The Fancy Version of Twinkie Filling

For some reason, I was reluctant to tell everyone here on the blog what I was doing this weekend, but now that the day has come and gone, I feel like I can talk about it.  

On Friday I took a little drive to California so that I could attend the Marine Corps Ball in Disneyland with a friend.  It rained and snowed my entire drive. I kept looking out into the distance hoping that the sky would calm down, but this is what I kept seeing....

It really didn't look promising, but as I was driving into the LA area, I looked out my window and saw the most beautiful sunset. I almost didn't mind the awful traffic. That is how gorgeous it was...It made me wonder if maybe I should make SoCal my new home.

Nah too much traffic....And the lines between the regular lanes and the car pool lane are seriously belligerent.  Do you really need four solid yellow lines and a white line to put the fear of god into people who dare cross it?

  The actual ball was quite the experience.  I had an idea of what the ceremony was like, but it was very cool to actually get to see it. Sort of. The table I was at was a little bit far away from the action, but I still knew what was going on and it was just a neat thing to be able to be a part of.  My date happened to be in the ceremony, so I was able to sit at the table by myself and socialize with the other Marines. Of course, I could talk all day so it wasn't so bad.

I won't lie, a part of the reason I was excited about going to this ball was getting the chance to buy a formal gown...After looking for a couple of days while I was home for Drill, we fell upon this lovely dress in a small dress shop in Sandy, Utah.  This dress isn't something I normally would have chosen, but I love it.  Hopefully I'll find more occasions to wear it.

For reals, guys, I even got my nails done. That doesn't ever happen.

My date was very sweet and looked quite dashing in his Alphas if I do say so myself.  I was sort of a bad blogger and didn't take too many pictures of the ball its self, but I at least took one of us at dinner.  The lighting in the ball room give us this lovely washed out look...So great. 

And check out the iPhone camera quality.......not. Please pardon the boobage or lack thereof, I suppose I should say.

Dinner was actually quite good, although dessert was thoroughly disappointing. My date liked it, but most of us at the table speculated about what it actually was half of the night. We concluded that it was the fanciest Hostess filling from Twinkies. Possibly made with coconut milk? Not so delicious, my friends...

My date wasn't really a fan of the dance floor, but I didn't let that stop me. By the end of the night I made enough friends that I felt I could head out there and dance anyway. Maybe it wasn't the most polite thing in the world, but my date was working the room and I wasn't going to just sit there bored and underage...unallowed to partake of the fruit of the vine.  Besides, it was so much fun and beyond hilarious watching all these druken and overly-confident Marines bust a move on the dance floor. I'm really glad I didn't have to miss out on that.

Overall, I had a pretty awesome weekend. It was truly an awesome experience. I am always up for new adventures and this definitely was one Now I'm back at school and thinking about all of the things I have expertly procrastinated and feeling super stressed out! Yay for procrastination...no...

So, Imma jam out to this lovely song on repeat for the rest of the evening and pretend that I'm doing homework. I suppose, in theory I'm working on my writing skills by blogging...but that is just me lying to myself so I feel like I'm actually being productive or some shit. I'm not.

I'm a Square Peg

Veteran's Day.

I suppose today is a good day to reflect on my service in the military so far.

I, like so many others, found myself sitting across from a Marine Corps recruiter one fateful day in April. I stared down at these little tags that they make you put in order of importance to you and I felt...peace. I felt as if I was in the right place for the first time in my life.

I sat there thinking about myself and what he was telling me that I would have to be able to do. He explained what boot camp would be like and how hard it would be, but I wasn't even thinking about that. My heart was swelling with an overwhelming confidence that if I set my mind to it, I would be able to do it.

I went home and I told my big sister that I was going to be a Marine. That my life had just been changed forever. It wasn't about what my recruiter had said, it was about how I felt and what I knew about myself.  It was what I was supposed to do. I just knew it. All of my life I was waiting for this feeling.  I was hoping that some day, I would finally feel like I was somewhere that I belonged. There I found it.

I joined the Marines the day after I graduated high school. It was an amazingly exciting day. Throughout all my time in the Delayed Entry Program, I made some of the most amazing friends. In fact, I consider most of them to be my best friends. I created more of a connection with these people in a few short months that I have with any other people in my life.

