My dear friend Elizabeth (my traveling partner through Morocco, France, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand) has a blog. It's a photo-a-day blog to help her practice her photography. Yesterday I was recruited to be the subject of a photo shoot and consequently, I have finally made it in the photo of the day.
Check out her blog, she keeps getting better and better!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Buds at the Beach
After a week of snow and practically no school, some friends of mine and I decided to go to Destin to meet up with the much loved and missed Ann-Katherine at her remarkable beach house. Her and her boyfriend both invited people down and there ended up being over 20 people there for the weekend.
The weekend was filled with frisbee, volleyball, board games, cooking, bocce ball, and watching basketball. The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time.
As much fun as meeting new people is, I was most excited to spend time with three of the best friends a girl could ask for. One guy had a great camera so we recruited him for a photo shoot. Here are some gems that attempt to materialize our friendship.
Mad props and thanks to Ian Prester.
The weekend was filled with frisbee, volleyball, board games, cooking, bocce ball, and watching basketball. The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time.
As much fun as meeting new people is, I was most excited to spend time with three of the best friends a girl could ask for. One guy had a great camera so we recruited him for a photo shoot. Here are some gems that attempt to materialize our friendship.
Mad props and thanks to Ian Prester.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Loving life with these regrets
Over the break I introduced my parents to some wonderful websites. Bored? Enjoy these little gems:
People of Walmart - America's finest
When Parents Text - when old people get ahold of technology
Lamebook - making fun of Facebook even more than I do
You Drive What? - for mobile "art"
White Trash Repairs - because the Foxworthys get creative
My newest favorite, however. Is called Regretsy.
Now Etsy is a website where people can sell handmade items. Art, mostly, but anything really. Handmade clothes, toys, bags, etc.
Regretsy makes fun of some of the ridiculous/hilarious/disturbing things people try to sell. You absolutely must check it out.
My personal favorite categories are "Annoying Descriptions", "Not Remotely Handmade" and "Dead Things."
Here is a gem that is sold under "Dead Things."
Now unfortunately, my birthday just passed. But I'm sure you can buy this for any friend or family member and they will be delighted. Great for Valentine's Day, PETA members, and nurseries.
People of Walmart - America's finest
When Parents Text - when old people get ahold of technology
Lamebook - making fun of Facebook even more than I do
You Drive What? - for mobile "art"
White Trash Repairs - because the Foxworthys get creative
My newest favorite, however. Is called Regretsy.
Now Etsy is a website where people can sell handmade items. Art, mostly, but anything really. Handmade clothes, toys, bags, etc.
Regretsy makes fun of some of the ridiculous/hilarious/disturbing things people try to sell. You absolutely must check it out.
My personal favorite categories are "Annoying Descriptions", "Not Remotely Handmade" and "Dead Things."
Here is a gem that is sold under "Dead Things."
Now unfortunately, my birthday just passed. But I'm sure you can buy this for any friend or family member and they will be delighted. Great for Valentine's Day, PETA members, and nurseries.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Talented and Gifted
I've never been spectacular at anything.
I always got good grades, but never first in the class. I was decent at soccer but never the best. Same at tennis and volleyball. I go to a good school, but not Ivy League. Same thing again with my grades.
Point being, I recognize the phrase, "Jack of all trades, master of none."
About 14 months ago, boyfriend took me skeet shooting. We only shot one round, I had no idea what I was doing, but I beat him. I didn't think much about it, but I really enjoyed it.
So for my birthday this year, I asked to go back.
Me, homeboy, and two of our other guy friends went and shot three rounds. And I beat them all. And two other men who shot with us.
Not only that, but before we ever shot skeet, I could hit 10 out of 10 with a pistol at a golf-ball sized target from about 10 yards.
This all goes back to when I shot my first gun, a BB gun, in my Pop-pop's back yard when I was eight. I made every shot that day.
The point is, that in all the talents that people have, all the gifts that I could have been blessed with... I'm a good shot.
When on earth am I going to use that, except to embarrass my guy friends?
Can I cook? No. Can I sing? No. Can I dance? HAAAIILLLLL no.
Do I have a knack for accounting or business or medicine? No, no I don't.
My talent is useless. It will make me no money and I can't perform it on stage at all those pageants I do. But hey, can't complain that I have one. Hopefully there's another, more useful talent just waiting to burst out of the woodwork.
I always got good grades, but never first in the class. I was decent at soccer but never the best. Same at tennis and volleyball. I go to a good school, but not Ivy League. Same thing again with my grades.
Point being, I recognize the phrase, "Jack of all trades, master of none."
