Scullie's Book Corner: The Hunger Games

Today starts a new segment here in Scullie's World (drum roll please)...Scullie's Book Corner! I am very excited about this part of my blog.  I discussed doing a segment like this several posts ago, but I just haven't gotten around to doing it.  I am so excited about starting this segment out with a book I recently read, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

 I initially wanted to read this book for the book club I started (but failed to actually schedule a meeting..sorry girls :S ), but my taste in books is always changing and it got shuffled to the bottom of my "to read" pile.  I picked it back up again two weeks ago because I saw that for my Teaching Adolescent Literature class we were going to be reading it.  Well let me tell ya folks, once you pick this book up and really get into it, you will NOT be able to put it down! Quite honestly I was hooked from the first chapter and that is really important to me in the novels that I read.


Collins does an exceptional job of developing her characters and really developing the plot.  I cannot harp on this book enough! I read the entire series in less than two weeks! If you are looking for a good read, with characters that you will love, characters that you will hate, characters that you empathize with and sympathize for, and a plot that is always taking a turn or thickening than this is definitely a book you want to pick up (and it only runs about 6.00 at your local Wal-Mart!)

And the work out begins and so does the prep for school

Last Spring I was a work out fiend! I worked out two times a day and ate extremely well.  Once I moved to Conway and started my new job, I stopped working out and resorted to easy snack foods to eat while at work. While I am not entirely dissatisfied with my body, I think it could use a little tune-age.

So tomorrow morning I am going to wake up bright and early and do some yoga! When I say I mean like 5 A.M., soooooo I'm wondering how this is going to work out for me! I do need to kick my nasty habits of eating junk food and being completely inactive, seriously the most exercise I get during the day is the walk up and down the stairs to my office door, which equates to about 8 steps per day.  I sit all day long and then I come home and sit on the couch and read.  I need to get into a good workout schedule because once I start school I will be super busy and the only times I will have will be in the mornings to work out.  For the time being I will do yoga/pilates in the morning before I go to work and then I will come home and walk/run.  Since it is extremely too hot outside to run I will probably opt for the walking option until it gets a little cooler outside.

Also starting tomorrow I am kicking the coffee habit, candy habit, and nasty meal habit, which means I am going to have to pretty much change everything I eat, but I'm okay with that.  I am so open to suggestions about healthy food options.  I am so ready for Fall because oddly enough whenever Fall comes around I want to eat better and exercise more often.

I am excited to see my transformation and see how well I will be able to bounce back into my exercise routine.  I think I will take photos to document my progress and maybe log my food choices, but that may become real boring considering I doubt you guys REALLY care what I am consuming.

Along with my new declaration to lead a healthier life, I am preparing myself for school next semester.  I am so excited and nervous about what I have ahead of me.  I stumbled upon a blog called sometimessweet.blogspot.com while I was looking at honeybeeinthecity.blogspot.com and the girl that writes this blog used to teach English to 10th and 12th graders (exactly the grades I want to teach) and has made me so excited for this new adventure I am embark on.  In my preparation for school next semester I have created a wishlist on Vera Bradley's website because I love her and I think she sells the cutest stuff >.<

Here's a peek:

Granted I don't really need anything of this, but I think it will be nice to have for my fresh new start.  I do admit that I need to less concerned about school supplies and more concerned with studying for my Praxis I and how I am going to pay for it because I need to take it, ideally before September is over, definitely not any time after the second week of October.

Well if I want to get this 5 A.M. yoga on I need to hit the sack so I'm out!

Ash

Cha Cha Changes

Sitting here listening to David Bowie's Changes makes me think about the changes that are occurring in my life right now.


It's been a HOT minute since I've written last and so much has happened! I completely and utterly failed my 30 day challenge! I'm so bad with commitment, just ask anyone who knows me well at all and they will tell you I have had three majors, thought about going to every post-grad professional school there is, I'm always changing my hair color, genre of book I'm loving, how I dress, do my make-up.  It's kind of annoying, but also refreshing in a way.


