Sweet Up!

I am beyond grateful for Labor Day!  My school may do somethings strange but they give us a four day weekend for Labor Day so for now we are cool.
This mini vacation came at the right time for me.  School is in full force over here and I have to tell you this has been the most difficult start to a new year I have had.  I am sure it is because I work in the office now and I see all the ends and outs of what exactly is going on.  It isn't pretty my friends.  I honestly thought I was going to have a break down from all the stress and nonsense I was dealing with.  I am 1000% convinced that if I were in charge of everything the world would be a better place.  But because I am only in charge of myself the world suffers.  
The only thing that really got me through the last two weeks was the fact that I am still teaching one class of Psychology this year.  It is the bright spot in my day and the only part of the day I look forward to. 
I loved teaching Psych last year.  It is such a special class.  The kids learn so much about me and my friends I use as case studies.  They share the most interesting facts about themselves.  We take naps when we are learning about sleep and watch a ton of movies to illustrate points.  Really I feel like this class is a little club and only the cool kids are in on the amazing things that happen during 9th period.   Teaching this class last year made me know that I have to get my PhD and teach at the university level, it is just better subject matter there. 
Sorry to any former student reading this post, but this year's class is already my favorite ever.  I only have 17 kids in the class and they all come from very diverse backgrounds.  They are outgoing and energetic and already love to be silly and academic at the same time.  
The first chapter I teach from the book is terrible.  I mean I fell asleep the first time I read it.  I tell the kids it is terrible and we just need to get through it and then everything will be a lot more fun.  The first two weeks I give lectures, and try and make 2000 plus years of the history of psychology interesting. Whenever I see them start to get sleepy I usually will tell them something weird about Freud, like how he did enough cocaine to kill a small horse (anyone know what movies that line is from?)
After my lectures this week the strangest thing started to happen.  My whole class would start to clap for me.  At first I thought they were just clapping because it was over, which was part of it, but they were expressing how happy they were to learn too. I am telling you this is a special class. 

This is pretty much my class.

They are bright, funny, and inquisitive students.  I honestly wish I was teaching full time still.   One of my favorite moments came when a student told a friend to shut-up.  I hate it when they talk like this and I usually remind them that we do not use the "S word" in my classroom.  They always look confused but then realize what I mean.  One girl turned to her friend and said "Please Sweet up!"  It is my new favorite thing they say.  Everyone needs to sweeten up from time to time. 
I am so so happy that I am still teaching this class.  I am also looking forward to the weird things that are going to happen as a result of this class.  Psychology is truly my favorite subject to teach because it is so personal and interesting.  The conversations that arise in this class are priceless and I am so grateful that I found something I love to do. 
Happy weekending and don't forget to Sweet Up!

Not Necessarily But Yes Part 2

While I was in Maui this summer, I went on a tour with the world's strangest tour guide, Roy.  He drove us all around Maui on the road to Hana.  If you find yourself on Maui, take this trip, it is beautiful.  Also have a tour guide, those roads are scary and you probably will die or get into a huge fight with your travel companions if you try and drive it yourself. 

While we were touring Roy was asked if eating poisonous flowers would kill a person.  Roy's answer was "Not necessarily, but yes."  Excuse me?  How can it be both?  I loved his answer and it quickly became a running joke in my family.  Do I have to clean my room? Not necessarily, but yes.  Do you love me?  Not necessarily, but yes.  Do I have to do it right now?  Not necessarily, but yes. 
As I wrote about yesterday, I have had some big life changes this week.  I mean it isn't everyday you buy a new home right?  I started to think more about it and it seems like this is a very adult thing to do.  However, when I ask myself if I am an adult the resounding answer is, "Not necessarily, but yes."
I have a professional job, I pay my own bills, I now own a home, I care for a teenager girl, in many ways I am an adult.  I also am often mistaken for 21 (or a high school student), I prefer running around in the sunshine, and I have a pass to Disneyland, not quit adult behavior.  
 I went through my instagram recently and I realized that as hard as I may try I still live quite the childish life.  Enjoy the randomness that I enjoy on a regular basis. 

The plastic green frog coffee cup I actually use at work.  It was a beautiful gift from a student.

I still get sheets of school pictures every year.  I handed them out to my students, like they cared.

I own a pillow pet.

