Embarrassing Flashback

Thanks to Kelsey at Authentically Me for tagging me in the Prom Queen post!

The rules are to find some old prom pictures and post about them. What a fun little tag! 

I vividly remember picking out my dresses for junior and senior prom and just loving them. I mean LOVING. Oh, and I thought I looked so glamorous. Man, was I wrong. 

My mom always told me that I would look back at pictures someday and say "Oh geez" or "What the heck was I thinking wearing that out of the house?" I always told her she was wrong. I just knew that I would never look at a picture and hate my outfits/hair/makeup. 

I grimace at the thought of admitting it. But, she was totally right. I mean, who seriously thought it was okay to wear glitter...all over the place: my hair, my eyes, my body? Ugh.

Well, here we go...

Junior Prom: 2001

 Mr. Ruby actually took my best friend!!! 

(Little did she know she would be my maid of honor in our wedding just 5 years later.)

Senior Prom: 2002

Could my hair be any blonder? Check out Mr. Ruby's highlights!

This is the night Mr. Ruby and I started liking each other...aww

Senior Prom: 2002

Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that I'm wearing a white dress and Mr. Ruby is in a tux? 

We were only friends at this point!

Weiner Wednesday

Our little weiner made another weiner friend last week. 

Meet Tiny:

Tiny is a $1,400 miniature dachshund. For $1,400, she must either be solid gold or have the ability to fly. But I digress...

Ever since Tiny & Samson met, Tiny comes by our house every night looking for him. She just can't get enough of him (or the smell of his rear end - seriously, she sniffs that thing like it's made of peanut butter doggie treats). Her little tail wags every time she walks by our house. They have a newfound friendship!

Don't worry though, Sienna is still Samson's #1 Best Friend. It's just that Tiny is another little weiner...and Samson just loves other weiners. 

Call me silly, but this whole concept got me thinking about friendships. Cheese? Yes, I'm full of cheese. Can't help it. 

Friendship has always been the foundation of my existence. My dad told me that when I was little, he asked me what the most important thing in the world was to me, and I said "Making friends". 

I was 4 years old. And I think I was onto something...

Ever since that moment, it became my mission in life to meet so many different types of people...and to befriend almost everyone I came into contact with. Ok, so I soon realized that was quite impossible. However, I began my journey of creating life-lasting friendships. 

I can honestly say that every phase of life that I've experienced, I have built strong friendships. So strong, that I keep in touch with many friends from each phase of life. It's so amazing to look back and think about each friendship, and why God brought those particular friends into my life. 

I have my VERY best friends from back home. I began these friendships in kindergarten at age 5. Now, twenty years later, those friendships are still going strong...even though each of us are all over the entire country. 

Then came good ol' college. I made some of the most wonderful friendships in college. I have nothing but memories that make me smile from my college days with pals. In fact, I still keep in touch with a group of sorority sisters...and everytime I'm with them, I feel like life hasn't skipped a beat. These girls will be my friends for life.

Everywhere Mr. Ruby and I have lived (California, Dallas, Rhode Island) - we've met WONDERFUL people. We have made some serious friendships, and I'm so thankful for every single one. Especially here in Little Rhody. We always have something fun to do, and I seem to laugh hysterically at least 15 times a day when I'm with our friends. 

I'm at a phase of life now, where I am friends with my parents. No more asking for money. No more getting grounded for not making the bed (yes, I used to get grounded for this). No more being told to get my homework done. Now, we just talk about life. We laugh. We cry. We talk about the future. I love this newfound friendship with my parents. 

And of course, the most important friendship of all: My HUSBAND! I am a firm believer in starting any relationship with a friendship. Ok, ok. I know, here comes the cheese again. But...Mr. Ruby and I were best friends in high school. Yeah, the platonic kind. But something just clicked one day. And we were crazy in love. BUT, that friendship foundation is completely what makes our relationship so strong...and so darn amazing. He is my best friend in the entire world. I can't imagine life without him...or our friendship. :)

Hopefully you made it through my gaggy post. I can't help it. I'm a sap. And I LOVE friendships!!!!

Mornings are my favorite

I am that girl.

Yes, I'm a morning person. 

Most would say I'm a bit on the bubbly side, but I'm especially (and annoyingly) chipper in the mornings. 

This can be frustrating for those who need a good hour and a couple cups of coffee to get going in the morning. I get several eye rolls when I happily say good morning to my co-workers. (What? I can't help that I skip and whistle as I enter the building...)

