State, Spicy Tuna, and California rolls from Sushi 101, along with some edamame. Water to drink.
Late-Night Snack- Medium Reese's Blizzard from Dairy Queen.

Okay, so I don't have the diet thing down but at least I hit the gym. And drank mostly water. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon.

I hope your will power is stronger than mine.

unworthy

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

There I was feeling down on myself for royally screwing up my life when my close friends assured me that having less responsibility is for the best. I would have more time to focus on academia, I could enjoy my final semester at ASU, and I would be less stressed. Although I wasn't happy, things were sounding better. At least I had the support of my friends, family, and the cute boy I'm dating (PDF). I was getting a hold of the silver lining in my little rainstorm when a hurricane came and rocked my world.

As fate would have it, I am being asked to step down from my position as President because there are an abundance of other students who are looking to get involved. Additionally, I have lost my research project because there are other students who can work more effectively on a time line. Turns out "other students" is just a code word for my Potential Dating Future. That's right folks, the boy I am dating has inadvertently stolen my presidency, my research project, and my heart.

The worst part is that he isn't doing any of these things intentionally. He didn't plot to have me removed as President or menacingly steal my project. He was just himself. Intelligent, passionate, committed, honorable, and trustworthy among a million other things (No wonder I am dating him, he's a catch!). It's just hard to know that the person who is better than you is your secret-keeper and partner in crime, the one holding your hand.

With my confidence shattered and my morale completely missing I can hardly stomach being in his presence much less attempting to converse with him. All I can think about is how I am not good enough, how I directly do not measure up to him.

Have you ever walked into a party with your potluck dish of macaroni salad in your lucky tube socks all ready to win the potato sack race only to realize it's a cocktail party? It kinda feels like that.

On our way downtown this morning it was all I could do to fight back tears as feelings of inferiority and sheer stupidity washed over me. It was then I began to notice how mismatched we are. There I was waiting for the train with smudged glasses, bad breath (despite brushing my teeth 3 times), sticky-out hair, and a baggy hoody (a result of being up for a portion of the night vomiting my guts out with food poisoning) holding the hand of a boy who had undoubtedly showered and was dressed in casual business attire looking flawless. On the train he was reading Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking which Wikipedia says "popularizes research from psychology and behavioral economics on the adaptive unconscious"(what the heck does that mean, anyway?) while I was struggling to sit up straight. Checking out at Circle K I grabbed a water and strawberry-kiwi Gatorade while he purchased a USA Today and a black coffee. He talked about the hurricane in Haiti and the importance of the assistance from the American government, I have difficulty pronouncing the word Haiti correctly.

I can't tell if my thought process is at all being altered by my tendency to become irrational after little to no sleep and low blood sugar. Most likely. I wonder if the feeling of inadequacy will dispel or if I will continually harbor my inferiority of the ironic situation at hand ultimately resulting in resentment and anger ruining any relationship we may have cultivated.

I do know that I will not be able to help foster a healthy relationship if I constantly feel less sophisticated, mature, and put-together along with seeming totally incompetent. It would be like dating Audrey Hepburn.

I think I need lunch.

I hope the nausea dissipates soon.

walking disaster

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

Incompetent. Disappointment. Failure.

This is what I've become.

Somewhere between overachieving junior year and now I lost my grip on my grades, my level of involvement, my love life, and my sanity. Piecing me back together is going to be harder than I thought.

One of my advisors for the PRSA sent me several emails over the course of the semester last fall. It demonstrated his concern for my ability to lead the student group and in the last email I received I was asked to step down from my position as President of the club.

The boy I was seeing broke up with me via text message because he was unable to commit the time to a relationship. Also, I deserved someone better than him. Things would be different IF... and he goes on to list several things that are irrelevant and unimportant.

This morning I received an email from one of my professors informing me that we would no longer be working on our research project together. I was unable to meet a deadline which has resulted in the loss of my undergraduate research opportunity with one of the greatest educators I will ever know.

As I try to grasp what are now the shambles of my life I can't help but wonder how the hell this all happened. I'm sure senioritis had a hand in it. Taking 17 credit hours, working 2 jobs, serving on the executive board of 2 organizations and completing a research project just didn't mix in well with dating someone full time and being a Greek socialite.

I am a firm believer in fate and that everything happens for a reason, however this time I feel like a lack of effort on my part has resulted in an undesirable position. I have to own up to the fact that I was unproductive and ineffective. Not only am I disappointed that I have lost my research project and will have to step down as President, I am disheartened that I was dating someone that deemed it appropriate to end our relationship via text message. I should have more self respect than that.

I'm not quite ready to move on and discuss how much stress has been lifted from my shoulders. Or how much time I will have to focus on my studies or pick up a new hobby. Or that I will be able to enjoy my last semester at ASU worry free.