I enjoy a good doodle declaring undying love for Thor. I could keep going on about how I may look like a grown up on the outside but really I am fighting it with all I have.  I hope you stay forever young too, cause dang it it is fun!

The Best Things In Life

Today I am writing a bit earlier than usual.  I have been sick for the last five days and I decided it was time to take a sick day and get better.  I make mistakes when I am sick and I am not very productive so really I am helping everyone around me by laying on my couch, drinking liquids and watching movies. 

Yes I own a pillow pet, his name is Gatsby.

Other than being sick and somewhat successfully starting off a new school year (there is lots of room for improvement here), I bought a new house last week!  Ya herd me.  I said I bought a house.  OK well it is a condo, but dang it I am a homeowner.  These words bring fear and trembling and tons of excitment.  Because I had nothing better to do today.  I drove over to mi casa and snapped a few photos of the outside.  I felt like a creeper and did not want to have the neighbors call neighborhood watch, so I only got one good one.  Feast your eyes on this beauty! 

I really like this place for a few reasons. 1. It is MINE!  As an only child this is huge!  2. It has a pool.  You have no idea how happy I am about this.  I pretty much only wanted a pool and I guess a room to sleep in, but the pool was of prime importance. 3. It is in what I call the trifecta of safety.  A church, hospital, and school are all within a block of my place.  In other words i can sleep soundly knowing none of my neighbors are registered sex offenders. 
I am so surprised that I actually have a home now.  I have been looking for like a month and I had lost hope that I would find something good in my price range.  I found the perfect place and would have gotten it if another couple hadn't offered to pay in all cash.  WHO DOES THAT?  
After my tragic defeat I randomly decided to look at this place and was not really that interested, probably because I wanted the other place still.  I thought about putting in an offer, but decided to wait a week.   The owners of this condo though really wanted to sell to me.  About 5 text messages and 3 days later I was signing papers to go into escrow.  I barely had to debate, negotiate, or fret about it.  It just worked out. 
I realized that some of the best things in my life come when I relinquish control of all the details and let things happen.  The job I have did not require a lot of work or stress, I went to a few interviews, even showed up a day early for one, and a few days later i had a job.  Buying my car was easy.  I test drove a few found one I could afford that was safe, signed a few papers and drove off the lot.  Going on a missions trip where I didn't know anyone was easy.  I gave my money and got on a plane and had a great two weeks helping people in Costa Rica. 
When I get out of my own way and let the chips fall where they may I am usually astounded at how well it worked out.  When I try to control, over analyze, and bargain I am usually left less satisfied or hurt.  As a person I grow more in the difficulties or challenges of life, but I rarely get the peace I feel when I sit back and let things be. 
I need to remember this truth for myself as I am fighting a battle at work that I should probably let go of.  I need to do my work and trust at the end of the day it is enough.  The perfectionist in me needs to let go a little (or a lot), do my work, and remember that the best things in life happen when you least expect it. 

Erica's Rules for Writing

I want to welcome anyone who is stopping by from Living in Yellow today!  I hope you grab a cup of coffee and stay awhile and comment so i can thank you for reading.  
As I mentioned in my last post the last two weeks have been nonstop work fun.  I did not have time to write a blog post, think about a blog post, or put any creativity into any facet of my life.  This last weekend I was sick and I made myself sit around for two days without doing any work and I feel like I am retuning to me again. 
While I was on my mini blog vacation, or Blacation if you will, I had a little time to reflect on my writing and this blog.  To be honest there were many times where I thought i should just quit.  I do not always feel like I fit into the right blog category and my goal of growing my blog this summer was only kind of fulfilled.  I read lots of bigger bloggers who said their numbers were down so I tried not to let that bother me. When I thought about it more I realized some of my concern about writing here I have somehow made up rules to being a successful blogger and they are not rules that I thrive under. 
I have decided to come up with my own rules for writing and stick to what makes me me. My inspiration for this comes from my wanna be best friend Mindy Kaling.  If you have to ask who Mindy Kaling is I do not think I have time for you.  I am sure you know her from The Office, The Mindy Project or her gem of a book Is Everyone Hanging Out With Me? and other concerns.   