When Mr. Ruby and I first got married, my being a morning person took some getting used to for both of us. I mean, he sleeps until the last possible minute, stumbles out of bed, groggily gets ready, eats breakfast while still half asleep and grunts when I ask him questions. I however wake up every morning before my alarm goes off, jump out of bed immediately (I do NOT press snooze), shower, eat some breakfast and try to talk to my husband. It used to hurt my feelings when he would just look at me and not speak. I learned very quickly however that he was not ignoring me or giving me grunts for answers because he didn't love me...he honestly is not awake in the mornings. :)

This morning however, was a different story for me. 

I could NOT get out of bed. 

My alarm went off...twice. 

I stayed in bed for about 5 extra minutes.

I walked downstairs, looked in the mirror an realized I had sleep lines all over my face. (I still had them 2 hours later and didn't realize until a co-worker mentioned it).

Why was this morning so different? 

Because I had an amazing weekend. Hardly any sleep. LOTS of activity. Lots of sun. Even more fun. 

I have now realized, I am destined to stay home and play all day long. No more of this work business. (Sigh). I guess I'll just think of next weekend to get me through to Friday...

***A few pics from the weekend:

Biking 16 miles along the amazing Atlantic Coast

We were quite thirsty after our long bike ride...

Mr. Ruby playing Wii for the first time

I was quite good at bowling

Out of HIBERNATION

That's me!

I'm out of hibernation! It is officially spring, and the weather this weekend is going to prove it! 

Sorry I've been MIA this week...it's been crazy. I've had a ton going on at work and several events I had to attend. 

Before I tell you about my fun-filled weekend, I want to say HAPPY EARTH DAY! (Yes, I know,  a couple of days late). But, we celebrated by going to see Disney's Earth. 

It. was. amazing.

I totally and completely recommend it...as long as your an animal/nature lover. :) Mr. Ruby, if you're reading this, I would really like a baby elephant for our anniversary. Thank you.

Well, we have a jam-packed weekend full of SPRING activities. I seriously can't wait. There is going to be lots of:

My favorite summer drink: SANGRIA!

Sitting by our friend's firepit

Dusting off the bikes and riding along the East Bay Bike Path

And of course taking the dogs to a park for a PICNIC

You can't get much better than that. 

Stay tuned for actual photos from the weekend...

Sweet Caroline

There's nothing like it.

The Green Monster.

The history of the oldest Ball Park in the U.S.

Fenway Franks and $8.00 beers.

The crazy, crazy Boston fans.

The sound of Sweet Caroline echoing throughout all of Fenway...no, all of BOSTON during the 7th inning stretch.

Pure amazing-ness. 

We went to our first Red Sox game this weekend and had an absolute BLAST! I don't think I've ever met such FUN and loyal fans. Everyone cheered, sang, yelled for their favorite player...and the entire stadium busted out into one of the most coordinated waves I've ever seen. Such a great experience. Oh, and chaotic is an understatement when describing the overall atmosphere of Boston that day. Not only was there a Red Sox game, but the Celtics and the Bruins played as well. So we got to see Bostonians in all their glory. :) Sheer madness it was.

I can't wait to go again...

Mr. Ruby and I waiting an hour and a half to get into Boston Beer Works

Trying to beat the crowds...

Mr. Ruby hanging with the Green Monster

"So Good, So Good, So Good" - Bustin out Sweet Caroline

Jai Ho!

I must admit, I was a bit skeptical at first. 

I wondered how in the world one movie could win so many awards and really be that amazing. I finally caved and watched the most talked about movie - Slumdog Millionaire. Let's just say it lived up to its expectations. It was seriously SO good. Words can't even describe it. And I am obsessed with the little kids in the movie. 

I recommend it to everyone.

Oh, and I most definitely have a girl crush on Freida Pinto. I mean, she might seriously be the most gorgeous woman on the plant. No lie. 

Back in 2006, when I went through training for my job, I roomed with a girl from Mumbai India. Ever since then, I have been truly intrigued by the Indian culture. I learned SO much from her, and she inspired me to want to work harder at everything I do. I mean, this girl's work ethic was unbelievable. Oh, and she had the most beautiful pictures from back home. She had recently gotten married and had a true Indian wedding. I am DYING to attend an Indian wedding. They seem so fun, and I love the culture and COLORS of the clothing the women wear. My good bloggy friend Aliya over at The View from My Shoes had a Mehndi Ceremony. Go over and check out her wedding photos. I guarantee they will blow you away. 

Another highlight is the ever-growing popularity of Bollywood! My roommate from training had me watch a Bollywood movie, and I LOVED it (even though she had to interpret). The women and dancing were so magnificent!

I believe this scene was about two sisters fighting over the same man. 

