Don't Say It, If You Don't Believe It

A year ago, I was pretty sick of my life. I mean, I did have good GREAT friends, a good job, a good boss, and I wasn't Relief Society president anymore. But I also had a rather broken heart, a lack of any boy prospects, and there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel when it came to grad school or even a reason WHY I was still in grad school.

So, when that happens, the passive aggressive thing is to post on Facebook:

A year later. 

Please note that:

1. The hair was cut... and then grew long... and I currently like where it is and how it looks:

2. I moved...

3. Purchased a new car (and still no pictures... sorry!)

4. New job beginning April 29, 2013.

What?! You accomplished all of that in less than a year?!

That's what you're saying, right? And then you're scrolling back up and thinking, Wait, did she say a new job?

I can officially tell you since they've started announcing it at work. I've accepted a new position and promotion at work to be a social media producer for Church History and Family History. But mostly I'll be working with Church History. I'll post to Facebook and Pinterest, maybe help them decide if they want a Twitter account and run that show along with doing some copywriting for internal and external notices. 

To say I'm happy doesn't really describe it. I know my current boss has a different story since I whined and complained about this whole process, but I'm really excited that I've been led to this point. I think this is a great shooting off point to a new career path and more opportunities for me. Plus, I've started taking some courses about social media and libraries and I think the ideas can be implemented and beneficial. Plus, I get to do some creative writing. Who doesn't think that's a great idea for me??!!

The next few weeks will be crazy, but I'm hoping things will settle soon.

I'm just a little sad that I won't get my annual MoTab Christmas DVD and CD anymore.

But the moral of this post? Don't say it if you're not ready to make things happen!

Update @ 9:23 PM: Um... Do you think if I say, "I have a desire to just get married" that in a year that will happen to? Just saying....

Online Dating

This post will lack pictures. But will probably contain a short synopsis of my current experience with the world of online dating. You have been warned.

So... I've turned the age of old according to many in the land of Utah (except for those who have surpassed my ripe age of 30). Since my dating experiences have been nil since about August, I decided to suck it up and try to do online dating for 3 months. (Plus, I got a discount for my birthday. Nice, right?).

It's pretty much been... blah.

I signed up with 2 different websites. The majority of men who contact me on one site are not members (apparently, they don't like to read that I won't date a non-member) and the other website the majority are from outside the country. The average age? Probably around 42. Yeah. That's creepy. 

I have given my cell phone number out twice. Both times, I've received text messages. Once, the guy texted with me for 15 minutes and I haven't heard from him since. The other? We've had a couple of back and forths... but it's going on almost a week and I'm glad I haven't gotten attached.

The nuances are odd. He sends me a wink. I check out his profile and decide how interested I am. If I'm semi-interested or really interested, I'll send a wink back. Then he sends me a message. 

I've found that I've tried to be more lenient. So what that he can't use the correct "you're/your"? Or so what that he puts down how much money he makes and you make double that? It's not marriage! It's a date.

However, despite these small successes, I still haven't had a date since August. 

Oh, and my favorite is when guys from my past wards have viewed my profile. Yeah. That's not so great. Or when guys currently in my ward come up to me on Sundays to tell me that they found me online in the past week. But don't worry—they're not going to ask me out.

Well, two months down, one to go before I say goodbye to the experiment. #doesitevergeteasier

Also, in one week I'll be heading off to NYC with some friends. And a couple of us are going to hit up the singles ward there. I'm hoping to make a stir and maybe meet some cute guys. *fingers crossed* Regardless, I should have some good stories.

Crafting: Springtime

Remember how I've become crafty?

Well, I figured I'd show you how to do what I do...

First, go to Crafty Wood Cutouts. They have a fantastic selection of products. And they give you a discount if you check into Facebook. (For those who don't regularly visit Utah, I think it can be shipped to you... or we can work out a deal. Just sayin').

So this one is just for springtime. You get the blocks and the vinyl. I bought some paper while I was there (for these kinds of crafts, you want to get thicker than normal paper.). 

The paint I got from Joann's because I have coupons so it's usually under a dollar. (Tip: Read the instructions on any paint before purchasing. This specific paint I purchased has a 15 minute drying time. But there are others that take an hour before applying a new coat.!).

First up is to paint the wood and let it dry. Paint as many coats as you want.

Once you're done, cut the paper to fit the wood block size.

And then meet your favorite crafting tool, Mod Podge. 

The key to mod podge is not to put it on too thick and then also flatten out the paper before putting on the top coat. The paper will bubble but let it dry over night and the bubbles will flatten out.

Next, the vinyl comes. If you don't get a kit, you can use a cricut for the vinyl (I'm hoping one day to have one of my own...).

So apply and pull off...

et...

Viola! 

That's how I do it. It's pretty simple... mostly because I just have to paint, cut, and apply.

But it gives me the illusion of crafting...