Independence Day 2014

I would feel ungrateful if I didn't start off this post by saying thank you. Thank you to all of the men and women who sacrifice their lives every single day for my freedom. I know freedom isn't free and because of all of you who serve I have my feedom. God Bless America.

This year we decided to go to our town's Independence Day Festival. The headliner was the band Kansas. We ended up running into one of my many "Texas mom's". We ended up hanging out with her family the whole night and it was a blast.

After the fireworks Cody and I had a game plan to get to the car as fast as we could to beat traffic. We were almost to our car when we noticed a family with their car's hood up and distress written on their faces. Cody and I in unison asked if they needed a jump. They looked relieved and told us yes. We were in my car, but thanks to my wonderful dad I always have jumper cables in my car. We walked to my car drove through the maze of parked cars and Cody proceeded to jump the strangers car. 

Now I don't say this to toot my own horn, but the entire time I sat in the car I watched hundreds of people walk past us and no one said a word. Not one other person offered to  help. We weren't able to start their car, but we tried and that's more than the hundreds of other people can say. I'm glad that Cody and I were both raised in a way that helping others is a priority.

Let's remember the foundation of this beautiful country. God bless America.

The Texas Difference Part 1, Words and Phrases

There are quite a few words, foods, sayings I had never heard of before I moved to Texas.  So today I thought I would list a few with pictures and descriptions of what I thought they meant vs what they actually mean (in the south). This is the first of a two part series.

The first word I hear all the time was "fixin" (to).  What I thought it meant "to repair something that was broken" or "like bonus ingredients; such as a turkey with all the fixins"  Out here it means you intend to do something.  For example "I'm fixin to go the lake"  It is used constantly. It's known as the unofficial "official" verb of the state of Texas.


The next word that is equally used if not more than "fixin"  is "y'all".  I always thought it just meant "you all."  It was a just a shorter way to say it.  Eahh wrong.  It is literally used to describe two or more people.  In the north or at least in Utah we say "you guys." (But trust me it is used way more frequently than we use you guys) Out here it is definitely "y'all" or "all y'all." For example "How can I help y'all", or "y'all should come over for diner"  See grammar chat to the left.

The newest phrase I had never heard of is "you are a mess" I honestly thought it was an insult the first time I heard someone say it.  Now this one is a little hard to explain, but essentially it's a way of saying someone is funny or they make you laugh.  It is used frequently when someone tells a funny story or does something hilarious.

For my next word I have to explain how high ways out here work.  Here in the DFW area we have highways, freeways, and toll roads (tollways).  To me the first two are the same, but ask a true local and they'll explain the difference.  Anyways that isn't really the tricky part.  Out here next to almost every highway, freeway, and toll road is a service road, but it's not called a service road it is called an access road. It is marked as an access road.  (Your GPS will most likely call it a service road.)  Basically it is a road that runs parallel to the highways on both sides.  It has traffic lights and the speed limit is usually drastically slower than the highways, but in the case of toll roads it is free.  I had never dealt with tollways before we moved here.  If you don't know what a tollway is it is essentially how it sounds you pay a "toll" to drive on a certain freeway.  You drive under a camera and it takes a picture of your license plate and then sends you bill in the mail.

This is what a "toll station" looks like.  You just drive through it.

The final phrase I want to discuss is "bless your heart."  Honestly before I moved here I had never heard this phrase.  So I was clueless as to what it meant.  I now know that it's a tricky phrase to determine the meaning.  You see this phrase is basically a two (sometimes three) sided coin.  On one side it is the most genuine way you can show compassion to someone.  For example if someone is going through something traumatic or sad you would say, "(God) Bless your heart."  On the opposite end of the spectrum you can use this phrase as a complete insult.  For instance if someone is acting stupid or idiotic instead of blatantly telling them you would say, "bless your (little) heart."  Now the third one which I have only heard a handful of times is used in terms of happiness and congratulations.  In that case you would say, "bless your heart (,that's fantastic news)."

                                                                   

There you have it. The top words and phrases that I had never heard or misunderstood before I move to Texas last year.  I'm definitely not claiming to be an expert in the "southern language", but I'm learning and loving it.  Any Southerners or Texans that want to pipe in?  I would love to hear from you.  Stay tuned for part 2 "The Texas Difference Part 2, Food".

Visits From Friends

There is nothing I love more than visits from friends.  I love living here, but there's something about a having a piece of home in friend from that is just priceless. (I know that I have a lot of friends and family who very much wish they could come visit me. And I treasure you guys dearly too.) Some of my friends come specifically for me. (Yay) Some come to vacation and I get to spend some time with them. No matter how long I get to be with them, it never seems long enough. I love catching up about everything, reminiscing about our childhood, and everything else in between. I just want to share pictures of the friends that (so far) have stopped by to see me.

