Its that time of the year....

Ahh yes, it's Christmas time and what better way to celebrate than to post my Christmas list...haha. No, but really don't you just hate when family members ask you what you want and you have to repeat ur list or 1 item over and over and over again. No? Well, I do...haha. Now, my top 3 on my list has been the same for about 3 years now...I think that says that I'm kinda expensive lol. Expensive taste = a badass woman, right? haha Sooo, for comedy reasons, here's my top 3:

#1: A Macdaddy Laptop

#2: THE coach bag...From the madison collection, the Maggie *drools*

purple interior..sexy!

blue n brown combo...sexy!

#3: THE canon camera ANYONE who knows me KNOWS I love taking pictures

EOS Rebel T3 *drools*

From #4 on down, it's just the typical clothes, jewelry, gift cards, etc. In the end, I've come to terms with the fact that if I ever want the top 3 on my list, I'll have to marry rich.

All in all, Merry Christmas loves. Don't forget the true meanings of Christmas: Jesus, Family, and giving.

~Nina :-)

The ART of couponing.

This is, in NO way, coming from the side of my brain that is not as female as it should....then again, men are cheap so it could be right in between. Many people know me as the girl who uses coupons ALL THE TIME. So, why not share some tips :-) You're welcome.

SO, my all time fav place to shop with coupons: CVS. CVS has a program called the "Extra Care" program which basically is CVS money (called Extra Bucks) you get back on certain items in the ad for the week.

Here is an except from one of my fav blogs to go to for coupons...Southern Savers!

The Extracare system is a customer loyalty program like most grocery stores. You always have to show your extracare card to receive the benefits. The program does not save you money off normal prices however, what it does is reward you after your purchase with Extracare bucks that print on your receipt that you can then use on your very next purchase.
The products that will print the extracare bucks are listed in most CVS advertisements, and will say “free after ECB” or “get $2 ECB back after purchase”. It is using the extracare buck system that you will be “buying” everything at CVS for free.
How??
Here is a short shopping trip to try to explain it easier…
Go into CVS and buy 1 of the free after ECB items. (The first time you do this you will actually pay real money – so for the very first time it is technically not free but from here on it will be.)
This month you could go in and buy Listerine Smart Mouth Rinse @ $3.49
You pay $3.49 plus tax
On your receipt it will print an ECB for $3.49 that you can use on you very next trip.
You can even walk back to the tooth care isle grab another bottle walk up to the counter, hand them you next bottle and hand them your ECB from your last purchase. You might owe a penny depending on your state tax system… and on your receipt will print another ECB for the same $3.49. You can continue this cycle of handing them play money until you either reach you limit for the item or the cows come home if you keep grabbing free items.
I think you are now seeing how great this could be. But it gets better. Remember that coupon they emailed you when you signed up???
Let’s go back and re-pretend scenario #1 and this time you checked on our website and got prepared for the deals before you went. You walk in for your very first trip with multiple coupons in hand and a shopping list…
You buy:
2 Listerine Rinses
2 Oral B tooth brush packs
Total = 20.96
You have your CVS store coupon (from the email) for $4 off $20 and you have (2) $1.00 off Listerine coupons you printed
You pay 14.96 plus tax after all your coupons…(being your first trip you pay with real money)
It will print the full value of ECB on your receipt so you now have 20.96 in ECB!!! These ECB will be in the amounts totaling the different products so you will have one for $6.98 and one for $13.98. You can again use these right away if you like or they give you one month to use them before the expire.
Now with your $20.96 in ECB in hand you can go back in and buy 2 more of each of those items pay with you new CVS ECB’s and again at the end of that receipt it will print another $20.96!!!

Here are a few tips she gives as well!

A few tips:

• Make sure you always give them a $$/off $$$ (like the $4 off $20) coupon first before manufacturers coupons. In the example above had I used the manufacturers coupons first the total would have been less 20 dollars.
• Always have a list of exactly what is free, sometimes it is very specific items and you want to make sure you are getting the right things.
• If you are using a $4 off $20 or type of coupon like that make sure you have a few backup plans to hit your $20 in case your CVS is out of something.
• Take in a calculator to help you quickly add up your total to make sure you are going to have the right amount for you ECB’s to cover it.
• You need to always make sure that what you are buying is equal to your ECB’s or a little more (pennies). You can pay for $4 worth of items with $5 in ECB but you are losing money that way and don’t really want to do that. So find some filler items that you like, $1 disposable razors, a pack of gum… lots of options.

for more from her, visit http://www.southernsavers.com/

MY Tips:
-List out everything you want to get before you go so you make a 1 1/2 hr shopping trip into a 15-20 min. one
-ALWAYS have a back up plan...most CVS stores run out of the extra bucks stuff (cause of coupon ladies who purchase 50 of each thing), so make a plan B or even a C (you'll appreciate it in the store...but this will seriously take 15 minutes of your time at home)
-If they don't have what you want, get a rain check...they will put the amount of extra bucks you would have received as well, so you can get it at a later date WITH the CVS money

I'm pretty sure that sums up a CVS trip...if you need assistance, I'm an email away (n.ternate07@gmail.com) or FB me with your list or scenarios :-)

Who.I.Am.