Now, I just have to get into Indian food! Any suggestions for a beginner? (The smell of curry makes me gag a little.) I've heard such great things about it though...

Weiner Wednesday

Well, it's my FAVORITE time of the week again. 

I can't help but LOVE Wednesdays. I know I bring it up every single week, but Wednesdays just mean there's light at the end of the tunnel. And we have a FUN weekend planned!!! Going out with friends Friday night and then heading to Boston for dinner, drinks and a RED SOX game!!! Oh...and speaking of baseball...

Mr. Ruby and I joined a co-ed softball league. This may not seem like an interesting fact. However, neither he nor I have an athletic (or competitive) bone in our bodies...which most of our friends ARE athletic AND competitive. So, stay tuned to hear funny/horrifying stories from our softball games. 

Well, I don't have much time this evening. We started this new thing where we clean our entire house on Wednesdays...rather than saving the dirty work for the weekends. I'm in LOVE with our new gig. I can sleep IN on Saturdays rather than waking up to a messy house and spending the afternoon with a vacuum. 

So, I'm off to clean!

Gettin' Jiggy Wit It

I love it all. 

Modern.

Ballroom.

Swing.

Free stylin at a club...all night long. 

I seriously love every form of dance you could possibly imagine. It is all so beautiful and FUN TO WATCH AND DO!

I got a late start when it came to dance - I didn't start taking ballet, jazz and tap until middle school. But once I started...I couldn't STOP! I'm into anything and everything dance. I like watching dance competitions on ESPN. I would give up everything to go watch the New York City Ballet perform. I actually want to see River Dance - badly. Heck, I would even go to watch someone's little sister perform in a recital if it meant I got to see DANCE!

But most notably, I am willing to dance with anyone, anywhere, anytime. Really. I'm always the last one to leave the dance floor at weddings. I tend to create a "dance floor" in venues that don't actually have a dance floor. Sometimes, one can even catch me breaking down in the privacy of my own office at work...no lie.

Me... bustin a move with friends this weekend

But I must say, my absolute FAVORITE is dancing with Mr. Ruby. We have such a great time whether it's in the privacy in our own living room (ok, ok cheese alert...I know) or cuttin a rug at pal's wedding. And to think, it all started when we took ballroom dance classes together back in high school before we went to homecoming together. HAHA!

Mr. Ruby and I showing our moves at a wine and cheese festival

So, what's the reason for my dance fever and all this dance talk?

Because I am giddy with anticipation and counting down the days until So You Think You Can Dance begins. That's why. 

I literally have ants in my pants. I cannot WAIT for this show to begin. I'm counting down the days until May 31st!!!! This truly is the one and only show that I cannot live without. I have followed the show since the beginning - it has THE most amazing dancers/choreographers that I have ever seen. 

Even if you know nothing about dance or if you've never been interested...I promise you won't be let down. In fact, Mr. Ruby would be lying if he told you he didn't watch it. ;) Oh, and I've made a new friend who loves the show as much as I do. So, I'm hoping to have several watch parties AND go see them when the top 10 go on tour!!!

I leave you with two of the most amazing performances I have ever seen. I could watch them over and over. Oh, and believe me, I do. 

Happy Easter

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In is great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."

1 Peter 1:3

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the mend said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" 

"He is not here; he has risen!"

Luke 24: 1-6

Happy Easter Everyone! 

May you all eat lots of ham and find lots of goodies in your easter baskets. ;)

On my mind this rainy Saturday afternoon...

Today is one of those days.

A dreary, April showers kind of day. 

I've been feeling a bit under the weather (no pun intended) so today was a perfect day for some lazy time. 

I've accomplished absolutely nothing...and it feels so great! I took a three hour nap, went to get some Italian pastries for our Easter lunch tomorrow, and now I'm sitting on the couch with the hubs, the pups and my Mac. 

We're going out with some new pals tonight, and all I can think about is the sushi I'm going to eat. I seriously can't WAIT!!!

Is it weird that I eat so much wasabi...it makes me cry? I think I could eat it by the spoonful!

Hope you all are having a FABULOUS weekend. Hopefully I'll be back to normal tomorrow. :)

I'm Awkward...Again? Really?

Yep.

I'm awkward yet again. It never fails.

I conducted interviews on a college campus today. This time, I was the one being awkward...not the students.

I was super sleepy this morning, so I stopped by Dunkin Donuts to get an iced coffee. Bad idea. Remember my bladder issues? Well, I ignored my instinct and drank two bottles of water and downed a medium iced coffee. 

So, I made it through my first interview...no problem. Afterwards I thought to myself "I feel it coming on, I should probably go to the bathroom." Again, I ignored my instinct and thought that I would make it. 