I know I have finally reached my decision on my career choice though.  I have decided to get my dual Master's in Secondary Education and Reading Education, my certification as a Literacy Coach, and hopefully one my PhD in Reading Education.  Hopefully I can use my dissertation as a basis for creating ideas for my nonprofit organization that helps with the fight against illiteracy.  Reading, books, words,  anything that really has to do with literature or the combination of words in some kind of fashion is my passion and I want to share that passion with the world.


I finally got a library card from the Faulkner County Library!

Can I get a what, what?!  I've been using the CRAP out of this card (and it's doubly awesome bc it's pink    >.<)

I am going to Texas next weekend, it will be the first vacation I have been on in a while so I am looking forward to it.  Plus I'm getting to see one of my favorite family members ever, my Uncle David.  Seriously this dude is super rad!

Work has been super hectic, but I work with some pretty super peeps so we have been making it! 

Going back to the changes that I was referring to early in this passage stretch past just my education, the changes bleed into my personal life.  I am mostly thinking about my relationships with people; this isn't necessarily a negative thing.  I would like to improve my relationship with my family; I am mainly thinking of my relationship with my sisters, my grandma, and great grandparents.  I don't see them enough and I would like to change that.  I want my relationships with my friends to be better; I need to talk to them more often and make a point to hang out with them, enjoy their company like I did in college.  

Needless to say I am needing to make a lot of changes in my life, but hopefully I have time for that.

I am thinking about adding some things to the blog, like a book review every week (trying to spread the word, no pun intended ;) ) I started a book club, so once that gets started I'll be adding that segment, maybe if you are in the area maybe you might want to join :)

Fall is so close and I cannot wait for it to get here already!! I just bought a super cute sweater at F21 today and I can't wait to wear it! (pic below)

Mine is navy with coral stripes though! Super-dee-duper-dee cute! I love Fall, it is hands down the best season of the year.  Plus my favorite holiday is during the Fall (Halloween :) )

Here's some of things I'm currently crushing on that remind me of the Fall:

These shoes remind me of two things about Fall. Last Fall I took  Irish Literature, with one of the best professors I've ever had and it was my favorite class I ever took in college.  So the color reminds me of the class and also because my professor would wear converse frequently, I honestly don't think I saw him wear any other kind of shoe.

Reminds me of HSU, which I would normally be starting up during the Fall, but I'm done :(

Banned books week always fell during the Fall during college....and yes I read banned books so suck it!

And here are some things I'm just crushing on >.<

Yeah that's right, that's a Gryffindor cardigan!

SOOOO want this for Christmas!!

Guess that's all for now! 

TTYL!!

Ash

All About Me...From A-Z

Age: 22, I keep forgetting that I'm 22.  I think birthdays stopped at 21!


Bed size: Full, we have a fully furnished apartment, so it wasn't a choice by us!

Chore that you hate: Washing dishes! I have a really big fear of water, so sinks full of it creep me out!

Dogs: No :( unfortunately our pet rent is outrageous!

Essential start to your day: I don't really NEED anything to start my day.  Sometimes I need a Dr. Pepper or a Red Bull.

Favorite color: Currently my favorite color is blue.  I think it has to do with the fact that I just got a sapphire ring from my future hubby!

Gold or Silver: Silver, mostly.

Height: 4'11". My boss told me that in the city I work in I am eligible for a handicap parking permit.  I don't really know if I should get one since I'm not really handicapped.

Instruments you play: None, but I learning how to play the drums is on my bucket list.

Job title: Auditor at a Logistics Company

Kids: Eh, I'm would rather not have any, but if I do have kids, I wouldn't be extremely unhappy.

Live: Arkansas. I am from California, but I do enjoy living in the South (most of the time).

Mother’s name: Lisa

Nicknames: Skully (my mom made that one up), Fat German Ankle Girl (my great poppa calls me that)

Overnight hospital stays: Nope

Pet peeve: Mouth breathers, Darth Vader is the bane of my existence!