Instead I will discern what can be salvaged and stare at the remains in shock.

I hope your day is better than mine.

rules to live by

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

I was just accosted by the strangest man on the light rail. He was wearing a suit and had a booger hanging out of his right nostril. He was touchy-feely and creepily flirty. He was over-confident and told contradicting stories with BIG holes.

I have spent the last year riding the light rail multiple times a week at various times of the day. Needless to say I have come across more than my fair share of homeless, insane, or just plain awkward individuals. This man, was by far both the smelliest and most persistent.

I am polite, but not dumb. I smiled my toothy grin at his lame jokes and pretended to seem impressed when he bragged about owning two businesses, being a bio-chemical engineer, and a returning student (uh-huh).

He thought he had me hooked. He thought I was going to give him my "digits" as he called it. But at the last second I whipped out the best line I could think of.

I'm sorry, I don't give my number to boys I meet on the light rail.

(This is always true, with exception to super cute boys who are not creepy.)

So he gave me his "digits" and his name with the hope that I would be friend requesting him on Facebook. Psh.

Upon exiting the train I gave myself kudos for getting out of a weird-o situation without seeming rude or lying (too much) despite the overwhelming stench of body odor and distraction of the booger.

I hope you are respecting personal boundaries.

the birthday ruiner

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

Since the beginning I have ALWAYS been a perfectionist. ALWAYS. If everything isn't just right my heart races, my stomach churns, and my right eye twitches. I think it has something to do with my obsessive-compulsive, controlling personality. Whatever. As a result I usually strive for over-the-top all the time. Especially for birthdays.

I have been dating my prospective dating future (PDF) for about five unofficial weeks. So it's looking pretty good. Last Friday was his birthday. I wanted to make it REALLY special so he will keep liking me. I worked really hard on designing a crossword puzzle and with the help of this sweet site I was able to make a custom crossword. (PDF and I like to do crossword puzzles together, so I thought it would be awesome if I made a puzzle about him and I.) I also spent an entire afternoon writing a really nice letter in my best cursive handwriting and doodling stars all over. I even found the book he REALLY wanted at Barnes and Noble and wrapped it pretty with a big bow for him.

*It was perfect*

But then disaster struck at dinner...

I couldn't be happy with just the *perfect* present. I curled my hair fancy and wore my favorite black cotton dress from Banana Republic. Bee's black beaded flats and Momma's black shawl made the outfit perfect. At dinner we laughed, gushed over the good food, and cheered "Happy Birthday". Everything was going great. That's when the idea popped in my head. The idea that I THOUGHT would turn out wonderfully that ended blowing up in my face. In an effort to seem charming and funny and thoughtful I suggested that each person at the table share a favorite memory of PDF. Everyone thought this was a good idea and PDF's Mom went first.

The way I saw this playing out in my head was that each person would share a funny and possibly embarrassing story (not pooped your pants embarrassing, but fell down the stairs embarrassing) and everyone would laugh. But his Mom started telling the table about the very last time PDF addressed his group in drum core (yes, PDF is a band geek- one of the many qualities I am attracted to). It was so intense that she started to cry at the table.

AND THEN HE STARTED TEARING UP TOO.

This is one of those "all downhill from here" stories. Right after that his Dad talked about the very last inning he ever coached his little league team and how proud he was. His Dad started to get bleary-eyed. In an instant we had gone from a cheery, excited setting to crying over a few coming of age tales. PDF's BFF looked across the table at me like I was a complete moron for making the parents, grandma, and the birthday boy cry. Thankfully he pulled out a hilarious story (one I was hoping everyone would share) and salvaged part of the evening.

I was last to go, and instead of being able to tell the cute story I had rehearsed in my head I was so nervous I ended up stammering something about eating my burned food. LAME. In an effort to to be cute and fun I only portrayed myself as a weird-o, birthday ruiner.

Needless to say I've been nauseated ever since.

I hope you are better at impressing possible future in-laws.

so embarrassed

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

So today I am hanging out in the StAR office in UCENT on the 6th floor. One of the things I am doing is drinking Earl Grey tea like it's nobody's business (like always). Of course one thing leads to another and the next thing you know I have to pee. As I was in the fifth stall maneuvering about attempting to get my jeans down in a potty dance fashion (my bladder is literally the size of a pea) I heard a "DING" pierce the silence of the bathroom. After relieving myself and upon further inspection I found that the culprit of the "DING" was indeed the button to my jeans! I retrieved the button and tried to put it back on, but alas it was truly broken.

Are my jeans trying to tell me something?

Anyway...

