Consumerism

Happy October, Hello Fall.

With fall-ish weather in the air(to my delight), I've been thinking of things like: pumpkin patches, oak-glen apple picking, leaves falling...

Oh, and these little beauties:



Amazing, I must have one. But then I thought...if only they came in more fashionable prints.
Then I saw this...



Could they get any better?
Then I saw this...




Oh snuggie, you think of everything!


(I dedicate this blog to Stefanie Lynn*)

Up On the Roof

Warning: although this post is lacking bullet points, it is a list of random things I'm pondering and is meant to be read as if there were in fact, bullet points.
Some use of imagination may be mandatory.

I saw Kings of Leon this weekend, amazing. I co-purchased the tickets for my best gal-pal's 21st(I couldn't legally buy her a drink, so I opted for concert tickets). Thought the seats would be terrible, judging by the venue map. However, they ended up being great, small venue, great acoustics, good show. Apparently the last time they played in San Diego at the same venue, they opened for Bob Dylan. They pointed out that the fact that they were head-lining two years later, was quite surreal.

I think I could eat sushi all day, it's like Subway sandwiches: you eat and then you're starving an hour later.

Is anything better than nutella?(answer: no)

School starts this week, looking forward to that.
The first week, there is always the anticipation of such great possibilities. Then by week two, you realize: the classes are boring, the professor has an accent that rivals our governor in clarity, there is no one cute in any of the five classes you chose, and you have to suffer through a minimum of 16 weeks til your next round of classes start.(And the cycle starts all over again...) I've got the system down.

Nevertheless, looking forward to it.


To exit on a lighter note...



awkwardfamilyphotos.com
(Thank you Crista for the tip)

Daydream Believer

Feeling Nostalgic, like the: "on the verge of tears" thinking about "the good old-days", sort of nostalgic. The kind of nostalgia that creeps up on you, when you're cleaning and come across old photographs. For some reason looking at friends' wedding photos brought it all on. Friends I went to high school with, who were older than myself...but none the less, relatively close to my age, are now husbands and wives. Sure, I've always known that people grow up and move out. Friends go away to school, get jobs in other cities, and end up with lives completely separate from the places and people that they grew up with. Yet, in the last month this fact has really resonated in my heart and mind. In about a month or so, two people that I love dearly will be leaving on their own, separate, life-changing adventures. Both off to college in other cities, not too far from home, but away none the less. The thought of this, kills me. The more I have tried not to think about it, the more time has slipped away and now the change that I've tried to avoid, is right around the corner. I think the hardest thing about these changes, is that I'm not really going to be a part of them. If I was the one going off to school, it would be a different story. I would be expectantly looking forward to wrapping up the Summer, and ushering in a new adventure filled with new experiences and people. However, I am on the other end of the spectrum...at the end of August, the people I spend the most time with(apart from my immediate family), will be gone. Sure there's the weekends and holidays to look forward to, but there is no denying that the distance will change everything. As excited as I am for them, I cannot help but feel a sense of loss and anticipated loneliness.


Which brings me to my next point...
what am I doing with MY life? Currently, I am a student, and I have a job I enjoy. However, in the long run... what am I actually going to do with the major I have chosen. I feel like now that I am about half-way done with my "college" experience, I should have these issues pretty much nailed down.

Needless to say, I'm praying for direction, and clarity in various areas of my life. Relying on God's past faithfulness, knowing that I am His and the plan He has for my life is far greater than any dream or plan I could try to fulfill with my own strength.


Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. "

Baby Love

Blessings list:

-NEW CAR!
-Youth girls
-Weekend getaways, with the ladies
-A job I thoroughly enjoy
-Sleepovers with my niece and nephews
-Having my best friend(s) back in the same county, once again
-The dollar theater(I've found that one's expectations of a two-dollar film are a lot lower, leaving less room for disappointment)

Realization:

Whether you are the "dumper" or regrettably on the receiving end, relationships leave a distinct mark upon your heart. Some feelings never dissipate, some hurts never fully heal. Just because you did not "love" does not mean you will not miss what you had or the idea of what could have been. There are so many cons in finding love or searching for it, that the pros often seem distant and unattainable. Not that I'm rushing off to set up an E.harmony account, nor am I speaking from years of experience. However, through friends and brief experiences of my own, I'm learning that the love that my parents and married siblings have found, is something of a novelty and to be expectantly desired in my own life.