Unfortunately, it was all too good to last. I decided to go out on one last innocent little bike ride that turned into an accident that completely changed the course of my life.  A little over two years ago, I had surgery on my arm and I cried. I cried for what I had lost. I was devastated that I would no longer be able to live out that dream and be that Marine I knew I was meant to become.

Lucky for me, about a year later, things changed. I found myself sitting across from a recruiter again but this time in an Army recruiting office. I had a stack of medical documents and high hopes that this would work out, that I would finally be able to be a part of the Military like I knew I was supposed to.

It didn't take long. I spent a couple of days with the recruiters filling out paper work, went to MEPS and that was it. I cried like a baby when the doctors on the med deck told me I was qualified. I raised my right hand (again) and I said the oath of enlistment and I was on my way.  I was an Army Reservist.

All of my training was...incredible. I tell everyone how easy it was and that it wasn't a big deal, but it was. I made life long friends and I just...fit there. I felt like I was finally good at something. For once in my life I didn't feel like a square peg in a round hole. I found a square hole that I fit in perfectly.

I'm finally a place that I belong.  Even when it really sucks.

Today I know a few combat veterans and TONS of service members. If I mentioned them all in a Facebook post, It would be over 100 of them. Most of which aren't from basic training or AIT. They're more veterans and servicemen around you than you may even realize.



So happy veterans day.

That Time I Ate on Katie Ave. at a Terrifying McDonald's

Friday was...not a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

First of all, I had all these plans to go out and find a library and read all day, but then I realized that it was Nevada Day and the libraries were closed. Because of that, I changed my plans. I decided to go to the book store instead. After doing some mapping with Siri, I found where the Barnes & Nobel was and I set out for my car. 

When I got to it, this is what I discovered.

Flat.

I figured I'd just have to change the tire, but before I started jacking anything up, I did what any girl 400 miles away from home does. I called my daddy. By the end of the day, I had probably called my dad about five times...I'd never had to do anything dealing with my car all alone.

While I was on the phone with him, I sent him a picture of the tire and we deduced that I could drive it around the corner to put some air in it. I was scared out of my mind but I did what I had to do and put some air in the tire then I got to go take a little trip to Discount Tires. 

There I ended up having to wait for 45 minutes, so I went to the McDonalds down the street. Bad idea. 

The manager was yelling at all the employees and freaking out. Then these two guys started to fight.  Luckily it was just verbal, but it looked like it was going to break out into a fist fight any second...These are the little things that remind me that I no longer live in happy valley. 

On the bright side, the McDonald's is located at the corner of Maryland Parkway and...wait for it...Katie Avenue!  I have been meaning to take picture of my street forever but I didn't have an opportunity until Friday!

So anyway...finished up at Discount pretty quick after my terrifying trip to Mickey D's. I got away with only buying one tire...but I probably need to replace the other three ASAP. Yay for being an adult...But finally, I could head to Barnes & Noble. In case you're wondering, it is really far away from where I live...I took the scenic route through downtown Las Vegas and it took forever but it was actually pretty worth it. Driving around down there is not so bad. It's fun to see all the wedding chapels. Plus, the Pawn Stars place is on Las Vegas BLVD. I saw the main dude driving some old car out of the parking lot!

On the way to the book store I got lost took a little detour.  I decided to just stop at a Walmart that wasn't scary as shit and buy the random stuff I have been putting off buying. I walked out with toilet paper, air fresheners for my car, three pomegranates, and a key chain to prevent accidents.

Besides, it's really cute. 

But eventually, I made it to the book store...I was there forever...I wander the aisles for maybe two hours looking at all the random bargain books I didn't have any use for and the novels that I simply had to read...basically, if a place has got shelves filled with books and it smells like paper and coffee, I can be occupied for hours. 

I got myself to buy some books on that list from Pinterest even though I really don't have the money to do that...I wanted em and the day had been crappy.

But today hasn't been so bad. I went to work, did some reading, watched Grey's anatomy (again) and now, I'm heading out to have some dinner with my friend from AIT and I'm so excited! I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. 

Oh, and don't forget about the giveaway on Monday! It's going to be awesome!

Contributing Member of Society

Wow...Is it really Monday again? That always makes me a little sad inside...