After reading her book and loving her comedy I decided we would get along well.  One of the One of the best compliments I received was from a friend who read Kaling's book  said that it sounded like something I would have written.  I almost died I was so flattered.  Mindy, if you ever happen upon this blog, I would love to work for you or be your best friend. I know it would be one heck of a great time. 
Another reason we would be great friends is because we have awkward childhood photos:

Mindy's photo is from the back of her book.  My photo is from wedding where I thought you had to show all your teeth to smile.  It was taken on my pink Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle camera.

More proof awkward children grow up to be lovely women.  Worn on TV

When did this become a plug for Mindy to consider me a new BFF?  Back to point of this post. Mindy wrote or spoke and someone else wrote (she is that powerful now) some rules for her writers at The Mindy Project.  While I am not writing for that show, yet, I thought they were great and they inspired me to look at my own writing and come up with some rules. 
Mindy's rules for characters are:

Characters are helpful and kind.

No one is a moron.

Characters are polite.

Conflict should never come from a desire to be cruel or mean.

Do not fear nuance. Comedy from avoiding conflict, not instigating it.

Characters don’t have to be maxed out to be funny.

I found this interview from Gretchen Rubin the author of The Happiness Project.  I love her book too and want to be besties with Gretchen as well.  Check out her blog here.

I like that Mindy keeps things kind and polite.  Honestly it is easy to write trash and mean one liners.  It is much harder to be kind and light.  Below are my rules that I have thought of in the last two weeks and I may be adding more to make me a better writer as the need arises. 

Erica's Rules for Writing 

Is there a point?One of the things I hate most is that my thoughts can get so jumbled and my intent cannot be found.  I want to focus on writing that is clear, informative, and helpful.  If I do not have something important to write I will not publish it for the world.  I will simply keep it as a draft and work to only post that which I have spent time and effort on making great. 
Is it Erica?I have a clear voice.  I am an opinionated lady.  I know who I am and I am confident in myself.  My writing should reflect this.  I should not be worried about how others sound, what other blogs do to bring readers, and what my mom will tell me is too edgy.  I want to believe in my self and my writing so that my readers will believe in me and my writing. 
Is it light?I mean this in a few ways.  I mean I want my writing to be positive, happy, kind, and polite. I know that life is hard and there are times where I write about that, but I never want my writing to be negative towards another person in order to make myself look good. This also means being kind to myself.  I am freaking awesome and there is no reason to be unkind to me.
Do I like it?This sounds silly, but there have been plenty of times where I have written a post "just to write" and prayed no one ever saw it.  If that is my feeling about my writing it is time to junk it and try again. 
Do I believe in it?I write about my faith sometimes, or about work, or things I am learning.  I might review a product, event, or outfit.  If I am going to give my opinion I have to support it and it must line up with my values and morals.  

After reading this I kind of feel like saying to myself "You is smart. You is kind. You is important."  Or it could just be because The Help is on in the background. 
That is all for now.  Do you have any rules for writing hat you would like to share?  I love to hear what works for others and learn something for myself.  If you haven't entered Erin's contest be sure to go to Living in Yellow and follow some great blogs today! 

Ask Me In Two Weeks

Woah!  It has been a long time since I have had a hot minute to sit down and write something that is not work related.  I have been running on overdrive for the last two weeks.  Today was the first day I have had other thigns pop into my head other than making sure kids are in the right classes and what to do with classrooms that will not hold 35 students.  
I started working at my school as a school counselor this summer.  I moved from the classroom to the office and I really really thought that it was what I wanted for career.  Now I am willing to say I might have been slightly idealistic.   
When my coworkers ask me if I like my new position I tell them to ask me again in two weeks.  I am trying to stay positive, but if I am honest I would say that I thought about walking off everyday for the last two weeks.  I just bought a condo though, so not having a job is not an option.  
Even though I am not in love with work right now I really think in two weeks I will be in a much better place in terms of work. I will not have 300 whinny teenagers coming to me to drop all their academic classes and take elective.  I will not have parents calling me in broken English yelling at me for placing their child in English as a Second Language classes because they can not speak English.  I will not have to figure out who can teach 3 students Algebra 1 and which period of the day it will work in.  I will not have to explain again why you can not change classes because one teacher might be "easier" than another.  In two weeks I will be focusing on helping kids apply for college, take their SAT and arranging a college night on campus.  These are the reasons I wanted to be a school counselor; to help kids be successful in life.  To help them find out what makes them who they are and what contributions they can bring to the world. 
The last two weeks have pushed me to my limit.  I work until 5 everyday, come home and colapse on my couch for two hours, make dinner, work for 3 hours, fall asleep, wake up at 5 and start the cycle again.  I have sustained three injuries this week due to lack of coordination and sleep deprivation.  I need balance in my life in terms of time spent working and relaxing.  If anything I have been reminded that I can not do it all.  I have to let go and trust that as long as the school is not on fire I still have a job and I am OK. 
As I sit here on my couch finally taking some time to reflect and watch episodes of The West Wing on Netflix I am grateful that I have a job that challenges me and makes me want to be better at work.  I am grateful that I can recognize when my body says "Hey take care of me and take a little breaky poo!" I am grateful that this has totally inspired me to look into getting a PhD and pursue teaching at a university.  I am grateful that Luke Bryan sings by favorite cheer me up song and I can listen to it over and over again and aways feel happy.  