Well, about 10 minutes into my interview, I started to squirm. Two minutes later, I started sweating. Three minutes later, I started tearing up. Fifteen minutes into the interview, I completely stopped listening to the poor girl and began praying that I would make it to the bathroom. I literally thought I was going to pass out. I think she noticed. How do I know this? Well, when I looked in the mirror in the bathroom, I was literally purple. 

Awkward Moment #1.

Then, I had another candidate - a very nice fellow, he was. I walked out to retrieve him and bring him into the interview room. Immediately, I went to shake his right hand...which was in a cast and sling. Awkward Moment #2. Then, he took his seat and I immediately noticed his ears. Normally, I try really hard not to notice physical "quirks" about candidates. But, he had major cauliflower ear...on both sides. I mean, it literally looked like two cauliflowers sticking out the side of his head. He had been a wrestler his whole life. I had to force myself the entire time to focus on his eyes. It was quite difficult. I think he totally caught me catching a glimpse of his cauliflowers though. Awkward Moment #3. 

***I did not make up the term "cauliflower ear" - it is a real condition!***

Finally, it was time for me to leave. I was sort of daydreaming and thanking the Lord for how beautiful it was outside. I realized as I was driving through the campus, multiple people were looking at me funny and/or glaring at me. Hmm. They must be jealous of my company's Camry. I noticed two huge groups of kids walking on a tour of the campus, and they too looked at me funny.

Oops. 

I realized I was going the wrong way on a one way. Awkward Moment #4.

Wednesday Funnies from a Career Fair

I am putting Weiner Wednesday on hold for today because I have a few recruiting sillies to share with you. 

Let me first start by saying that this economy saddens me deeply. I feel so awful for those who have lost their jobs, gotten pay cuts, or didn't receive a raise they deserved this year. I truly hope that all the unemployed find jobs soon!!!

However, I must comment that lately I have been shocked at the quality (or lack thereof) of candidates I have met at the various career fairs I've traveled to. You would think with the economy's vigorous downturn, there would be amazing talent oozing from every direction. Well, where are they? 

Don't get me wrong. We've interviewed and met several AMAZING individuals...and we've given offers to quite a few solid, going-to-be-successful, rock-star candidates. But as a whole, I haven't been too impressed with some candidates who've attended career fairs.

And just a friendly tidbit. Two very quick, very simple ways to at least appear to be interested in looking for a career...while attending a career fair:

WEAR A SUIT and HAVE A PERSONALITY.  

On a smilier note, today's fair included the following sillies that made me giggle:

1). The first young lad who approached us just stood in front of our booth. Once I realized he wasn't going to say anything, I extended a handshake and asked him what he was looking for. He was a junior looking for an internship, and I asked him for his resume. He looked at me like I just told him he won the lottery. He bent over, exclaimed "This is the first time I actually get to use this!", and spent about two minutes unlocking his brand new briefcase. I couldn't help but giggle...how cute!  

2). I have become a professional at spotting the "chronic freebie stealers". I literally can spot one from a mile away. Biggest way to blow your cover as a chronic freebie stealer: Carrying a large plastic bag busting at the seams. Well, I had one walking toward me. She asked if we had any auditor positions available...and before I could even answer, she squealed "What lovely pens you have!" Ha. Cover blown! Oh, and she had four 2-inch-long very course hairs dangling from her chin. Eww.  

3). I am all about fashion. Especially when men are in tune with good fashion. However, a student carrying a "man purse"??? I can understand a laptop case, a satchel...heck, even #1's 1985 briefcase...but NOT a man purse. This guy was walking around with a gray, patent leather adorable designer bag. 

4). I must say - one of my pet peeves is a "package deal". That is what I like to call those who approach employers in pairs or even small groups. If you are at a career fair, you should at least approach employers by yourself. Well, I had a "package deal" today. A guy and a girl...both of whom were very obnoxious. I was telling them about our positions when the guy said to me "Hey, you look familiar. I think I saw you at the networking event at the King's Inn!" I gave him an odd look. His girlfriend said, "John, that's a strip club". 

Let me be clear. It was NOT me whom he saw at a strip club. 

5). Finally, we had another "package deal". The girl was wearing the tightest leggings I've ever seen, a leopard-print top, patent leather shoes, her hair literally twisted into a bee-hive on the top of her head, and enough makeup for me to scrape off with a spoon. Need I say more?

Hello, my name is Awkward

Warning: I just want to apologize ahead of time to my male readers (i.e. my Dad, Step-Dad and Father-in-Law...), this post may be a tad bit on the racy side. Ok, maybe not racy...but I'm just warning you to read on at your own risk.

