{Sunday Social}

Good morning, everyone!! I am currently inhaling my coffee as I blog and watch Lily sleep passed out on the couch. As if that is her clue to say "Nah mom, I don't need a walk." I tried my first baking experience from a pin last night on Pinterest and took pictures on my phone during each step! That is going to be a blog post later this week but for now, it is Sunday Social time!

{1} What is your ideal way to relax?

My ideal way to relax is to stay in my pajamas and be in bed with either a glass of wine or a Diet Coke and watching TV. Sometimes I don't even need a drink. I just like that mental escape from reality!

{2} Where is your favorite place to be?

With friends or family, having a good time.

{3} Who do you consider your biggest role model?

Definitely my mother. I remember having to write an essay about your role model or the woman you admired most in French 4AP in high school. My teacher called the house because the story made her cry and she wanted me to share it with my mom. I really admire my mother for raising 5 kids on her own, one who has a disability when my father died unexpectedly.She is so selfless and giving towards others. If I can be half of the mother that she has been to me, I will be satisfied in life.

{4} What does your life look like in three years?

Dear Lord, I will be 30! Did I just say that? I hope by that point I have a full-time teaching job, living on my own and possibly engaged/married. We shall see!

{5} If you could go back and change one decision, what would it be?

I am pretty satisfied with the choices I have made. Maybe it would have been to have traveled more when I was studying abroad.

{6} What is your biggest accomplishment in life thus far?

Getting my Bachelor's and Master's degrees no matter the obstacles that were thrown in my direction. I may not have my own classroom right now but I sure will get there! Things will happen when I least expect it and this is the mantra I plan on following. 

Link up with Ashley & Neely today! 

Sunday Social - All About 3's!

This week's theme on Sunday Social with Ashley & Neely is all about 3's!

{1} What are the top 3 things you can't go a day without?

I would have to say checking social media (I really want to try to do a social media free weekend), COFFEE, and talking to friends.

{2} What are three things that scare you the most?

Needles, clowns, guns

{3} What are three places you want to see before you kick the bucket?

France, Italy and Hawaii!

{4} What are three movies you will always love?

Now & Then, Beauty & The Beast (my ultimate #1 disney movie) and The Good Girl

{5} What are your 3 favorite current songs?

"Cop Car" ~ Keith Urban

"All of Me" ~ John Legend

"Human" ~ Christina Perri

I don't want to grow up!

Okay, seriously, I was right when I said everything after you turn 21 goes downhill. Ha! Maybe it is the pessimistic side of me coming out (oh, I must be feeling better....and I am, thank goodness!). But this adult stuff is somewhat of a big pain in my BUTT at times.

I turned 27 in November. When I turned 26 in 2012, I lost my health insurance that I was covered under thanks to my mom's job at the end of the month of my birthday (November). Conveniently, I developed bronchitis three weeks later and spent $160 between a walk in and medications. That would be my luck. Ever since then, I really haven't gone to the doctor for anything. The only thing that I have to take care of because it is probably the worst part about me is my eyes. If I don't wear contacts or glasses, I am super super blind so it is necessary.

When they passed ObamaCare (and I know everyone has DIFFERENT views on this)/the Affordable Care Act, I thought I would be able to get somewhat of a manageable plan. So you know, I wouldn't have to sell my kidney on the side of the road or anything to pay for it. I did the enrollment in December on the NY Healthcare Marketplace and chose a catastrophic plan with Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield. It had my doctors (plus), it was the cheapest (another plus). I figured I would stick with that until I find a permanent job/have more permanent benefits.

So, explain to me why I STILL haven't been able to make a payment to them THREE MONTHS after?! According to this, it says if you enrolled in coverage effective January 1, 2014, you should have received your invoice and when you make a payment, you're covered. Shortly after that, you'll get your ID cards. Um, I have received NOTHING. Yep, nothing at all. And when I try going on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Website to "shop" their plans, it gives me the same price the marketplace gives me but no link/spot to pay. I go through the mail every day so I would have noticed if they sent me something. And nothing in my email.

I guess I will be spending my evening tomorrow on the phone with both Empire & the health care marketplace to figure out how I can make the payment. I need something!!! This just frustrates me and proves nothing is ever easy as an adult. This, along with my taxes, are things I need to tackle. I have no idea why I keep putting my taxes off. It's not like I have a gazillion papers like my mom does! What's a good online, FREE tax website to use to file?

Wish me luck that I come out of this with some sort of coverage! Otherwise I'll be selling my kidney to pay for it. Kidding....of course. 

Happy St.Patrick's Day!

How did I spend this day celebrating my heritage? Well, sick of course! One of the teachers I co-teach with sent an email yesterday saying she has the flu and she is going to be out 5-7. Awesome. She told me on Friday she thought she had the flu. Then why were you at school?!

I got up this morning and felt so sick. It's pretty weird considering I felt fine when I went to bed the night before and really didn't eat anything out of the ordinary. I was debating whether or not to go in for the whole day or take a half day. By this point, I had already missed the deadline for putting in for a sub on AESOP. I made it through 3 classes and by 5th period, I felt worse then I did when I woke up.