About 14 months ago, boyfriend took me skeet shooting. We only shot one round, I had no idea what I was doing, but I beat him. I didn't think much about it, but I really enjoyed it.
So for my birthday this year, I asked to go back.
Me, homeboy, and two of our other guy friends went and shot three rounds. And I beat them all. And two other men who shot with us.
Not only that, but before we ever shot skeet, I could hit 10 out of 10 with a pistol at a golf-ball sized target from about 10 yards.
This all goes back to when I shot my first gun, a BB gun, in my Pop-pop's back yard when I was eight. I made every shot that day.
The point is, that in all the talents that people have, all the gifts that I could have been blessed with... I'm a good shot.
When on earth am I going to use that, except to embarrass my guy friends?
Can I cook? No. Can I sing? No. Can I dance? HAAAIILLLLL no.
Do I have a knack for accounting or business or medicine? No, no I don't.
My talent is useless. It will make me no money and I can't perform it on stage at all those pageants I do. But hey, can't complain that I have one. Hopefully there's another, more useful talent just waiting to burst out of the woodwork.
Friday, December 24, 2010
A Christmas Eve Story
Christmas morning used to be my favorite. Everything leading up to it was training for the big day. I could barely fall asleep at night due to the reindeer hooves on the roof (Bob feet in the attic) and I would wake up my sisters as early as I was allowed in the morning. We would wait upstairs or on the stairs while Mom and Bob made coffee. When we got the word, we would scramble down the stairs and one of us would play "elf" by passing out rounds of presents, one per person per round. Presents are always opened youngest to oldest.
Well as it appears, I'm getting older. In the past seven or eight years things have changed and today I made the final decision that Christmas Eve has now surpassed Christmas morning.
In general, we have the same routine.
The night of the 23rd we roll the dough for sticky buns. At about 9 am we start delivering the wonderful breakfast platters to about 10 to 12 close family friends. Some people have been getting them since we moved to Alpharetta in 1995, but my family has been doing this for years before that.
In the afternoon we go to church. We sing the same songs, listen to the same soloist, and delight in the same candlelight singing of Silent Night.
After church we head to the Carters, possibly our closest family friends, house. There between four and eight families meet every year to catch up and enjoy each others company. Bunny Boy (A Christmas Story) is always running it's 24 hour marathon which is required to be on in the background.
It's not so much what has changed in the past few years, it's how I look at things.
First and foremost, I like my sleep. So waking up in the wee hours of the morning is no longer an option. I also know what most of my gifts are, and while that means they're things I really want/need, the element of surprise is...not so much.
This morning, while delivering sticky buns, I got to talk to some great people. The Lochers, whom I don't see very often, got to meet Grady and we visited for a long time. I also went to drop some off at Haley Nelson's house, which somehow I didn't leave for over an hour and a half. This morning's fellowship was the first thing that reminded me how much I love Christmas Eve.
Tonight at the Carters was happy hour. We went our separate ways for dinner but happy hour was together.
And it's safe to say it was a success.
It was hard to determine what was my favorite part but I've mapped out some of the best:
- Bob brought a mini keg.
- Miss James (Grandma) was drinking wine, much to the dismay of her daughter. And girlfrand DRANK that wine.
- The two 20-year-olds drank beer in front of their parents- Kevin to looks of apathy from the parents, Ben nervously darting his eyes towards his mother, waiting for a lecture or ID check.
- Kevin taught Miss James how to "pound it," complete with explosion.
- Aunt Nancy entered the room announcing, "HO HO HO...the hoe is HERE!!!" After reintroducing herself to Kevin she realized he's the same boy she's seen for at least 10 years of Christmas Eve's and decided he'd grown up well. She then made a motion to take him into the other room with her.
I mean honestly...I can't pick just ONE favorite.
All that being said, it's wonderful that I get to spend the holidays with such wonderful people. I would take a Christmas Eve over a Christmas morning any day.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Well as it appears, I'm getting older. In the past seven or eight years things have changed and today I made the final decision that Christmas Eve has now surpassed Christmas morning.
In general, we have the same routine.
The night of the 23rd we roll the dough for sticky buns. At about 9 am we start delivering the wonderful breakfast platters to about 10 to 12 close family friends. Some people have been getting them since we moved to Alpharetta in 1995, but my family has been doing this for years before that.
In the afternoon we go to church. We sing the same songs, listen to the same soloist, and delight in the same candlelight singing of Silent Night.
After church we head to the Carters, possibly our closest family friends, house. There between four and eight families meet every year to catch up and enjoy each others company. Bunny Boy (A Christmas Story) is always running it's 24 hour marathon which is required to be on in the background.