Quote from a movie: Everything said in Pineapple Express

Right or left handed: Lefty! We are the only ones in our right mind ;)

Siblings:  Jessica, 19 and Lexie, 7

Time you wake up: 6:30 AM

Underwear: This bigger and comfier, the better

Vegetable you hate: Corn.  I don't like the way it doesn't digest that well...it's weird.

What makes you run late: My snooze button.

X-Rays you’ve had: Chest, had a car accident in high school and got a pendant stuck in there.

Yummy food that you make: Cupcakes!

Zoo animal: I can't choose one and you can't make me! 

30 in 30

So...I am officially the worst blogger ever! I leave these huge gaps in between posts and I must, must get better at it! Not much has been going on around here, just hanging out, reading some Harry Potter, and eating some fro-yo.  Tomorrow starts the official countdown for the Harry Potter final installment and I am stoked!

Ever since I started my new job, money has been a little weird.  I haven't had periods where I go without cash in like 5 years! I've been waiting tables for so long I forgot what it was like not to get paid 6 days out of 7 days.  So in order to keep myself out of financial turmoil and away from the serving for good, I have decided to do an idea that my friend, Melinda, did on her blog (http://opakaloa.blogspot.com/)  Anyways, the challenge is to wear only 30 items of clothing for 30 days, mixing and matching any way you see fit and accessorizing with whatever  you like.  I eagerly jumped at this idea when I saw it on her blog, because my main problem with money is that I spend it all on new clothes! The fact that I know I can't wear something for an entire month will probably deter me from buying it, so we will see!

My 30 items are:
6 pairs of shoes:
 *Pink Glitter Toms
 *Silver Glitter Toms
 *Black Toms
 *Red Toms
 *Lime Green Loafers (thrifted from Goodwill)
 *Pink and white Chucks (gift from my G-Dogg a.k.a my grandma)
12 shirts:
 * Pink button men's shirt (garage sale find)
 * Blue jean button men's shirt (garage sale find)
 * Bride of Frankenstein shirt (Hastings)
 * Navy v-neck (Old Navy)
 * Black v-neck (Old Navy)
 * Black vest (Dillards)
 * White v-neck (Wally World)
 * Black sequin shirt (sale at Old Navy)
 * 70s graphic tee (F21)
 * Flower racer back tank (AE)
 * Flower print button up (Maurices)
 * Blank bow tank top (sale at Old Navy)
8 bottoms:
 * Blue/Flower print romper (sale at Hollister)
 * Stone washed, torn boyfriend jeans (sale at PacSun)
 * Dk skinny jeans (F21)
 * Regular fitting jeans (AE)
 * Black skinny jeans (PacSun)
 * Black polka dot skirt (sale at Maurices)
 * Lt blue pin stripe shorts/capris (thrifted at a garage sale)
 * Khaki shorts
4 dresses:
 * Blue tie-dye dress (sale at Rue 21)
 * Black dress (Factory Connection)
 * Green tie-dye dress (sale at F21)
 * Blue jean dress (Rue 21)

Of course on July 15th I will be wearing my Harry Potter Quidditch jersey, but I already have that so I won't be spending any money, plus it's the last one :(

Also, I have been toying with careers again! I can't decide what I want to do.  I want to be realistic with my goals and I can't decide what would be best for me.  Part of me wants to go back to school this next fall.  I think I want to go back because it's what feels natural for me.  I mean I went to school for like 17 years and now all of a sudden I don't go to school anymore! I was thinking about going back to get my teaching license and then on to get my Master's in Reading Education.  I just don't know! Opening my bookstore, which will help me set up my non profit organization that helps fight illiteracy, is my ultimate goal! However, I need money, connections, and experience for this to happen and I can't figure out what the best route for this will be.  I think I need to give the decision to someone else, you know who you are, and let Him decide what is best for me.  I've been trying to hard lately to force myself into these roles I desperately want to fulfill, however I also feel like I am stifling who my true self.  I need some guidance and I think the big man upstairs can help me!

