Let's get political

Since when did people start thinking the only part of a beauty pageant where a contestant is judged is the questions?

I think it's great that finally, FINALLY, people are paying attention to what these contestants are saying. It's great that it's not ALL about how someone looks.

But, I have to wonder: Are we going to have to deal with a sore loser controversy everytime someone comes in runner up in a beauty pageant?

I didn't see Carrie Prejean live, but after seeing the headlines all over the news, I finally Googled and YouTubed the controversy. From my opinion, she didn't actually answer the question she was asked.


I did see the Miss USA question and answer portion of the show, and while at first I didn't think Miss Oklahoma fully answered the question, the more I watched it last night on TV, the more I realize she actually did. However, the woman who won Miss USA, answered her question very well, too.

Now, the news headlines are saying Miss Oklahoma is saying her answer lost her the crown. Guess what? Since you are being judged on it, then it is quite possible it cost you the crown, but there are other things you are being judged on in this competition. You can always provide a very neutral, peace-keeping answer if you are so afraid of it costing you a win, or you can say what you believe, and be proud of yourself for doing so.

I say what I believe all the time. And sometimes, someone has jumped down my throat for it. But, I know I am a nice, tender-hearted person and I know that I am not going to hurt anyone with my beliefs.

If you want to make a judgment for yourselves, YouTube it.

Reading

Growing up, I LOVED reading. Spelling came very easily to me, as did reading. (I even won the first grade spelling bee!). The early days of Girl Sunday's reading history included:

• the Little House on the Prairie series
• the Babysitters Club series
• anything and everything Judy Blume
• and whatever else I could get my hands on that sounded fun

Then, this thing called junior high school happened to me. We had to read books from a list, most of which I couldn't find a book I really, really liked. And when I admitted that in a reading journal, my eigth grade English teacher felt like we needed to have a come to Jesus about it. I am not exaggerating. I told her I didn't like the reading list and I read so much in my early days, I'm having trouble finding books of interest to me. See, I was always very mature for my age, but that didn't mean I was ready for the mature books. Or the thousand page books. In junior high, we also had to read so many pages of book per nine weeks. This was not my reading style whatsoever. The highlights of my junior high reading career were:

• in seventh grade, I was allowed to include short stories from magazines as my "pages", so I read up the teen magazines' short stories
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• The Outsiders

On to high school ... in tenth grade, our English teacher had the class create our reading list. Everyone was to ask a friend and a relative (or something like that) about a good book, and then put their recommendation on their list. Then, we compiled our lists into one big one, from which we could choose books. By eleventh and twelfth grades, we didn't do too much outside reading. I chose to read (and enjoyed):

• Gone With the Wind
• Scarlett
• The House on Mango Street
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Pride and Prejudice

In my spare time, I discovered some grown up Judy Blume - Forever and Summer Sisters.

In college, I was a political science major and I minored in history. Y'all, I know I have said this a million times, but unless you are/were a poli sci/history student, you probably will not understand what that does to your desire to read a book for fun. All I read in college was history and philosophy and theory and politics and government, government, government. It was a great day when Glamour or Cosmo came in the mail!

A couple of years post-college, I got into reading again, and my favorites are:

• Tori Spelling books (sTORI Telling, Mommywood)
• Celia Rivenbark books (there are quite a few and very hilarious - and Southern!)
• Chelsea Handler (even though she's mean to my girl Tori, you can't help but laugh at Chelsea's stories)
• Eat, Pray, Love
• Strong Women, Soft Hearts and Better than my Dreams by Paula Rhineheart (these are devotional books and I LOVE them!)

I have also started reading books I never got a chance to at other times in my life, like Go Ask Alice. I read two more adult Judy Blume books, Smart Women and Wifey. Usually, when I'm bored, I like to peruse Target's book section or Barnes and Noble's clearance and history sections. I have a reader's advantage card with B&N and it is AMAZING. Totally worth the $25-ish if you are a book junkie like me. Also, Amazon is a favorite place to get books.

