#28 Order something at a restaurant that I would never order

Don't be fooled, this is not your typical taco.

It's SHARK!

 

That's right....San Diego Shark Tacos!!!!!!

I ordered it. I ate it. I marked it off my list.

(You are what you eat!)

P.S. Blogs about my recent vacation are to come...

#64: Vacation in California

Oh. My. Gosh. Is this real???

Is my vacation FINALLY here???

Quick, somebody pinch me!!!

I've been dying to vacation in California for a long time now, and finally the day has come! I will be partying in Los Angeles/Hollywood from Wednesday to Saturday...and then partying in San Diego from Saturday to Tuesday. Ahhhh...a nice long seven day vacation in two amazing cities. Bliss.

The beach is calling my name.

And so is that fruity little drink with an umbrella in it.

And so is Channing Tatum!! (well, not YET anyways). Ooooohhhh snap!!!

See you in a week! :)

Have a Little Faith

So, I decided that today was the perfect day to buy a new book so I could eventually mark off #54 (Read a book for pleasure) off my list. At first, I didn't know what book I wanted to read...so I browsed Oprah's Book Club books, but didn't see anything I liked. I then browsed the New York Times Best Sellers List...and although Chelsea Handler's new book seemed entertaining, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for, so I kept searching...


My favorite book of ALL time is The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. Seriously, best book I ever read. It makes you cry, it makes you appreciate everyone in your life, it's inspirational all around. Because I liked this book so much, I ended up reading his other book Tuesdays with Morrie and then read For One More Day when it came out...again...both books make you cry, appreciate the little things, and inspire you. Key ingredients for a great book!


Well, I've been patiently waiting for Mitch (yes, we are on a first name basis) to write another book. I've literally been waiting since his last book in 2006! (I was at the bookstore the day of its release to buy it!) So I decided to get onto his website and see if he had a new book in the works....and what do I find..................

A NEW BOOK!?!?
RELEASED 9-29-09!?!?!
WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME!?!?
Geez, I am the worst "fan" ever!!! So, obviously I was pissed for not knowing sooner, but excited that now I have something to read that I know I will enjoy! And it is a TRUE STORY....even better!!! So, of course, I immediately bought this book online and now I patiently await for its arrival!

Dear New Book,
I can't wait to read you!
Love - Jacqueline

***Update***fabulous book! Not as good as The Five People You Meet in Heaven, but it's still a great book based on a true story. I would read his other books first, but this one is still a good read.

Vacation Anticipation

Exactly one week from today...I will be headed to the beautiful state of California for a little seven day vacation with a few of my partners-in-crime. Ahhh...Anticipation!

It all started with a phone call from my lovely ladies from Memphis, TN who won tickets to the Ellen Degeneres show. (Hi Heather. Hi Stephanie.) They knew being in the audience of her show was on my bucket list, so sure enough, they were nice enough to think of me when they received the exciting news.

So, after I jumped around the room with pure excitement for four plus hours, I called my friend Erin to join us...and then I started planning my trip!! GIRLS TRIP!

Ofcourse, that was two months ago, and since then I have been an impatient wreck. Spending a lot of my free time booking flights, hotels, rental cars...and researching nightlife, restaurants, tours, etc. I'm soooo ready to visit California and I'm ready to party with my girls!!!

I hope L.A. is ready for us...

Together, we might be too much to handle! :)

Work to Live vs. Live to Work

My question of the week: do you work to live...or....live to work?
[CHART COURTESY OF: BUSINESSWEEK]
Isn't this chart depressing. Only 16% of people my age actually live to work. And it doesn't seem to get any better when we get older either...why aren't more people happy with what they are doing, so much so, they live to work.
That's my question of the week.

The most important item on my 101 list is to figure out what I want to do with my life and then find a career that makes me happy. I wasn't one of those people who have always known what I wanted to do with my life; I've honestly struggled to really find what career path I should take and what exactly will make me happy in the future. I feel like a lot of my friends feel the same way....but....doesn't that just suck? WHY DON'T WE KNOW WHAT WE WANT TO DO? WHY CAN'T WE FIGURE IT OUT! I'm frustrated. I'm fickle. I really don't know.

I envy that 16%...I really wish I could wake up every morning and go to a job that I love and know that I am making a difference in the world. I mean, don't get me wrong: I have a good job. I love my job. I'm good at my job. I do wake up happy every morning and enjoy coming to work. But unfortunately, I still consider myself part of the "work to live" group.