A jumble of thoughts of little consequence, on a topic, I barely understand.

Broccoli and Chocolate

I recently spent a good two hours wondering around the Disneyland of grocery stores. Nestled, okay, not exactly nestled; Taking Over a large portion of Irvine's "The District" is the most amazing grocery store I've ever stepped foot into. I suppose calling it a "grocery store" is an understatement, this title alone is not exactly capable of summing up all that is Whole Foods. You want a fresh squeezed carrot+ apple concoction? Juice Bar. Espresso? Coffee Bar. Gelato? Sushi? Tacos? Hamburger? Deli sandwich? The most amazing pastries, cakes, and chocolates? You name it, it most likely has its own isle or restaurant. Whole foods combines the "style" of the food-court in the mall and "feel" of an outdoor market, with the gourmet qualities of Bristol Farms or Gelson's. Sure it has fruits, vegetables, fish& poultry, your standard deli, and all the makings of a run of the mill: Vons, Ralphs, or Albertsons. However, I'm convinced that once you enter Whole Foods, there's no turning back.







A tip...
Try the buffet for lunch, mmmm.
When I think of a buffet, I think Sizzler or Home-town buffet "all you can eat" deals. But I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at all the fun choices: vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free, or for those of you who enjoy "normal" food...they've got that too!


I know this is a bit extreme, a whole blog dedicated to a grocery store? Really? But my, oh my, it was quite a noteworthy experience and I'm convinced that others would also benefit from a visit.

Speak When Spoken To.

It has been a while,and I have a lot of things that are of little, or no importance to ramble about.

I start my first day of training as a teller for Wells Fargo Bank, on Monday.
Should be interesting, I love interacting with people, however, all that money counting... I'm a tad intimidated. It's a new adventure though, long gone are the days of dress selling and smoothie making(maybe not too far gone). Time to look on toward a more grown up future, one that includes business apparel, account managing, and check cashing.

No more pencils, no more books...

I Wrapped up my fourth semester last week.
Slightly disappointed by my grade turn out this semester. No matter how hard I tried, somehow receiving an A, was just not in the cards for me. Every test that I studied longer for, every project I put more effort into, received a B. If I don't try, I get a low B, if I do try, I get a high B. Which leads me to feel as if putting in the extra effort is not truly worth it, since most of my classes are not graded on the plus minus system. So I rarely receive B+ or B-(s). I'm not trying to sound ridiculous here, I am grateful to receive the B's, but you know...I'm shootin' for the stars here...and I'm not even coming close. I just do not appreciate it.

I'm over-joyed at the prospect of my dear friends joining me at Cal State Fullerton in the upcoming Fall or Spring semesters. Blythe, Priscilla, possibly Austin James, and some other freshman that are graduating this month. Yay!

Loathe at first sight...
Those little decals that people can put on their cars, the white stick figures with: the mommy, the daddy, the children, and of course the family pet. You know what I'm talking about. I've also seen little skulls with the same theme, a little skull with a bow, a little dog skull. Really? Today while with some friends, I saw a red mini-van with a similar family of characters strewn across the rear window. Except this family was slightly different than most that I have seen, this one had a man and a woman, with what looked like, 10 assorted animal figures in a straight line. It was like the woman was a "cat-lady" with 5 cats crammed into her apartment, and the guy was a "man's best friend" kind of dude. Together, they made this "our pets are our children" kind of couple. Terrible, Terrible.