My current reading list has been a lot of childbirth books and an Emily Post biography that I am still wading through, five months after I started it!

Update

Been to the beach. Destin, to be exact, with a side trip to Panama City (Margaritaville!) and a side trip to Grayton Beach (Red Bar! And art galleries!). Broke my lent buying lots of shoes and a few needed accessories (silver chains, floppy hat, visors) and one unneeded accessory (a rhinestone toe ring).


Became officially single. I’m happy that it’s officially over, but sad that it’s actually over. The Boyfriend and I had four good years together. It’s a shame he doesn’t think of himself as the marrying kind, because he and I worked spledidly together (for the most part, let’s just say it was as close to my dreams as reality would allow). But I have to remind myself if we were to get married, there was no chance of me having a baby. Ever. And as much as being a parent means more to me than raising a child from the newborn stage, I would be lying if I said I didn’t ever want that. I can make my peace with not ever having a newborn, but I would be wrong to not try to give myself that opportunity. Also, he would have had to deal with what it means to him to be married, and to him, that’s not a good thing. So, I no longer have two stepsons. And I no longer have six cats. And I no longer have a boyfriend to help make my house feel ike home.

I have been to Auburn quite a few times. Okay, I’ve basically lived in Auburn the past month and been to Birmingham only to work, host a baby shower, and celebrate my birthday.

I have spent time with a certain old neighbor who crossed me back in August. It was a good few hours. Just like old times. And then he’s acting strange again. Oh, well.

I have met another person. Not that it’s going to go anywhere, but at least I have taken the first couple of steps towards moving on again.

I have dyed my hair, mostly normal old black, but this time I got a little crazy and put some purple in there.

I have gotten inked again. Picasso’s Blue Dove on my left shoulder. Got my peace dove and my nod to art all in one. And while I’m on the subject, let me recommend Aaron at Aerochild in Birmingham. He did a great job, I took it “like a man” in the sense that I barely winced, but let’s be honest here – women can really take the pain, so I actually took it like a woman! The tattoo was only red just after getting it, and I never bruised or felt discomfort as it healed. It hardly itched, as well, which was a huge relief.

I have been accepted to massage school, and will begin on Monday. Another check in the box for me taking control of my life and moving forward.

I have started a new medicine that isn’t actually fixing all my problems, like we thought it might.

And finally, I have pretty much decided to go ahead and move into my mom’s house while I finish massage school and get the townhome rented out. I love the townhome, but it’s really big and lonely without The Boyfriend and his half of the cats. If I was really ready to let it go, it would be going on the market for sale. So, never say never, but it seems like it’s time to end the era of living alone. We shall see what God has in store. :)

I'm not as old as I thought, but not as young as I used to be

So, I went to the Black Eyed Peas concert a couple of weeks ago. Before I even started asking people if they wanted to go with me, I was getting the "I don't like the Black Eyed Peas" vibe. That made me kind of nervous that I wouldn't have a date, but I stayed confident and threw it out there I was going until one of my friends (yay, Debbie!) admitted she liked them as well AND she wanted to go to the concert.

We feared we would be the oldest people there (not including parents taking their children), but it turns out there was nothing to fear. Not only were we not the oldest, we were also not the youngest. I also noticed a couple, where the boyfriend was definitely older than mine, and the girlfriend was SO MUCH younger than me. This is significant because it makes mine and my boyfriend's age difference seem really low. (And it only seems really high when I tell people how old he actually is. And how young I really am.). Anyway, that couple could have been father and daughter, but they were a little too cozy to be related, in my opinion.

On to the show ... HOW EXCITING! Well, after I had to sit through LMFAO (entertaining) and Ludacris (vulgar). I was THAT person - taking pictures constantly with my BlackBerry. They actually turned out pretty well. I don't think I've mentioned it here, but I have a HUGE crush on Taboo. He's got an interesting look, but when I actually fell in crush was when I was watching the Grammy nomination show and I saw him stand up and clap for the Jonas Brothers (and everyone else who performed, that I could tell). What a good sport! Now, the Jonas Brothers don't appeal to me, but I'm not a musician and I'm not a performer, so what do I really know?