So I decided to go straight for the defense.

Today I did this crazy things where I got up and I dressed as if I was a contributing member of society.  I put on my favorite dress, some socks that don't really match it, and some booties. Get this. I even put on...wait for it...Make up! I know...a real #OOTD It's a Christmas miracle.

I figure as a sweet single lady in this world, maybe I should try to be cute every now and then? Or maybe...I just wanted to wear my booties. That's probably it.

I won't lie, I don't understand why the front camera on the iPhone is always so grainy, but whatever...

I've had this dress since I was in the 8th grade. I'm actually surprised that it still fits comfortably. I have a dress I wore at my high school graduation that I can't even consider zipping because I will stop breathing...

Forgive me. This is before I knew about tweezing eye brows and apparently being cute at all because this is an awful photograph. At least my friend looks good!

I guess I'm just glad I finally learned how to take what I've got and work it.  I really don't know why that dress doesn't fit...I'm way more fit now than I was then.  Let's blame it on all of my awesome-ness not being able to fit into one dress. 

Speaking of awesome...

Have you checked out my sidebar lately? It's got a few new things going on.

Did you know that I'm on Bloglovin'? Well now you do! If you aren't following me there, go ahead and take a minute to click it.

Also, I have several new sponsors! Today I'd like to introduce you to Jenn from Party Of One.

I love to read her blog and I think you will too. She's an awesome single gal just like me working to make it in a world filled with parties of two. Take a minute to go and check her out. 

Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest

             

Bring on the Weekend

 

Although I have been super sick for the past week, I'm finally starting to feel a little bit better.

 

My friend brought me some Nyquil and Dayquil the other day which has done amazing things for my ability to sleep.  Thank goodness for good friends right? So after a lovely cold-cocktail...I'm feeling like I can actually have a little bit of fun!

 

 

It wasn't a minute too late either. This weekend is hopefully going to be a lot like the last. Only better. This time both of my friends will be visiting at the same time!

Don't send me pictures boys. they end up on the blog. ;)

 

 

You can expect a full recap complete with pictures and hopefully some pretty crazy stories to go with them. I'm pretty sure we're going to have a great time.

 

I don't know if I've said this here, but I really only have about...two friends here at school.  They're in a fraternity and don't tend to have time to hang out with me all the time. I often get a little left out because they do "Greek Only" sort of stuff and I end up going to the wayside a little bit...

 

It's nice that I have plans too. That way I don't just end up sleeping all damn day. That is no fun.
Instead, I'm going to celebrate the fact that my midterms are over and have a lost weekend...


 

 

 

So #backthatazzup and enjoy your weekend!

 

Reinforcement of Hatred

As I said the other day ...I'm having some bad luck. I think I'm getting punished for how great my weekend was or something.

So...here's the whole story about what happened yesterday.

I got off work a little bit early because I was feeling sick and wanted to rest up a little bit. Sadly, it didn't really matter, because I ended up having a very unfortunate mishap.

I often complain about things like the tiny pockets of girl pants.

 

The other day, this hatred for the tiny pockets grew...

 

I decided to take a quick potty break before I headed out. I went to the bathroom, did what I needed to do and pulled my pants up. Then what should happen but my key flops out of my tiny pant's pocket and right into the toilet.

 

Of course, being such an important thing, I didn't even hesitate to reach in. But alas, I was too late.

 

Automatic flushing toilets.

 

All I could do was sit on the floor of the handicapped stall and just...stare at the wall. Freaking out.

 

I did what any grown woman would do in this situation...I called my mom. Of course, there was nothing that she could do. She's 400 miles away, but I think I just wanted to talk to her. Eventually, I was the one who came up with the solution to my problem, but somehow, it made me feel better to talk to my mommy. I have no shame.

 

Because I have a newer car, my loan requires that I have full coverage on it. That means I have lock-out assistance. I was so embarrassed when the lady asked me where the keys were and I had to tell her I had flushed them down the toilet and I was simply praying  the spare key was in my purse in the car.

 

This also gave me the chance to try out the whole "my story" thing on Snapy Chatty. It was alright...

 

I had a friend on standby in case it wasn't, but once the lock-out guy came an hour later I got in the car and found my key in my purse and I was able to drive away...

