Laughter definitely keeps me youthful

I think I shall take you back into time of young Marcelina where the best days included the following: 

-being a lunch helper counting out chocolate milk, white milk and orange juice
-walking into the Hall with World's Finest Chocolate stacked along the wall and plotting on carrying around that wonderful blue box of goodies that carried such a beautiful aroma
-zipping through any book to win a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut
-and choosing out the best Trapper Keeper each school year. 

In middle school, I acquired the nickname "Giggles" and for most of you that do know me I do have a slight addiction to laughter.  Eventually my nickname morphed into Chuckles, Giggles, Gaggles, Goggles and/or Guggles.  The morphing of my nickname was quite an event.  Of course, the nickname was acquired for the obvious reason.  I can't help it, even attending a private school, I still did not care, laughter makes the world go 'round and clearly, I laughed at every opportunity.  The morphing of my nickname came by pure coincidence, let's just say a series of fortunate events.

My life was always held in my hands literally, I carried my Trapper Keeper everyday.  I usually chose a black zipper Trapper Keeper one that had one colorful stripe.  On the outside of course, I did put my name on it (Giggles), and I think on this particular year I chose silver letters that were a bit glittery.  One unfortunate day, the "I" jumped ship.  Of course, my all time favorite science teacher HAD to point that out as I waited for my parents to pick me up, and since then my nickname had morphed.  


I'm not sure if he knows it, but that nickname he gave me pretty much sums up a great deal of my character.  I have a very serious side of me (which some do not believe I have) and there is a very jovial side of me (I guess it depends on the environment  as well).  For those who know me really well, I tend to be quite the jokester.  I tend to laugh really loud and I tend to make requests of people to do something to keep me laughing (i.e. I'll ask my brother to talk like our mom, or another brother to do the "turtle dance", or my boyfriend to meow like a lost kitten) these are all quite entertaining. Nay I am not Eddie Murphy, "hop on one leg, bark like a dog!"


I love laughter.  I wish you all many years of laughter to come.  Laughing definitely beats frowning a million times, and you know, no matter how much you TRY to frown, it's always harder to keep that frown especially when someone is doing something intentionally to make you cheer up.  


CRAZY thing, I actually started this post weeks ago--but due to current situations I have been a bit distracted, 14 hour days tend to make you stray away from computers and such. The reason I capitalized the word CRAZY is that in this post I mentioned said science teacher, I freaking saw him today (Nov. 3!)  for the first time in YEARS! It was great, it was just like yesterday, except this go round I'm actually an adult. SCARY.  I also realize that this post is slightly random.  However, I am a random person and I have been doing a lot of thinking.  Since I have changed jobs temporarily, I have noticed a great deal of laughter in my life.  Laughter is what makes me function and I think it is one of the things I do best to foster a fun loving environment.  I thought about posting this post (redundant) and I thought about not posting it (mostly not).  Somehow through this bit I feel slightly vulnerable to you because now you are getting to know a piece of me and I'm sharing a piece of my life including memories to an unknown audience.  But it's okay, I feel liberated, really liberated actually.  I have so much more to write and such little time


SECOND SIDE NOTE! I enjoyed a delicious lunch today at Sumter Cut Rate Drug (chicken salad sandwich, fries, and a sweet tea) along with two awesome people that made my dining experience so beautiful. Thank you guys! You absolutely made my day. So my completely random post is now complete nothing in it is coherent, concise and whatever-what-not, but really, who cares! I sure don't that's why it's my bloggy bloggerton! (No attitude intended :)) 


Hugs, Kisses, XOXO (I was joking with one of the vendor guys from work as I complained about my chicken scratch signature on his device...he responded "oh it doesnt matter! for all i care you could put hugs and kisses, xoxo, love, always) I LOVE IT! LOL LIVE OUT LOUD, LAUGH OUT LOUD, LOVE OUT LOUD, be you, enjoy yourself and most importantly share yourself! share your character, share your love, share your memories!




LOVE ALWAYS---GIGGLES

I actually didn't know what shoes I put on...

Many of you know that I am a VERY disorganized person when it comes to clothing, shoes, make-up, etc.  I struggle with easily being attached to articles of clothing.  I am not certain of the reason.  However, when I DO decide to clean and purge clothing, I always hold up said items and debate to myself if these items are worth keeping.  And it usually results in, "Oh, I'll wear this, I'm sure I will."  Three months later, the same event happens and I MAY part with 1 of 10 items.  It is quite unfortunate.  I wish I didn't care sometimes! It's so not that serious. All of these items can definitely be replaced.

