Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Lazy Tuesday

 Lazy Tuesday is a "thing", right? Because, I am feeling lazy and it's Tuesday. #LazyTuesday. Oh, well now it's a hashtag...I am currently enjoying my lazy Tuesday and some downtime as my sister takes her nap.  Downtime translates to Facebook stalking people I've met maybe twice and then somehow ending up on Gwyneth Paltrow's Wikipedia page. I remember in 9th grade, when my English teacher told me NOT to use Wikipedia as a valid source. I remember thinking I am not dumb enough to use Wikipedia as a valid written source, okay? But, I will continue to use Wikipedia for looking up "The Office" episodes that Mindy Kaling has written and why her in BJ Novak broke up, because if that's wrong then I don't know what's right. So, as I was saying, my sister is napping, and I am trying to enjoy this much needed downtime. I started nannying her yesterday and it has been great, but she really knows how to wear a girl out! Three year olds mean business. So, I thought I'd make a list of "things" that really sum up my current state at the moment.

1. Sleep: Will someone please tell me how to sleep normal? I have only slept in until 10:30am once this summer. ONCE. What is wrong with me? My mom says, "Welp, you are getting older..." But like, I like my youth? And how can 19 even be considered "old". Isn't 30 the new 20? Or is that just not true? I honestly don't even know where I heard that from, but that's beside the point. The point is, I can fall asleep fine--I play a couple rounds of "Candy Crush" and I am out. Just like that. But, it's the fact that I am up at 6 am, wide-eyed and ready to take on the day..But that eagerness only lasts for about an hour and then I run to Starbucks. Actually, I drive, but running just sounds so much cooler, ya know? So, essentially the problem is, I run on little to no sleep. And there aren't enough K-Cups and Chai Teas in the world to really CURE this girl.  Is there any way that I can trick my body into not waking up at god-forsaken 6 am on a Wednesday? I really don't want to have to watch Fresh Prince re-runs on TBS, or god-forbid, Saved By the Bell, because, that just isn't fair, right?

2. Chobani Yogurt: My mom told me that I would hate greek yogurt, so like a fool, I listened. Then I decided one day to "rebel" and pick up some from the grocery store near my house. This was last week. Since then I have traveled back to the grocery store and bought every single greek yogurt that has the words "with chocolate" and "Chobani" plastered all over. So far, I am in love with all things Chobani. They seriously know what's up. I am just really mad at myself for waiting this long to try greek yogurt. I like Gyros, I like hummus, I like pita bread, I like froyo,  so it shouldn't have come to any surprise that I would love greek yogurt. Chobani: 1 Mom: 0.


4. Cake Boss: The Cake Boss has always been my all-time favorite reality TV show that I actually like. SYTYCD is a close second. What makes the Cake Boss so great is that it centers around an Italian family. Who doesn't love Italian families that speak their minds, and fight about who's cooking dinner?! And in Buddy's case it makes for good TV. Also, cake is something that is very important to me. I am dead serious. If you invite me to your birthday, wedding, or Barmitzvah, you sure as hell better make sure your cake is good.  The Cake Boss is just great, because It has family fights, obnoxious New Yorkers that I don't have to physically deal with, and above all things, it has CAKE. Lots of cake. The only problem is, I always want cake when I watch the show. But, then I think about diabetes, and the Raspberry-Chocolate Chobani yogurt I have waiting for me in the fridge. Problem, solved.

5. Nannying: Maybe it's a southern thing? Maybe it's the best thing ever!? If you were brave enough to ask me what I was "doing" this summer, I'd respond with a casual, "I am taking a break and nannying my sister." You'd either hate me for this answer or you'd feel bad for me. Honestly, I would hate me. Because, nannying my sister has got to be one of the best jobs. I can wear leggings, eat yummy food, take a nap, and watch Disney movies without OPEN judgement from my Twitter followers. SO hah. But, seriously wearing comfy clothes is a major major plus-side. Now I see why all the other girls in my neighborhood wear Norts and Jack Rogers. Actually, no. I don't see why they do that. But, anyway, I think being paid to play with a three-year old is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. Thank god I love kids.*


