Stephany Writes

Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday (Vol. 38)

1. What is your favorite brand of shoes?

I don’t really have one. Usually, I hit up Target or Famous Footwear when I want to buy new shoes. (And it is only recently that I’ve been interested in more than just flats and flip-flops!) I’m still not very brand-conscious when it comes to buying shoes. Just whatever looks pretty!

2. How old were you when you learned to tie your shoes?

I don’t think I learned until kindergarten because I distinctly remember my father yelling at me while he took me to school when I was in kindergarten about not knowing how to tie my shoes. I’m guessing I learned quickly after that.

3. How do you feel about freckles?

I love freckles! I don’t have any of my own, but I’ve always wanted some. I’m also really very jealous of the smattering of freckles across my mom’s and brother’s shoulders. I want shoulder freckles of my own!

4. I can count to ten in ___ languages.

Three. English, Spanish, and Japanese. And if you count Pig Latin as a language, then four.

5. What is your favorite store-bought ice cream flavor?

Chocolate chip cookie dough. No question. Best flavor to ever exist. (A very close second is Publix-brand Chocolate Trinity. Omgggg. Heaven. Pure, blissful heaven.)

6. Were you in ballet or gymnastics as a girl?

No, but I desperately, desperately wanted to be in gymnastics. After watching the 1996 Olympics, I was convinced I would be in the 2000 Olympics, not concerned with the fact I was already 8 years old and could barely do a straight cartwheel. (I did not perform in the Olympics, in case you’re wondering and I know you are.) I did t-ball and cheerleading, instead.

7. Who is your favorite Sesame Street character?

Elmo, since he’s my nephew’s favorite. Also, Elmo is just so cool and adorable and talks in third person. What’s not to love?

8. What’s your bedtime?

Ideally, 10:00pm but I usually don’t get to bed until 10:30 or 11:00.

9. Do you have any jewelry that you wear every single day?

No. I rarely ever wear jewelry.

10. Who is the bug killer in your household?

Whomever finds the bug first! I’ve killed my fair share of cockroaches, spiders, and flies, as has my mom.

Who knows how to count to ten in another language? Teach me!


*Questions by Chelsea

Categories: Recurring Series

Five For Friday: Some Tidbits

1 – I have the above photo posted next to my computer at work. I will never be unhappy again.

2 – Last Saturday, I got up early and went to the gym to do a Couch to 5K workout and I just kept thinking to myself, “Why am I doing this? I hate it.” And I realized that I never say that about my spin classes. Yes, they are extremely difficult but I never think to myself, “Why am I doing this?” All I think about how hard it is, to just get through this song, to not let the girl next to me beat me. 😉 I just need to stop with this attempt at becoming a runner, because I just don’t think I was made for it.

3 – My Erin Condren Life Planner arrived yesterday and it’s a thing of beauty. I just hope I use it! I’ve been a terrible planner keeper in the past. Also? Erin Condren gives some insane coupon deals when you buy something from her website! I definitely have a few Christmas gifts in mind to buy in the very near future.

4 – I have not watched one preseason NFL football game. I’m a terrible fan but really? Preseason is such a tease! It’s not worth it and the majority of the game is interviews anyway.

5 – I forgot to link it but I had a guest post on Melissa’s blog yesterday, talking about why YOU should go on a cruise. And the best part? My mom and I will be booking a May 2012 cruise this weekend! SQUEE!!! We found an amazing deal on a 6-day cruise that will take us to Key West, Grand Cayman, and JAMAICA (I’ve wanted to visit Jamaica for the longest time!). And this go around, I’m going to be forking over the dough for my part which makes it even more exciting, in my book. No more mooching for Steph!

Happy weekend, friends!

Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday – All About Jobs

I am literally so excited for this round of Ten on Tuesday questions. They come at the perfect time for me! Hosted by the awesome Chelsea, as always.

1. What do you do for a living?

I work in the media department of an advertising agency. I’m an assistant right now, learning the ropes. We promote giveaways for charities.

2. What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I started my job on Wednesday so I’m brand-spankin’-new and in the honeymoon phase right now. I love my desk. I love my co-workers. I love my bosses. I love my new schedule. I love the work. I love the spreadsheets. I love the organizing. I love going to the bathroom whenever I want. I love wearing cute outfits to work. I love the atmosphere and environment. Oh! I just love this job!

