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Stephany Writes

Categories: Recurring Series

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 4)

Link up at Conversion Diary if you complete this on your own blog! (And you should because it’s kinda fun!)

One.
Well, I am completely (COMPLETELY!) done with classes for this semester. I think I did good in my classes but I won’t be sure until next week. I am so excited to have everything finished and I’m so ready for a break! I sold back my books on Tuesday and made $39! I was shooting for $50 but anything is good. (Side note: I worked for my school bookstore in 2006 and I remember how rude and ungrateful people could be when selling back their books. Be happy with any money you get – we could refuse to buy any books back! ‘Kay?)

Two.
In reality TV news: I was super happy Megan and Cheyne won The Amazing Race. They were such a strong and awesome couple, even if they did look like brother and sister. And they didn’t yell/scream/fight with each other. Although I know if I was on that race, I would be one of those people I hate. I don’t do well under pressure.

With Biggest Loser, I was happy. All three final contestants looked fantastic but I seriously think Antoine stole the show. Not only with his proposal, but also with how HOT he looked! He almost made me cry with his good looks. Also, Rebecca annoyed me with her ugly hair, too-skinny body, horrific dressing, constant touching of Daniel, and weird hugs. I liked her on the show, was a little annoyed with her on Jay Leno, and completely didn’t like her on the finale. She seems to have gained a little too much self-esteem, bordering on egotistical.

Three.
In other school news, my university approved my internship for next semester! I’m really excited about it because it’s not an internship I ever thought of taking and more about marketing and media than writing. But I think it’s going to be an amazing opportunity and challenge me in ways I’ve never been challenged. And I’m really excited this will take care of my internship credit and clear up my last semester to finish up required classes. It’s going to be a very, very busy semester for me, though.

Four.
I made a bad decision this week. I know most of you won’t approve. I don’t feel good about it but then again, I do. I feel good in a guilty way, I guess. After the Thanksgiving holidays, I’ve had such a hard time getting back on track. It’s been a struggle so I’ve decided to wait until January to start back fresh. Yes, it’s taking the easy way out. And it’s going to be hard with my new schedule to adjust but I have to. I have to get serious but this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Ever.

Five.
Tonight is my work’s Christmas party. I’m actually really excited about it. I bought a really cute shirt and I’m still deciding whether to wear them with jeans or dress pants. I think the dress pants will look better. I’m not planning on drinking too much, mainly because I’m not a big fan of alcohol. But I am planning on eating a lot.

Six.
“Do the dance to get the hug.” My pastor spoke on this this past Sunday. He talked about how we have to “perform” for some people to receive their approval. The examples he was giving us totally reminded me of my father. My mom? Not so much. It feels so great to know I don’t have to do anything to receive a hug, or love, from my mom. Just being me is enough.

And it’s the same with God! There is nothing we can do to make Him love us more – or love us less. Isn’t that just amazing? He also talked about becoming closer to God. There are tons and tons of books about becoming closer to God. But honestly? Believing in His death and resurrection, believing in Him, is as close as we will get to God. We don’t have to do anything to get closer to God. I do believe we can know God better, though.

Seven.
I’ve gotten a lot of Christmas shopping done this week. It’s really nice to have money to spend this year! Last year, I wasn’t working and had about $20 on 3 credit cards. I had to spread myself very thin. (And since I’m not crafty at all, making homemade gifts is not in the cards.) And who doesn’t love buying Christmas presents? I know I do.

Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday (vol. 6)


1. Cost aside, if you could go (back) to college for anything besides what you currently “do,” what would you study?

I’m currently in school for journalism and I was an elementary education major for 2 years. The education classes were a blast but the internships were horrible. But if I could try out another major, I think I would try secondary education. I think I would’ve enjoyed the classes and internships more. When I was studying education, I had a professor who taught middle school social studies and she just got me so incredibly excited about the subject and teaching. She had so many fun ideas. And I’d like to think I’d be better at teacher older kids and it would excite me more.