I guess this should have been the very first post, but I think some of my readers don't know me personally and maybe are looking for a better understanding of me. Then there are some who are my friends on facebook that have never had a real conversation with me and some close friends who don't understand. So, here you go....and you're welcome.

List form is so much better sometimes...

-I'm not a girly girl...I don't get my nails done and my hurr did (I do my hair...most of the time..ha).
-I'd rather watch basketball than Housewives of whatever city their in
-If I could wear my sneakers to an interview, I'd wear them all day every day (No Jasmin, not when I'm sleeping too...lol)
-WHILE I'm not a girly girl...I do get dressed up every now and again
-My favorite thing to do is have deep, intelligent conversations
-I love helping people, even if it hurts me (bittersweet)
-At one of my jobs, I am the PA/Doctor/Psychiatrist/Office Associate aka the shiznit..HA /:)
-My favorite color is blue...fav combination is blue and brown
-I LOVE cuddling
-I regret nothing
-I fear God, love, and the dark
-I am the oldest of 3 girls and I DO NOT have a twin
-Need a Phlebotomist? I'm certified.
-When I do love, I love hard
-It's the simple things that matter the most to me; Spending time with me is the best thing anyone could give me
-I love babies...kids in general, really
-I hate fake friends, liars, and broken promises
-Nothing urks me more than a white girls that acts black...NOTHING
-I HATE drama...most girls too...they go hand n hand
-Every guy I see sagging their pants to the point I see their draws...I wanna pull them up n duck tape suspenders...JUST sayin
-My favorite quote is the last part of a larger quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson "To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded"
-I lost one of my best friends, now my guardian angel, on March 13, 2008. Care to know about him? I'll tell you everything
-I have more patience and tolerance than most people
-Reality TV has gotten the best of me
-I am not usual in any way...I am one in a trillion
-My Grandmother, my Mom, Oprah, and Angelina Jolie all inspire me to be a better me
-I WILL be somebody.
-I am probably the weirdest and craziest smart person you will ever meet

That's me :-)

My thoughts on Men

Oh yes...be scared. As much as I can't stand being around girls, I think men are worse....but I'm BFFs with the punks. I know, it makes NO sense, but hey who said everything in life needed to make sense, right?

Men are liars, hoes, cheaters, manipulators, dumb...the list goes on. I am not forgetting females...but this post is not about us. Let's take this step by step...

Liars: Maybe it's for a good cause...the lying...SIKE. If ANYONE can tell me when it's a good time to lie, let me know...most of the time it's to get ahead with men...whether it's to bang the hot chick or to get rid of an annoying one. While us females CAN be emotional...do not spare the feelings. We'll thank you later on...just tell the truth. Otherwise, yes it most certainly will bite you in the ass later. Been there, done that.

Hoes: I KNOW females are too, but again...it's about then men in this one. I truly think at some point in every man's life, it's all about the number. Not necessarily wanting a girl, but just how many you can bang in a certain time frame. Completely ridiculous and unnecessary...no need to take into consideration any feelings the girl WILL get.

Cheaters: I've heard it time and time again talking with my beloved asshole guy friends. "I did it cause I didn't want to lose her, but the other chick was hot" "I wanted to see if i could get away with it" Pure excitement it seems to me. Do me and every girl out there a favor and take your excitement out on wrestling, sky diving, riding a motorcycle. It pisses me off when I hear it, cause it comes out of the most unsuspecting men...tsk, tsk. Again, do me a favor and break up with me before you even think about cheating...so I can find a man who is worth my time.

Manipulators: You know, the guy who seems into you and gets you with his charm and swag...then drops you when he gets what he wants..whether it's an appearance with you, makin an ex jelly, sex/ a nut, money, etc. You can even call this one shallow...cause he puts no ones feelings into consideration.

Dumb: I honestly don't think any man will learn their lesson when it comes to 'screwin up'. Letting a good woman go, because you screwed up...but you won't learn from your mistakes cause it'll happen all over again. I've heard story after story dealing with it...just plain dumb. Maybe keep a journal and figure out what you're doin wrong...get feedback...thus is the key to a successful relationship with a GOOD WOMAN (hoes are not included).

Well here's a little venting for the night...I love my guy friends, dearly...but most are asses...which is why I wouldn't date any of em. I'm sorry to the women they hurt and all the stories I've heard about y'all. I try to knock some sense into their big heads, but there's just so much I can do.

SN: I do know plenty of good guys who get hurt by hoes...but that's another story for another day :-)

Drama.

So starting off, let me say a lot has changed since I wrote last. Look for a possibly update post later on (hopefully tomorrow). All in all, I think I've grown, but I still hate most females.

