Staying Positive II

So, around this time last year I put together this list of things I love. I am going to take the same headers, now, and see write about the reasons I love them still:

Reasons I love my job:
1. Where else (besides my house) can I wear house slippers all day?
2. It's where half my groceries live.
3. Get money, get paid SON!
4. I love my clients. I just absolutely adore [most] of the people I work for, and I think that many of them are completely inspirational.
5. We just upgraded to a better office AND better computers, so it's finally tolerable to be here 10-14 hours a day.
6. It gives me an excuse to pretty much live at the Capitol Hill Club.

Reasons I love the beef:
1. He's a doll. He's like my giant baby.
2. Even if he'd rather go to his house, he stays with me if I am terribly homesick.
3. He encourages me to be the best at my job.
4. He tells me when he's proud of me.
5. He's pretty much everyone's favorite person, and he's all mine!

Reasons I love my DC friends:
1. They understand that Britney Spear and Lady Gaga are goddesses among women.
2. They can keep up!
3. They are smart/funny/and just a good time.
4. They make my life a constant party.


Reasons I love my Fresno friends:
1. They understand that Britney Spear and Lady Gaga are goddesses among women..
2. We can still talk like we saw each other yesterday.

3. They're lives are so different from mine and it's so great that we can still be close even though we've chosen such different paths.

Reasons I love DC:
1. It's a Tuesday night and I can party. It's a Wednesday night and I can party. It's a Thursday night and EVERYONE IS PARTYING! It's just a party out here.
2. It's unlike NYC in that it sleeps--I do like a good time, but I also like to be in bed at a decent hour.

Reasons I love Fresno:
1. My mom lives there. (same as last year)

2010: My first full year out of school, in DC, and so much more!

Oh, hello!

I am terrible about updating this thing (as I have mentioned every few months when I go to update it...). Well! A lot has happened in the past year. My lovey-dovey Jessa Havican did a year-in-review post, and I think I may just follow suit!


January 2010:
Chris had just broken his leg (d'oh!) and there was a terrible blizzard in DC. We spent the entire month, pretty much, trapped in my apartment. We watched a lot of West Wing, though. I also got to fly home and be a bridesmaid in a different lovey-dovey's wedding. Kristen's wedding was wonderful, and I was so happy to be there for her special day!























February 2010:
Chris and I took our first trip to VEGAS! We came back unmarried, with most of our money, and no serious injuries--I'd call it a success.



















March 2010:
Work really started to pick up. In my line of work it's important to have the bulk of your fundraising done by March of the election year so the candidates can actually spend the money. I spent a good deal of time in the office. I had never sat in an office working for 14 hours straight, but I did it!

April 2010 - June 2010:
More fundraising. Work, work, work! Between March and June I didn't take a single day off. Not so exciting. I was averaging 60 hour work weeks (at least). It was exhausting, but I seriously believe that we were made for work and we're happiest when we're doing just that.

However, Chris's leg was better and the blood clot was completely gone by June. That made our lives quite a bit better.















July 2010:
I got to go home for the Fourth of July! Seeing my parents always makes me so happy. I got to just hang out at home with the family (which I hadn't really done in almost a year). I didn't even tell my friends I was in town. It was fantastic. My mom and I drank wine, went shopping, and I got to see my daddy and brother and sister and grandparents. So much love!

Later that month Chris and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary as a couple (our anniversary is actually in August) by taking a long weekend in the Outer Banks. It was glorious. We stayed beachfront, played in the water, ate lots of Southern cookin', and climbed to the top of a lighthouse. We also drank a bottle of champagne at 5AM to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean together (something neither of us had ever done).



August 2010:
I turned 23. Ugh.

September 2010:
Work got even crazier. I would full out take naps at the office afterhours so I could work extra late. I had interviewed a girl I thought would be perfect for the intern position in our office. My bosses agrees so heartily that they hired her as our staff assistant! She made my life so much easier. Thank the Lord for Lida!

October 2010:
Things calmed down a lot. There wasn't a lot more to do work-wise. Chris was out of town for most of the month, which was a serious bummer to me. However, I danced on a bar for the first time on Halloween (WIN!).
























November 2010:
November 2nd. Best. Night. Ever.


















December 2010:
Chris and I took a 2 week trip to Nicaragua where we hiked a volcano, ziplined through the canopy, fed monkeys, ate local cuisine, went horseback riding, and all other sorts of craziness. It was phenomenal. I feel so blessed to have the ability to travel with the man I love all over the world (well, hopefully all over the world--SOON!)




If 2011 can be half as interesting as 2010 I will be happy! I hope to travel more, maybe watch what I eat (gave up on weight--but I eat too much junk), get even better about my finances (thinking about a house...), and celebrate 4 years with my man! Professionally, I think this is going to be a great year for me. I've worked really hard, and I intend to keep it that way!