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3. What’s your least favorite thing about your job?

The newness. There is so much I want to do already but I have so much to learn before I do that. The good news is that they don’t expect you to jump in on your first day and know how to do everything. They know it’s a process and my boss has been very good at training me and making sure I’m kept in the loop. I cannot wait for the day when everything becomes common knowledge, but I’m patient to wait and be trained the right way first.

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4. If you weren’t a _____, what would you be?

I would probably still be working at the daycare. I’m shuddering right now.

5. What is something you would love to get paid for that you think no one would ever pay you for?

Sleeping. I wish I could get paid to get 10 hours of sleep a night. How awesome would that be?

6. If you could have any job for exactly one day, what would it be?

I think everyone needs to do a job in retail or customer service for one day. I worked at a movie theater one summer and it’s amazing how customers act. I genuinely loved serving our customers but I think many consumers don’t understand what it’s like for the workers. They’re just rude and usually, it’s not the fault of the staff.

I would also love to be Kelly Ripa for one day. But on a day when she’s co-hosting with Anderson Cooper. Regis gets on my nerves.

7. If you had to do manual labor, what would you do?

Working at a daycare is manual labor, right? Running after kids, changing diapers, cleaning boo-boos, getting kicked/hit/screamed at. Sounds like it to me! 😉

8. What is something you were forced to learn in high school that was supposed to be super important, but you never actually use?

Geometry? I don’t know if it was ever labeled as super important but honestly, I think it’s all important in some aspect. You need English and grammar skills. You need to know your history because you just look ignorant if you don’t. You need to know math because many jobs use it and it gives you a lot of good problem-solving skills. Et cetera, et cetera. It’s all important in a way.

9. Who was your favorite boss? Why?

I guess I can’t choose my current one, since she’s only been my boss for four days. Hehe. I have to say that my former one, at the daycare, was pretty spectacular. She was tough on me, but also so supportive of everything I was going through, especially my schooling.

10. Where would you rather work: Dunder Mifflin Paper Company (The Office), Wernham Hogg Paper Company (The Office – UK), or Initech (Office Space)?

I’ve never seen the UK version of The Office or Office Space (don’t shoot!). But I have seen many, many episodes of The Office and I would love to work for them. But only when Pam was the secretary and Michael was the boss. The new secretary (still don’t know her name) annoys me and an office without Michael Scott? How does that even work?

Categories: Recurring Series

Wine and Love, v.5

Wine-ing about…

Boot camp. I’m not very pleased with the woman trainer. Let me say I love the male trainer and I wish we had opted to do personal training with him, but I cannot stand the female trainer (also the lead). She’s very condescending towards me and I get this feeling that she doesn’t think I can do all that much. I have done every group fitness class aside from yoga at the gym and I can keep up with them all. I am not weak and, as a trainer, you need to show me I am stronger than I believe. On Wednesdays, when it’s a full group, all her focus is on the women with 0% body fat who probably run 6-minute miles. She works with them more than us, which makes no sense to me at all. I feel as if we’re pushed aside because we’re fat, while they’re glorified because of their hot bodies. It’s very discouraging and I wish I hadn’t wasted $70. (Or rather, my mom hadn’t wasted $140 for both of us.)

Our apartment. We (reluctantly) told our complex we were going to be renewing our lease. It’s been 10 days and we still have not received our lease to sign. We were told we would have it by the end of last week but my mom has called the office repeatedly and it’s as if they don’t even know our lease is up for renewal! They are up to their eyeballs in renovations and it’s leaving no room for them to keep up with everything else. They are so unorganized and it’s making us doubt our decision to stay here. When we moved in, the apartment manager Heather made us feel like we were VIPs and she knew exactly who were, what apartment we lived in, and what our goals in life are. This new management is terrible and more focused on improving the outside of the complex and not worried one iota about pleasing the residents inside the complex.

Loving…

My new job. I promise a nice long update once I get more settled into my new role, but so far, so good. My first day went exceptionally well and I look forward to gaining more experience, taking on more responsibilities, and learning all I can. And I now have a Big Girl company e-mail. If that doesn’t make someone feel like an adult, I don’t know what will!