I told myself I wasn't going to talk about this on my blog because I don't want to think about it anymore, but I feel that I must.  My grandfather passed away a couple of days ago and it has hit me kind of hard.  I have yet to lose any grandparents throughout my life until last August when my grandma died (Dad's mom) and then less then a year later, my grandpa dies (Mom's dad).  It has just got me thinking about life in general and it just adds to the pressure of me making a decision about so much! I could die tomorrow and I want to know that if I did, I would be fully satisfied with how I lived every second of my life.  My grandpa was a pretty cool guy! He loved old time horror flicks; he was the best person to discuss my obsession with Frankenstein, werewolves, Dracula, and many other figures.  Girls my age just don't really like those things and it was nice to have someone to talk to.  I thought about my grandpa a lot over the past few weeks and I regret not getting in contact with him one last time before he passed away.  It has taught me a valuable lesson; the lesson to never let something go unsaid, if you need to say it than say it and say it than, not tomorrow, not next week.  Say it right now!

Enough from me I guess.
Until next time mis amigos!

Skullie!

SATURDAY SHOUT OUT!

This week marks the first week that I am doing Saturday Shout Outs! I am very excited to start this segment on my blog, I feel like I will be able to inform many about some super rad peeps!

What a more perfect way to kick start this by doing a shout out to one of the most influential women in my life...my mom!  Where do I start with Lisa Marie Moser....she's pretty much awesome and if anyone says otherwise I'll kick your ass.

D'aww!!! Aren't my relatives cute!!

Anyways...like I have previously stated my mom pretty much rocks! She loves to read, which I mean seriously (?!), who doesn't love a mom that is super literate?!! She is a television show junkie, which is also super great because I get to borrow all of her shows :)...She's got mad fashion skills and is one of  my consultants when I buy things.  She's always supported me in all of my academic endeavors, no matter how many times they changed, or how much it cost.  My mom is one of the only people I know I could call up right now and she would be here in a second if I needed her.  Growing up there wasn't anything my mom wouldn't do for me or my sister, she sacrificed a lot and I thank her so much for it.  Now that I am an adult and realize that life isn't always so white and black and cut and dry, I fully appreciate everything my mom has done for me, from the time she found out about me until today.  My mom could have taken the easy way out in a lot of situations in her life, but she stuck it out and I am fully appreciative of that, she has passed this trait along to me and has made me a better person.    

         

Isn't my mom a total babe??!!!

I mean really??!! Total betty!!

Mom and Dad back in the day!!

This picture accurately depicts everyone in the family (this was take on my grad day from HSU!!)

I hope that my mom is proud of me and I have become everything that she has intended for me to be.  Love you mom!!!

With love,
Skullie

OH LAWD!!! IT'S BEEN A MINUTE...

Sorry I haven't posted something in a while...I've been preoccupied with thrifting and crafting! First things first, I want a certain special lady in my life to take like 2 chill pills and wait until Saturday for her special post, it's themed and I can't mess with my themes woman!  Ernyways, my job has been going uh-mazing thus far! My month-iversary is tomorrow woot! Today was a busy day for me because I pretty much started doing stuff by myself.  I enjoyed it, the time went by very quick! 

My 22 before 23 has been going quite well, thank you for asking! I have purchased a camera and plan on taking an UNGODLY amount of pics with it this next year.  I swam in a pool last night, I of course do not have any photo proof of this, but my BFF can back me up.  I'll have to do a whole post dedicated to it soon so that I can map my progress.


This weekend, much to me pleasure, was spent with Kristin (my bestie) thrifting and crafting (getting things ready for the Etsy store launch).  I am so very excited about this store and hopefully we will have it up and running for people to buy things at the end of July.  I think we have decided on a name for the store (and it's so cute)! 


I have scored several awesome things this weekend from thrift stores and I again will have to post those in a day or two when things start to settle down.  


Whelp! Just wanted to check in with the cyber world to see what all is up! I'm out y'all to cook some Chicken Alfredo! Yummers!!


Ash

Adventures in Garage Sale Land and 22 before 23!

So since my last post I haven't done much! Saturday, me and Kristin scored some muy awesome loot at our Garage Sale Extravaganza!