Moving on....

I THOUGHT drama was the root of most issues with FEMALES...little did I know, plenty of BOYS haven't grown their balls and wanna cause drama too. Who knew they to the "he said, she said" crap as well. I guess when talking to any human (who knows, if we talked dog, they'd probably have drama too) you are bound to run into the drama. Drama at the work place, drama with the bf/gf, drama at home, etc...can we ever escape it? Here's what I have to say about it: SUCK IT! I am sick of people trying to bring me down with the bull...crying and complaining about every little thing. Wouldn't you agree? Honestly, I do expect some drama from the females, but to the "so called men" out there...GROW a pair and get over it.

((phew)) I feel better.

"It's not Mine, so it's not responsibility"

One of the most important things (in my mind) on this Earth, are children. I melt when I hear a child's laugh, I want to cry when I hear a child cry....they are the most innocent beings and seeing life through their eyes is truly how we should be living our lives every day.

Now that I got that little piece of adivce off my chest, this goes back a few years when I was kinda dating (I don't necessarily call it dating because it wasn't anything serious or official). Of course, I'd have deep convos (as I do with everyone I meet) with the prospects and one guy in particular brought up something I'd never thought about. Women with children...he said he would never marry a woman who had a child. When asked why, he replied, cause it wasn't his responsibility to take care of some other man's kid. Let's just say, he wasn't someone I'd like to date. I mean really? It's not your responsibility? It's a deal breaker if she has a kid? Not like it's a good thing, but PLENTY of females these days have kids. Was it a stupid move? Maybe...it depends on the female, BUT it should never come down to it not being your responsibility. If anything, you should want to prove that you're better than the father who left and/or be there for the female under any circumstances.

I think it also goes for the other way around...not that it is seen a lot but if a male has a kid and the mother isn't there...it shouldn't be a deal breaker either.

ALSO, I could see it another way: Possibly he sees it as a milestone that he wants to experience together. having the first child, not knowing what to do, etc. I can honestly say that I do see that; however, if you go to the mall with a girl and then you go to the mall with another girl...is it really the same experience both times? Ok, not a great comparison, but you get my point, right? The experience is not going to be the same every time.

As I'm finishing up here, I got off the phone and thought of a great topic tomorrow: being a closed book. I also realized I open  tomorrow sooooo it's bedtime... gnight all. :-)

Hmm.

This will be short...

Today while I was working...being bored...I overheard an older woman telling her, well, life story through some thin walls. To make a long story short, she and her husband married at 16. They were together for 40-somethin years and in his sixties, the husband wanted a divorce. When asked was she mad at him for wanting a divorce, and her response (in an old lady voice mind you) was "No, cause you can't make someone love you.." Maybe it's just my hormones, but I got a little teary eyed. Then she continued by saying "I am a Christian woman, and the only guaranteed love is the love from God"...powerful or powerful y'all?? It's crazy to think about...after all those years, he still wanted a divorce...so he fell out of love with her...or maybe he just grew to love her then fell out of love. No matter what, God won't ask for a divorce.

Have a good day tomorrow...it's almost Friday!

Why yes I am a genius

**RANT WARNING**

I am a VERY driven person. But I'm also very impatient at being the successful person I know I am going to be. As of right now, I have an Associates in Arts and Sciences, a Certificate in General Studies, a Completed Phlebotomy program (clinicals pending), 2 part time jobs where I am well respected, AND juggling a long distance relationship (so far so good). While I have all of that under my belt, in my mind, I'm no where. If I had my way and I could afford it, I'd be finishing up my Master's degree this summer, but I'm not that priviledged. So, I'm taking the longer way around, and it's constantly pissing me off and screwing me over which sets me back even more. I am honestly trying to keep an open mind and my head high...doing breathing exercises, but a person can only go through so much....ugh.

**RANT END**


Just a few things I thought about this weekend...

I can say that I am somewhat well rounded....actually no I can't...with my friends anyways. (Sorry guys)...Most of my friends are old.....-er than me...haha. So I don't necessarily know what they're talking about most of the time. By that time, I take mental notes and research it later...yes, I know, my nerd/genius is showing. However, I could tell you about the Godfather, Lethal Weapon (all), Rocky, etc. etc....action, guy crap. On the other hand, I've never seen Sleep somethin in Seattle, Breakfast at Tiffanys etc. etc. Now, I will be honest and say I still am a girl and I still have that week every month where chick flicks are the best thing on this Earth, but I'd much rather go to the movies and watch an action movie than a chick flick. I would much rather play basketball than go shopping at the mall. I could spit out NBA stats like it's part of my degree (football and baseball are not that amazing...no joke)...On the other hand I couldn't tell you for the life of me how to do a french manicure, when Brad Pitt/Justin Timberlake/'s birthday is (is it bad I just listed old guys? Can you tell I don't keep up with this stuff?) I guess in the end, this may be why I like hanging out with guys more....we've got a lot in common...(personality-wise)