It's not so much what has changed in the past few years, it's how I look at things.
First and foremost, I like my sleep. So waking up in the wee hours of the morning is no longer an option. I also know what most of my gifts are, and while that means they're things I really want/need, the element of surprise is...not so much.
This morning, while delivering sticky buns, I got to talk to some great people. The Lochers, whom I don't see very often, got to meet Grady and we visited for a long time. I also went to drop some off at Haley Nelson's house, which somehow I didn't leave for over an hour and a half. This morning's fellowship was the first thing that reminded me how much I love Christmas Eve.
Tonight at the Carters was happy hour. We went our separate ways for dinner but happy hour was together.
And it's safe to say it was a success.
It was hard to determine what was my favorite part but I've mapped out some of the best:
- Bob brought a mini keg.
- Miss James (Grandma) was drinking wine, much to the dismay of her daughter. And girlfrand DRANK that wine.
- The two 20-year-olds drank beer in front of their parents- Kevin to looks of apathy from the parents, Ben nervously darting his eyes towards his mother, waiting for a lecture or ID check.
- Kevin taught Miss James how to "pound it," complete with explosion.
- Aunt Nancy entered the room announcing, "HO HO HO...the hoe is HERE!!!" After reintroducing herself to Kevin she realized he's the same boy she's seen for at least 10 years of Christmas Eve's and decided he'd grown up well. She then made a motion to take him into the other room with her.
I mean honestly...I can't pick just ONE favorite.
All that being said, it's wonderful that I get to spend the holidays with such wonderful people. I would take a Christmas Eve over a Christmas morning any day.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Grady's Lady
I am home. Articles turned in, scantrons filled out, done with fall semester. Done done done.
I came home yesterday to meet the male boxer my parents rescued. After seeing a picture of him I thought he was adorable and wonderful and that we'd be life long friends. I suggested that we name him Grady after the UGA journalism school. And we did.
I annoyed the heck out of my manfriend, saying at least 40 times, "I get to meet Grady soon!" I liked him already.
So you can imagine my excitement when I got home yesterday and got to see him in person for the first time. After saying hi to him, I sat on the floor to pet our other dog, Sugar.
As I was sitting and petting, my new friend Grady decided we should take things to the next level. He promptly climbed onto my shoulders and began expressing his masculinity towards my back. In a moment of realization, I made a strange "Wahhhhhhh!??!?!" noise and crawled around until I could escape from his grasp and stand up.
I looked around, begging the invisible crowd for some pity.
Once I regained some dignity, I unloaded the car, got some water, and sat down on the couch. Grady climbed up on the couch next to me and, remembering how Bob said Grady was a lap dog, I welcomed him.
POOR DECISION, CINDY.
Once again, I fell victim to our unneutered stray. I caught on to what was happening a little quicker this time and I pushed him off the couch and scrambled away until I could stand up and look back in disbelief.
Luckily, Grady's losing his manhood tomorrow morning at nine. Hopefully we can be friends after that, but first impressions can be hard to forget.
I came home yesterday to meet the male boxer my parents rescued. After seeing a picture of him I thought he was adorable and wonderful and that we'd be life long friends. I suggested that we name him Grady after the UGA journalism school. And we did.
I annoyed the heck out of my manfriend, saying at least 40 times, "I get to meet Grady soon!" I liked him already.
So you can imagine my excitement when I got home yesterday and got to see him in person for the first time. After saying hi to him, I sat on the floor to pet our other dog, Sugar.
As I was sitting and petting, my new friend Grady decided we should take things to the next level. He promptly climbed onto my shoulders and began expressing his masculinity towards my back. In a moment of realization, I made a strange "Wahhhhhhh!??!?!" noise and crawled around until I could escape from his grasp and stand up.
I looked around, begging the invisible crowd for some pity.
Once I regained some dignity, I unloaded the car, got some water, and sat down on the couch. Grady climbed up on the couch next to me and, remembering how Bob said Grady was a lap dog, I welcomed him.
POOR DECISION, CINDY.
Once again, I fell victim to our unneutered stray. I caught on to what was happening a little quicker this time and I pushed him off the couch and scrambled away until I could stand up and look back in disbelief.
Luckily, Grady's losing his manhood tomorrow morning at nine. Hopefully we can be friends after that, but first impressions can be hard to forget.
Friday, December 10, 2010
See you later
This morning one of my best friends and my roommate of the past 2.5 years graduated and moved out. Her room is empty and white and depressing. So instead of sulking I'm going to remember the good times. And what better way to do that than to look through all my pictures and post a ton of them?
