blabs. i'm so bad.

I've been such a bad blogger this week. I haven't given ya'll anything to read or look at except goals. But I promise I have great things in store and that I am working my brain off on great projects. And I know, I know I haven't even started this month's design challenge. But I will this weekend. Swear.

Here's to insane weeks...

And so you can have something to look at...



Taken at the Georgia Aquarium. Not too shabby from my camera phone, no?

blabs. Happy New Year!

I already talked about My New Year but now it's the real New Year and I couldn't be more excited! I'm leaving for Atlanta in a little over 3 hours! Hopefully, traffic and weather will be good and I will make it there before midnight. And any snow that wants to come can hold off till I'm there and not driving in it. Hello! Florida girl here. But just in case... I have my sweater boots on and ready for it.



So everywhere you look there is "The Best of 2009" so here's mine...

Ten Things that Rocked My World in 2009.

~Getting a tattoo with my cousin and bestie.
~Vacation to Tennessee.
~Graduation.
~Cruise to Bahamas.
~Starting Project Management program.
~Launching my website
~Reconnecting with old friends through Facebook and Myspace.
~Every moment I spent with family and friends.
~Meeting new friends via blogging and Twitter.
~Learning more about myself and what I love to do.

I can't wait to Rock 2010. And it's going to be rung in just the right way...

What are your plans?

Talk to you next year! Be safe.

blabs. just because.

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man.....yeah you know how it goes.

It's also the weekend before Christmas and I haven't began my shopping!!!! AHHHHH!

Now I'll leave you with this...



...because I wish I looked that cool shopping.

Found it on Zazzle.

blabs. my new year.

I'm a little early but it's on my mind right now. I'm thinking about what the year as brought me and how things can change in a single instant. This weekend will actually be a year since my "New Year" began. I have been faced with so much. Heartache, emotional roller coasters, soul searching, fear, happiness, travel, friendships, accomplishments. It has been a year like no other. I have learned about myself and what life really means to me and what I want to do. I am still on that journey and I plan to continue to enjoy it. It's been a selfish year. And that's ok. Because you must know yourself and be true to yourself in order to be true to others and be able to give.

As for that "things can change in an instant" thing. Isn't it funny how one minute you can be completely down on your luck and blue and wondering if you will ever find what you are looking for and then the next, well to be honest, completely...ummmm...smitten. Definitely didn't expect that. Can't wait to see what else is in store. And definitely can't wait till the real New Year. In Atlanta.

Happy New Year!

P.S. GO GATORS!

blabs. cruel universe.

Ummm, where exactly did November go? Better yet where exactly did the year go!? Thanksgiving is next week, really? Oh well, bring on the food! (Just keep the calories please.)

I think the universe said "Amanda, you had way too much fun last week so this week you shall be miserable with a cough and cold and on top of that you have to work and do your finals through it all. Not to mention an ATM will steal your money and give you the wrong card back" Well I'm saying to the universe. "BRING IT ON!"

No people, I can not make this stuff up. This is really how my week went. But I'm still alive and now I will revel in a marvelous weekend with New Moon (yes I'm one of those) and celebrating Bernei's birthday at Harmonious Monks.

What are your plans for this weekend? Perhaps you will get your Edward and Bella fix like me?

blabs. bahamas recap.

Well, I originally intended to give a play by play on twitter during my vacation. However, lack of service threw that out the window. It was kinda of nice to have a technology detox. No laptop, no cell phone, heck I didn't even know what time it was most of the time.

Needless to say the Bahamas are absolutely amazing. So gorgeous and serene.

We boarded the ship around 12:30 on Monday and had a few drinks. We set sail about 4:30 and it sure was rocking...literally it was rocking. The seas were outrageous. But no sea sickness for me. Can't say the same for Ashley and Shawn though.

Tuesday morning we woke up in CocoCay. Royal Caribbean's private island. Can you say stunning????



And we met some friends along the way...



Just look at that water! We even had a sting ray swim right past us.



The next was spent in Nassau which is equally gorgeous. I ended up spending most of the day alone due a not so funny for my situation but hilarious for everyone else. Yep, I wrecked a scooter. Go ahead laugh it up. I'm not though! Anyways, I took the ferry over to Atlantis and finally got over my anxiety attack when I saw the architecture. Ah-maz-ing!











