May Challenge: Days 12-14

Day 12, Sunday: What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)

I miss my second year of college. A bit particular and yet, oh so random, but I think that year was one of the most fun times of my life so far. When I think of a time where I had my shit together, that was it. Such a genuinely fun and happy period in my life.

Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.

Dear men without a college degree that hit on me,

You might think you are smarter than me without that little piece of paper, but let me tell you something—you’re not. In fact, I came to that conclusion long before you opened your mouth, which also did not help your case.

Anyway, my mother always taught me that as a smart girl, I should have ambitions to marry someone just as smart, if not smarter, than me. And you see, marrying you would mean I am not giving myself enough credit and we can’t have any of that up in here.

Sincerely,

Miss “That Little Pieces of Paper Really Does Matter”

P.S. Go Gata.

Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy

1.        My family

2.        My dogs

3.        Sunshine

4.        Florida Football

5.        When my “fat pants” are baggy

6.        Good hair days (and good makeup days, too)

7.        Shoe sales

8.        An acoustic guitar

9.        Dallas, the TV show

10.     Traveling

I promise I will try to do a better job keeping up! Can't wait to see what everyone else shared! 

It's not you...

This past year has been one of the best, and hardest, of my life. Above all it has definitely been the year of rejection. From grad schools and jobs, to boys and friendships nothing I've had quite a few downhill moments.

And last night was no exception.

The thing about rejection is that it never hurts any less than it did the time before. It might be a different person or a different circumstance, but it still has that initial breath-catching sting followed by the empty pit in your stomach. Always.

I was up late last night awaiting rejection, being rejected, and then talking about rejected and finally came to the conclusion that rejection really is all about the rejecter. I guess I knew this all along but I really just needed it to smack me square in the face.

It's not that I wasn't good enough. I am good enough.

The rejecter has an issue, somewhere, that keeps me from fitting in but that is not my fault. Whether it's jobs or cheating boyfriends, this is a truth.

My goal for post-grad year two is remember that I am good enough.



5 Reasons the MRS. Degree is Dumb.

These days seems all of my college friends are just "waiting for the ring."

I thought the MRS. degree died with 80s. Apparently, I was wrong. 

This post is to express my opinion that getting married right after school is the DUMBEST. IDEA. EVER. 

My reasons?

1. I'm selfish. And quite honest about it. After nearly a year in the real world, I can honestly say nothing is better than really being out on your own. For the first time in my life, I can really do what I want, when I want and only rely on myself. This short period of life is sweet so embrace it while you can.

2. Statistics. Half of all marriages end in divorce. Because of this, I want to be absolutely sure this is the real deal. You say you are sure he's the one? Well then why the rush? I mean, if he is and you're doing it right, you'll be with him the rest of your life. Why not enjoy a few years of being selfish....

3. It's work. A great relationship is work, A lot of work. Suddenly, it's all about compromise and pressures related to your future, like everyone asking when you're going to have kids (don't even get me started on that topic!!)!!!!! Getting married should never be the thing to do. 

4.  Heartbreak. I believe no one should be allowed to get married until they have their heart ripped out of their chest,  thrown into a blender and made into the sangria they drink to drown their sorrows. I genuinely feel lucky to have dated by whackjob exes because I know have higher standards than ever before. I can't imagine having never gone through heartbreak before marriage. In this instance, you can, to some extent, never realize how lucky you are to have found someone worthy of marriage. 

5. Exploring my Options. I'd be lying if I said I haven't had a lot of fun exploring my options throughout the years. Sure, it can get a little cyclical at times, but why pick your ice cream flavor before sampling all the tasty looking options? I know I get tired of the same flavor after a while and I'd like to avoid having this happen in my personal life. 

Postgrad life is vastly different from college. Get your life together first and the right guy will come along at the right time. Promise. 

Chivalry

I'll be completely honesty with you all. I've dated a lot. I've had about a dozen legitimate boyfriends and let's just not even count the amount of guys I have casually dated.

These guys range from med school residents to ex-college baseball players to good ol' country boys. And while all of the relationships have been very different, there has been one attribute that seems to be consistent. 

The most chivalrous a guy will be is at the beginning of your relationship. 

I realize that statement sounds a bit morbid, but I am not saying it's a bad thing. In fact, it makes sense because that is when he is trying to impress you most. I also think it is important for girls to take notice and acknowledge these actions because it does set a precedent for the way he will treat you in the future. 

I preach this lesson because of one great guy that I dated. His chivalry never died partially because I always tried my best to let him know how much I appreciated it.