I have been so busy that I didn't even get to post about how much I love Luke Bryan!  I went to see him two weeks ago and it by far one of the best concerts I have ever been to

So here's to new challenges and the good and bad that come from them.  And here's to two weeks from now when I know I will be able to say again, "I love my job!"

Throwback Thursday - Childhood Friends

I took a little break from the Throwback Thursday posts this month.  I just didn't have interesting stories to share with you on those topics.  The next two weeks should be pretty good though.  Next week especially.  It is a story I have only actually admitted to happening once in my life and I cannot believe I am actually going to share it here.  This weeks theme is a super sweet one.  I love that I it is about childhood friends because I am still close friends with a few girls I grew up with. 

Alana, Megan, Berna, and me after a play in high school. I thought we were being serious.  I was wrong.

 In 3rd grade I became friends with Amanda.  Our mom's were actually friends and played french horn in the community orchastra.  We would hang out in the back of the practice and listen to A Goofy Movie Soundtrack (actully I might have done that when Amanda wasn't there).  During our childhood we noth had to wear glasses, we both broke our arms, and had to wear braces - never at the same time though.  It was these awesome things that really bonded us together and gave us a deep lasting friendship.  

Lunch with Amanda this summer.

 I love that we are still friends today.  I was her maid of honor in her wedding almost two years ago - that can't be true!   

 Another friendship that has lasted is with Bernadette, Berna if you are really good friend.  We met in 6th grade at a movie day that our friend Julia invited us to.  To be honest with you I am surprised we became friends.  The girl called me Claudia for the first few months of our friendship.  Looking back I think I forced her to be my friend.   Clearly, she only interested in being friends with some girl named Claudia!  I even have photographic proof that she didn't know my name.  One day we were hanging out at the park in town and came across some wet cement. We wanted to add our initials in the cement.  She had long nails and volunteered to do it.  She carefully wrote a "B" and a "C!"  A "C" I tell you!  As in Claudia, not Erica.  I pointed out her mistake and she drew a line and said that was how she made her "E's."  I still do not believe her.

B and C E

Somehow our friendship survived this turbulent start and we became besties!  We went on family vacations together, church camps, wrote the world's worst play together - we titled it "A Pla-ay!"  We still keep in touch and see each other at least once a year. 
She actually was in town for Amanda's bridal shower two years ago and we took this picture together.  Oh yeah we were all friends growing up too.   

Berna, Amanda, and Me

 I am so happy to have friendships that last the test of time.  I am happy that even as we have grown up and have changed we still love each other for who we are and know that we can count on each other. 
To my other friends from growing up that may be reading this post:  I love you too!  I just heard childhood and associate that with before Jr. High.  One day I will write a high school friends post.  

The Life of Bon

Check out my other Throwbacks:  Totally Crushin'4th of July First Job  

My Top 5 Fears

Let's face it we all have things that we are afraid of.  Some of those fears are totally rational like dying if we get stung by a bee and we are allergic.  Some are irrational, like being afraid of the color orange (this is actually what a former friend told me once.  I think you can see why I call her a former friend.)  And some are totally bizarre.  Mine are all pretty weird and oddly specific.  I have a very specific reason why I thought of this post which I will tell you as I describe my first fear.  Being hit by a foul ball at a baseball gameI absolutely love baseball and going to the ballpark is one of my summertime musts.  However, I am terrified of being hit by a ball.  Usually my seats are way up in the nosebleeds so the fear is non-existent.  However, when I sit close I have mixed emotions of excitement and fear.  