There really is just something about having someone take the time to come visit. I never really understood it until we moved out here. I seriously get all giddy knowing that people I know are nearby. Maybe it's because we don't have many friends,  but mostly I think it reminds me that there are people out there who still care about me even though I live all the way in Texas. And that is an amazing feeling. Basically what I'm getting at is, if we're even remotely friends and you're in the Dallas area get in contact with me. Trust me I want to see you!!! I would love to go to lunch or dinner or anything!! (Now I feel like I'm sounding desperate) Anyways, yay for friends!!!

Marissa's No Good, Very Bad Day

Have you ever read or at least heard of the book "Alexander and the Terrible, horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"? Well Thursday was basically like Alexander's. In a word it's been rough. A really hard day actually.  I kept telling myself it can only go up from here...but by the end of the day I wasn't even convinced.  I kept looking for the good and all I could think of was, " You can go for a run when you get off work." I hate complaining, but I just need a moment to vent.  Here's my day all lined up for you.

• I slept through my alarm
• Woke up an hour late
• Got ready, drove to work
• E gas light comes on
• Get to work (and it's like the universe knows I just woke up)
• First person I come in contact with, bam yells at me about parking
• Next person complains about whatever
• Try to help someone...do it wrong
• Try to help someone else they don't like the solution they're given
• So I get yelled at some more

Now honestly I don't want sympathy and I know not everyday is going to be horrible, but I feel very much defeated.  I know, I know, there are people out there that have it way harder than me and I accept that.  The only reason I'm even writing this is because 99.9% I love my job. So today is most definitely the exception to my rule of loving my job.  Cheers to better days ahead!  I love the quote "You had a bad day, you don't have a bad life"

Mental Health Awareness Month

Did you know May is National Mental Health Awareness Month?  Well it is.  Here are some myths and facts for ya'll.

 

 

Here are some more facts.

 

 

In one year

• 1 in 4 adults will experience some kind of mental illness
• 1 in 10 young people experience a period of major depression
• 1 in 20 Americans live with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

Other Facts

• 10 percent of children and adolescents in the United States suffer from mental illness
• Mental illness usually strikes individuals in the prime of their lives
• Treatments for mental illness today are highly effective between 70 and 90 percent of people have significant reduction of symptoms.

 

There are plenty of other facts that I could name off, but the most disheartening one is that the stigma of mental illness erodes the confidence that it really does exist.  People really are suffering from a legitimate disorder.  A disorder that is treatable and with the help of others people can live a normal fulfilled life. 

 

 With statics being the way they are there is a huge possibility that someone you love or care about is suffering.  They don't want you to know because they don't want to be judged and looked down on.  For that same reason they don't reach out for the help they so desperately need and that leads to scarier statics. 

 

I guess my point is that mental illness really does effect everyone.  Stop judging people for being different than you or having hard days.  Reach out to these people let them know that you are there for them. That it's ok to have bad days, but you will always be there for them.  You will always love them and care about them.  They need you.  Get educated and know how you can help.  Give them a light at the end of what seems like an endless tunnel.  Please, please, please DO NOT GIVE UP on them. 

 If you want to get educated on mental illnesses please visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/ or http://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/myths-facts/

 

 

 



The Proposal

OK, OK so I'm a very lucky girl.  As I said in my last post I am recently engaged. I still can't wrap my head around it!! Go ahead and read the post it gives all the juicy details about the proposal.  Anyways not only do I get to marry the man of my dreams, but we got the whole thing on video and professional pictures.  Boy oh boy he did good!!!  You can watch the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmQeCqo2wxM  I thought that maybe y'all would want to see some of the pictures too.  So here they are.

 

This is us with Kelly and Stephen at cocktail hour before the Gala.  I work with Kelly. (and love her) These two were the ones who took video of the entire proposal!! Thank you!! Thank you Kelly and Stephen!!

 

This is us dancing to Don't Stop Believing.  Which has been our song since we started dating.

 

This is Cody popping the question.

 

Everyone cheering for us.  This is just a very small section of people at the Gala.  I'm so grateful to be surrounded by so many people who were so happy and excited for us.

 

Cody giving me the ring.

 

Our first kiss as an engaged couple.

 

I may or may not of cried...a lot.

 

So there you have it my best friend and everything proposing to me and making sure that

 A) We had video and B) We had pictures!!

 

Cody you Rock and I love you SO much!!!

All Dolled Up

I found this quote a few weeks ago and it has been on my mind since I came acrossed it. It really stuck in my mind because people are constantly asking who I'm getting "all dressed up" for. Sure I could say Cody, but honestly I do it for me. I have a better day when I actually get ready.  I have a better attitude and an overall better perspective on life. Now don't get me wrong I don't believe that a skirt or a pair of shoes makes who I am for the day, but I think it helps with my attitude. Truth is I rarely wear mak-up, but I love selecting out each item of clothing for the day and pieces of jewelry.  Picking out an outfit,  and doing my hair helps me prepare for the day as a whole. I look good and feel good. It doesn't take any extra time to put together an adorable outfit. At least not for me. So go for it!!  Do it for yourself!!