<insert Facebook status about the new year here>

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2012 has been pretty badass, and as that ball drops I'd like to reflect on just how awesome this year has been.

1. Graduated from college. Something I take for granted sometimes because not everyone is as lucky to have the chances I've gotten. But ya, undergrad is over and that's scary.

2. Started grad school. Hands down the best choice I ever made was going to Emory to get my mph. I'm learning the coolest, most useful skills and it's really been a worthwhile investment.

3. Made new friends. Upon graduating I was really sad because I was leaving behind the bestest friends a girl could ever have, and not a day goes by where I don't miss them. But there's this saying "make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold." I didn't think it was possible but I've had even more amazing people come into my life, and all it took was being myself.

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4. Lived the single life. I've been flying solo for a while, but 2012 is one of the first years that I've actually been unattached for any significant period of time and truly taken advantage of it. It's amazing all the adventures you can have (online dating anyone?) as well as all the money you save not having to buy someone Christmas or birthday presents!

5. Started a business (and a blog). While said blog may be marginally more successful than my Stella and Dot side gig, at least I can say I tried?

6. Moved to Atlanta. Never in a million years would I ever have imagined that I'd have the balls to move so far from home in order to pursue a career/education. This coming from the kid who cried every day when her mom dropped her off at school (in my defense I was 7 and we had just move to Hawaii). I don't know how long I will be here, but I'm open to the mystery that's the future and am just enjoying the ride.

I have a feeling 2013 is going to be even more legendary.

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I feel it in my... innards?

The year is drawing to a close and as the clock ticks down to midnight I'd like to take some time to reflect on at least one very important lesson that I've learned and hope will stick in 2013. It's something I forget and re-remember time and time again but there really is something to that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach, a feeling that's worth listening to.

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Sometimes I get it when a relationship doesn't feel quite right, maybe things are a little too good to be true (in which case if you feel that way then they usually are), or maybe plans keep falling through when you used to hang out all the time, or someone isn't as attentive as they used to be (or on the flip side is too attentive). These are often the sources of that ominous feeling. I've gotten them, and looking back I know this, but at the time it's always harder to pick up on. On the other hand, there have been times when I know the reason I haven't trusted my gut is not because I was too oblivious to the signs but because I didn't want to listen, I didn't want to face the music telling me that things were going downhill and that maybe someone just wasn't that into me.

So now I know that I have these feelings (and maybe you've realized that you have too?), and more often than not I know it's usually a good indication that something isn't right with the situation. Now comes the harder part: actually listening to my gut. That's sure to prevent a lot of drama, and I could use less of it in 2013.

I'm throwin in the towel

I'm throwing in the towel on online dating, for the second (?) time. I gave it a shot, went on a date, but in the end things were just too much. The guy I went on a date with, while he was nice and it was a great first date... just too much.

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Maybe I talk the talk but ultimately can't walk the walk. I say I'm ready for a relationship, but when it boils down to it, I'm busy and like my freedom. I don't want to feel smothered by someone with a 5 year plan who explicitly wants a relationship. It's strange when the tables are turned; whoa, here's the rare guy who is looking for someone. But after one date he flat out asked if I was interested, and when I responded with the "I just met you, let's be friends and see what happens," he immediately said that he was ultimately looking for a relationship and if I just wanted to be friends then maybe I should look elsewhere. That just took me aback, seriously what the deuce buddy. It all made me realize that this probably isn't going to work.

Haha so foul but so true. via

I think there's a difference between being open to something and explicitly hunting. I used to think that I was explicitly hunting but this guy blew me out of the water; I think if I was hunting and all I wanted was a relationship then I would settle for the first thing that came along (i.e. this candidate) and in this case I couldn't. I need something a little more organic, that develops more naturally; things just get awkward and seem to have extra pressure when you're coming from a dating site. What hammered down my decision to delete my account was the fact that the other semi-decent seeming guy I was talking to happened to already be Facebook friends with a friend of mine who also uses the site. Playas gonna play, but not with me. I got bigger fish to fry.

It's the end of the world as we know it

So today was Doomsday right? I'm sure those nuts selling Doomsday survival pods in China and building steel fortified arks are feeling a little silly for quitting their jobs and spending their life savings on something so pointless. I will be the first to admit that I am easily worried, but even I wasn't buying the whole "end of the world" hype.

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Since I had first heard about it in my Anthro 282: Rise of Civilizations class first year of college, I knew that the Mayan calendar didn't stop of December 21, 2012 because the world ended but because the calendar simply ran out. Think about it: the Mayans were pretty busying having their way of life and their whole civilization decimated by Spanish explorers, chances are they didn't have time to update things. And I realize that Mayan writings have indicated an advanced understanding of astronomy and other scientific phenomena, but seriously, no one can predict the future.

As my friend, a Latin American studies major, and this article cleverly point out, the calendar doesn't indicate an apocalypse but merely that there will be a change. Isn't this what we go through at the end of each year with our New Years Resolutions? I think it's going to be a good change (I say it at the beginning of every year "oh this is going to be my year" but considering all of the awesome changes that I've gone through in the last few months I actually believe it this time).