Transitioning Into Grown-Updom: Feeling Settled

Since college began I have been restless. I went to Westmont, left after a semester, moved out of my parents' house a 10 months after that, moved out of that apartment back to my parents' six months after that, moved into another apartment two months after that, moved back in with my parents 5 months after that, went to DC 5 months after that, and back in with my parents 8 months after that. Then 9 months later I graduated from college and moved to DC. Now, almost a year later, I am feeling restless. Part of being a grown-up, though, is staying put for a bit and only moving for some really great opportunity. It's kind of funny to think, though, that my little apartment is the place I've spent the most time since I turned 18. However, if you know me, you know I love that apartment.

I am realizing how wonderful my life is. I have a good job, the best apartment in DC, a college education, an amazing boyfriend, and the cutest fish ever :) Chris has fallen in love with Percy (my/our fish...he was my fish, and now Chris wants some parenting rights). Chris and I are great. It's almost been three years. WOW! For those who knew me before Chris, settling down wasn't my style. I have finally found someone I don't mind cooking dinner for, who understands my obsession with making the bed and hanging up towels, and who is as silly as I am. He's also stepped up to the plate as my family in DC. It is hard living out here without my family--we are really close. He is doing a great job of celebrating holidays with me, cooking dinner with me, grocery shopping with me, and feeding my fishy. I could not have survived without him out here.

My job has been tough. Republicans are going to take back the majority (can I hear some good ol' fashioned hootin' and hollerin'?!) and there is a lot of work to be done to get there. The free market will prevail! Lower taxes! Individual freedoms! This go I think you will see a lot of fresh perspectives from incoming freshman--leaders who believe in fiscal responsibility, who also want to kick government out of the bedroom. I am so excited! Follow the special elections this month--I have worked long hours for those guys, and I'm really excited!

That's my life. I love you all!

Election Year!

Well my dearies, I've decided to let you know what's on my mind lately. As most of you know, I do political fundraising (I am assistant to the two guys who own the firm I work for and their sole employee). Because of my job I have interest in quite a few political races. I have a couple that are really interesting, and I think you should take a little peek at just for funsies!

1. Charles Djou--HI-1
Charles is a really impressive guy. He's in the reserves, has been a state legislator, is a city councilman (in HI a city councilman is a higher position than a state legislator based on the size of the constituency--the only state like that...well, maybe RI), is a law professor, a husband, and a father, and he isn't even 40 yet. He's perfect for Pat Saiki's former district. Hawaii has elected Republicans in the past, so it is not as far-fetched as it may seem. Charles is currently in an open, winner-take-all special election against 3 Democrats (and no Republicans). If you're looking to throw some support behind a Republican, I recommend Charles. He is one of my very favorite candidates. Not only is this an interesting race because a Republican can take a currently Democratic seat, it's the congressional district where Barry Obama grew up.
www.djou.com

2. Pat Toomey--PA Senate
Whoa! This race is dramatic at best. Current Senator Arlen Spector betrayed, yes BETRAYED Republicans and switched parties to cover himself during what seemed would be a liberal landslide. Unfortunately, the oh-so-popular president's rating fell faster than my boyfriend walking home drunk in the snow. Pat Toomey, the man who almost beat Spector in the Republican primary almost 6 years ago has stepped up to the plate. He is a great candidate and it really looks like he's going to take this race. This is another race to support!
www.toomeyforsenate.com

I only have the Republican side (as that is the only side I care about--GO SCOTT BROWN). There are certain blogs/sites that are fantastic to watch as well. I usually don't go straight to the pollsters, because blogs will give you the outcome of many polls at once (and I don't have time to search through everyone's sites).

www.swingstateproject.com (my FAVORITE--huge lib, but he does a good job analyzying polls)
www.realclearpolitics.com

Also, and this is really important, don't get all your information from FoxNews, CNN, Huffington, or anything of the like.

Now you can see what's going on in my brain.

Staying Positive

Sometimes to stay positive you have to list the good that's going on in life. Here are a few lists of reasons I love certain things:

Reasons I love my job:
1. All politics, all the time. Instead of looking at me like I'm a crazy person when I talk about different elections, I am educated on races I didn't know much about.
2. I can listen to Lady Gaga while I do busy work.
3. I can snack on popcorn.
4. My bosses crack me up and never cease to surprise me.
5. I got my first raise!
6. I get the occasional free meal.

Reasons I love the beef:
1. He has a goofy side that is just for me--though sometimes it comes out other times, it's mostly just for me.
2. He can't dance and it's adorable.
3. He bought me the Lady Gaga cd I listen to at work (well one of them--his sister got me the other).
4. He's as snobby as I am and likes how high maintenance I am.
5. He is definitely the smartest boy I've ever dated.