We were so close I could have died!  I also love using this picture because I have no idea who the bro is on the right.  I just call him Bill.

I actually tell my friends that are with me about my fear and that if a ball is hit our way I will duck and cover and they can save my life. I was heading to a game last week with a friend and her roommate called after me, "watch out for those foul balls!"  I asked if she knew of my fear and she laughed a hearty, "yes."  I then said it was in my top five fears for life.  Then I decided to blog about it.  Now I am the last one laughing because I have this awesome post that will bring in tons of traffic and skyrocket my blog to the top of the charts! or not. Being in a car accidentMy last fear may have been silly but this one is legit!  I have been rear ended like three times and each time is scares the poop out of me.  The worst accident i have been in was three years ago.  I was driving to church and stopped at a red light.  Suddenly my car was being pushing forward by another car that hit me at 45 mph.  She didn't even try and stop.  Well my back was jacked up and still kind of is and my car was totaled.  Whenever I see a car tailgating me or not stopping quickly behind me I have a little mini heart attack.  This is particularly terrible in Southern California where my people just drive like maniacs.     E.T.

 I am not gonna lie, that little guy was freaking scary.  I am not currently afraid of him, but he was my biggest childhood fear.  I would actually have nightmares that he came into my room and would stare at me.  Many people have told me he is cute.  I disagree wholeheartedly.  The worst part about my ET fear is that my initials are E.T.  You can imagine how many times I was teased in elementary school just because of those stupid letters.  One time my teacher heard the kids making fun of me and she gave me extra credit.  I am not sure it that helped the situation, but I am such an achiever at school that I was happy.    
Lunch meatI just think it is gross.  I was a vegetarian for two years, I am close friends with many Seventh Day Adventists and I just don't like lunch meat.  It is gross to me.  Why does it have to be cold?  I like a freshly cooked In-n-Out burger or Salmon, or a BBQ chicken sandwich, but cold meat?  I just can not fathom that stuff. 
 BirdsBy far my biggest fear is of those little feathered creatures God created on the fifth day.  Why did you have to do this God?  They are disgusting!  They fly around pooping on people when they are on a first date, maybe that was just me.  They carry disease.  They will peck your brain out if you let them get too close to you.  They will eat your face and then regurgitate it to their babies.  I mean they are gross.  I hate it when I have to walk places where there are tons of birds and they fly all around me.  It startles me when they fly close to my head, and it is just terrible.  

My lame attempt to make peace with the birds at the Eiffel Tower.  You can see from my face that it isn't really working.

These women are so brave!

  Well friends, I was a little scared to share these fear.  Please do not break into my office and leave live birds and ET dolls everywhere.  I just do not think my little heart could take it!  

Three Dollar Theater

One of my new favorite places in the world is the Three Dollar Theater in Brea.  It is actually what it sounds like a movie theater that only costs $3.  Of course the theater shows older movies.  I love when a movie comes out and I want to see them but not enough to pay full price for them.  As I sit and watch previews I now have many categories to place them in; see it in the theater the day it comes out, $3 theater, redbox, and no way in heck am I going to see that junk!

The best part about the three dollar theater is that you can get a ticket, popcorn, and the best soda ever for the price of a ticket at the regular theater.  I would never turn down a movie date if someone said it was going to take place there.  

This weekend I went and saw The Internship.  You know that silly movie with Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson where they are ianterns at Google.  It was the perfect $3 movie experience.  I realized that I wore the same outfit to the theater that I wore the last time I went there to see Fast and Furious 6 (another great $3 theater movie).  I am pretty sure I will find an excuse to go to the theater anytime I am wearing this outfit from now on, just to keep the tradition going. 

True confession, this is not my pool. I just wanted a picture in this outfit so I took one at a pool at a condo complex I was looking at that day.

Today I had to go to the dentist after work today.  I had a terrible experience at my dentist last month and I decided it was time to go back to my old dentist.  He enters the room like you are best friends and is so happy to tell you about all the dental problems that are lurking in your mouth. 