Back to the show ... they played a LOT of songs, and the show was awesome. I think Debbie liked that they actually had instruments, as opposed to a record player. I also liked that instead of taking a break all together, they took turns doing some solo stuff - Fergie did some from her solo album, Will.I.Am did some DJ-ing, Taboo rode around in the air on a motorcycle, and Appl.De.App ... I forgot. I'm just getting to be familiar with his work and the show was a couple of weeks ago.

Maybe if I hadn't been trying to get a good picture the whole time, I would remember more. :)

They're the only show I've been to that I actually got up and danced a little. Very. Big. Deal.

They announced there would be an after party at 1120. I seriously considered going, until I got in the car, got Debbie dropped off, and realized the Space-man probably would not be up for joining me. And I realized it was about midnight and I wasn't up for driving the whole 2 miles there, parking, dealing with the club people, and fighting the sleepies. I opted for getting into bed and passing out, which worked out just fine.

By the way, do not waste your money on the big cup of frozen tropical drinks if you're drinking alcohol. They put the same amount in the small ones as the big ones. Ergo, the smaller ones have a higher alcohol ratio.

The Million Dollar Question

Down here in the South, it's safe to assume someone is conservative. It's just one of those things that goes hand in hand with being Southern. However, as you know from reading about me, not everyone is conservative down here. But, there are varying degrees of conservative that are rather tricky to guage what is okay to talk about and what isn't.

One of those things for me is my tattoo.

What had happened was ... when I was turning 18, I decided I wanted to be all badass and get a tattoo as soon as possible upon turning 18. At the time, I was in lust with this tattoo-covered, Johnny Depp looking, server at Friday's. So, duh!, I talked tattoos with him. You might be surprised at his words of advice, but he told me to wait until I turned 19 (because in Jefferson County you had to be 19 to get a tattoo) and go to a decent place.

What I got from that was people who are very serious about their tattoos and desire to become licensed tattoo artists are sticklers for the rules, when it comes to tattoos. (Everything else is another story.)

So, I waited a few months until I got down to Auburn and went with my roommate (before she started freaking me out) to get a tattoo. She got a piercing, I got inked. Three little black hearts, on the back of my hip.

First, let me say it is not that big of a deal. It took all of 30 seconds to complete. I was ecstatic about it for a few months. And then it began to fade from memory.

Now, remember, y'all, just because something fades from memory doesn't mean it fades from existence.

So, years ago, when I began babysitting again, and I was asked why I drew hearts on my back, I didn't know what the child was talking about at first. And I really didn't know what to say, so I told them the truth: it was a tattoo. Luckily, all the parents were okay with it.

Now, imagine my confusion, when years later, I am visiting some of the same children again and they ask why my tattoo hasn't come off yet.

Oh, the joys of today that can be washed off in the shower tomorrow.

We explained that my tattoo is of the permanent persuasion, as opposed to the kind that children get all the time these days. And I told my little story about being safe at the tattoo parlor - you know, make sure they're licensed and reputable and you're legal.

It's not that I'm ashamed of it. I thought long and hard about that tattoo and it was a really big deal to me at the time, so there's no regrets on my part. I just thought it would be well hidden when I don't want it seen and easily accessible (i.e. all I do is lift my shirt a little in the back to show it) when someone wants to see it. Little did I know that sometimes, when you're babysitting, your shirt rides up a little. Like when two little ones are sitting in your lap and you're reading them a story with their big sister sitting behind you and you have to reach around the kids to hold the book and turn the pages. And being the obervant child she should be, has to ask:

"What's on your back?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why did you draw hearts on your back?"

"I don't know."

I was found out again Thursday night.