I have never been so happy to see such a lil thing IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

 

Let me tell you though, that was possibly the worst think that could have happened to me...Sometimes life really likes to toss lemons at me. I don't like it.

 

On the bright side. I got an iPhone 5S the same day :) Now if my sickness would just go away I could have a lovely weekend without flushing keys down the toilet.

After A Frosty Beverage In Las Vegas

Welcome to Bloody Marys Count as a Salad # 15

<center> <a href="http://www.aboyagirlandthemarinecorps.com/bloody-marys-count-as-a-salad/" target="_blank"><img alt="Bloody Marys Count as a Salad" src="http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag87/imjust_agirl1/BMCSHOP_zpse77a7000.jpg"/></a></center>

What's with the name?  We named it Bloody Mary’s Count as a Salad, because anything goes in this hop! Need to vent? Go for it! Need to say something snarky? DO IT!  Or do you just want to share your blog and/or a specific post?  We'd love to read it!  Anything you want to share, we want to see it!

And introducing a social aspect of the hop!  Each week we will feature a different social media linkup.  This week is Google Plus!  Link up your blog in the first linkup and your Google Plus profile in the second linkup!  

Of course, there are a few rules, we aren't going for hop chaos here!

1. Follow your hosts and each weeks special guest co-host.
2. Link up your blog or specific blog post.  Whatever you’d like to share is ok with us!
3. Visit 3-4 other blogs and say hello!  Try to be nice and follow those who follow you.  And don’t forget to say hi to your hosts if you are new!
4. Grab the link up button and put it in your side bar, in your post, or put our link on your link up party page.
5. Not mandatory, but we’d love to have you share our hop with others.  Tweet it, post about it, or share it on Facebook.  We’ll love you forever if you do… And it might help you grab a co-host spot next week.

Don't Forget to follow your Hosts and special Co-Host:

               A Girl                                                                           Erin                                                                        Kara

A Boy, A Girl, and the Marine Corps                 Unconventional Mommy Tails                             Ramblings of  Marine Wife

And ME as your special guest host: Camo-Colored Chaos

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I'm so excited to be the guest host for this link up today! I love it because literally anything goes!

 

It's a good thing it's Monday! I don't think that I could handle any more of my shenanigans this weekend...
This weekend, I sort of went crazy!
I got off of work and I took a little drive into 29 Palms. My friends have recently returned from a deployment and I felt like a visit was necessary.

So I picked up this guy and brought him back to Las Vegas.

This picture was taken when the night first began. He took me out to dinner on the Strip, something I haven't had the chance to do until now, and I checked us in on Facebook with this picture. Instantly my phone was blowing up...Everyone wanted to know who this guy was that I was running around Vegas with.
Honestly it was pretty funny. I multiple people text me to ask why I didn't tell them I had a new boyfriend...
The answer is simple: I don't.

So anyway, after a nice dinner together, we decided we needed to check a few things off of my list of things to do while I live in Vegas. But...first things first. A frosty beverage. Really frosty.

After we got ourselves a drink or two we started gallivanting down the strip looking for the things I wanted to do. First we ran into M&M World.  It was as cool as I pictured it!  Luckily in Vegas, everyone wants to take a picture for you, so we've got plenty!

Then, we rode the New York New York Roller Coaster. In hind site, It may not have been the best idea in the world after...a frosty beverage, but it turned out alright and was really a lot of fun. I was lucky I got to go out with someone who was so much fun!

The next morning, we had breakfast at the Rainforest Café in the MGM and I drove him back home to 29 Palms. It was an awesomely spontaneous couple of days and I'm so glad we did it! I think that this may be the first of a lot of great adventures in VegasLand...

Wherever It Points

I don't pretend to be an expert on life.

In fact, I usually think that I am more of an expert on failure.

But I am constantly learning...Last night I happened upon possibly the most important lesson I have ever learned...

Life Lesson #1

In the words of Kacey Musgraves:

I have always been one that...marches to the beat of my own drum.

Many have used such as strange, odd, quirky, and, the most popular, dork.
 

But even in all my strangeness, I have this...need to be liked.

Blogger are...narcissistic. We talk about ourselves all the time, and we get amazing gratification when we see our page views/visits going up and up. We love comments, likes, re-pins, and overall approval from anyone who will give it.