The sad news is that I have two new cavities.  The even sadder news is that apparently my mouth is not alkaline.  In other words the ph balance in my mouth is off.  Which is the strangest thing I think I have ever heard.  However, it explains why I tend ot get cavities.  I brush, flash, rinse, still wear my retainer once a week and I get a new cavity every year or so.  At least I have a reason why.  

The fix: other than get the cavity filled is to use a new toothpaste and mouthwash.  So simple!  Except that it is like 4 times as expensive as regular toothpaste.  But if it keeps the needles and drills away I am in. 

Just cause I was bored at the office. and felt you needed to see my dental records.

Tonight I went over to my friend Meg's house to watch the season finale of the Bachelorette.  I am sorry but this year was the most boring season ever.  Sorry Des, but yo personality is just dull on camera.  Maybe cause you are a normal person, whatever the reason I am glad it is over.  I am just glad it is over.  I was surprised it was Chris in the end. Reality Steve you fooled me!  It will be nice to have my Monday nights back to normal! 

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Hello Dollywood!

This weekend I decided it would be fun to sign up to be in a movie.  I randomly signed up for a site called Be in A Movie.com.  A few times a year they send me invites to be in an extra in a movie.  The only time I went was when Will Ferrell was shooting Semi Pro..  You don't know what Semi Pro is?  It was that terrible movie he made about basketball.  I believe he wrestled a bear in the movie.  Makes sense. 

  I was in the crowd during the corn dog scene.  I actually never saw that movie.  I heard it was terrible.  If you have it will you please watch that scene and look for me? 10 points to anyone who sends me a picture of myself in that movie!  

Moving on from Will and his movie that was not Elf.  

I received an email at the beginning of the week calling for extras for a Dollywood Christmas movie!  I am not entirely sure how anyone could have turned down that casting call!  I found a friend and signed up.  I was probably too excited to see Dolly Parton and meet her, which is sad, because she wasn't even there. 

The whole experience was actually pretty funny.  The shoot was in Topanga Canyon.  No, Cory's girlfriend from Boy Meets World, it is a hippie community outside of LA.  I had never been there and it was a little sketch driving up a winding mountain road.  We lost cell reception and I was a little scared it was a scam to get beautiful people up to the woods and kill them.  I just kept reminding myself it was legit, I had been on a set with them before and that if I die I will see Jesus. 

When we got there we were greeted by the world's worst security guard. I named him Hector.  Hector came up to my car handed me a pen and paper and told me to write my name and number on it and leave it on my dashboard.  Weird.  I did it though, I figured it was in case I needed to move my car.  He also told me to leave my keys on my tire.  When I asked him why he yelled at me and said to leave my keys and that he was going to quit his job.  I didn't leave my keys, I am not a dummy, and I went to sign in. 

Hector stealing someones car.

The people who went to be in the movie were by far my favorite part of the whole day.  We had a lady and her daughter who had been in every movie they could and changed their outfits in awkward bathroom trailor.  There were a few older married couples who looked angry at me for being young. We had a few foreigners who were very dressed up and thought they were going to get their big break. LIke my new friend in the photo below.  

I named her Carla.  She flew in from Cuba for the movie.  Not kidding.

Aside from our new friends the whole day was very interesting.  We were told to dress up in Sunday best and to wear Christmas clothes.  I wore a cute red dress, my friend wore a cute green blouse and black skirt.  We looked good.  No one else understood the directions.  They wore uuggs with sparkle dresses, blue t-shirts with leopard spot American flags, and jeans and flip flops.  

We also had to bring winter wear for the outside scenes.  Below is my shot in the bitter winter cold of Southern California in the middle of August.  I was a little toasty. 

I kind of want it to be winter, I like this coat!

It is interesting to watch the filming process.  It honestly takes hours to film about 1 minute of a movie.  The director yelled at us, the assistant director yelled at ME!  I yelled back.  I was a real diva!  to be fair some guy got me really wet with a hose and I moved from my spot.  Apparently I was supposed to get drenched.  I also stole a prop from the shoot.  Below is my coffee cup from the day.  I was pretending to drink a delish coffee while cheering on a choir that was singing "Go Tell It On The Mountain."  I am pretty sure this movie is getting Oscar noms by the way. 

After a couple hours of the abuse from the assistant director, and roasting to death in our winter wear, and not being fed we ended up leaving.  On our way back I ran into a man with quesadillas.  He gave us one because we were so pretty.  Apparently, it was the food for the real actors.  So even though no one recognized my obvious talent and I was not offered a star role in the next Lifetime movie they were going to shoot, I did get free food.  I call that a win. 