And, y'all, I just really didn't know what to say. I don't want the reputation as the tattoo-d babysitter. It's not scary, big, sacriligious, or any other bad word you can think of. It's small. And it's hearts. And it's usually covered up.

When I got home, though, I began to ponder my stance on tattoos. I'm artsy, they're artsy, so it is fitting that I have at least one. The thing is, I've been pondering another. On my foot.

I decided that one must wait.

While tattoos were really popular in the 90's, piercings also gained in popularity. It seems likely that more of my peers had piercings than tattoos. The thing about piercings, though, is you can take out the jewelry, and, usually, the hole will grow back in.

Which brings me to ...

How will my children feel about me having a tattoo? Will other parents be wary of letting their children play with my children?

And lastly, will I let my children get a tattoo?

And the answer is: when they are 16 or 17, if they want a tattoo, and it's legal with my permission, I will take them to get one. As long as it is done safely, legally, and tastefully, they may get one. And if they want more than one, they have to wait at least a couple of years. I think it's important to ponder a tattoo for a LONG time so you don't end up covered in ink by the time you're 20 and then get into the so-called real world, looking for a teaching job, and get turned down because you look like a bad influence.

Just what I've been wanting to write about

Gotta love Kelly's Korner for giving me a reason to post about makeup and hair.

First, I have to plug Cindy Crawford's Basic Face. I know this book is over 10 years old, but this is how I actually learned to put on makeup. I haven't always followed the rules, but it's a great resource when I'm in a rut or I'm having trouble getting something to look right. Every person learning to use makeup should have a copy.

Second, what I write about here is what works for me. I encourage everyone to get to their nearest Sephora or Ulta and play around with what works for them. Have fun, be daring, and, ultimately, go with what you're comfortable with.

I wear Bare Escentuals makeup for my base and cheeks (although sometimes a cream blush is the only way to go!). It's easy to use, easy to work with, and it looks good. (My favorite thing about wearing it? I look younger. And, trust me, without it, I tend to look older than I am.)

I like to have fun with my eyes. Since high school, nude (and sometimes black) eyeshadow and black eyeliner have been a staple for me. A few years ago, I began throwing purple into the mix. I have hazel eyes, and they used to look more green, but lately, they've been more brown. I use the purple to try to bring out the green.

I love the Kat Von D Rock n Roll eyeshadow pallette at Sephora. It has white, champagne, purple and black eyeshadows in it.

Cover Girl's Purple Pop eyeshadow rocks! Go light for a hint of purple, go heavy for intense color. It also pairs well with Clinique's Sugarberry, which may be discontinued. (I just found it, unused, in my treasure box of makeup.)

I got Bare Minerals Extreme Malachite, Perlite, and Pyrite around Christmas and they are glittery neutrals, if you're into adding a touch of sparkle when the occasion calls. It's a more grown-up glitter, so you don't look like you're a thirty year old who still thinks they're fifteen. Or twelve.

No eye makeup can be complete without eyeliner. This is usually my main source of color for my eyes. If I use colored eyeshadow, I stick with the same color eyeliner. But when I put a nude shade of eyeshadow on, I like to change the color of eyeliner, for a subtle burst of color. My favorites? Sephora Flashy Green (a teal, for when I'm in a peacock mood), and Sephora Turquoise, Glitter Black, and Glitter Purple in the Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner line.

Don't forget the mascara!

For lips, I like to keep it light. I rarely wear lipstick. Usually, I stick to gloss. I got Bare Minerals Strawberry Cream in a kit a month or so ago and I LOVE it! A little bit of color, but nothing dramatic (since that's what I do with my eyes).

Nail polish? I like to alternate between French pink (save money by avoiding the French pedi/mani and just go with the pink - it lasts longer, goes with everything, and is very classy) and Black. (If you can't tell, I like a little edge in my look. It makes me feel not so boring.)