Nerds/Geniuses are pretty weird if you ask me. They can be smart as hell, but messy. For example, not gunna lie, I know I am a smart cookie...nerd is kinda pushing it, but we'll say I'm a nerd right now. Anyways, I am SO OCD...a huge perfectionist, definitely; however, my desk is a MESS...on the upside, I know EXACTLY where everything is. Weird, right? Next weird thing...if i don't know something that is mentioned by someone I'm having a conversation with, I take a mental note and eventually put it in a notepad on my phone to research later...ask me about it so you can see it....definite nerd status. In a way, I think everyone should do it as you continue to learn and grow in knowledge....you don;t know how amazing it feels to win an educated battle or participate in an educated conversation. With this you have acheived greatness...haha.

So on a side note, I do feel a little better than when I started this post with my rant...but it's still marinating...pray for me this week...it'd be much appreciated ;-)

Have no fear, LOVE is here.

Glad to be back! I've been going through a whirlwind of stress and I coped with it by sleeping it off, keeping myself busy, and avoiding the writing about it deal...needless to say, it doesn't work..ha. So here I am!

This however, isn't necessarily about stress. I was supposed to write this on Valentine's day but I was too pissy...(another story altogether).

I'm gunna get a little mushy...female style cause I think it's a great topic and it's what females (ALL females) do and look forward to: love.

Where do I even start? I believe most people want it...badly. But many are scared by it...as was I. Love is one of the most powerful emotions a human can feel...it was my #1 fear....hands down. In part, I believe it had to do with my experiences with friends. Before the weirdo I'm with now, I hadn't had a boyfriend. While all my friends were out with their boyfriends (or partners...) I was at home, studying, watching tv, being a sheltered nerd. I hated to have those talks with friends about break ups and what not...I was always there to cheer them up or talk about everything...thus I learned from them, but I also built walls to let no one in. I didn't want to hurt like them...and it made me hate the idea of having a boyfriend just to break up when I truly become emotionally attached.

I started my first relationship when I was 19 and it was the BEST feeling in the world to have someone other than close friends and family care about you and WANT to be with you. Just a tad update on that relationship: we're still chuggin along ;-)

Nonetheless when he told me for the first time he loved me and I knew he meant it, my fears of love was lifted. In the end I realized you can't live in fear...you gotta take risks, take chances. If it doesn't work out, it just makes you stronger. Of course, everyone fears having a broken heart, but you cannot live in fear.

In the end, cherish love, do not fear it, embrace it. Love with everything you have...

A few quotes that I love:
--"We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."
--"To love is like to love -- all the reason is against it, and all healthy instince for it."
--"Love is patient; love is kind; it does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud. It is not rude it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always hopes, always perserveres. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Love never fails." -I Corinthians 13:4-8

To be continued...

FEMALES

Imma start off by saying, with this post, I think I may prove to my readers that I truly am NOT a typical female...

There are SO many things that frustrate me when it comes to females. I know plenty of them...but associate myself with very few. Here are a few frustrations....

1) DRAMA: Sometimes I think we start arguments with our boyfriends/husbands JUST to argue. Sorry, but that's drama and it's unnecessary. I don't know how many conversations I have had with some of my guy friends who tell the stupidest arguments they and their girlfriends have. She got mad cause I didn't tell her I was going to play basketball...she got mad cause I didn't say good morning...she got mad cause I left the toilet seat up...omg...C'MON...seriously? Is it that hard to just let things go? Do you NEED to know where he is every second of the day? Why does he have to say good morning? It's not a crime to leave the toilet seat up! Don't you look down before you sit on the seat? It's probably why relationships don't last long...because of arguments over stupid crap like that.

2) GETTING READY: Is it REALLY necessary to take 2 hours + to get ready? I could understand if it was your wedding day...obviously there's a lot of fabric to lift and shift to go to the potty etc. etc. But really, throw on clothes, brush the hair, shower. BAM...25 minutes tops. Trying on hundreds of outfits before choosing? Unnecessary.

3) LOOKIN' LIKE A STAR BUT YOU BROKE: It goes for all races...females that walk into a grocery store with the latest purse, hair done, mani and pedi, designer shoes and clothes...driving away in a Jaguar....on EBT with $700 left on it. Really?...where are the investigators when you need them...this by far frustrates me the most.
Stepping away for a sec...I was bagging an order for a lady with a nice expensive purse...maybe some shoes and a nice jacket to go with it...not recalling at the moment...anyways, the cashier said "How will you be paying?" The lady said, "Free."..........................................Next subject...#)@*$*#^%*)

4) MAKE UP: Let me start off by saying...some females do pull it off...they are gorgeous; however, if God wanted you to put on make up, you would've been born with it on...some may argue you would've been born with clothes on too if God wanted you to wear them...but that's beside the point. In my eyes, no woman needs make up..you are who you are...live with it. Don't hide behind the make up...some look like a hot mess with all the make up on...omg. Can't stand make up....there's just something about putting whale blubber on my lips that seems wrong....