All in all it was a fun day.  If you ever get to go on a movie set I would recommend it.  It makes the whole glamor of movie making seem really silly and helps you realize that anyone can do it.  

Make sure to look out for these hot ladies in a Dollywood Christmas movie coming to your local Lifetime network this winter.

This was in a trailer, we are so g!

Don't Ya Guitar Fret Week 3

Today is my last Don't Ya Guitar Fret post.  The friend that I was sending songs to every morning is finished with her job and I will be moving on.  I had fun though thinking of playlists so who know what will happen in the future?

Mais Que Nada By Sergio Mendez Again I choose a song in a foreign language.  I don't know what the song is saying but dang it it makes me happy.  I actually used to work at Starbucks and this song was all that got me through closing time. 
Red Solo Cup by Toby KeithSo this song is ridiculous and silly.  Honestly, I hated it the first time I heard it but now I kind of love it. 
Jump Right In by Zac Brown BandZBB is one of my all time favorite bands.  Many of their songs are happy and chill.  Take a listen and have fun. 
You Are The Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne This song is happy and has a great beat. 
Alright by Darius RuckerIt has a great message about life working out even when you think it is all a mess.  And it is by Hootie from Hootie and the Blowfish.
Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus No explanation needed, this is just the best song ever. 

Don't Guitar Fret Week 3 by Erica Thompson on Grooveshark

All For Fahion Friday - Cowboy Boots

I just love a good old pair of Cowboy boots.  I should be said mine are soely for fashion purposes and not for function.  I am a total poser and I am OK with that. I did grow up in a small rodeo town in Arizona and rode horses, but I am pretty much a Cali girl now.  That said if you do anything somewhat country related, concerts, line dancing, looking cute, you owe it to yourself invest in some of these beauties.  I will say that I am a fan of a cute pair of boots and a sundress when I go out to a concert of need to change up my look a little.  I am NOT a fan of cowboy boots at weddings if you are getting married in LA, Chicago, or any major city that is not at all country.  Come on people, a time and a place!   Below are some photos from the last month of going out on the town and looking smokin' hot!

Wearing Cowboy boots will bring you friends!  You will look hot when you go out on the town!

Dress: Target Boots: Ariat Boot Barn

Dress: Old Navy   the dress runs big, I actually bought a size down on accident and it fit fine. Same boots as above

Just so you know they are a major investment.  I bought mine for myself as a Valentine's gift cause I love me!  If you do take the plunge it takes a few wears to break them in, and you should buy boot lotion ot make them softer and look like new. 

Follow along on instagram and see all the places I wear my boots @ericajt

   

Isn't It Ironic?

Guys, its official, I'm old.  I might as well find a plot and get ready to die.  Yes I look like I am 21 year old, but really I am 28 and apparently it is time to pack it up for this little life. Maybe I am being a little bit dramatic, but this morning I had one of those moments that I knew would come and I never wanted to come.  When I was a kid my family would listen to the "oldies" station wherever we went.  It was fun and I know tons of music because my parents had a wide appriciation of music.  They knew all the songs and had stories about where they where when this song was popular.  These stories were usually prefaced with, "You weren't even a glimmer in my eye at that time."  After these conversations I thought, "Wow these guys are old!" In my irrational brain I had the idea that as soon as I heard songs on the "oldies" station that were from my generation I would be officially old.  I figured I had until I was 40.  I was so wrong.  I only had 28 short years of life before "it" happened.  I was driving to work and the only station not playing commercials was the "oldies" station. I stopped to listen and then the melodies of Alanis Morissette drifted into my car.  I was grooving for a while, who doesn't love her non-ironic portrayal of life in "Isn't it Ironic?"  Then I realized what station I was listening to... the OLDIES station.  I almost crashed my car right then and there. 
Sorry for the dramatics.  I am not going to go kill myself I was just traumatized.  How could a song from the 90s be on the oldies station?  I mean there is no way that song is more than 20 years old.  I am not an oldie and my music is not an oldie.  What will they play next? Britney? Nsync? I don't even want to think about it.
I have nothing left to say today.  I am going to go sulk in my office and remember the "good old days" when I was young and happy!