Reasons I love my DC friends:
1. They will play Jersey Shore dress up with me.
2. They will steal balloons with me.
3. They are as domestic as I am (not at all!).
4. We're all political.


Reasons I love my Fresno friends:
1. We can still dance around like kiddies.
2. They are always there for me.
3. They are some of the most accepting people I know.

Reasons I love DC:
1. It's the center of the world...well, right after NYC.
2. It looks beautiful covered in snow (though I HATE the cold).

Reasons I love Fresno:
1. My mom lives there.

My life is pretty great. I love that it is NEVER boring. I feel like when I look back I will have plenty of interesting stories, and I think that's important.

Transitioning Into Grown-Updom: Halloween

What is more grown-up than being a kid again? My favorite part of grown-up Halloween (besides candy) is the fact that if you're a girl you have to be "sexy." Well, if you know me, you know I am not really the sexy type. So, the beef and I had a fantastic idea--take something not sexy and be a sexy that thing. Raddish was our initial thought, but after he decided to go as a tourist, I joined in the fun!

Me and The Beef












I bedazzled my fanny pack.
This may be my favorite picture of the entire night--mostly because it is so incredibly awkward. This was definitely taken while I was having a Caroline moment.






I'm f-ing in. You're f-ing out!
However, Kim Jong Il is always f-ing out.








Wrong?
I am no longer welcome in Asia.












Finally, Charles gets attacked.
After all the times I have fallen victim, I finally got my revenge.








There will be more. This weekend I am dressing up as Jackie O. There will also be a JFK and Marilyn involved (don't worry, the beef isn't involved).

My mother would be so proud.

Transitioning Into Grown-Updom: Working

Here I am at the office! Please note the pearls. Work is my life, so please forgive me as I talk about it.

For my job, I am, essentially, a PTA mom on steroids. I make a lot of phone calls, attend millions upon millions of events, yell at caterers, setup venues, collect checks, sit with grown men to watch them make phone calls, and make informational packets. Here is my desk at the moment.
Saturday, for work, I went to a Penn State game. I got to bring the beef and New Girl (a friend). It was 34 degrees, i.e. colder than Fresno will ever be. Here is the other side of the stadium. By the end of the game this looked more like a jellyfish than an "S."And here's me and New Girl at the game. Sometimes my job is awesome.

Working is hard. Make sure you get a job where you can reap the rewards. Early and often.

Transitioning Into Grown-Updom: Not disappearing

I was going to blog about this, but work got too busy. I will just put in tags for all the things that I would like right now.

Transitioning Into Grown-Updom: Prioritizing

1. Work
2. Diet
3. Beef
4. Social Life
5. Oh lord, I was supposed to go to sleep!

That is my life. I am learning to prioritize, and it is hard! I am trying not to be a workaholic, but it is addicting. I got my first pay check last week and all it made me want to do was work harder so there would be a possibility of a raise in a few months.

I am also trying to diet. I put on weight in college (we all put on weight in college, I know), and now I am trying to cut calories on the run. Salad seems to be the easiest way to do this, but if you know me you know I hate salad. Ugh. Life is difficult. However, hundred calorie packs of cookies and Oreo candy bites save me.

Boyfriend. Yes. I have one. We are both so exhausted all the time, though, and by the time work is over all we want to do is sit on the couch. However we both want:

A social life. Trying. E-mail is my social life. Gchat is my social life. I try to be good and see my friends, but being a grown-up with work and saving money gets in the way. Thank goodness for happy hour.

And sleep. I try. However, by the time I get to bed my head is swimming and I wake up with all of the things I have going on. I remember that I should have exercised, should have called my mom, should have skipped that PB&J burrito (don't ask), should have done laundry, should have skipped watching the Disney Channel for 3 straight hours, should have e-mailed so-n-so for work...

I want a vacation. Can't wait for Christmas and then January when one of my favorites has her special day. Can't wait. CANNOT WAIT!

However, to negate all of the things that I have decided come with being a grown-up I had a cupcake on Sunday. A Georgetown Cupcake cupcake. Jealous.

Transitioning Into Grown-Updom: Cooking

For about half of my college career (the second half--I did things backwards) I lived with my parents. My mother, being the mommy type mother that she is, would always cook dinner for us, pick something up for us, or take us out to eat. If not, she would prepare everything and then have us stick something in the oven. Now that I am on my own, I am finding that eating out all the time is not only fiscally irresponsible, but just plain bad for me. This brings me into my first big transition into grown-updom: cooking for myself.

How does a girl who never cooked start cooking for herself? Google . After typing "recipes" into Google, I found a wonderful website: allrecipes.com. You can type in ingredients (cilantro everything!) and find super easy recipes. My favorite, right now, is this spicy chicken recipe. [To my beef's dismay] I have started putting the spice mix on everything. The chicken is excellent in salads (and if you know me, you know I hate salad). Fabulous.