So, Ann-Katherine Hailey, here's to one trip to Memphis:
One cup and string phone:
One emotional fish funeral:
Two years of Spike for Life:
Two Daddy-Daughter days with Bob:
Two spring breaks:
Three formals:
Three dance marathons:
Four bid days:
Four falls of gamedays:
Five boxes of hair dye:
Seven birthdays:
Tons of socials:
And possibly even more date nights:
And so, in a moment of sappiness, here is my favorite friendship quote ever, courtesy of Winnie the Pooh:
"If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember: you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”
Hopefully the end of college won't be the end of our wonderful times together. Miss you already.
So, Ann-Katherine Hailey, here's to one trip to Memphis:
One cup and string phone:
One emotional fish funeral:
Two years of Spike for Life:
Two Daddy-Daughter days with Bob:
Two spring breaks:
Three formals:
Three dance marathons:
Four bid days:
Four falls of gamedays:
Five boxes of hair dye:
Seven birthdays:
Tons of socials:
And possibly even more date nights:
And so, in a moment of sappiness, here is my favorite friendship quote ever, courtesy of Winnie the Pooh:
"If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember: you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”
Hopefully the end of college won't be the end of our wonderful times together. Miss you already.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Published again!
Woohoo!
My big final article from my internship in internal communications at Emory Healthcare has finally gone up on the website! I wrote a number of articles during my internship (summer 09) but this was an article where I wrote, interviewed and photographed the story.
Check it out here!
My big final article from my internship in internal communications at Emory Healthcare has finally gone up on the website! I wrote a number of articles during my internship (summer 09) but this was an article where I wrote, interviewed and photographed the story.
Check it out here!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Hunters and gatherers
As much as I would love to spend all night posting about the wonders of the Austin/Athow family Thanksgiving, I have a rough week of school work ahead of me and the creative juices are temporarily stalled. Instead, though, I can give you a short anecdote about last weekend.
Darling boyfriend decided to take me on a date to Outback Steakhouse because he had a gift card. Unfortunately, we've never gone to the Outback by his house in Atlanta so we had to Google it. Once we found the closest location we plugged it in the GPS and were on our way.
At about Lenox mall we got kind of lost so we just parked and decided to walk. Seeing how there are a bunch of office buildings on the side where the GPS was leading us, we figured Outback was in between them or on the bottom level.
So we set out on foot.
We walked about six buildings to the right, decided the numbers were going the wrong way, and doubled back.
Then we saw a parking sign for the number we were looking for. Which led us to a parking garage. Which we walked through for a few minutes before we realized we were nowhere close to an Outback.
Finally we found the right street number, but the doors were locked to get into the building. The security guard looked alarmed and a few employees leaving the building looked at us quizzically.
Employee: Can I help you?
Jason: Yea, we're looking for Outback.
Employee: Outback what?
Jason: Outback Steakhouse. There's supposed to be one at this address.
Employee: Oh. Well this is Outback... corporate.
**pause**
Me: Some date.
After some "Awwww"s from the employees I explained that it wasn't anywhere close to our first date and I was joking.
And then we walked back to the car, looked up the next closest Outback, and eventually enjoyed a nice meal. Only after working for it though.
Darling boyfriend decided to take me on a date to Outback Steakhouse because he had a gift card. Unfortunately, we've never gone to the Outback by his house in Atlanta so we had to Google it. Once we found the closest location we plugged it in the GPS and were on our way.
At about Lenox mall we got kind of lost so we just parked and decided to walk. Seeing how there are a bunch of office buildings on the side where the GPS was leading us, we figured Outback was in between them or on the bottom level.
So we set out on foot.
We walked about six buildings to the right, decided the numbers were going the wrong way, and doubled back.
Then we saw a parking sign for the number we were looking for. Which led us to a parking garage. Which we walked through for a few minutes before we realized we were nowhere close to an Outback.
Finally we found the right street number, but the doors were locked to get into the building. The security guard looked alarmed and a few employees leaving the building looked at us quizzically.
Employee: Can I help you?
Jason: Yea, we're looking for Outback.
Employee: Outback what?
Jason: Outback Steakhouse. There's supposed to be one at this address.
Employee: Oh. Well this is Outback... corporate.
**pause**
Me: Some date.
After some "Awwww"s from the employees I explained that it wasn't anywhere close to our first date and I was joking.
And then we walked back to the car, looked up the next closest Outback, and eventually enjoyed a nice meal. Only after working for it though.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Baby steps...