Here are the books I bought for a dollar each! Young Frankenstein for two dollars! And some to go cups that have animal faces on them for 50 cents!! 

Found the flower bag at Goodwill, it was the most expensive item of the day totaling $5.50, but I think it was totally worth it!  I bought some frosting tips and the thing that is striped is a tiny replica of a lawn chair that I put on my desk at work to hold my iPhone while I am working haha!

Here is the Goodwill bag, chair, and frosting tips again! I also bought two men's dress shirts and totally paired them with belts and leggings...it looks rad! The bag in the back is made out of straw and is from Mexico! Kristin said I could tote around my paintings and drawings around in it, so I snagged it up!

After we "garage saled" our butts off, I went home to see my parents and one of my sisters.  Came back to mi casa and made cake pops.  This was my first time doing this, but I had so much fun doing it and I even had someone offer to pay me to make some for an upcoming baby shower! AAAHHHH my first paid job as a baker!!

Besides baking up a storm and buying other people's junk, I have been leading a pretty uneventful life...which leads me to the second part of my title of this post.  22 before 23! I saw this on another girl's blog and thought it was such a great motivator and neat idea so I decided to post my 22 before 23.  Basically what it is is 22 things I want to do before I am 23.  I have been 22 for about a month and a half now, but we are just going to act like we don't know that ;)

Ok so here goes:

1. Brainstorm ideas for a novel to write
2. Take steps towards ridding myself of my fear of water
3. Finish the Harry Potter series (books and movies)
4. Make plans for my bookstore/bakery
5. Volunteer at least one day a week for 26 weeks (that's half of the year)
6. Try a new food item
7. Rid myself of drinking sodas
8. Broaden my horizons with pastry recipes
9. Pay off two of my credit cards
10. Make a complete stranger smile :)
11. (Half way there!) Do yoga and/or pilates at least 4 times a week
12. Limit myself on fast food
13. Attend two concerts
14. Start an Etsy store with my best friend, Kristin
15. Do something nice for someone I barely know
16. Compliment Coby everyday
17. Clean my house thoroughly every week
18. Limit myself on alcoholic drinks (this one makes me seem like I am an alcoholic, I mean purely in a social setting because I really am only a social drinker)
19. Stop biting my nails
20. (Almost there) Take more photos, document my life a little bit better
21. Take a vacation/Travel out of Arkansas with Coby
22. Decide whether or not law school is for me

Whelp! There you go! My 22 before 23!

TTFN!

Ash

Playing Catch Up!

Oh my! I haven't posted in a while!!! I've been so busy with starting my new job!!! I am so very excited about this new journey I am taking! I have been inspired by some other blogs that I have been reading lately and I am going to start posting outfit posts! I am pretty excited about it and hope everyone reading will be also.

I was looking back through my posts and I realized that I didn't write a proper introduction post, so I guess I'll do a late intro post! Well, I am 22 years old and I just graduated with my Bachelor's of Arts in English this past May and I am currently at a crossroads and don't know which road to take! I have two sisters; one of my sisters is 19 (Jessica) and is a student.  She's pretty cool, she's just as crazy and abnormal as I am.  My other sister is 7 years old (Alexis), me and her are 15 years apart and she is so crazy haha! She comes up with the craziest, most random things! I have a fiance (Coby), and we have been together for almost 5 years.  I guess you can call us high school sweethearts; we had a weird beginning, but we have been going strong for 5 years and we will continue for more!  I love to read, I will read anything that you put in front of me.  I have a variety of interests; my favorite tv shows are The X Files and 30 Rock; I love Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Ellen Degeneres, and basically any woman that can make me laugh! I love women comedians, I can totally respect a woman that can make a crowd laugh! I love all kinds of music, so no favorite bands haha! I love zombies, mermaids, cupcakes, and the colors light pink and mint.

Well that's a little bit about me.  Saturday me and my best friend Kristin are going to garage sales, probably at an unGODLY hour! Hopefully it will be worth it! My cousin is leaving for basic this next week, so I'll probably mosey my way on down to Malvern and go to his going away bbq!