I'm not saying that is a bad thing. We like to be liked. Can you blame us? Who doesn't like to be liked? I can't think of anyone.

Well, I was sitting in my room last night when I randomly decided that it was time to download Kacey Musgraves album "Same Trailer Different Park." On the album there was this song. "Follow Your Arrow."

Naturally, I clicked on it while exploring the songs of the album and instantly, I felt a connection with every word she was saying. "You're damned if you do and damned if you don't, so you might as just do what you want."

Speak your mind.

Get tattoos.

 

 Go to church. Or don't.

 

Major in philosophy.

 

Wear short skirts and high heels and lipstick.

 

Dance around in your underwear.

 

Who the hell cares?! Just do you. Do you and do it however you want to. Either way, people are going to judge you for it. Let them. Live your life without...apologizing for it, without regretting it, without sitting on the sidelines... 

 

I'm going to do that.

Like me for it. Hate me for it. I. do. not. care.

 

I'll just keep on...marching to that off beat...it's okay with me.

Appreciating The Monotony

  Today I'm linking up with Kara, A Girl, and Erin for this fun...Anything Goes type of link up! Head over to one of their blogs to see what it's all about.

Well, I have now been back to "real life" for five or six days now.

I went to work where it was actually a little bit busy.

I went to class and discovered I really wasn't all that behind

 And I hung out with my buddies like I always do.

It was normal. It's weird that although everything is completely different without my grandpa, it's all completely the same.  I still have a mountain of homework. I still watch Netflix...a lot. And I still miss home.

Honestly, I think it kind of helps that everything is the same. It makes it so you appreciate the monotony. I know that I have been all about new and adventure lately, but sometimes it's nice to have consistency.

When I got home the other day, I went and hung out with my friends and went to bed. I carried out my normal evening and it felt, for a moment, that my whole life hasn't changed. In some ways it has, but I am really glad that at least a few things can stay the same.

At work, they're offering a few more hours. I asked for some even though they're at 6 am on a Saturday. I figure I will get over it. You only live once ya know? Gotta make it count.

I've got a whole lot of studying to do for my midterms coming up and I am actually okay with that.

It is amazing what tragedy can do to your perspective. I suppose that life is better when you just live it as it comes at you.

Chaotic & Usual Self

Well, I am finally back to Las Vegas after being home for 10 days.

 

It looks like my life can finally return to it's extremely chaotic and usual self.

 

Hopefully these next few weeks are really great and they can help mask this sadness I feel in my heart right now.

 

I've got lots to keep me busy and hopefully some friends to be reunited with :)

 

Until next time!



There Are Fish In The Sea...Just None For Me

Real Talk:

I don't love being single.

Some girls (maybe guys too? I dunno) will read you a list five miles long with all the reasons why being single is so much fun.

Well, personally, I don't think it's the greatest thing in the world.

I did a little bit of research and found out that most people talk about how being single means that you can be yourself when you're single. They go on and on about how you get your bed all to yourself. The articles boast about how you can be spontaneous and have fun. Basically, they make being in a relationship sound like a bad thing. 

Sure, there are fun things about being single. You get to go on dates. Your choices don't tend to have a great affect on another person. You aren't tied down.

But if you can't be yourself in your relationship, you shouldn't have been in it anyway...I love to share my bed with someone that I love. And, really, who doesn't like to be spontaneous and have fun with the person they care about most?

But anyway, the point I'm getting at, is they glorify the single life to make it sound like it's so fun.

It's not.

Dating is hard. Meeting new people whose company you truly enjoy is not easy. Kissing a bunch of frogs...It's not sunshine and gerber daisies.

So there you have it. Being single. Not a parade plus a party with fireworks at the end...

It's lonely.

via

There are fish in the sea...just none for me...

BUT

with that being said, I'm not all woe is me and, crying in my pillow every night that I'm not cuddling with some dude... I just don't love being single. You get me?  

Katie Lately

I suppose it has been a while since I have really updated ya'll on me. 

So what's new with me that isn't filled with deep meaning and planning and insanity?

As I have said before, I live in Las Vegas now. That is definitely new!

I cannot stay away from dessert...I never used to like sweets, but all of a sudden? Cheese cake, carrot cake, chocolate cake...it's all I think about.