I think that's all I have for now...what made me think of this topic? Travel to Raleigh and you'll know... :-)

You're cut off

So there's this show that's on VH1 and it's called "You're cut off". Basically, some rich chicks move to some cottage and they don't have any of their money, cars, clothes, etc. When they first arrived, they had probably 5 bags each...they had to condense all of their crap into one small bag. You should've seen them...with their nails done and 12 pairs of shoes...they were pissed. Ultimately, their parents cut them off from all of their luxuries that they pay for and they going through 'rich girl rehab'. It's HILARIOUS at times, but hopefully these chicks get the ultimate reality check.
Could you imagine how different our lives would be...first off if we were rich..ha! But if you cut yourself off from all your luxuries for even a week?! Their rehab program is 2 months (I believe), but imagine...no cell..NO FACEBOOK (whaaat?)...no car...no email...instead, you'd have to send a letter, walk to the grocery store, and actually visit someone, instead of webcams. We've become so dependent on machines, it's ridiculous. At times, I just imagine what life would be like if everything shut off.
I think in a way, it'd be fun to just chill with people without cell phones, computers, cars and just play board games, talk (everyone knows I'd LOVE this...ha) and bond without all the electronic crap.
So nonetheless, I think it'd be a great reality check for recent generations to not rely on computers so much...actually learn how to do a math problem the long way and THEN use a calculator.
Sorry (I think) that it's so short, but my little venting for the night...hopefully I fulfilled your literature reading for the day :-) Work in the am...holler

Odds n' ends...and Logan

Tonight I was going to be all girly and talk about love...my frustrations and excitement about it, but I'm gunna ponder on it a little more for a few days (also when I'm not as tired as I am now), so I guess for the males out there...you get a pass for the night.

Again, being tired, no fun pictures, but I'll make it up to y'all soon :-)

You know what I did kind of revisit today...and might I mention it was a surprise it occurred to me again, but I believe I'm too nice. Now, to ease some minds, this has nothing to do with my job...I feel like I am well respect there and love the people I work with. With that being said, it's in the rest of my life. Stepping out of my way to help others is second nature to me, but I am realizing there is the thin line of being taken advantage of. I do realize I need to learn to say no and to become a...well, adult? Not sure if that's the right word, but we'll go with that since half of my brain is up. I tend to smile and laugh so much, because it's who I am, but also I feel like I am not taken seriously some times...so, (and no I'm not going full throttle biatch) I think changes are necessary. I guarantee however, that it'll be small changes no one will even know ;-)...but I will.

Am I intimidating? I don't feel like I am, but I was told that I was today...ummm....what?

So, I have a quote book that I started when my friend from high school, Logan, died. he was my right hand man when it came to deep convos...the two of us would go all night talking until one of us would literally fall asleep. We started looking up quotes and saved those that would make us think and we'd talk about them for hours (nerds, yes, I know). My book has about 15 pages full of quotes, but my last entry was in September. In a way, I feel like I am losing touch with Logan as that's how I stay connected with him. I could honestly go for hours searching for the best quotes and selecting which would make it to my book. As another goal of mine this year, I want to complete my first book...but by that I mean having 'me' time. As most of you know I am constantly moving...always doing something. My me time is sleeping at this point, and to me that's an issue. So I want to try and search for a few quotes each day and complete it.

Straying from my quote book...Logan was an odd fellow. We were in the same middle school and knew of each other, but didn't talk until 9th grade. We had Earth Science (gag) together and we had assigned seats, but our teacher would have us pick a number out of a hat and you get how it worked. Anyways, it changed every 9 weeks and the second nine weeks I picked #1 and Logan picked #2...thus a friendship started. We found out we both were obsessed with the movie Aladdin and we LOVED to draw. During boring lectures, we'd listen to Aladdin songs on his mp3 and doddle . When the end of the 9 weeks were up, we were a little bummed we weren't gunna sit next to each other anymore. We drew numbers and oddly enough I drew #1 and Logan....#2. We remained tight until senior year...havin deep convos, hangin out, etc.

As college started a small group of us decided we should have little reunions when we came back on breaks to catch up. It was spring semester and we were all coming back for break and our reunion was scheduled for Thursday at CiCi's. I talked to Logan the Wednesday before (he went to an art college in GA) to make sure he was still coming...everything was set up, but he asked to switch it to Friday so he'd be sure to come. We sent some texts and Friday it was...the last thing he said to me was "Thanks, Nina. You're the best"...he died Thursday March 13, 2008.

I got the call in the morning when my best friend at the time called and said "Did you hear about Logan?" I said Logan who? He said "Your Logan..." I said no what? He proceeded to tell me he was in a car accident right outside of VA. I sat down, in the doorway of my room...shocked...confused...motionless for what seemed like hours. I couldn't get up...I didn't even want to.