During my lunch period, I went to the main office and filled out the form for when you have to leave early. One teacher who I work with first period was there and goes "Oh dear god" when she saw me because apparently I looked that bad. I started crying because I felt super crappy so my boss just told me to go home. God bless her for having a heart because otherwise, I am sure I would have tossed my cookies all over the main office otherwise. I came home and slept from 12pm-3:30pm. It was so needed.

I still don't feel 100% so I took tomorrow off. Why is it that I feel guilty for taking a sick day? That's a big problem. I plan on going to sleep soon (I took a shower before and was just watching TV) and sleeping in. Hopefully by staying home tomorrow from school and tutoring (because I knew I couldnt do that) will help me feel better! Because this is certainly how I feel right now (okay, maybe I am being a tad over dramatic)

 

The only bright side is I am not working at the restaurant until Friday so hopefully I feel better by then. I am REALLY hoping that this isn't the flu. 

{Sunday Social}

It is another week of Sunday Social with the lovely Ashley & Neely. Link up with these ladies today!

{1} How much time do you spend on social media a day?....be honest.

When I am at school, I am only usually on it during my off periods/lunch. If it is a slow night at work, I am usually on it when I am in the kitchen. Probably too much but it is addicting!!

{2} How long were you reading blogs before you started your own?

Probably about a week or two. I remember I had surgery and I couldn't work so I somehow discovered blogs. It unrolled from there and then I decided "I should start one!" because it would be a good therapy outlet.

{3} What is your favorite kind of cupcake?

Chocolate, funfetti or red velvet!! This question is making my mouth water.

{4} Do you eat fast food? If so, what is your favorite?

I am trying not to eat it a lot but last night I had a craving for McDonalds so I had it. I wish we had a Chick-Fil-A in  New York. They are so good!

{5} What is the most random thing someone would find in your purse?

Probably my wine key for the restaurant I work in.

{6} What is the weirdest TV show you watch?

Probably Here Comes Honey Boo Boo!

{Five on Friday}

Happy Friday! All I can say is thank god it is the weekend. What a week.

1. Frozen comes out on DVD on Tuesday and I may be more excited than your average 6 year old. It's okay. I preordered the DVD on Amazon and can't wait for it to ship! I am adding it to my Disney collection in addition to all the other Disney DVDs I have bought in the past few weeks (Lilo & Stitch, Dumbo, Pocahantas, Pocahantas II, Fox & The Hound, Fox & The Hound II (it was a double back), Snow White, The Princess and the Frog, Sleeping Beauty, Toy Story 2 & 3...etc). I may have a problem, ha!

2. Two weeks ago I wrote about the horrible experience I had at Ruby Tuesday's. Never want to go there again. I have never formally wrote in a complaint to a restaurant but this time, I did. I wrote a complaint, the district manager called me and apologized. He said he was completely embarassed and is requiring the staff of that restaurant to be retrained. Plus, he sent me a $20 coupon to try another location to see if I had a better experience. I will give it a whirl just because I am surprised they actually responded,

3. Girl Scout cookies are here!! I can't help that I ordered a bunch of Thin Mints & Tag-a-longs from my niece. Thank goodness I didn't give those up for Lent.

4. Who else is happy that The Bachelor with Juan Pablo is over? ES OKAY! I am so excited it is over. In all actuality, I had been looking forward to it. Bringing a Latin flavor to the show. But I am super excited that Andi is the next Bachelorette!

5. The group of people I work with at school. It's like a family. When someone is having a bad day (like me this week), everyone tries to make that person cheer up. When I get my own fulltime teaching job (if that ever happens) I will greatly miss them. For now, I cherish each day & the memories we share.

{Sunday Social - Favorite Pinterest Pins!}

Link up with Ashley & Neely.

This week's questions are all about Pinterest!! I am seriously addicted to Pinterest. I have the app on my phone and my iPad. When I am bored, it is what I browse on the web. I have found so many things for my future classroom on there!

I wish I knew how to link the pins from Pinterest in my blog post so I don't have to do it the old fashioned way. 

1. What is your favorite outfit pin?

Except the heels...I feel more comfortable in flats.

2. What is your favorite food pin? 

 My mouth waters just looking at it. I haven't made this one yet!

3. What is your favorite wedding pin?

Okay, this is kinda impossible for me so I am going to list my top 5!Ha ha!

This may be my all-time favorite pin. I want my future husband to look like this as I walk down the aisle towards him. 

I would be the person that does this at their wedding. Got to have a little fun!

I am getting a shot like this with my girlfriends. This is so us. 

I like this idea to show how you know all the bridesmaids.

Love this...a picture of each other reading their wedding day messages. 

4. What is your favorite DIY/craft pin?

I actually haven't tried any of the DIY projects on Pinterest. However, the one that interests me the most:

I need something like this in my room. It would make wearing my jewelry so much easier!

5. What is your favorite quote/verse/lyric pin?

I just pinned this the other day. I truly find it inspiring. 

6. Share one more random pin you love.

Happy Sunday!