Now that I have one tattoo, I want 5 or 6 more.

I still really love to work out.  There is an awesome free gym for students with an indoor track...it's amazing.

I'm a Student...Whoa. It's still weird to say that out loud.

I still love nail polish. 

Recently, I have actually really been into the colors pink and purple...I used to really hate pink. 

You know that song, "We Can't Stop"? Well I can't stop....playing it over and over again.

Speaking of music, Spotify? Best thing that ever happened to this universe next to Netflix and Hulu.

I have decided to be an Anthropology Major.

My career goal is to work in a museum. I want to be a curator or something of the sort.

I haven't really made many friends here yet, but I'm not minding just being alone. It's kind of nice.

I feel this insane need for adventure...I have a newfound want for something well new.

I love being and Auntie. So. Much.

I'm missing home and I miss my family but overall, I am so happy to be experiencing a new place and having a whole different lifestyle. I think it's really good for me and for my life in the future to have had many different setting in which I've had to live my life. Something tells me that this is just the beginning...

It's Called Life & It Happens

You know, I am extremely happy with my life right now.

That is something that I haven't been able to say in a very long time, and it feels so good.

I have been...stressed beyond belief for the past few weeks trying to figure out how to make my life possible. I am plannig to go to UNLV in a couple of weeks but I have no books, they haven't yet recieve my high school transcripts, I can't afford to life in the dorms, and they apparently hate the military because they suck at working with me...

But somehow, I am just...cool as a cucumber. (I never did understand that lil' similie...) I haven't got a clue how I am going to make this happen, but I have faith that I can make it all work out. Somehow I'm going to pull my shit together and make it happen.

I suppose that greatness is born from adversity...so I'm probably going to be really great by the time all is said and done.

I suppose that it's called life...and It happens.

I can't stop it. It doesn't matter how hard I try, it's just going to keep throwing curve balls and I'll just have to keep on trying to whack them out of the park. I think I'll be lucky just to get a piece of it, but I guess we'll see what happens!

Until then...

I am so very excited to be linking up with all of the following lovely ladies.

Chantal- Scattered Shells
Jane- Poppiness
Sarah- G.I. Joe's Wife
Jamie- Handling with Grace

I love to see link ups survive for this long! The great thing about the Walkabout, is there is nothing specific you have to write about. It's just a place where you can link up your post about anything under the sun.

So go on! Link Up :)

Today's title brought to you by one of my oh-so-faithful readers Jen 

The Next Big Thing

I'm aware that I am awful at blogging, but now I am home! 

I have been pretty busy since my plane landed on the 24th! I've been playing with my niece endlessly, eating way too much, shopping just enough and buying only a few things here and there! I'm doing pretty good not emptying out my pockets. 

Seriously, this lil' girl is my pride and joy. She's just about 5 months old and she has me wrapped around her little, tiny, baby finger. Her little baby laugh is the sweetest thing in the world and I just can't take my eyes off of her sweet face. I just want to hold her and never let her grow up. 

On Thursday, I saw the flashing sign at the soccer stadium near my house flashing Jason Aldean's name and decided I might try to get some tickets. Turns out, I scored amazing seats right on the field. I took my friend and had the time of my life. Jason Aldean put on a great show and I knew every song he sang. It felt so strange to just be acting like a regular old...girl, but it was the good kind of strange. 

Seriously, we were freaking out about how great our seats were the whole time...I don't know how on Earth I got so lucky. 

Later that night, we went out to the west side of Utah Lake and did the most red neck camping I have ever done. Complete with beer cans in the fire pit and sleeping on an air mattress on the back of a four-wheeler trailer.  Don't get me wrong though, it was probably the funnest camping I have done in a while. In the morning we shot a few rounds from all the weapons we brought along with us and the guys did some four-wheeling around the windy trails.  It was definitely worth the trip out there. 

In other news, I'm getting ready to move down to UNLV so, I'm doing my best to save up my money and not go too crazy.  In the next couple of weeks I am going back to work at my civilian job, buying a car (oh my gosh...talk about anxiety!) and getting the heck out of Utah, again! 

I suppose that now that this little chapter of military training has ended, it's time to move onto the next big thing!