Needless to say our reunion didn't happen...the memorial was set for that Sunday, the day I had to go back to school. I went....bawled the hardest I had bawled ever. That week, I was almost mute...I shut down and didn't want anyone in.

It got better to deal with until his birthday, April 22, came along. He would NEVER let me forget every year that he was exactly 12 days older than me. Every year around this time (Feb-May), I start to miss his quirky ways (he wore an actual fork as a bracelet), and art. I don't cry as much...more so, pray and tell him to send signs. His song was "Don't Stop Believin'" and it's always a sign to me when it comes on the radio.

Losing a close friend definitely changes your life forever...and I'm a truly luck to have had such a friend like Logan.

Rest in Peace my friend <3

Not So Typical Day

So, here's my side note: This will not be for the sensitive reader, nor the sensitive stomach reader. My day was far from a typical day in Nina world. So brace yourself, as what I'm about to describe may not be so pleasant.

Today I went in to take a Pharmacology quiz about parental ways to take drugs (LEGAL ones) at noon. So I walk into the school and call my professor to say that I was at school. He proceeds to tell me he's in the autopsy room...come and watch. Ummmm....WHAT? I didn't sign up for that!

So I said ummm...and he said where are you? Well we met up and he said he'd be done at one so I told him I'd go study for a while until 1.

I started to leave then said, noooo I'll wait till 1:05...so I did..ha. And went to knock on the door and to my surprise, a student opens the door and I'm greeted by the lovely smell of formaldehyde...now let me side track for a sec...

Formaldehyde is a preservative to um...keep organs and such fresh after the animal or whatever passes. I've experienced it when I dissected the frog (twice), cat, and fetal pig...each time, I had to step out cause of the smell. Don't even ask me what it smells like, cause I can't even describe it except...it smells like death.

Now, here I am in the door and everyone is telling me to come in and look...soo what do I do? I go in (mind you I am NOT one to give in to peer pressure...ever.) I must say though, it was quite an experience.

(NO this is not what it looked like) I came in just in time to see the skull opened and the brain in a silver bowl. Everyone told me the brain was heavy and it looks like all the pictures of brains you've seen...squishy and slimy. Anyways, you could see all the of lobes, nerves, fat, etc. perfectly...you could even see the spinal cord in the skull. It was quite an experience. We were going over how you could get shot in the head and survive and where would be the better spots, I guess.

You could also see the female's shoulders peeking out of the blanket and it looked fake...every looked completely fake until the juices...ha. He was explaining something and I felt a little light headed, so I excused myself for a sec to answer a text, sat down, drank some water, and went back in. By that time, they uncovered the other part of the body where her abdomen was open and the kidney and liver was out and you could see the fat, etc. I looked over to see the face...it looked as if she was asleep.

After I looked at all of that, and looking at the clock I hinted that I wanted to take the quiz that I was there for in the first place. So I took it (AND passed), but the rest of the day my clothes smelled like formaldehyde so I sat in my 3 hours nutrition class a little queasy, but I made it.

Am I scarred? No not really. It was an experience...I could definitely live without the smell, but it's like putting all of my learning to the test, which made it kind of...fun (nerd showing I know).

Nonetheless, let me get off here...I work at 6AM...Laterz.

Love IS love-Gay, Straight, ANYTHING

So, in a way, this is an add on to the marriage post buuuut kinda not. But first, let me ramble...

I definitely do my best thinking before bed...it's kinda like pillow talk, but by myself (wow, like that doesn't sound like I'm alone...ha). You can ask any of my friends and my best advice and deeper convos are at night...and I'm now publicly apologizing to those few who I keep up for hours at a time talking about deep stuff...ending at 3am. Nonetheless, appreciate it, cause you don't know when you'll get it out of me again. But lucky for you lovely blog readers of mine, you get a real look about who I am as I thinker.

Tonight, however, I've got something on the brain...

Honestly, my brain doesn't usually look like this, but it's what brings my topic about. (I put a picture by request...)

Anyways, as I have said before, I am a Roman Catholic. As I told someone before, if I go to church and don't get the bread AND wine, I feel incomplete like I got nothing at all. However, I'm a Catholic with a twist. I believe in my God, I believe in asking for forgiveness, I believe He always has my back, but do I believe that someone will go to Hell if they are homosexual?...not so much anymore, because Love is Love. I see like this: So many people I have talked to have said they tried to fight being homosexual. I believe them because I think society still isn't used to it yet, myself included. They aren't going anywhere. My point is I truly believe God knows what you're going to do and ultimately your fate before it all happens; therefore, God made homosexuals. They didn't chose to be...I'm sure if they had a choice to be straight or gay, most WOULD PROBABLY chose straight...being supposedly normal...not different. He loves everyone, and I don't think he sees it as a problem.

Ok, so I do love Him with everything in me, but I do not want this post to be simply about what God thinks, because I'm not Him, so that was my 2 cents about it.