2. What do you do for a living? Do you love it/hate it?

Right now, I’m a full-time student and work part-time at a preschool. I love being a student and would do it forever if I could! I love the atmosphere of a college, I love the challenge of papers and projects, and I love the friendships I’ve made. And it’s really, really scary to think of graduating and having to become an “adult.”

My job as a preschool teacher is also fun. It definitely has its challenges but I get to work with one of my best friends and I love the kids. They’re busy and rowdy but they are so smart and funny that it all makes up for it. Maybe not my ideal job, but I’m making the best of it.

3. What is your favorite Christmas ornament? If you don’t celebrate Christmas, what is your favorite holiday tradition?

I have two. And none of them are homemade or something from a long time ago. Truthfully, I think all my homemade ornaments look like crap and I’m sorry they have to be showcased on the tree. This girl? Is not crafty.

But my favorite ornaments are a snowman my mom bought a few years ago that is big and plump. I just think he’s so incredibly cute and he makes me laugh every time I spot him.

My other favorite ornament broke on Sunday. Sunday was a weird day with my tree falling three times for no reason at all. I’ve have live trees for most of my life and I’ve never had a problem with it just falling down – after it’s been standing up and in water for 3 days! Very weird. Anyway, this was another snowman ornament that had a cute snowman head and then a Miami Dolphins football body. As a lover of everything Dolphins, this was an awesome ornament that I loved and I’m so sad it broke.

I would take pictures of these but I’m just way too lazy to do it.

4. Name something you could literally do without for the rest of your life.

Tom Brady. Yes, I get that he’s an awesome football player but, honestly, he just annoys me. I don’t like him because he’s a cheater and the media thinks he walks on water. Everything he does is amazing – even his mistakes. To be honest, he’s not playing good this year and the media needs to realize that. I don’t think I would hate him as much as I do if the media didn’t love him as much as they do. Plus, the Patriots would be crappy without him and the Dolphins would always have a playoff spot.

5. If you were going to have any kind of “cosmetic procedure,” what would it be?

I’m scared to death of surgery and would never opt to have plastic surgery that would require major downtime. I’m not fond of my nose but I’d never consider rhinoplasty because I’m a big baby when it comes to pain. I really don’t think there’s anything I would consider, especially right now. Talk to me in 15 years and I’ll probably have a different story.

6. Do you have any “collections”? (comic books, shoes, etc.)

Not really. Maybe magazines, although the only collection I have is Shape magazine but I throw them out after a year, mainly due to space issues.

7. At what age did you get your first cell phone?

Seventeen! I was so late in the game. I have a cousin who was seven when she got her first cell phone. I didn’t get texting on my phone until I was in college (and it was only 300/month) and just this year, I got Internet and free texting on my phone.

And it was thanks to my grandma that I even got a cell phone. She badgered my mom about it until she finally agreed to buy me one. Have I ever mentioned how much I love my grandma?

8. What is currently in your purse (or pocket or backpack if you’re a guy)?

Not much. I have my wallet, a pen, and a tampon. It’s very exciting, I know. I’m a very simple kind of girl.

9. Are you a neat-freak or a slob?

It depends. At work, I like to have everything neat and tidy. And not relating to the classroom itself, just paperwork and things on the tops of shelves. At home, I’m iffy. I get very lazy so my room tends to look like a tornado hit it by the end of the week and then I clean it up. And it’s so nice and tidy. It makes me feel so much better when my room is clean.

When I was away at college, though, my side of the room was always so neat and clean. My roommate was the biggest slob known to mankind. It drove me crazy!

10. What kind of parent do you think you will be? If you’re already a parent, what is your style?

It’s hard to say. I’m only 22 years old and while I can’t wait to be a mother someday, it’s probably 8-10 years away before I even think about having kids. I’d like to think I would be a good mother. I would love to be a stay-at-home mom and I believe I’ll be the type of mom who loves her kids unconditionally, but doesn’t take them too seriously. I don’t think I’ll be one to baby them and drop everything I’m doing, every time they let out a sound. I want my children to be independent and self-sufficient.