The aquarium at Atlantis was sooo pretty.







Thursday we were at sea all day at joined some of the festivities on board like Men's Sexy Leg Contest, Women's Bicep Contest, the Casino (totally lost my butt!), Bingo (the same guy won 3 out of 4 games. NOT. FAIR.) and we went to the most hilarious adult comedy act ever! So much fun.

The staff was fantastic! And the food...Oh I think I ate a month's worth of food. It was always at your fingertips and somehow I never felt full. I even tried escargot...and liked it! We ate in the Dining Room every night and Tuesday night was formal night so we got all dolled up.

Our room attendant made us a monkey and a bat. Here's the monkey...



Did I mention we had fun??? I'm ready to go back. Like. Now!

blabs. vacation style.

Eeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkk. 3 days till we set sail to the Bahamas! I can hardly contain myself. The excitement is just too much! hehe But I think I will manage.

Don't worry though just because I'm on vacation doesn't mean the blog will be. I have few posts scheduled for your entertainment. And of course I will be posting some of my awesome adventures on here and twitter (if your not following, shame on you.)

I'm not taking my lap-top ( I know, right) so I will definitely be going through Internet withdrawals. But at least I have my cell to get my Twitter and Mobile Blogging fix. I would go completely nuts if I didn't have some form of technology.

There seems to be some other things I wanted to blab about but all things cruise related keep popping to mind. Hmmmm. O'well.

Oh yeah don't forget to comment here with a word to inspire me for this month's design challenge.

Bon Voyage!

blabs.

It is no secret that I love handbags and it is no secret that I love the beach. So it should be no surprise to you that I fell completely head over heels in love with Seabags. These bags are absolutely great. They use recycled sails and turn them into lovely eco friendly designs that look great on your shoulder. Starting at $95.00 for a small handbag, this will def be on my Christmas list. ::cough, cough:: Mom ::cough, cough::


Just look at it. Must. Have.

Ok, enough gushing. I have to give a shout out to my bestie, Ashley. She will be celebrating her 26th birthday tomorrow. And in good taste too. Cheesecake Factory here we come. mmmm.

17 days till we set sail to the Bahamas! This weekends goal: To find a dress for the Captain's dinner. Oh my how that Seabag would be perfect for the cruise! Don't know if I can wait till Christmas. ::sigh::

Have a good weekend!

blabs.

It's been a happy week. My mom went on vacation to Pennsylvania so I have been house sitting. It has been nice. Just me and my girl Roxy. Which, by the way, it was Roxy's second birthday yesterday. I treated her to some doggy friendly ice cream. She enjoyed every bit of it.



Speaking of vacations. I am counting down the days till mine. 24 days till I can say Bon Voyage! Bahamas here I come!

Business wise, I finished up a logo design and business cards that I will be revealing soon. I've also been working on all the giveaway prizes. They are turning out oh so lovely. And I love seeing my designs in print. It make everything look so much better.

Earlier this week I came across the most amazing photographer. Clark Little. I am just absolutely blow away by his images. Stunning. I just can't get enough.



Not a whole lot planned for this weekend and I am completely happy with that. Gonna catch the Gator game and go to the Callahan Fair, that's about it. Maybe I can cash in on that rain check that I promised the couch last weekend. That would be nice. You know, because the couch misses me.

blabs.

blabs. A little me time. A little release in this hectic world. A little way for me to come back to reality. Some days I may have a million things to say and some days I might be speechless.

This week has been a whirlwind of emotions for me. The relief of the launch of my website. The excitement of meeting such wonderful people on my blog. {Thanks dearly for leaving comments. They all made me smile.} The exhaustion of juggling two jobs and school. The fear of failure and the pure happiness I felt going through it all. I realized this week that this is my calling in life, at least for now. And with that realization I am going full force and not stopping. I WILL succeed.

This weekend I will be helping my "bestie" with her son's birthday party. Shane just turned one and he is such a little cutie. A handful but a cutie. Ashley has been making awesome decorations for what seems like forever now. Last weekend was her step daughters thirteenth birthday party and she also did the most amazing pink, yellow and zebra decorations ever! As fun as parties are I will sure be glad when I can do a little relaxing. Maybe Sunday...Maybe.

I hope everyone has a good weekend and thank you so much for making this week special. Keep watching out for new things to come and don't forget about the two giveaways that are still going on.