Tonight, I went to see one of my youth girls (Carrie, I have youth girls!) perform in her school play. It was cute, fun, witty and at times a bit risque. I bought tickets for five dollars each(not bad), only to find out that since I attend KFC it should have been free. I stifled an FML...and attributed it to being for a good cause, since the production was put on by my former high school. Anyway, half way through the show my companions and I started noting interesting cast members. My favorite: an awkwardly tall kid, who was featured in every scene, and yet, had only one line throughout the entire two hour play. He had long curly locks, that were secured in a pony tail throughout the duration of the play. He slightly resembled Michal Jackson, post plastic surgery make-over, and carried a bright red target purse after the play wrapped. Definitely, a note worthy character indeed.



There is a whole list of things that pop into my head from time to time, and I think..."I want to blog about this." But alas, just when I sit down to share my thoughts via a new post...they seem to escape me at that very moment.
For now, you'll just have to settle for a cross-section of the random thoughts that are currently floating around in my brain.

Cotton

It has come to my attention that cotton, recently adopted Zooey Deschanel as their official spokeswoman. I believe their decision deserves a standing ovation.

Mhhhhm.

Espionage

Just the CUTEST.

The Foreigner

For some reason when I'm at school I feel 100% out of my element. Thrown off guard, aimlessly wondering from class to the library, then back to class. It's really strange, considering the fact that I have spent two days out of every week on campus for the last two years. You think this "freshmen uneasiness" would have lessened by now.
I have a mess of reasons WHY I feel this way, floating around in my head. Yet I cannot thoroughly pin it down, why I STILL have this "stranger passing through" feeling in my own little "homeland" that is my college campus, is a mystery to me. Yet, the less I can identify the source of my foreign state of mind, the worse the feeling gets. As a result of this, I get the idea that I am unwittingly doing things to perpetuate the situation. Accidentally of course, but these incidents materialize themselves in a standard fashion(standard for me, at least), coming in the form of embarrassing, awkward moments.

To name a few:

-Today, I was casually walking from my first class to the Library...as I round the corner and start the ascent to the second floor computer lab: I slam palms down on the stairs. Just my luck, it is the time of day when everyone is heading to their next class, resulting in herds of people jamming the staircases. Which means; a sea of people witnessed my embarrassing episode. Only one guy asked if I was alright, thank you guy in the stairwell for caring.I practically ripped my feet off, and all I could choke out in response was "uhuh, thanks"

-It was the second day of what I have labeled as my "awkward class"(Not awkward due to the subject, but the general atmosphere). Comparative Religions 101, great class...bad moments. The first day of class, I came five minutes before class started and WOULD have had to sit on the ground if one of the guys had not offered to take my place on the ground, and give up his chair.Apparently, chivalry is alive and well.
Anyway, it is the second day of class and I arrive slightly earlier than before and start looking for a seat. All of the sudden, this line of guys in the back row start waving at me and pointing to a seat just in front of them. I was slightly caught of guard, unused to such uncanny attention. I get all nervous, and start stumbling toward the chair, feeling awkward and relatively embarrassed. Then as I am right in front of them, practically seated in "the seat"...I notice they all kind of sigh. Like a disappointed, "oooh". Then I look back to see that their friend is right behind me, then I realize that the waving and gesturing was for him; as was the chair. Then trying to repair things, I start mumbling "Do you want me to move? The chair was for him, right?" Making things MORE awkward and worsening the situation, when one guy replies "No it doesn't matter, whatever you want to do".To my delight, I get to see these same guys EVERY Tuesday and Thursday. Needless to say, I stay clear of all vacant seats within close proximately to them and try to avoid making eye-contact.