That said, I long for the day when there’s a baby growing in my belly and my own children filling my life. I can’t wait for that day.

Categories: Recurring Series

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 3)

Add your own “Quick Takes” on your blog and link up at Conversion Diary.

One.
I got a little taste of What-Life-Would-Be-Like-If-Stephany-Didn’t-Have-To-Work-And-Just-Attended-School. It was divine. I slept in until 10:30 and laid in bed, finishing up a novel. Then I slowwwwly got ready for class, ate lunch leisurely at home, and headed off to school at 1:30pm. I went to class, came home, and worked on homework before I had to be online for my last online class. I realized how more relaxing my life would be without work.

Then I realized how sad my bank account would look, compared to now. (Not that it doesn’t look sad now. It would look even more sad. If that’s possible.)

Two.
I’m on Good Reads now and you should be, too. I joined a few months ago but haven’t used it until this past weekend. It’s actually very cool. I’ve been trying to add some reviews of books but it’s hard. I don’t know whether to talk about the writing itself or the story, without giving too much away. I’ve been doing a little bit of both and I think my reviews are pretty terrible. Anyway, add me as a friend if you’re on there, too, or join! (Plus, I only have 2 friends which is pretty sad.)

Three.
I didn’t go to Weight Watchers this week. After Thanksgiving dinner, I just went completely off track. I’ve stopped counting points, stopped exercising, and I can’t even see the Weight Watchers wagon anymore. But I will get back on track because I would love to be in the 130’s by the time January hits. It’s a big goal but I just have to get super serious. I will be back to WW next Wednesday. No worries! (And no, I haven’t weighed myself. I’m way too scared.)

Four.
I was so, so, so happy that the New Orleans Saints beat the Stupid Patriots on Monday night. Alas, I don’t have cable so I couldn’t watch the game. (Plus, my alarm went off at 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning so I was not going to go out to watch it.) I am so over the Patriots and the media’s love affair with them. I now call the team the New England Brady’s…because it seems like Tom Brady is the entire team. Nobody else matters but him. It’s so annoying. News flash: Brady is not playing good this season. He’s still hurting from last year. And, hopefully, he’ll never play as good as he did before. (I’m a Miami Dolphins fan. We wish bad things upon the Patriots every season.)

Five.
As of Thursday at 3:15 p.m., my classes for this session are over! The only final I have is a take-home so I don’t have to be on campus at all until January! (Except to turn in my books.) As excited as I was to start this semester, it’s been a disappointment and so filled with stress. I can’t wait to have a break and actually take classes I like next semester, such as News Editing and Magazine Design and Production.

Six.
Mom and I bought our Christmas tree last night. We went to a family-owned place, not a Lowes or Target. The place we went to is so reasonably priced and they were so nice! (Reasonably priced: they sell their small trees for $10. Publix sells the same size trees for $25. What a flipping rip-off!) We had an awful time setting up our tree last year. We worked all night, trying to screw it in to no avail. Mom and I got into a screaming match and then we went to Steak N Shake for a 2,500-calorie meal. Each. We finally had to call my brother the next morning and he had to get his power tools to screw it in. Alas, something was “screwy” with the screws. (Ha?) This year? The workers actually started the stand for us, screwing it all in. We brought it home and got the tree in the stand within 10 minutes. No blood, sweat, or tears here! It also helped that we promised not to get frustrated easily and sang Christmas songs as we were screwing it in.

Seven.
Did I mention classes are OVER for this semester? This means, for the next four weeks, I get to go to work, come home, and RELAX! This also means I have no excuse to not exercise so I’m making it my goal to exercise every day. I’m shooting for 3 days of running, 2 days of strength-training, and 2 days of low-impact walking. I can’t say I’m excited about it but since I want to be thin and fit…I’ve got to adopt a thin and fit lifestyle!

Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday (vol. 5)

This week’s Ten on Tuesday came from yours truly. That’s right – I thought of these questions. So you should totally give me your answers on your own blog or in the comments – because I wanna know!