With that said, when it comes to morning routines, there usually isn't one that I actually stick to each and every morning.  There are slight variations, but here is what generally happens in the morning. I sit and mope on the corner of my bed for about 3 minutes to get the blood circulating and "warm up" to the morning rays.  I then prance around bs'ing and wasting time for about 10-15 minutes.  Usually, I may throw in a load of clothes to be washed, dibble-dabble in dish washing duties, and perhaps fold a towel or two.  Afterward,  reality may set in that there may be only 45 minutes left to this whole morning preparation and I go attack the clothes that need to be ironed.  I turn on John and Kiran to see what they need to inform me of before I start the day.  I love them (I absolutely hate it when they have days off, it makes the whole experience just odd).  After ironing I pop in the shower, quickly dress, adorn myself in perfume.  By adorn, I definitely mean adorn.  What? Don't judge, it has to last all day! Before I walk out the front door, I slip into my dress shoes and off to a busy day!


So all of that pretty much happened yesterday minus one minor detail.  I know I chose my shoes out mentally.  However, when it came to execution, it turned out quite different.  At work, I usually have a partner in crime in any important activity.  The most important activity of my day is taking a nice stroll to the ice machine with said partner and filling up on ice for the day.   Well, I got my ice and I looked down.  I screamed! Marcy! Why would you put these shoes on?! These were NOT the shoes I had envisioned for the day.  I ALWAYS wear these shoes to the "other" job because they're extra comfy.  Somehow I put on shoes without actually confirming with my own eyes that these were the shoes I wanted/needed to wear for the day.  Why does this matter so much? I have a strategy when it comes to "shoe-wearing" especially with a transition from one job (mainly at a desk) to another (mainly fast-paced and a ton of walking).  I wear my dress shoes that are a bit spacey to my desk job and the other set of shoes are fit for fast walking and prolonged amounts of time standing.   The transition in shoes also prevents from later cramping of the little tootsies at night.  

Yes, this is Hagrid.
 I know this is a rather random entry, but I live for randomness! Surprises make my day.  Change brings me inspiration and variations bring a new spice to the table. Although I struggle remembering the location of certain items (i.e. keys, wallet, sunglasses, and belt) I do have a trusty sidekick (smile) who happens to watch my little paws and notice where I may set things (lots of things at that) .

Your Influence

Are you a person who inspires and radiates positive energy?

Honestly, I'm not sure if I even have been a positive source for the past two years.  It's quite burdening in fact and I believe slowly, but surely, I am reinvigorating my entire being and overall outlook.  I truly believe that experiencing a certain dosage of negativity will force you (in this situation of course I am directly speaking to myself) into a need for change. The environment cannot wholly be put to blame.  There are of course different factors, variables, and whatever that may be that has a chance to stir the "pot" of influence, if you will.  Despite the sources of influences, no one should allow those "influences" to be empowered. Once they are empowered then these influences can often determine and steer you in the wrong path.   I am empowering myself to make decisions that matter and not allow influences to dictate my life plan.  

Who owns the key to success? If I knew that there was one, singular, sole being that held that 24k gold key to SUCCESS, I would hunt them down and just ask to borrow it for a mere five minutes (3 minutes to caress the key and the other 2 minutes to open up that crusty door TO success). Of course, there isn't one person who owns that key, there isn't a pot of gold at the other end of the rainbow, and I don't think there is a fountain of youth (maybe there is).  I really do believe to a certain extent each person has a potential to be someone great.  The question is: do we maximize our potential to achieve that greatness? 

I wish I could dedicate more time to this life plan, thinking, and writing.  Working two jobs definitely starts to drain you and make you cherish every second of sleep.  So hopefully, I will revisit this topic one day and perhaps take a more guided approach to what I am really getting at.  Long story short, I'm ready for a change, I'm encouraging myself to think positively and try to be a better personal overall.  I just hope that these changes can be impressionable and have much better results than the ones that I am producing now.  So here's to change, better moments, and a more positive outlook on every aspect of life.  

