Mmmm fake chicken...

This product is from Gardein and it's called mandarin orange chick'n. It's the best fake chicken I've ever tried so far. At first, I was a little disappointed when I saw that it didn't really look like the cover. Then I took a bite -- and mmm!! So good! It's crunchy and chewy on the sides and the sauce is delish! Even my meat eating, chicken loving younger sister, Jasmine loved it. She says it tastes like the real thing. I told her to try a piece and she just kept on reaching out for more. Now I know to make this when I'm craving some Chinese takeout. 2 thumbs up!

Money, money, money

Money, money, money
Must be funny
In the rich man's world! -Mamma Mia

 

My health teacher told my class that the reason most marriages end up in divorce is because of money. Why is that? That makes me want to question if those two individuals married each other for the right reasons in the first place. I believe that if you truly, madly, deeply were in love with someone, then the two of you wouldn't let money be the variable that tears the two of you apart.

This couple sticks together no matter what. They're homeless and while it may seem like they have nothing, they actually have each other. That's all that matters, right? To find someone that you care so much about that you'd do anything for them and they feel the same about you? And to be happy and feel loved?

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love & be loved in return. -Eden Ahbez

Money. To me, it just seems like such a stupid thing to fight over. You use it to buy materialistic things. Period. It shouldn't break up love. If that's what it was to begin with.

My Thoughts On Money

 Every day you work hard to earn money. Then you keep on saving it. What is the point of saving all the time? Eventually, you're going to die and you won't be able to make use of your hard-earned money. You should just spend it (not like a spendthrift) and be happy. Use that cash (wisely) and have fun with it!

Back to reality...the civilian world.

So I was gone alllll summer. I was at Fort Jackson for Basic Combat Training. I graduated from it on September 1, 2011 and since I am still in high school, I didn't go straight to AIT. For roughly 10 weeks, I made the bay my home and my battle buddies my family. I was sooo nervous on the airplane and I grew even more nervous and anxious as us, recruits, boarded the bus to take us to Ft. Jackson. I didn't know what to expect at all. I mean, I researched quite a bit about Ft. Jackson beforehand but research has got absolutely NOTHING on firsthand experience.

Reception lasted about three days and maaaaaan did I hate reception. It was so long, boring, and just ewwww. The girls constantly yelled, argued, and bickered about petty things. That kinda crap gives me a headache. I wasn't used to wearing those boots. Breaking them in is a long, painful process, especially cos I had a giant cut on my foot prior to heading off to Ft. Jackson.

I loved BCT itself though. I thought the people in my platoon were pretty amazing. I wouldn't have traded them for any other platoon in the battalion. I thought it was sooo much fun. Really. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I absolutely loved the obstacle courses. Those things are absolutely amazing. I swear it's like a giant jungle gym for big kids.

I thought my drill sergeants were pretty funny and cool once I got to know them. I was hella scared at first. I did get in trouble for minor things though (lol like dancing). And I did get really sick during the last two weeks. I was coughing all over the place, I got pinkeye, my back and my leg hurt were in pain, my throat hurt like hell, my feet had giant cuts on the heels, and I had blisters on my toes. So during that final PT test, I was a messed up little mofo but luckily I still passed.

I miss my battle buddies a lot though. Making friends with the people in my platoon and even outside my platoon made BCT sooo much easier. I really could not have made it out without them.

The one thing I really strongly disliked doing were the rucksack marches. Actually, they weren't too bad, it's just that I'm short so it's hard for me to keep up with people with longer legs. I feel like I speedwalk the whole darn thing. For some reason I messed up my feet really bad during the last march we did, which is really weird cos my feet never got that messed up before. I even wore my Foxriver socks and lots of moleskin.

Oh well...And even with all the uneventful things that happened to me, I can still say it's an experience of a lifetime. I don't regret going at all. I am actually kind of "baysick" right now. I miss my battle buddies so much. I'm back in school and it feels so repetitive. At least when I was in BCT, I was doing something different everyday. Everyday was full of surprises.

I remember all my battle buddies and I talking about going back home to the "reality" aka "the civilian world" but now I wish I could go back in time and do this whole thing all over. I didn't argue or fight with anyone in my platoon. In fact, I got along with every single one of them. I think about those guys every day and wonder if they miss BCT as much as I do. It's weird, I definitely did not think I would miss Ft. Jackson at all. Sandy, sandy, sandy Ft. Jackson. And did you know that I truly despise sand?

Here's a glimpse of one of the events at BCT. It was the very first obstacle course/event our company did.
Victory Tower

Loveless? Don't put yourself down.

There will always be those days when you feel like you're the only one without some sort of love life. And you feel left out. And alone...You envy every couple within your eyesight and long for a man (or woman) to sweep you off your feet. And you constantly wonder What's wrong with me? Why haven't I found him yet?

Then you start to think Maybe it's because I'm not pretty enough...Maybe it's because I'm too fat. Maybe it's because I'm not smart. Maybe it's because I should wear more makeup and wear my hair a certain way. Maybe it's because I'm wearing all the wrong clothes.

You get so caught up in your own insecurities that you don't realize how beautiful and intelligent you already are. Think about it: Would the RIGHT person for you care about all these petty little things? NO. Because they would love you just the way you are. You would be attractive in their eyes. You would be a size 2 in their eyes. You would be smart, funny, and interesting in their eyes. They could care less about what clothes you wear, how you wear your hair, or what makeup you do or don't wear. Because they fell in love with you.

Everyone wants a partner that is confident in themselves and proud of who they are. Would you want to be a guy or girl that has no self esteem and is constantly putting themselves down? You have to learn to truly love yourself first before you can love someone else.

Be very, very patient. That special person could be anywhere. When you've found your special somebody, you will just know it. It might take a while, but love wouldn't be so special if you fell in love every day, right?

If you do meet (or have met) the guy or girl of your dreams, make sure to always treat them well and make them feel special. Never ever take them for granted and never let them be the one that got away because true love doesn't happen every day.

All I can say for now is good luck to you, my friend. I'm still looking...

Shiny Party Nails & Bling Bling ;)

I wasn't able to sleep at all last night, so I decided to do my nails. These nails are the stick on kind. They're black and have all these colorful little 3d gems on them. I got them at Claire's & they run for about $7. I like the design a lot because it's cute & I got a lot of compliments on them today. Next time I use these I'll blowdry them with a blow dryer & apply clear nail polish. They get chipped pretty easily & are somewhat difficult to shape. They'll do for now until I can get my hands on the real thing. =)

Combat Barbie

Oh my gosh. Katrina Hodge is an inspiration. She has beauty, brains, and bravery. When I grow up...I want to be like her...

Here she is in her army uniform:

And here she is modeling:

This girl is like a chameleon!

Mother's Day & Choco Muffins

Today was mother's day & my sister Jasie & I got our mom a certificate to an hour long massage & Gertrude Hawk chocolate covered almonds (her favorite). I woke up early this morning & was able to make impromptu Vegan Double Chocolate Muffins. To my surprise, they came out really well! They were moist, flavorful, & chocolatey. We went to eat out for brunch. When we got back home afterwards, I took a 5 hour long nap. I haven't gotten that much sleep in forever. School stresses me out so much sometimes. I feel like I need an hour long massage too. :(

Since I slept earlier, I've got a feeling that I'm going to be up all night.