And while I'm on the subject of nails, don't get acrylics (or gels) (or fake nails of any kind)! They harbor germs, ruin your natural nails, and are really expensive. Go to the drug store and get some Sally Hansen Hard as Nails. Use it liberally to revitalize your natural nails and when they regain their strength, use it once a week. It's so good, I've been told by a manicurist to quit talking about it 'cause I'd ruin her business. Surely she was half joking, but she was also a little serious.

What I have learned over the past couple of years is brushes make the difference! I don't use all my brushes like I am supposed to, but I have found what works for me. I believe what makes makeup so much fun for me is creating my own look. So, go to the drustore and pick up some cheap brushes. Cindy Crawford advises to go for paint brushes because they're cheaper than actual makeup brushes. My experience is go to the drugstore makeup brushes first because that is where the cheapest ones are. THEN when you find what you love and if you want something more expensive, compare prices on paintbrushes and department store makeup brand brushes. Paintbrushes get expensive, too. The cheaper ones are cheap, but the nicer ones get pretty pricey (also if you choose to go this route, check Hobby Lobby's ad for when paintbrushes are 50% off).

Moving on to hair...

Products - Pantene makes an anti-frizz serum/product that works wonders for the humid Alabama Summers and Falls. Love it!

Hairspray is a must for big hair :)

My latest favorite product is Jonathan's Spray Dirt and Silky Dirt. I love it for that messy, bed-head, rock star look. Be warned: it doesn't take a lot of this to get the look AND it can make your hair look really greasy, so avoid the top of your head (go in, at the roots, underneath).

Tools - I have a big, round brush that I sometimes use for blowdrying, and I have a small round brush that I use for teasing.

Bump-its are fun to use for play, but the look got really popular for a while, so sometimes it seems a bit cliche. What I got from my Bump-its kit, though, is a primer on how to tease my hair. Another love it!

And, of course, a girl's gotta have her blowdryer, flat iron, and hot rollers.

And what fun would looking all glam be without some perfume?

My favorites are:

Chanel "Chance"
and

Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Things "Noir"

Back in the saddle

I did not start off 2009 with the intention of not working. It just kind of happened. I was sick, taking care of grandparents, going to the doctor, having medical tests and surgery, recovering from surgery, and deciding to move to Auburn (which got put on the backburner now because I have more work to do in Birmingham).

What's that word I wrote? WORK. Yes, I have started working again. Kind of. I have a babysitting job lined up for Thursdays and I started volunteering at the 1917 Clinic again.

What did I do before the great hiatus? I worked and volunteered.

I don't see myself going back into bartending any time soon. Personally, I don't think I'm the greatest bartender. Yes, I'm very conscientous and of course I pay attention to my customers. I just get a little self conscious when I have a lot of people needing drinks at one time, which makes me feel kind of slow. But, never say never. If a happy hour job opened up in Auburn, I'd be there in a heartbeat. After the Thursday night gig is over, of course. (I do stick to my commitments.)

I might be going back to school to get certified in massage therapy. I see myself doing that more than I see myself doing real estate. I've learned a lot in Real Estate school, but I really don't want to focus on sales and I've gotten some discouraging responses when I tell people I am leaning towards property management. (It basically boils down to a lot of work with little pay, which to me translates as less time to volunteer.)

So, what's up with this volunteering thing I keep mentioning? I got involved with the 1917 Clinic as a sexual health and HIV educator in 2006. I lead workshops, answer questions at outreach events, and test people for HIV. I still fill in in those areas when needed, but right now I am putting in a couple of hours every week as a volunteer to coordinate all that stuff I just mentioned. Honestly, this is my dream job. It's embarassing to explain what I do to some people, and to others I totally avoid it (saying it has to do with public health when I have to say what I do). I figure the more I work with the organization, the more experience I get, which will eventually help me get a paying job doing that kind of work. Plus, the people are really nice and appreciative. It feels good to feel welcome and needed in something you're good at.

Babysitting is the next best thing to being a parent for me, which is also my dream job. I'm just good at taking care of other people.

So, it feels good to be getting back out there and creating some routine.