-I generally use the school printers for printing my black and white homework assignments, attempting to save my at-home supply of paper/ink for more important assignments, and pay the 5 cents to print stuff at school. On one occasion, I arrive at school early(quite a task for me) and run to the library to print my homework for my next class. I set it all up, and go over to the printer to collect my work. For some strange reason my stuff is not printing, I scan my card to pay the fee, and try to print again and again. Nothing. So I approach the "help-desk", hoping to receive some assistance. I tell the lady my dilemma and she says "She'll TRY to help", it is NOT really her responsibility apparently, I appreciate it none the less. Anyway, we go to the printer and as we're walking up, the kid in front of me prints off something without a hitch. She asks me, "Why is HIS printing?", I try to ignore the irritation in her voice. Then she makes me show her step-by-step what I did, first grade status. I hit print, swipe my card and to my expectation: nothing happens. She looks at the screen closer and says at an embarrassingly high decibel "You Don't have any money, Honey". Apparently, without me noticing, I had run down the balance on my card. She made sure, that everyone on the second floor knew this as well. Mortified.

See what I mean about awkward moments? My, oh my.

Sketch

So I was walking out of work, along the sidewalk, today. Minding my own business. Talking on the phone. When a white SUV with dark windows rolls up, I see someone waving and then they start honking. I think to myself, "perhaps I know this person?". I couldn't really tell, so I keep walking. Then the car pulls to the curb, and is honking. The occupant rolls down their window. I'm thinking "Maybe they need directions". I find out JUST how naive I am, when I back up a few steps and look in the window. I see a guy, leaning across the seat, who yells out "You're beautiful!". I laugh, and let out an "Oh my gosh"(In as rude a tone as I can muster) and walk away. I hear "Wait, Why are you walking away?!"

I keep walking, needless to say.
So sketchy. I feel like a little kid, I'm far too naive.
Maybe it was the honking that threw me off guard.

Home Alone

My parents have been gone for the last two weeks, visiting my brother and his family in North Carolina. This is the second time they've left us to fend for ourselves since we've come of a relatively responsible age. I love it, free reign of the house and cars, no restrictions, no need to keep things too tidy, until D-day when my parents return. Basically, I think if living on my own included a free car, and a free house...I could handle myself quite nicely.

However, I can't say the same for the baby of the family. My younger brother has had a slightly more difficult time adjusting. The guy wants to know where I am every minute of every day, texts me saying that he is "cold and alone", always asks me to come home, and goes into a frenzy when he finds out I'll be home late.

My parents stocked the fridge before they left and gave us food money, we're totally set(and spoiled). But tonight, he was complaining that his arteries are going to become clogged after all the fast food he's been eating. He refuses to buy milk for breakfast(can't afford it, he says) and yet consumes Del Taco like its going out of business.

My, Oh my.
What will I do with him?

Plus sides:
He has been cleaning the kitchen(total new developement). He told me that he knew I didn't mind living in filth, but he could not stand it any longer. Ironic words coming from a 17 year old, mother-proclaimed, slob.

Inside Joke

Do you ever wish that EVERYONE indulged in the same TV shows as you? (If you're Carrie, those shows may include: The Biggest Loser, TopChef, American Dance Team, or any other ridiculous reality show...)
I digress.

However,
I was in a certain scenario today with some of the girls from my work, and a comment about cats and hairballs was made. I was dying for a fellow Office viewer to understand my reference to Angela and her Web-cam. To my disappointment, no one in our little group enjoys the dry humor of my weekly addiction. Sad. I hate those moments, when you're burning with a comical reference from your favorite show, and no one is around to understand or share in a laugh with you. If they were, rest assured they would be LOL or ROFL(a shout out to all you text-abbreviation addicts).

Once again, I've tackled one of the mysteries of life in another pointless blog.