I was just sent this link and I'm in awe.
If you don't have time to read it all, here's the jist:
A teacher in Howell, Michigan asked a student to remove a confederate flag belt buckle and later asked two students to leave the classroom after a heated discussion about gay rights. This video of a 14-year-old student standing up for that teacher has gone viral. I am AMAZED at his confidence and tact.
If you don't have time to read it all, here's the jist:
A teacher in Howell, Michigan asked a student to remove a confederate flag belt buckle and later asked two students to leave the classroom after a heated discussion about gay rights. This video of a 14-year-old student standing up for that teacher has gone viral. I am AMAZED at his confidence and tact.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Walk the walk
Thursday I went to the gym, but there was a volleyball game which means you have to pay to park, and my health is not worth $5 so I came home. Since I was all ready to break a sweat, I thought doing YouTube workout videos would be a good alternative.
I only did 20 minutes of legs, butt and abs, but I had trouble walking for the next two days. Which was a problem. Because Saturday morning, while at the mountains with my whole family, we went on a six mile walk. First half is up a mountain to a tower and the second half is back down.
I repeat, first half is UP.
As if my butt wasn't sore enough, I am once again immobilized.
My hopeful boyfriend says it's just growing pains.
I only did 20 minutes of legs, butt and abs, but I had trouble walking for the next two days. Which was a problem. Because Saturday morning, while at the mountains with my whole family, we went on a six mile walk. First half is up a mountain to a tower and the second half is back down.
I repeat, first half is UP.
As if my butt wasn't sore enough, I am once again immobilized.
My hopeful boyfriend says it's just growing pains.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Keyed
Today I worked out. After watching the last half an hour of Gilmore Girls on the elliptical I decided to visit my recent friend, the Stairmaster.
As I was climbing onto the machine, I put my towel and iPod into the little cup, and then grabbed my key. As I was going to put it in the cup, it slipped out of my hand, tumbling in slow motion onto the stair below me and then bouncing into the gap between the fake stairs and the side panel.
I stared into the gap for a second and lifted my head to meet the eye of the girl on the elliptical next to me who was now giving me a look that clearly said she was glad she wasn't me.
I stepped down and did an awkward side-squat to see if the key had dropped onto the ground but if it had I wouldn't be blogging about it.
I probably would have walked away, ignoring the predicament, if my wallet, phone and keys weren't in the locker that could only be opened by that key.
So I did the walk of shame to the front desk and, head hanging, told the guy what I had done.
He asked which of the two Stairmasters I was on and I said, "The one no one's on." At which point he nodded and then said, "The one that girl is about to get on?!" And I said yes.
With that, he sprinted across the gym and yelled, "DON'T GET ON THERE!" to the now terrified, probably freshman girl. I hung my head again and did a speed walk back to the Stairmaster, pretending Super Gym Guy hadn't made a scene.
After I explained where the key was, the dude had to go get a screwdriver and told me to make sure no one else tried to get on. So I stood behind the Master and pretended like I was stretching until he got back.
With half the gym watching and me still stretching, pretending I had nothing to do with it, he dissembled the left side of the machine until I could reach in and grab my little key.
I am well stretched and borderline mortified.
As I was climbing onto the machine, I put my towel and iPod into the little cup, and then grabbed my key. As I was going to put it in the cup, it slipped out of my hand, tumbling in slow motion onto the stair below me and then bouncing into the gap between the fake stairs and the side panel.
I stared into the gap for a second and lifted my head to meet the eye of the girl on the elliptical next to me who was now giving me a look that clearly said she was glad she wasn't me.
I stepped down and did an awkward side-squat to see if the key had dropped onto the ground but if it had I wouldn't be blogging about it.
I probably would have walked away, ignoring the predicament, if my wallet, phone and keys weren't in the locker that could only be opened by that key.
So I did the walk of shame to the front desk and, head hanging, told the guy what I had done.
He asked which of the two Stairmasters I was on and I said, "The one no one's on." At which point he nodded and then said, "The one that girl is about to get on?!" And I said yes.
With that, he sprinted across the gym and yelled, "DON'T GET ON THERE!" to the now terrified, probably freshman girl. I hung my head again and did a speed walk back to the Stairmaster, pretending Super Gym Guy hadn't made a scene.
After I explained where the key was, the dude had to go get a screwdriver and told me to make sure no one else tried to get on. So I stood behind the Master and pretended like I was stretching until he got back.
With half the gym watching and me still stretching, pretending I had nothing to do with it, he dissembled the left side of the machine until I could reach in and grab my little key.
I am well stretched and borderline mortified.
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