*I may have spoke too soon, because as I was saving this post to my drafts my sister awoke with a lovely present. She decided to shit in her pants. It's all good though, because moments like these remind me that nobody is perfect and that if I can handle a kids dirty diaper, I can handle anything. SERIOUSLY. Oh and I plan on keeping this post so many years from now I can explain to my sister that everybody makes mistakes AND everybody, and I mean everybody has shit their pants. Sometimes the internet has perks, small, devious, perks. She loves me now and she's going to love me even more in the future. Hah.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Dear Hayden

A response to this

Dear Hayden,

I love you so much. I am currently under a new birth control so my hormones are really out of whack and I may start to sob while writing this... I also just finished watching SYTYCD and that always makes me cry (with or without raging hormones). So... please bare with me. First off, thank you for being honest with me. I know school is hard as hell and you are busting your ass off. I am so proud of you Hayden. I remember freshman Hayden. Do you remember him? He had bleached-blond hair and wore his "signature" DIY-peace sign key-chain necklace. He never did his Biology homework. He also was afraid to come out of his shell (both literally and figuratively). Now, all I can do is laugh! Freshman Hayden is long gone and College Hayden is kicking some serious ass! Hearing about your life has made me giddy, excited, pissed, and has made me wish that I was a better fucking friend. I have been struggling with my friendships here in NC, because I have been gone for a long time. I am realizing that 's no excuse. Just so you know, I will always be here for you.

Please don't ever apologize for being a human being. Human beings screw up, become distant, want to scream, want things they can't have, fail to realize what they do have, and lose sight of who they are. Don't worry about missing my birthday, don't worry about the Skype dates, just don't worry. We will get to together, and when we do we WILL pick up where we left off. To be honest, we have a type of friendship that can survive without having to constantly text each other, "like" each other's Facebook posts, and Skype every other day. We have a true friendship.

To answer the third part of your letter: I am not doing as well as I hoped. I had a great first semester (the first couple of weeks were very rough, but I got through them). Leaving home was one of the best decisions, because I learned how to deal with my own problems without assistance from anyone, but I still missed having a strong support system. I have some friends and slowly some of them are becoming close friends, but that doesn't happen overnight and it requires work. I have a hard time realizing that, but I am learning. College is about learning. So, my first semester was great, because I was very busy with finding my way in the Drama Department and socializing like crazy! My second semester was not. I got a job, while the majority of my friends were rushing for sororities. I wasn't eating with many people, talking to many people, talking with my roommate and I was overall very unhappy with myself. I was having panic attacks, which were affecting me physically and mentally. My anxiety (which I have had since a little girl) was worsening and I had no one. I was talking to my mom constantly, my dad, Skyping my brother, and realizing that I needed to find a support system. I needed help. I went to a therapist and she was great. She told me I needed friends to talk to. My mom agreed.  I have always had a really hard time opening up to people, fearing judgement and ridicule. I blame Weaver for that and the fact that I am--and I quote-- "afraid of my own shadow".  Luckily, one of my really good friends on my floor noticed that I wasn't the same "Ashley". She took me to dinner and I told her my issues and how I was feeling. I found out she was going through the same thing. Believe it or not, she told me that I could talk to her about anything. I was relieved, but really mad at myself...I really needed to start to open my eyes. I thought I had no one, but that was far from not true. So, I don't want to continue, because I want to try and focus on some more positive elements of my life.

So, on a positive note, I have finally decided what I want to do with my life. I really want to write and produce for TV/film. Everyone has been telling me that I have a real knack for writing. I just didn't realize it until college. I love to write, specifically comedy. So, this summer I have been watching every single comedic TV show, film, and book I lay my eyes on. I also have been trying to write in a journal, as well construct some monologues and scenes. I am hoping to intern for Second City, FOX, or NBC next summer. Dreaming big! ;) I'd love for you to read some of my stuff, because you won't tell me its good, unless it's good. One of the many reasons why I enjoy our friendship and  why I've always liked your input. Anyway, I am trying to focus on what makes me happy, but I am also using my unhappiness as an aid to writing. All of the great writers, write from experience, right? Oh, and Deacon is doing really well. He is getting old, but he is still as playful and loving as ever! I am spending the majority of my summer nannying my sister, Anna. I am really happy that I can spend time with her, because she is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. She is so happy, sassy, funny, and we are going to have a great time!