Nothing Special

I have an 8:30 communications class, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We meet in a huge lecture hall, and I'm guessing that there are at least 150 students in the class. Like a majority of my classes, this class is always too warm inside, very conducive for dosing: which at least 1/3 of the class does, on a weekly basis.I always arrive late, so I usually sit in the back. Why interrupt the class by whispering "excuse me", making people move, or crawling over people to find a seat? Well at least, that is MY general outlook. However, some people have absolutely NO problem making a scene. I am usually at least 5 minutes late, however, I never miss out on experiencing "the rolling back-pack girl". Every class, Approximately 15 minutes into the lecture, I hear the outer door slam, the rumble of wheels across the antechamber, then the main door opens and I see: HER. She struts down the side isle, wheeling her portable book-case with her. Instead of following my lead, she walks all the way to the front of the class, rolling all the way, and starts weeding her way to the middle of the row. Whispering and Shuffling her way to her usual seat, located dead center in the middle of the room. Now that is audacity. I find it quite amusing.


You get a lot of interesting people in a random group of 150 students, in a GE required class, in a state college.

Surprise!

Does anyone else think this is random?


Apparently Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams are engaged. Not quite sure what to make of this.


In other news,
I "google image-d" my name and to my suprise NOT ONE picture of me came up. Pictures of my dear friends did:






Oh my, the word random keeps bouncing around in my brain.

Three of a Kind

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 3 or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

I feel pretty darn unique. In a generation full of Ashleys, Sarahs, Jordans and Chris', I feel pretty close to being ONE of a kind.


However, I am one of 672,000+ Lee's and 1,500+ Camyrons.
But at least the odds of meeting another Camyron Lee in my life time, are very slim.


Thanks Carrie*

Memory Lane

Things I miss:

High school, youth group, and youth events.



...If you were there, you know exactly what this picture is.

Broom Ball/Triple Threat.

Senior party...

Sleepovers at Carrie's dorm and apartment.




Fun things from this year:

Two part birthday bash...






First Visit to the Getty...




Going again for my art class, who wants to join?


My sister's wedding in October...





Visiting Bethany and Tita in Seattle, with Carrie...





House Sitting...





Fun, Fun.
The End.

Oh, the Difference a Month Makes

In ten days, I will be HAPPY to say that I have not purchased any apparel items in one month! On the 15th of January I decided that I spend way too much on clothing, and have more clothing than I can possibly need/use. After doing some serious soul searching, I came to the conclusion that I shopped out of mere habit. Habits are not easily broken. Here are a few reasons WHY it was just so difficult to quit shopping, cold turkey:

#1: Working at a mall provides far too many opportunities to blow my pay check

#2: I was doing a lot of damage during my one hour lunch breaks. I spent them perusing through the stores, I could basically have done a mental inventory of H&M and Forever 21, on any given day.

#3: I work at Nordstrom, and everyone feels the need to look so amazingly stylish all the time, I felt the need to keep up (or at least attempt to do so)

#4: I am physically incapable of passing up a bargain
Example:
Two weeks into my self inflicted torture, I was browsing through Anthropologie.I happened upon an amazing find: an adorable, affordable dress.(I work in the dress department, so have been re-programmed to favor dresses above all other clothing items). It was on the sale rack, my size, and only $40! I decided that I had been good for about two weeks, and I was really the only one holding me back. So I walked the dress toward the register, trying to talk myself into caving before the month was up. Such a great price, and if it did not fit me, I would give it as a present. Convincing,right? Meanwhile, I was secretly hoping it fit. THEN, LIKE A BOLT OF LIGHTNING, I stopped, Put that fabulous dress down: and walked away. Just like that.

Encouraged by my new found self-control, I decided that I could indeed, make it an ENTIRE month...
I decided that there needed to be some serious changes.
I stopped perusing through the shops on my break, and brought homework or a book to pass the time. I also, stopped browsing through the different departments, when it was slow at work. My tactics proved successful. I am ten days away from achieving my goal.

Pathetic, perhaps. But definitely ground breaking, for me personally.

la musica

The Stand

You stood before creation
Eternity in your hand
And you spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand
You stood before my failure
And carried the cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what could I say?
And what could I do?
But offer this heart oh God
Completely to you

So I walk upon salvation
Your spirit alive in me
This life to declare your promise
My soul now to stand

So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the one who gave it all
So I'll stand
My soul Lord to you surrendered
All I am is yours