Here is the button, not on my jeans but chillin with my Dutch Bros. Coffee mug on my desk :(

I am not wearing one of those big lunch shirts, you know the ones that discreetly hide the stomach/waistband area of the body in case of ingesting a large lunch or bloating. No today I am braving a tight white tank top beneath a large black shawl. This does not cover the waistband area, in fact it almost accentuates it. Attempting to get away with having my jeans unbuttoned and fly down (it keeps falling due to lack of a button) is completely out of the question. I'm either gonna have to McGyver my pants back together, or sit in the office until everyone leaves so I can go home with some dignity in tact.

The other bad part of this is that these jeans are really Bee's and not exactly mine. Hopefully she doesn't read this before I fix them. I'm really sorry if you do.

I think I saw a safety pin in my bag earlier....

I hope you're enjoying the button on your pants.

busy in the kitchen

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...


As promised I am (slowly) becoming more domesticated through activities such as sewing, cooking, and crafting. This week my Momma decided we should serve enchiladas for family dinner. Of course I was her right hand man up until the rice started to burn and my wonderful 13 year old sister dropped the I'm-going-to-switch-schools-hope-that's-okay-with-you bomb. Then I was in charge. After adding more water, bullion, and garlic the rice was on it's way to saved and a bottle of wine later my Momma felt better. :)

The meal took about an hour and a half to make from start to finish. We made both red and green sauce enchiladas, however I much prefer the green ones.

Here's what you'll need:

1lb of boneless chicken breast
15-20 corn tortillas (the small ones)
cooking oil
salt
pepper
red chili flakes (optional- adds spice and flavor!)
1 bulb of fresh garlic (I guess garlic powder is okay too)
1 10.5 oz can of cream of chicken soup
1 7 oz can diced green chilis
1 28 oz can green enchilada sauce
2 cups (1 pkg) shredded cheese

1. Boil the chicken until it is cooked all the way through (at least 10 min)
2. While the chicken is boiling, coat the bottom 1/2 in of a frying pan with cooking oil and put over medium-high heat.
3. After oil is heated, one by one, place the corn tortillas in the oil for about 30 seconds on each side. This will make them pliable when stuffing. Set aside.
4. Shred the chicken (I do it with two forks)
5. Combine shredded chicken with salt, pepper, garlic and red chili flakes(to your liking), green chilis, and soup.
6. Place about 2 spoonfuls of mixture in each corn tortilla and roll up leaving both ends open. Place in a casserole dish.
7. After filling all the tortillas, pour green sauce on top of the enchiladas and cover with cheese.
8. Cover with tin foil and place in the oven at 350F for about 25 minutes.

Serve with re-fried beans and Spanish rice. Enjoy!

Here I am channeling my inner Betty

On leftover night I whipped up these guys to celebrate finishing off the enchiladas

These homemade ice cream sandwiches are super easy to make and can be done with homemade cookies (like I did) or store bought ones. I used chocolate chip cookies and stuffed them with vanilla ice cream, but you can choose any cookie and any ice cream to make endless amounts of delicious concoctions!

I hope you enjoy the recipe!

and the winner is

Hello my name is Aimee and this is (part II) of the FREE GIVEAWAY adventure...

After drawing the winner's name out of my trusty sombrero (used for codewords and ridiculousness only) I am excited to announce the winner of the Gorgeous Teacup Giveaway is Sheryl W. from Chandler!

I want to thank everyone who entered, I hope you continue to read.

I hope our winner can't wait to sip tea from those gorgeous cups.

zoologist: what I don't want to be when I grow up

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to be even more adventurous than I usually am. I know reading about my statistics class was ever so interesting, but I'm gonna try and amp it up a little. First adventure of the new decade: the Wildlife World Zoo. As fate would have it my new comrade and prospective dating future invited me to tour the zoo and aquarium with his family.

Since they didn't know better they let me be in charge of taking all the pictures.

Among the many great caged species to gawk at, my favorite happened to be the flamingos. They had not one, but two exhibits at this particular zoo.

I was most excited to see the lions and tigers. The king of the jungle was strategically placed at the back of the zoo so we had to see all the other animals first....

We even got to ride the skyline to get an aeriel view of the park.

We had finally made it to the back of the park only to read a sign informing zoo goers that these particular lions were past their prime and were being made comfortable for the time being. What?!?! This explained why both lions and both tigers were sleeping. I guess I'm glad lions have a good hospice system, but I couldn't even get a good picture because the fence was good for providing a barrier between the spectators and the animals and not very good for seeing.

Thankfully, in the gift shop I was able to find a lion to take a picture with.

Right after gift shop visitation time everyone started to mood crash. We ended up splitting up in search of lunch and reprieve from the gross smell wafting from the petting zoo thus ending our epic visit to the Wildlife World Zoo.

I'd like to give huge thanks to the Nelson Family Clan for inviting me along on their zoo adventure. Without them the photo documentation (and the whole trip itself) would not have been possible.

Here's a cute pic of me and my prospective dating future. :)


I hope you're enjoying the wildlife in your backyard