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p.s. Ironically, I realized that not even a week ago I watched Melancholia, the movie with Kirsten Dunst about the end of the world. Today depressing (herp derp it's called Melancholia silly) but hey, if it really is the end of the world, at least I won't have to pay back my student loans :)

The Adventures of Online Dating

Currently taking a break from finals to declare: I survived! Not that there was any doubt but you never know (I wasn't asking for their opinion when I gave a description of what I was wearing, along with my height and weight measurements to my friends). I will say, as first dates go it was pretty sweet--literally, we started off at a local cupcakery, walked through a park, got a bunch of truffles, did more walking and then got some real food. Def. different from the traditional awkward first date dinner, but in a good way. I can hear you saying "but girl, that sounds like too much walking!" Nay friends, Atlanta is so cool that way, with its pockets of neighborhoods and parks. I got to explore a whole new area, and even found a new place to go running along the Atlanta Beltway. So many cool sights, I just wish I had my camera with me.

No I did not send this. 

My mom called me right after, and I will tell you what I told her: he was nice. Goofy, in a good way, and nice. There weren't any crazy sparks or fireworks going off for me, but it was cool. At the very least I could see us being friends. Obviously since I'm going away for winter break that puts a pause on things, so I can't definatively say there will be a second date. I don't know, is it fair to go on a second date with someone if you aren't sure about them/didn't have any fire works?

Obviously I'm a little rusty with the formal dating process, so this was good practice (though I think girlfriend here still has it!). I was really nervous going into it, but thinking of it as a social experiment (I've been watching way too many episodes of Bones--very Dr. Brennan way of approaching things) took some of the pressure off of things. I had to double check with a friend about how long you wait to text to say thank you: 24 hours was her answer. He did text me later so I didn't revert to that rule. I am seriously considering starting to stock-pile all the little dating tip gems that I seem to have forgotten. Here's what I have so far:

1. (As mentioned above) Wait 24 hours after date before sending the "thanks I had a great time!" text
2. Don't chug a can of soda prior to said date: you will end up all jittery and run the risk of burping all over the place (totally a rookie move but I seriously just wasn't thinking).

Thoughts? Any other nuggets to add to my arsenal?

Luckily he looked the same as his pictures...

What the deuce was I thinking?!

So I'm going on a date on Saturday. I know what you're thinking, "whoa girl that's big how did this happen?!" It's an OkCupid date (cue me getting all flustered and ashamed). I was just getting so bored; seriously, how does anyone meet anybody in this place?! School isn't an option and bars... that's laughable.

Hopefully this isn't going to be me...

I'm def. embarrassed that I had to resort to this online dating website, but apparently using things like this is a lot more common than I may realize? Ultimately, I'm a practical person. I could sit around and complain and grumble about how I'm so bored and there are no dudes and wah wah wah, or I could get out there and do something. I did something and now I'm going on a date.

And now I'm like WTF was I thinking?! I'm getting nervous! Here I was talking this big talk saying oh ya I'm ready for a relationship, and now that it's time to put on my big girl pants and enter the dating world I'm scared. I'm finding myself wondering if I really truly am ready and thinking about how I enjoy the single life so much. I'm so fickle. But for Saturday: it's an afternoon date and I'm driving myself. Fear not, I shall be careful. And if all else fails, this will make for a great blog post.

This dog pretty much sums up how I'm feeling

You know when you do things you know you shouldn't?

I have a problem. I'm a compulsive texter and have no will power. Here's some background on my current situation: I go to a school that's 80% women (i.e. sometimes it feels like an all girls school). The amount of guys I've met here is closer to 0, and I'm struggling. I'm a young kick ass individual in the prime of my life; what's the deal?! Sure, I try to fill my time with other things, such as school, volunteering, and hanging out with friends, and as a result my grades are great and I get projects done way ahead of time. But by God I'm still human, and as such I can't help but like guys/want them near me. I'm going crazy/feeling desperate, and trust me if you were feeling like you were in a convent (esp. not by choice) you'd be going crazy too.

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So what happens when a girl goes crazy? She does stupid things. Like texting someone she shouldn't (because she should actually move on and find someone better). It's a vicious and horrible cycle, and I know I shouldn't do it... but I do. Because I'm so bored. One can only think about school so much, right? Hell, I'm not even worrying about impending projects/exams because I've actually been doing constructive work with all the free time I've been having.

I don't know if I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill because I'm by nature too hard on myself or what. I'm inclined to think this isn't the worse a person can do, especially if said recipient of texts responds back and things seem to pick up right where we left them. So... thoughts?

What the ads on your Facebook say about you

1. "Looking for a girlfriend. Come find the one at POF": I had to look up what this acronym was, but POF stands for Plenty of Fish. It's OkCupids shittier counterpart (and that's saying something). Stop taunting me dating sites! I don't need anyone (if I say this enough I'm sure I will start believing it)!

2. "23 things you should hoard. afterthedisaster.com": Yes, I love apocalypse type movies and books. Yes, they secretly make me want to create an underground bunker and start stocking up for Doomsday.  And yes, my dad has turned to me and asked me in the case of a zombie apocalypse what would be my weapon of choice. What can I say, I'm a planner.

3. "Give the gift of life. Up to 20,000 compensation for egg donation": Don't tempt me... just kidding. The idea of having little mini me's running around out there in the world is terrifying. I'm desperate for money but not that desperate.

5. Run or Dye: Yes, when I run I feel like I'm dying (I realize dye means to turn colors, just work with me here).

4. ADD hub.com: What are you trying to say Facebook?... SQUIRREL!