Being unemployed is apparently excellent for my coo

king skills. I sit around and cook all day. I even had a dinner party one night. Look at me! Last night, I even invented a recipe. I was kind of excited. It reminded me of the movie Waitress and how she always invented pies (mostly 'cause I insisted on using the word "invented"). Anyway, I will share my hamburger recipe with you. It was spicy (like me?), so beware.

Spicy LG Burger:

-1 lb ground turkey (I use turkey, because the only beef in my life is Christopher)

-1/2 red bell pepper

-1/2 onion

-1/2 tbsp chili powder

-1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper

-1 tbsp paprika

-1/2 cup fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Mix it all together.

2. Form into patties (5 medium or 4 large)

.

3. Broil for 16-18 minutes.

Easy Peasy. They taste great with ranch dressing instead of ketchup and mustard. We used a jalapeno ranch dressing (Safeway brand), and I thought they were yummy. 

The best part about learning to cook is that a few ingredients will cost a lot and last forever; an initial investment, if you will. Those initial investments, of course, are your spices. It may seem ridiculous to spend $5 on such a little jar, but with $15 worth of spices you can have way more tacos than with $15 worth of Taco Bell tacos. Also, if you're trying to go low fat, ground turkey is about equal to ground beef with much le

ss fat. If you are a one or two person household who seems to have veggies go bad all the time--plan out your menu OR go to the store day of. Going to the store day of has saved me the usual $5 of veggies I let spoil a week. 

This has been my first post about truly trying to become an adult. I've got a few other ideas pending to let you know what I'm up to (and hopeful

ly help someone else who is trying to do the same thing). I love you all!!!

Love, love, love, love, love

My oh my oh my! Two years! It's fast approaching. This upcoming weekend is more important than even Valentine's Day. Yes, it's that big a deal. With all this love in the air I've decided to make a list of the things that I love the most.

10. The Carolines. Good friends, check! Bad decisions, check! The Carolines are my favorite for so many reasons: hills, High School Musical, and Metro pole dancing: The Carolines bring the fun.

9. Nellie's Sports Bar. Best nachos ever, trivia, and drag queen bingo. Need I say more?

8. Washington, DC. The best place in the world. Who doesn't love doing the monument crawl? What could be better than [semi]reliable public transit? No one and nothing. DC is the place.

7. Scratching mosquito bites. I hate the things, but there is such satisfaction that comes with scratching them. Itchy, itchy!

6. Being Republican. Elephants+fiscal responsibility=Beautiful.

5. Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton. True love. True Blood.

4. My Blackberry. I would be lost without it. It acts as my personal assistant, but I love it as my child.

3. The Ashton Clan. There is no stranger family, no family so diverse, and no family so meant to be. Maybe we're crazy, but love runs through these veins.

2. My mother. If you've met her, you know. She's quiet and shy and a little tiger.

1. The reason for the season: My beef, Christopher! I love the boy. Happy anniversary, baby!

Happy August 1st everyone!

Welcome to DC! Now on your knees and beg!

Ah, DC. Capitol of the land of the free and home of the brave. It stands for everything I love (and majored in): democracy, law, unemployment? Well, according to my friends and I, yes. Unemployment. I did find an internship (slavery with a better title). For my internship I have had the opportunity to go to quite a few events. At one event, a congressman force-fed me a shrimp cocktail. Only in DC. Lord, I love DC.

Other than unemployment, parties, and force-feeding, I have had a lot of fun. I have had the opportunity to go to happy hours, internet stalk Real World, DC, and have a Carolyn Light night with my girlfriends (who says a 21-year-old can't enjoy Lizzie McGuire?!). Maybe I'm broke, but I sure can have a good time! Today, I even went to Annapolis with the beef and another couple. Military men and seafood--almost heaven.

Also, I have decided to start a rumor: mosquitoes only adamantly attack those who are good, wonderful, beautiful people. According to this new rumor, I am a hybrid of Mother Teresa and Gisele Bundchen. I cannot go outside without being eaten alive. It's my fault for living in a former swamp. Really, though, I would like to blame our founding fathers. I feel like they got a lot right--Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, etc., but really--a swamp?! It's not like SoCal didn't exist. We obviously had no problem heading west/annexing land. Why couldn't they have just taken CA a little sooner? If only I had a time machine. Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure comes to mind.

This week has been depressing. Farrah Fawcett, Micheal Jackson, Billy Mays, and John and Kate's marriage have all passed away (though the last was probably over a LONG time ago). I mostly feel sorry for Farrah who not only had to battle something she didn't inflict upon herself, but right as the tributes started MJ had to go and die. No one even remembers that she passed away except that it was the day that MJ died. Well, Farrah, here's to you!

That's all for now, my sweets. Now I will spell check and label this nonsense for you. Until next time (which is whenever I get internet at my apartment and don't have to use the beef's).