This may be like pointing out the obvious, but I'm not gay. I don't know how it feels to be gay...I'm pretty sure it's a scary feeling as far as how others may view you, but WHO CARES. You are who you are, and if you can't be who you are in front of the people around you, leave them in the dust and find people who will accept you. Be PROUD to be gay, straight, bi, etc. You aren't living life fully until you are comfortable in your own skin. You aren't truly who you are until you come to terms with it. Now I DID say in my earlier post that I was uncomfortable seeing homosexuals in public...holding hands, kissing, etc...but in the end, who cares about what I think! If I were gay and loved my partner, I would want the world to know that I was in love and was proud of it. I wouldn't want to be scared to go out and hold hands in the grocery store...isn't that what heterosexual couples do??? Why can't I??

As far as marriage goes, in the end, you can't help who you love...but let's be real, please stick to the same species...no donkey, giraffe, or cat marriages. Love is truly a powerful emotion, and once you have the chance to experience it, it's the best. Be who you are, homosexuals and heterosexuals alike.

Finally, many see being gay as a curse or kind of like 'why me?'...truly we should be saying 'why not me?' Honestly, I see it as a blessing in disguise. He gave you a gift...you have the chance to open others eyes to the true meaning of love. It's the BEST feeling in the world to love and be loved...everyone should feel it. Homosexuals ARE people too. Love has no race, or gender...love is just love.

So honestly, get out there and prove to the world that you have every right to be open to who you love, show your affection, and if they don't like it, to Hell with them...you're not goin anywhere.

Comments?? Hit me up on Facebook via inbox :-)

Basketball

I miss playing basketball. I think in a way, basketball was my therapy when I played. I didn't have a care in the world about what was going on in my life...it was all about making my 3's...yes I did and still can make a 3. I remember starting in 3rd grade...just coming off of cheerleading for football (yes, I was a cheerleader). I was the tallest out there...center was my first position ever. Who knew years later I wouldn't be a 5, but a 1 or 2...(in other words not a center, but a point guard or shooting guard) Everyone caught up with my growth spurt in elementary school. I grew into my legs, and figured out how to make the perfect assist up the court...ahh I miss those days...
Anyways, I've been challenged so many times by my bf (who knew I'd find another bball junkie AND a guy who really can challenge me at a 3-pointer)..I think it's time I lace the sneaks back up. I may be rusty right now, but in a few short months, I'll be able to stomp all over his Dallas lovin' behind. (GO SPURS!)
So my challenge to you, my love (if you're reading this...prolly not), around our 2nd anniversary of being together, let's have a 3-pointer challenge...may the best female win ;-)

I'll update this...whenever he reads it ;-)

Marriage

Another lovely feature about females that I possess is the fact that I have dreamed and planned out my wedding a thousand times over since I was in middle school. To this day, I have kept to the same color pallet (NO I'm not putting it on here so someone can steal it!...though if you know me, it's kind of obvious), however the groom has changed quite a bit...lol. Nonetheless, plenty of females dream about their wedding day and how marriage will be. Growing up, marriage was between a male and a female, loving each other till death due them part......yea about that.
Growing up, (not gunna lie) I was a secluded little one, so when I found out there was such thing as a "gay person" it blew my mind...like what, they all of a sudden appeared? NOW governments are allowing civil marriages?? Hellooooo definitely mind blowing. Again, growing up, I was (and proudly am) a Roman Catholic. Marriages are a man and a woman, no divorcing, no babies before marriage, no sex before marriage, etc. For a long time, I agreed with it all, but my outlook has definitely changed.
It wasn't until I hit college that I realized there are a lot of gay people in the world, but one thing I failed to realize was they are capable of loving and being loved as well. Now, I'm not gunna lie, seeing a couple of the same sex together does make me feel a tad uncomfortable, but when I DO see these couples, they seem like they're more in love than heterosexual couples. I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of my homosexual friends and to think that they aren't allowed to marry the person they love really does break my heart. How are they supposedly destroying the meaning of marriage when we have marriages that last freakin' hours??
I look at it like this: The definition of marriage to me means "The union of two people, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life", but the first definition that comes up when searched is this: "the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)"...WTF. Since when was divorce part of the marriage lifestyle...oh we love each other...oh we're getting married....oh I'm too lazy to work through things...oh it's divorce time. The true meaning of marriage is definitely loving someone no matter what...being with that person TIL DEATH DO YOU PART...no oh I'm tired of you I'm gunna go sleep with another hoe, etc. etc. In the end, WE AS HETEROSEXUAL marriages are destroying the true meaning of being married. But why is this??
In my opinion, Americans are lazy and greedy. Period. Done. End of story. We are too lazy to work through problems by COMMUNICATING, putting forth the effort and nurturing a relationship needs. Instead, we get caught up in the fast paced life we live as Americans and forget about family, love, and happiness. I completely understand other circumstances such as abusive marriages and what not...my advice, get out. But if honestly, if you haven't tried everything to save the marriage, don't end it...you got married for a reason, right?
Now with everything being said, I still cannot wait for my wedding day and marriage in general. Being able to give your all to one person for the rest of your life and get it back in return...I'm sure is the best feeling in the world.