So, I pulled my groin muscle about a month ago (and no, that is not the racy part), and I had my first physical therapy appointment this morning. I was a little nervous because I've never gone to a PT before. I had to ask my much-more-athletic friend from work "What do I even wear to something like this? Can I just wear my suit since I have interviews afterwards?" After she laughed in my face, my friend told me to simply wear work out clothes. 

Well, this morning, I was rushing around to get to my appointment on time and realized that my laundry had been piling up and I had no clean underwear. Nothing. Ok, well, there was one pair. I found it at the bottom of my drawer...A red, lacy, racy thong. 

I thought to myself "Well, it's just physical therapy, it's not like they're going to see my undies." 

So, I slipped em' on and headed out the door. (After I put some pants on, of course). 

I arrived to my appointment and was called into a room. The PT asked me several questions and did some stretches. She then told me that it was time to add heat to my "injured area" and I would need to take my pants off in order to put on the heat patches. 

Crap. 

I thought to myself "Maybe she won't notice". 

So, I pulled down my pants about halfway, and snuck a peak just to see how bad it was. And there, staring up at both of us, was my BRIGHT RED SEXY thong. You couldn't avoid it. It was screaming for attention. The PT briefly glanced down and immediately looked away. 

It was one of those moments like when you're in a locker room at the gym and the old lady approaches you butt-naked and asks you something like, "Well, tell me about your summer dear..." And you have to force yourself not to look at her awkward, yet staring-you-right-in-the-face naked body.

Oh, and to make matters worse, my bare butt cheeks kept sticking to the white tissue paper on the medical table. (Sigh). 

All I can say is thank the good Lord it was a woman doctor...

Time for Hot Bod 2009

I mean it. 

For real this time.

I have to whip this body into shape. No more chicken burritos from On the Border. No more late-night Thin Mint ice cream binges. And especially no more multiple trips to the community candy jar at work. 

Call it a tad bit ambitious or maybe even unrealistic, but this is my ultimate goal:

Ok, maybe not. 

But I do have three weddings this summer AND Mr. Ruby and I are taking a vaca for our three year anniversary. I want to look smokin. ;)

Of course the first step in my Time-for-Hot-Bod-2009 process was to look at dresses for my upcoming weddings. This got me super pumped and ready to get into summer-bod mode!!! Next, I will be (gasp) looking at swimsuits...although I'm just not quite ready for that yet.

Decisions, Decisions! I can't make up my mind which dress I like the best. I LOVE purple and I LOVE black and white, but I also really dig bright colors. Heck, I like just about everything...as long as it's fun, feminine, frilly with a ton of class and a touch of sass. (Wow, that may have been the cheesiest thing I've ever said. Don't hold it against me). Please help me make up my mind. Again, I have three weddings to attend this summer...

Fun Times in the Middle-of-Nowhere, New York

Who knew?

In fact, my short recruiting trip to where-the-heck-are-we made me really, really homesick.

Why?

No, not the fact that we were in the middle of nowhere. But for the simple fact that everyone was just like my fellow Kansas folk.

People were (gasp) actually...happy. I saw lots of  smiling. People were chipper. They gave a reciprocal "hello". They even initiated several "hellos". By golly, someone even held a door open for me. I haven't experienced something like that in about 2 and a half years.

It was refreshing. And now, I really miss home. I miss the warm, welcoming and somehow-almost-always-happy people from the Midwest.

*Sidenote: I LOVE my friends in Rhode Island. They are amazing. However, I do not love the grumpy,negative,always-complaining,scowl-faced individuals who live here.

So, back to my trip.

I always like to experience the "local flavor" every time I travel. So, of course, for upstate New York...that meant visiting Wegmans. The most amazing grocery store ever.

Now, this may not sound super exciting, but let me tell you...Wegmans is an experience! For those of you who love a Whole Foods or Central Market, Wegmans is even more wonderful and somehow makes grocery shopping...cool! The displays are incredibly, and the food is delicious! And anyone who lives or has been to upstate New York knows that Wegmans is the place to be.

We got done with interviews a little early yesterday afternoon. So, we decided to take full advantage of the BEAUTIFUL weather. I haven't seen weather that nice in what seemed like decades. We drove to Beaver Lake Nature Center, and before we knew it...we had walked 5 miles! It put me in THE best mood because all the little squirrels and chipmunks were out...which can only mean one thing: It is springtime folks!

 

Other Sidenote: Speaking of squirrels...did you know that squirrels on the East Coast are gray? I have never seen a gray squirrel until I moved here. My home-squirrels are most definitely brown. Or, am I crazy?