While it is sweet when a guy opens doors, takes you out to dinner, shows you off to friends, etc, the real meaning behind chivalry is how special he makes you feel. 

This week is two years since our first date and even when we randomly chat or facebook or run into each other when I'm in Gainesville, he still always makes me feel really special. 

I guess that point that I am trying to make is that chivalry isn't dead--it's just different. 

And that is OK. 

Remember to enter the giveaway for the monogrammed clutch that ends a midnight!!

The Kid That Stood Me Up.

Ever since I made a side reference to this happening, I have been asked to share the story. Personally, I think it was a huge issue that was avoided, but, we will continue.

Met this kid at a party. Just graduated college as well and is working in the same area as me. Perfect.

We made plans to meet for drinks after work one day a few weeks later and that went pretty well. He was a nice kid, a little awkward, but I generally prefer smart guys so it was fine. We sat at the pub and tried a few drinks and after about two hours of chatting and half off appetizers, we headed our separate ways.

I hadn’t even started my car in the parking lot before he texts me to apologize for being nervous.

Really?

Over the next week and a half, he wanted to make plans every other day. He also made these suggestion between his (not exaggerating) 60+ texts a day to me.

(Shoulda cut it off there.)

Finally, we made plans to meet up to watch the Florida vs. South Carolina game, since I wasn’t planning on going to the game.

The Wednesday before the game, I got a text from my mom saying my dad had two free tickets to the game and weekend and that I could ride up to Gainesville with them and sit with my cousin. I was soooooo excited!

My immediate reaction was to text the kid. He claims to be such a loyal NCAA Football fan, so I thought he would understand. Apparently, I was wrong.

He then sent this text back to me:

"is there any way i can convince you not to go?"

and I said “aww! Now i feel terrible!"

To which he replies:

"Well if you get the ticket and want to go i am not going to hold it against you if you go obviously. I was just really looking forward to spending my first day with nor work or anything with you. I realize watching it at home isn’t as fun, but i still think it would be a really great time."

"And that was the only time this week we figured we'd have a chance to see each other."

At that point, I just stopped texting. Bro, we’ve gone out ONCE. Therefore, Gator Football > you. Don’t make me feel guilty for it either.

He ended up sending me a text a few hours later apologizing for overreacting. By the time the next day came, we were both acting like nothing happened.

Fast forward to the next Tuesday. We had made plans to grab dinner after I got off of work that night. I had been in meetings all day with our managers and reps for corporate, so we weren’t texting.

I showed up to the restaurant on time, told the host that it would be a few more minutes, as I was waiting for someone. Once he was ten minutes late, I called and texted, to which I got no response.

I casually walked out and sat in my car for another ten minutes. Still no response then, so, I left.

I decided to call my mom and talk to her a bit on my way home, only to be greeted with the news that my Opa, who we had just found out had bone cancer, had taken a turn for the worse that morning (he ended up passing away that evening).

When I got off the phone, I had a new facebook notification. When I pulled up to the next light, I opened it to see that the kid that stood me up had sent me a message.

The message read:

“I know I've been distant today, but it's been one of those days. Picked up my bike, took it for a ride, took a nap afterwards, ran some errands, saw a movie with mom...all kinds of stuff going on. Sorry to leave you in the dark.

In any case...

I've come to the conclusion that it's not going to work out with us. I place the blame on myself and I don't want to place any more stress on you in regards to the situation. I appreciated having the opportunity to meet you, I don't regret having done so.

In any case, good luck with everything.”

I have a feeling I came out on top. Deuces, Kid.

Have you ever been stood up? I’d love to hear about it!

Today’s Pickins:

1.    This modern girl fashion Bible is making it’s way onto my Christmas/ Birthday list! 

2.    Now that Halloween is over, Christmas is already on the mind! Ilove this whimsical staircase! 

3.    This Florida Girl loves the idea of a LobsterDoor Knocker! A fun twist on a much needed aesthetic piece!

4.    A one-month thigh toning plan is a perfect way to get your fitness on heading into the holidays! 

Also, I want to do a giveaway once I hit 100 followers! Get your friends to start following, kittens! 

At a Loss...

I am not one to lack words…ever. Yet this post has been so hard for me to write.

Dealing with a break-up is never fun. But one thing about this situation that is so different is that I am not sad…only mad. I actually have yet to cry about the blow up.

Not ending it was never an option. My mama always taught me that I never wanted to be with someone who didn’t wholeheartedly want to be with me.

I’m still in a haze, feeling a bit of anger for all of the time and energy that was wasted.

Sorry for the lack of substance to this post—I just really don’t know what else to say.