Patience and control and an update

One of the BEST qualities to have in life (in my opinion) is patience. I believe it takes a strong person to be patient and without a doubt, I am thankful God has given me such a gift; otherwise, I don't think I'd be as level headed as I am. I am surprisingly patient at my job, dealing with others and children, and people do open up to me as a result. I love hearing stories and what others are going through. I don't have a big mouth, so I do feel honored sometimes when friends and random strangers pour their hearts out to me or even tell me the most random things ever. Now I do have to put this out there...there ARE some aspects of my life that I have NO patience whatsoever in...examples include: waiting for a phone call (yes someone is targeted here...ha), school, red lights, food, and sometimes...customers. Let's be real, I talk to plenty of people every day at my job...whether they're in a rush, slow (NO not retarded), difficult, happy as can be, or just plain rude. My favs (surprisingly) are the rude customers, because honestly I just laugh it all off in the end...I may cuss 'em out a few times over in my head...but that's not the point. To me, I look at it like this: They had a bad day, they're annoyed, whatever...but they're taking it out on me because I'm in the crossfire...I did nothing wrong (or maybe I did...by smiling??), but in the end I AM THE BETTER PERSON, because I'm not letting my emotions get the best of me and take it out on an innocent bystander. Control is also another trait a lot of individuals do not have a grasp of. Human emotion is a powerful thing, but being able to control it, it is then that you succeed. Talking it through helps (as I've learned)...hey maybe I should be a psychologist...I should get paid for my advice dang it!
Update: So you know how yesterday I said a few things about my boyfriend not showing his emotions on a few things we do? Well, I told him I started a blog and gave him the link...I said you should read it sometime (HINTING maybe he should read it)...his response was It was taking too long to load so I left it alone. So basically that means he will never look at this; therefore, I can blast him all I want...ha! I wouldn't do that...though it makes an interesting read.

Anyways, I'm sitting here on my Nutrition book and my butt is getting numb, soooo I think that means it's time to lay down. Espanol manana...oh yea and that tarea! Laterz..

Just a little rant before bed :-)

One thing I know about myself, for sure is that I could care less if someone feels the same way I do in terms of my problems. Every now and again, it does feel good for someone to say "yea, me too!" but in the end I just want answers. I don't usually chose the people I talk to about my problem based on them relating to me, but rather someone who will give me insight on what the heck to do (MOST of the time). Don't get me wrong, I am very self sufficient with my problems, but sometimes it's fun to not do the thinking for once :-)

Anyways, why I'm writing is not because of the previous paragraph (pre-ranting I guess...ha!), but because of a certain male. Let me start off by saying I LOVE my male friends (I also love my handful of female friends too, but this post isn't about yall). I can probably go for hours talking about females (and other males for a select few) with my male friends; things they do, things they don't do, etc. They put it ALL out there and most of the time, pour their hearts out. Now, while I am happy to be that person they confide in, WHY can't my boyfriend tell me how he 'feels'?! I have the HARDEST time reading his feelings (in anything...not so much me...thankfully), so I have to pry which ultimately becomes the 20 questions game. It's always, "I don't care" or "What ever you want". Now, I know most females would LOVE hearing this, but it pisses ME off. I WANT you to care and it's NOT what ever I want, cause if you're miserable and it IS what I want, you'll make me miserable with you! Perhaps I just make things difficult because I don't just want my way, I want our way. However, being with me for almost 2 years, wouldn't you think he'd catch on by now? Nonetheless, I do give him his props for dealing with such a "not so typical" female, but I would LOVE to not have to play 20 questions.....

comments??

Anyways, going to bed...work sometime tomorrow :-)

Explanation

So, here's the deal. I've been told I'm not your typical female in terms of thinking or being. One of the reasons I believe that is true because I cannot STAND being around females 90% of the time. I hate (yes, I'm using the word) drama and females are full of it. Now, I'm sure I've had a share of drama, but I can't change it cause it's in my female make up. I can prevent the overload by stepping away from most of it-hence, not being around females. I do have a lovely handful of females I get along with just fine, but I get along with guys a lot better.
Anyways, (see the rant paragraph...sorry) this is my way of getting things off my chest, talking (to myself most of the time) so I don't let my emotions get the best of me (drama). So, what you'll see here are my views on issues, my daily crap I go through, etc. My favorite topic is probably going to be the topic of love (I could go on for years...believe me). I am a hopeless romantic...one of the very few things I embrace having a female mind :-) So I hope you enjoy my posts...leave comments if you want me to talk about something (being serious...not like monkeys flying or something) or leave comments just because! So, here it goes....