Feeling more in control. My eating habits haven’t been excellent this week, but I haven’t felt as out of control as I have in the past few weeks. I still have a lot of changes to make and surprisingly enough, I think my job will help me with my constant afternoon snacking. I can eat a good breakfast before work now, bring a healthy lunch and healthy snacks to munch on throughout the day. I won’t have my entire fridge, freezer, and pantry to choose from anymore. 😉

Nephew time. My mom and I watched my nephew from Sunday night until Monday late afternoon. My SIL’s father had to have surgery and we volunteered to watch the little monster for her. This kid is the most strong-willed and stubborn one I have ever met, but he is so hilarious and cute that it makes up for it all. Also? Waking up the my nephew chanting “Titi Steph! Titi Steph!” may be the best way to wake up ever.

Big Brother. Oh, my goodness. This show. THIS! SHOW! In a way, I’m glad it’s only for a few months during the summer because I can’t take the stress of this show. This week was insane. So many ups and downs! Jeff and Jordan may be my favorite couple of all time, I must admit. I kinda adore them and would like an invite to their wedding, please and thank you.

What is your wine and love for this week?

Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday – Mac or PC?

1. Mac or Windows? (Or Linux for you super geeks!)

I use Windows right now but I will be switching over to Mac soon. The laptop I have now is on its last leg (it needs a new battery + a new power cord) and I’m just ready for a change. I’ve wanted a Mac for years and I’m finally going to get myself one. I’m super excited but holding off until probably the new year to buy it. (A car comes first!)

2. What drew you to that operating system?

The price, to be honest. My old Toshiba laptop had died a few months earlier and I was saving up to buy the cheapest laptop I could that would also work well for all my school projects and Internet things I would be doing. My old Toshiba had lasted 5 years while I had gotten an HP laptop in 2006 that died within 2 years so I definitely wanted to stick with a Toshiba. This one was about $450 total which was within my budget. It’s been a good computer, but I’m just ready for a change.

3. Mice – wireless or wired? Mousepad or none?

I don’t use a mouse, just the trackpad that’s on my laptop. Since I rarely use my computer on a level surface, there’s really no point. But to answer the question, wireless and with a mousepad. Using one without just feels funny!

4. Other than the Internet – what do you use your computer most for?

To write blogs that will go on the Internet? Honestly, take away the Internet, and there’s not much I do on this thing! Hehe. I should be doing more writing but I never seem to get around to it.

5. What’s one computer-related thing you wish you were best at? (CSS, Photoshop, Excel, etc.)

I would really like to be better at HTML/CSS. I know the basics of it, but not enough to do anything with it. I can tweak blog designs, but nothing more than that.

6. Describe the first time you ever used a computer.

I believe it was this big, clunky computer we got from a friend. I wrote a story on it, my first ever!, about a kindergarten class. It was pretty awful and boring. I also played Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego? That game was super fun.

7. How often do you upgrade to a new operating system?

Every few years when I get a new computer. I wish I had Windows 7 on this computer. My mom has it on hers and it’s really awesome.

8. Are you a shortcutter (CTRL + C) or a right-clicker?

Usually, I right-click. It’s something I’ve become so used to, and it drives me crazy that you can’t do that in Google Docs. I almost always highlight the entire selection I want to copy, right-click, forget I can’t use that option, and have to re-highlight the whole selection to do CTRL + C. It’s really very annoying.

9. Is computer use a constant thing in your life (such as using it at both work and home) or do you get a break (because you don’t use them at work)?

At my old job, it wasn’t a constant thing but it will be at my new job. In a way, this excites me because I like being connected but in a way, it makes me fear what my home life will resemble since I’ll be using it so much at work. I don’t know if I’ll still be as connected at home or will want a break from it. Time will tell!

10. Where do you think the world would be if personal computers did not exist?

I think we would have found something else to occupy our time with. I have no idea what it would be but we have been constantly evolving with the way we live from the beginning of time so I’m pretty sure there would be something else to make our lives easier, if not for the personal computer.

Ten on Tuesday is run by Chelsea of Roots and Rings. Questions from Kara of Chatter.