1. What was the last concert you’ve been to?
The last one was probably the Luis Palau Festival in March 2007. It was an all-day festival, mainly for kids, and then at night Barlowgirl, Kirk Franklin, and my future husband, Chris Tomlin performed. I’ve never been a big fan of Barlowgirl (although I do like their new stuff) so I was eh after their performance. Kirk Franklin was simply amazing. I rocked out with him (in my weird, white-girl way) even with a pounding headache. And then Chris closed out the night perfectly. It was my first time seeing him in person — and I forgot to charge my camera that night! You don’t know how upset I was about that, even if the picture quality would’ve been awful. Still, it was a night to remember.

2. Is it easy to make you cry?
It depends on my mood. Usually, it’s very hard. I’m not a crier. The first time I watched A Walk to Remember, I didn’t shed a single tear. But when I’m talking about things that I’m passionate about or hurt me deeply, I’m a big time crier. But, for the most part, no. I don’t cry much.

3. Do you ever feel like people underestimate you?
It’s more like people overestimate me! I get so much support from my family members and I never feel like I have anything to prove to them. They believe in me 100%. The only person who ever did underestimate me would have been my dad. Whenever I told him something I hoped or dreamed, he would laugh in my face.

4. Name 7 completely random things that you like:
(Who came up with THIS question? Geez.)

Oreo cookies, because I love taking it apart and licking the icing off one side.
The Office, which is by far one of the best TV shows ever made. By far.
New Orleans Saints, who beat the Patriots last night. I hate the Patriots, because they’re in my division. (AFC East) And I hate them even more because the media is so in love with them.
Elastics, which immediately ease my stress. Seriously, pulling my hair up in a ponytail makes me feel better.
Christmas. Well, I love Christmas but oh well. Plus, Mom and I are going out to buy our Christmas tree and decorate for the holidays on Thursday! I can’t wait!
Showers, which wake me up in the morning and just make me feel a whole lot better.
Electricity. It makes life a whole lot simpler. ‘Nuff said.

5. What’s your favorite reality TV show and why?
So You Think You Can Dance? by far. I love the dancing aspect, the amazing routines, the funny people, and the reality. I love eviction reality shows. The dancers just get better and better and the routines this year are just out of this world.

I could do without Nigel, though. And Mary’s screaming.

6. What is your favorite hair care product?
Probably my hair straightener! I’ve been switching out shampoo/conditioner for a while now, depending on the day. I either use Dove, Herbel Essences, or Sunsilk. But my straightener is a thing of beauty. No, it’s not a Chi, but actually a Revlon product that was $22. And it does amazing things to my hair! I’m totally in love with it.


7. What’s your favorite song at the moment?
Right now, I’ve been digging a new song by Francesca Battistelli called, “You’re Here.” I don’t know if she came out with an album yet or just some singles but it’s a gorgeous song. It’s like Mary talking to baby Jesus and it’s so touching. And my radio station has been overplaying it, which I love right now. In a few weeks, I’ll be over it but right now, definitely my favorite.

8. What’s the number one thing on your Christmas wishlist?
An iPod Touch or the latest version of Photoshop. I have an iPod shuffle right now that only holds 137 songs. I’ve had to really just put songs that pump me up when I’m working out so a lot of my songs aren’t on my iPod, which kinda sucks.

And Photoshop would be very, very helpful for my Magazine Design and Production class next semester, where I have to design a 20-page magazine. Somehow, I don’t think Microsoft Paint is going to cut it.

9. Have you ever lost your cell phone?
I put this question in for me since yes, I did recently lose my cell phone. About two weeks ago, on a Tuesday. On Tuesdays, I have a 2pm class and then a 6pm class so I just stay on campus and work on homework catch up on blogs. I had gone to the bathroom around 4ish and around 5ish, I realized that I had no idea where my phone was. I frantically checked my bag and the area where I was sitting. I lifted couch cushions, got on my hands and knees to look under the couch. Nothing. I checked the bathroom, the common area, and even upstairs. Ab-so-lute-ly nothing. I’ve been to the lost and found four times and nobody has returned a phone. Jerks.