The beginning of one chapter, the closing of another

So today I started my new job!! : > I really like it!  The girls that work in the office are really nice, I really like them all so far! I have my own desk and cubicle and I can decorate it any way I want! AAHHH! I am so excited about that haha, I went to Target today and got some cute tacks to hang some pictures.  I still need to get a pencil holder, a cute stapler, some picture frames, and a calendar.  I was planning on putting up some cute zombie pics since I really like zombies, but I found out the girl next to me is really afraid of them so I guess I am going to hold off on that.  I am exhausted though! And I'm dreading tomorrow because I have to work both jobs tomorrow because my last day at Outback isn't until next week.  I'll have to take some pics of my desk after it has been completed and let you guys see it.

Sorry I didn't post any pics of the super awesome bookcase last night, but I will say this it is over 6 feet tall and has 6 shelves and I have filled it up, plus my other book case that has 3 shelves is full! I am going to have to start reading on my Kindle more!

I am pretty excited about Thursday because my best friend is going to be moving to Little Rock, which is about 20 miles away from where I live so I'll have an awesome and familiar face around! I'm going to stop by her house Thursday after work.  I also have all day Monday off, the office will be closed because it is Memorial day and I wasn't scheduled to work at Outback so I have the whole day to do whatever I want, which will probably turn into cleaning, blogging, and reading.  But those things are okay with me!

Woo! I am beat guys! I guess I am going to get off of here because I have a huge day ahead of me tomorrow and I need to get some sleep!

Blerg!!!!!

Oh.My.Jeez!!! I have had an awesome day so far and it's only two in the afternoon! For starters my super awesome padre brought up this rad oak book case because my books are beginning to overtake the floor of my bedroom (pics will be posted tonight!!) Then I received an email from this place I interviewed at Friday and . . . I got the job!! I am so excited because I will be able to have nights and weekends off and still make the amount of money that I need to sustain myself financially.  I'm having a good hair day and all is well my friends! Pics of the book case will be posted tonight and pics of a dress I found that I want to get myself for getting my first post-college grad job! I am about to head out to go get some awesome raspberry tea from my favorite coffee shop here in Conway, then head to work where I have to do the dreaded task of putting my notice in : / However, if that is the worst part of my day then I will take it!

Adios amigos!

This next year...

So it is now the end of May and I have graduated from HSU with my Bachelor's! I have interviewed for two jobs so far and I find out tomorrow about one of the jobs.  I really hope I get the job because the people that work for this certain company are super rad and awesome and I would love to start my professional career out working for people who are super cool! I also really hope that I get the job because I have been waiting tables for four years now and it is way past my time to quit that type of work! I have met some awesome people along the way, but I'm ready to move on.

As far as life plans go. . . I really haven't been able to solidify any plans yet.  I am torn between doing what I know is sensible and what will provide me with job security and financial security and something that is going to be really fun and super awesome.  I would really like to open a bookstore/cupcake shop, but during these crazy economic times, opening a business in Arkansas seems to be quite risky.  I have also invested a lot of time into my law school application and feel like going on ahead and getting my law degree will be the best option for me. I mean having my law degree and then opening a bookstore/cupcake shop would be better than not getting it and always wondering "what if?"

I need to just take this one day at a time and really think about what I would like to do and what would make me the happiest, I only have one life and I don't want to spend it miserable and full of always wondering "what if?"

This next year will be the first year in almost 17 years that I will not be enrolled in school! It's exciting, but also very discomforting because I will be straying from the norm.  There will be no buying school supplies in August, no moving into a gross dorm room, no Christmas break, no more classes, or lunch breaks!  I guess I need to plan out some goals for this next year in order to kind of keep my life on track.

My goals are as follows, but are not limited to:
1.) Kick my law school entrance exam's ass
2.) Finish the Harry Potter series
3.) Obtain employment that doesn't involve taking orders or refilling anyone's drink
4.) Start my wedding fund and decide on a date
5.) Get super good at making awesome cupcakes
6.) Spend more time with my sisters
7.) Get accepted into law school

I guess that's it for now! Until next time!

Ash