What about you? If you don't know your answer: Ask. Yourself. This: Would you do your job for free?
All those that said no (or even HELL NO), please join me and 84% of your peers in my group. We will be at the bar....taking shots of Tequila.

A Shout Out to the Birthday Girl

Don't you just love celebrating other people's birthdays? I know I do. I'd much rather someone else turn a year older than have me do it!! (I want to stay a kid, forever!) 

I mean, whoever's birthday it is, I still get to party and eat oh-so-delicious-get-in-my-mouth-right-now-birthday-cake. So, it works for me! I'll just celebrate everyone else's birthday and then hide in a closet when my time of the year comes around! :)

Well, today is my sweet friend Erin's birthday! And since I think she is quite the amazing friend, I thought I would send her a little shout out! Cheers to you, birthday girl! I love you...you are fabulous....and I hope you have a wonderful day!!! T minus 3 hours until PARTY TIME! :)

The Little Things

Is it Friday, yet? Sheesh!! This has been a long, stressful, emotional week...and I'm just ready for it to be over. I honestly don't want to complain, so instead of venting over the rough week I had and the tough decisions I had to make...I'm going to focus on the good.

Along with the bad, there is always good. Right??? There are always things around us that have the ability to brighten our day, put a smile on our face, and make us laugh no matter how bad a day we had or what we are going through.

I'm here to talk about those things: The things that make me happy. The things that make me smile. The good things from my week. Here I go:

• Sweet Paisley
• Chats with friends (Hi!)
• Natalie's blog posting
• Warm weather
• Pretty perennials blooming in my yard
• A random text from a friend that said "I'm gonna smear you with honey and tackle you and hug you then smack you with graham crackers!"
• New peep toe pumps
• The number on my scale
• My new MK Spectacles (#45 off my list)
• Sore muscles (I know it's weird but I like being sore...makes me feel like I worked out hard!)
• Some random guy at dinner who came and sat at my table and said I looked 24. (He also said he thought my friend and I were famous!) Ha!
• The song "Cult Logic" by Miike Snow
• Lil Jack - my house plant! YES...I named my house plant! (#91 off my list!)
• A random picture text of a "duck orgy"
• My coworker who made me a sign that said "The Cutest Person Ever Award". Ha.

With all that being said...I hope after some reflection everyone can look back on their week and see all the good things. Optimism is good, kids!  :)

P.S. I really like lists. Can anyone tell?

Happy Opening Day!

Baseball season is here!!!

One of the top reasons why I like Cincinnati is because of major league baseball. Sure, the Memphis Redbirds minor league games are still fun to attend, but the fans sure don't get into Opening Day and the games as much as these Cincinnatians!

Whether you enjoy watching the game or not, who doesn't like sitting in the sun with friends and enjoying hot dogs, beer, and nachos! I mean, besides the farmers tan you might get on your arms and legs and the sunglass tanline on your face...what's not to like??? And there are always cool events to attend, like Bark in the Park, where you can bring your dog to the game. Paisley and I went last year, and if you know Paisley, you KNOW she did NOT enjoy this at all. Ha. (I knew this beforehand but I dragged her little butt there anyways.) 

Me (& Paisley) and Sara (& Stella) - Bark in the Park 2009.

So, Happy Opening Day!

Today's Game:
Reds vs. Cardinals.

GO REDS!!!!

A Snapshot of April

Ahhhhh....April has finally arrived!! I've been looking forward to this month since January. Why, you ask? Well, that's a great question. Here are a list of reasons:

• Good Friday (And my office closes at noon, which is amazing since it is supposed to be 80 degrees tomorrow! Yessss!)
• Easter Sunday
• Baseball season starts
• My friend's birthday festivities
• A week vacation in California with friends (4 days in Los Angeles and 3 days in San Diego)
• Chelsea Lately show
• Ellen Degeneres show
• San Diego Zoo
• And according to my hoops and yoyo calendar...Pretzel Day!!! (Whhaaaatt? Oh I must go to Auntie Annies to celebrate this special day!)

In summary: Tanning on the beach. Chocolate in the shape of bunnies. Flip Flops. Ball park hot dogs. The Ellen Show. Pretzels. AND MONKEYS!

Geezums, does it even get any better than that???
Soooooooooooooo happy that April is finally here.