And since our cell phone bill was past due, we have to wait until we’re all paid up to get a new phone. (I should also mention we don’t have insurance. Six years of service and we’ve never needed it.) So now whoever has the car uses the cell phone, which is mainly me.

And let me tell you: it sucks having only one phone between two people. Try it sometime. We’ve done this for over 2 weeks now.

10. Did you attack the hordes of shoppers for Black Friday?
No, I didn’t. I was sleeping in my extremely comfortable bed, with my adorable mini-daschund cuddled up to me. We slept until eleven and it was divine. I don’t care about sales that much.

Categories: Recurring Series

Weekend Recap

This little break from work and school has been so delicious and much-needed. I have been so busy with everything I have due for school. Luckily, things are winding down and I only have 6 assignments left, including finals. And no more presentations! I gave my last presentation on Tuesday and am so happy to be done with those. They scare me to death.

I’ve been trying to figure out a way to recap my weekend, which includes my 10K race, Thanksgiving, my birthday, and my new hairstyle. So I just decided to recap it all in one. Sort of.

10K race
I’m actually giving this aspect of my weekend its own post tomorrow. I’ve never competed in a 10K, not that I actually competed in this one. I wasn’t very excited to have to get up super early (5:30 a.m.) for this race and I haven’t been running consistently. I’ll talk more about it tomorrow, but let’s just say I was extremely proud of myself at the end of the 10K.


Thanksgiving Dinner
I love my family and I just love our Thanksgiving dinner tradition. It’s nothing spectacular or amazing. We just all convene at my grandmother’s house. My grandma and grandpa cook the dinner. The rest of us “help” or watch football. We eat. My mom and grandma clean up while the rest of us just sit around and watch football. It’s my tradition, something I love.

Last year, my nephew was 2 months old at Thanksgiving and slept through the whole thing. This year, he was the center of attention and the biggest entertainer!

Haircut
So, I finally got my haircut on Friday afternoon. And by finally, I mean FY-NUH-LEE! I haven’t had a haircut since the end of March. My hair was full of dead ends, grown-out layers, and dying hair color. So I had it dyed again. (Oh, look! A pun! Hehe.) And then cut. It feels so much lighter and easier to manage now, even though the length isn’t too different.

This was my hair on Wednesday. Pretty long, kinda blonde.And my new hair! Brown, a little bit shorter, with bangs!

Birthday
Saturday was my birthday. I turned 22. It sounds old to me. Twenty-two. I still feel like I’m fifteen. It was a good day. I slept in and then went out to breakfast with my mom. I had a very unhealthy, calorie-ridden breakfast that was so good I wanted to cry. And then we spent a few hours at Busch Gardens but we came to the realization that BG is turning into a family park. Only four rollercoasters, two of which we don’t ride. The rest of the park is for kids! And everything they’re building is family-centered. It’s a little annoying.

We came home, relaxed for a bit, and then went out for dinner at Carrabba’s. I tried a martini but yuck. I need my alcohol watered down. A lot. The aftertaste of a heavily alcohol-ed beverage makes me cringe. I don’t know. Maybe it’s an acquired taste. The dinner was good, even though I filled myself up on bread and could barely finish my meal. That’s always been a problem for me.


All in all, a fun weekend. I managed to get a good portion of my homework done today and took tomorrow off from work. Yay, me! I have yet another day to sleep in, even though I do have class at 2pm. I cannot wait to get this semester over with! As of December 8th, I will have 4 weeks of complete freedom. Happiness.

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Welcome!

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Stephany! (She/her) I'm a 30-something single lady, living in Florida. I am a bookworm, cat mom, podcaster, and reality TV junkie. I identify as an Enneagram 9, an introvert, and a Highly Sensitive Person. On this blog, you will find stories about my life, book reviews, travel experiences, and more. Welcome!

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