This is me senior year in college. We took a trip to see Big Norm (may he rest in peace), the largest piggy (of course not the small piggy I am petting).  Anyways, this was a fantastic RANDOM day I spent with some awesome friends.  It was a chilly day, but we had so much fun driving along some random back roads of Hamilton NY just to find a random shack with a really large pig.  We failed to leave a "tip" in the tip box, sorry Norm, none of us carried cash, anyways...where were your owners?!

I know this is a random photo included, but I found it rather applicable.  I really enjoyed this small moment in time that I will forever share with my friends.  I am promising myself to commit to so many more random memories with friends and family.  The only thing is I must MAKE time to do these things...that I shall do :)

Yours truly.....bitty bitty bitty bot. 

Fetta-chooney

I love grilling.  When it comes to grilling I maintain a certain amount of consistency.  However, today I felt a bit ambitious.  I bought a different kind of charcoal and to top it off I actually bought a bag of hickory wood chips.  I definitely regret the change in charcoal brand.  The wood chips, I am not so sure about, the charcoal definitely let me down.  I had a pretty aggressive flame as you may be able to see.   Let's just say the grill beat me this go 'round.  It's okay, I was quite successful in another area.  

I tried a new recipe today! I made penne with a white cream sauce.  I found my inspiration from allrecipes.com.  It really is super easy! Here are the basics:  1/2 cup of butter, 1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 2 cups of milk, 6 ounces of grated parmesan cheese, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper.  So just melt the butter really quick on medium and add in your garlic.  Afterward, drop in your cream cheese, use a whisker so you can get it smoothed down.  As your sauce cools it will thicken so be sure to stir in your milk occasionally then top off with pepper and parmesan cheese. ( I actually forgot completely about throwing in my parmesan cheese!   It still tasted great! Instead of the garlic powder I chose to mince fresh garlic and add that to my butter. I also sprinkled in some parsley flakes.) So just toss this sauce with your freshly cooked pasta! I can't wait for leftovers to eat at lunch tomorrow!

Too bad the pasta completely out shined my grilling skills.  I think next week I will crack open dearest Costco recipe book for a fantastic salad. I have to commit to healthier eating and just saying "Nay" to the golden arches.   

The night has come to a fantastic close as I smell the fragrance of vanilla shortbread sweeping through the entire apartment.  It's the perfect start to the work week.  I wish you all a wonderful Monday and a productive week at work, school, or wherever your location may be.

My first bloggy bloggerton!

Please forgive me I am quite new to this blogging experience.  So, I predict that perhaps my first few posts may be quite rough, unpolished, and very misguided.  However, in the end I am sure we will come to some sort of conclusion (temporarily that is!). 

Fall is quickly approaching and I am actually thrilled! I have come to embrace the beauty of fragrances especially those that are inspired with "fall" in mind.  I have grown to appreciate my cozy apartment and the story it tells to its guests by the blend of fragrances that I have chosen for each room.  To me, it reminds me of a nice evening with family and friends around an appetizing meal sharing stories and memories. My new endeavor will be to try new recipes every week, and of course we will be keeping fall in mind.  If you have any suggestions do share!  I probably would enjoy something with apples, pumpkins, and perhaps a few strawberries. 

I had quite the day at work today, somehow I will find the deeper meaning behind it all.  I'm assuming that when the "stars align," lightning strikes, and the thunder rolls I will find my ultimate purpose in life.  So I guess direction is what I need.  I know for sure I must initiate this journey on my own and stumble upon enlightenment.  I just hope this journey will not be too long because patience may not be one of my key attributes.  However, it is surprising that I was once patient as a child. I almost believe that to be impossible but I believe I was quite the patient pumpkin.  Except for those moments when my dearest brothers would kidnap Beary and hold him hostage somewhere.  For those who do not know, Beary is my stuffed animal from my childhood.  I cannot travel without him.  So you may have seen me bustling through JFK or LaGuardia with my buddy clenched tight to my side.  Judge me if you wish.  Anyways, yes I was patient as a child.  However, I am quite impatient and exceedingly anxious to begin/continue my great travels and adventures.  


For now, this shall conclude my first bloggy bloggerton my head has been hurting since earlier today and I almost want to give myself a pat on this shoulder for not having passed out by now.  I will continue my free writing on the morrow, perhaps during said lunch break. 


Until next time.  Yours truly, new found lover of Fall :)