Now for your positives, mister! WOW!  I cannot believe how much growth you have experienced this year. I am happy college is working in your favor, because you deserve it. You have always been smart, capable, and willing. I sound like such a mother, but it's true! Oh and your GPA is higher than mine, so feel free to rub that in as much as you want! ;) Not kidding! I am happy that you have a strong support system close by. Taylor is a "once-in-a-lifetime" friend and I am so happy she's been there. Please call me. I really would like to see you soon. I need a good cry session with you, my friend. We can cry, eat food, laugh, talk, and most importantly listen to each other vent about our lives.

Thank you for being such a beautiful human being. I love you. I miss you.

Your friend,

Ashley


Saturday, March 23, 2013

Live from Saturday Night...

It's a new blog post from the one and only, Ashley. You see, friends from the interwebz, I tried this whole blog thing two years ago--failed miserably at it, hence the lack of postage. Mainly, I was running out of interesting things to say about my life and junior year of high school was a really stressful year for me. Now that I think of it junior year is a stressful year for everyone. Though it has been two years since my last post on this blogging website I have been blogging on my Tumblr, a lot. I love Tumblr, because it allows me to live vicariously through photos of food I will never eat, shoes I will probably never wear, and people that I will probably never meet. I am trying to put an emphasis on the probably, because I'd like to think that one day I may run into Tina Fey at Wendy's or something. I mean it could happen, right? 

So, I have decided to take another whack at that this whole blogging on Blogspot ordeal. I am going to try and blog as much as I can. But, before I can jump into everything I probably should talk (or in this case write) a little bit about myself. My name is Ashley or Mary Ashley, you can call me which ever. I am a 19 year old college student currently studying Drama at Syracuse University! GO CUSE!  I am  enduring the treacherous Syracuse, New York (sometimes known as Siberacuse), but I am Southern born and bred. North Carolina is my home, away from home and it is one of the most beautiful places in the whole entire Southeast. Not that I am biased or anything, I just really think it's really pretty and there aren't many states that have mountains, flat land, AND beaches. Now you are probably wondering, "Why the hell are you in Syracuse, NY when you are from North Carolina, home of Cheerwine, and Biscuitville?" If you seriously don't know what those two awesome things are I suggest you look them up. I am not trying to sound like your father, but it's important that you educate and diversify yourself. Anyways,  Syracuse happens to be one of the best schools for communications AND theatre. It also happens to be a snow globe, but I'll explain more about that later.  So, in other words I sacrificed sweet tea AND sunshine for an excellent education. When I am not writing a play analysis or tuning out musical theatre majors,  I enjoy re-watching The Office, quoting The Office, listening to movie soundtrack playlists on 8tracks, laughing at my own jokes, and making to-do lists. I tend to be a little delusion (this comes from early exposure to Nora Ephron films and the Gossip Girl book series). I am also a wee bit irish and sarcastic. I have high hopes for myself and I can fully admit that I am a hopeless (delusion) romantic who is 98% sure that she was born in the wrong time period. 

Now that you have a little taste of me you can really see what I bring to the table. Interesting and groundbreaking stuff, right? I'd like to think I am a semi-interesting individual. So, for the future, expect more interesting and groundbreaking stuff that pertains to my life. My main goal for this blog is
to just let myself go and be me! I have always been a fan of letting go and if that means blogging then why not! So, follow along as I blog about my final weeks as a college freshman and how I am surviving snow in March. This should be fun for the both of us! I promise. 

Proof that the groundhog lied and 'cuse weather is SO fun: