August Playlist

This month has been a weird month, and my music choices are definitely reflecting that fact. One, there isn't a ton of country in this playlist. Weird, definitely unlike me. I haven't been on the hunt for new music as much either. It may be because of my move back home. I've retreated back into what I think is comfortable. I mean, look at how much Imagine Dragons is on there. Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love Imagine Dragons. It's just been so long since I have listed to their album Night Visions on repeat, all day, all week, all month. Then there are the misfits on this list. Zombie Nation? Really, Seana? Hey, football season started yesterday, and I am really missing my home at UCF. Then Oceans and S Club Party are essentials. Anyway, this playlist is awesome. I'll probably be listening to it all month long.

Let me know what you think! Are there any songs I absolutely have to listen to for September's playlist? 

Saturday Seven

Welcome back to the Saturday Seven! This week is going to be a little different. In honor of my beloved alma mater, UCF, charging back onto the field this morning, this Saturday we will have an all UCF football themed list. First, let's set the mood with some sweet, sweet Zombie Nation. Without further ado, here we go!

1. You better stand back, because William Stanback won't have any problems taking you down.

2. Last time we played Penn State wasn't a problem, so why would they be one today?

3. You've got nothing on Blake Bortles.

4. The Catch. No more explanation necessary.

5. Youngest team to ever go to a BCS Bowl? Almost unanimously favored to lose? Doesn't matter. We'll beat you anyway.

6. Last year was amazing. I can't wait for what UCF does next.

7. UCF has been the underdog going into most games. They have been disrespected and swept to the side despite earning everything they have now. 2013 was a crazy season, but we're just getting started.

Last years was a crazy year. UCF no longer meant University of Central Florida, but instead, University of Cardiac Finishes. Time and time again this team, and university, were told that they couldn't do something, and each time, the naysayers were proved wrong. I am proud to have been #BuiltbyUCF. Just watch what we "can't" do next.

UCF is taking on Penn State in the Croke Park Classic. This game is taking place in Dublin, Ireland at 8:30am EST and will be aired on ESPN2 and Watch ESPN. For more information, click here. 

Five Things Before I Own a Dog

Today is National Dog Day. To be quite honest, I didn't even know that was a holiday, but I am down to celebrate pretty much anything. I love dogs, though, and I love seeing everybody getting excited about their furry friends. Unfortunately, I don't own a dog... yet. I need to get a few things in my life in order before I take on the responsibility of a living thing. But after I finish everything I listed, a dog will be mine!

1. Live on my own.
This one is definitely a no brainer. I had to move back home with my parents after graduation, but I have no plans of staying here for very long. I can't bring a dog into this environment when I know that I am going to be leaving as soon as I can. Plus wouldn't I want to bring a dog into an environment that I know I will be staying in for some time?

2. Have a job I plan on keeping for awhile.
I need to know that I plan on staying in the same place for awhile, and the job will ensure that. I can barely handle my life constantly changing, so  I know a dog won't be able to either.

3. Own a car.
I need a car so much more than I need a dog. It's crazy. This is becoming a necessity, and I cannot believe that I do not have one already. This is my top priority right now. Plus, how will I get my dog home? I don't think they allow dogs on the city bus.

4. Have lost 50 pounds.
I need to get my health on track. People will say, "Oh, a dog will be able to help you get active and keep you healthy!" Well, I think they can help you as long as you are already moderately active. As of right now, I'm not. When I'm fifty pounds down, hopefully, I'll have some exercise routines that are in order and will be able to adequately play and exercise with my dog. It's a win for everybody.

5. No debt other than student loans.
Animals are expensive. I don't need any expenses that aren't necessary. That's it.

Do you have any things you need to check off your list before you get an animal? Let me know!

Baseball, I Love You

So, I love baseball. Actually, I think I might be in love with baseball. It's kind of crazy to think about it that way. Anyway, my love goes so much deeper than tight pants and nice faces (but those two things are certainly not deterrents.). This sport is so much a part of my life. A game was on in the hospital room when I was born. Also on that day, Michael Jordan decided basketball just wasn't for him anymore. But baseball was. Like Mike, baseball is the game for me.

In the past, baseball really has been the family that is here for me. My last two semesters of college were rough. I was working a ton while taking a few too many courses. You know what? Baseball was there. When I got to the point in my mandatory major internship where I could not stand doing a second more of social work, I went to baseball games. Those three hours somehow calmed me down. They allowed me to see that although what I was doing seemed like an individual struggle, there was a much bigger system pushing me to succeed.

When I was younger and I didn't like one of my brothers all too much, my dad would take me to baseball games. I needed to get out of the house and calm down. There's nothing like a baseball game to do that. They allowed me to think about what made me happy. I didn't have to deal with the things I didn't like all that much like my brother, cats, cleaning my room. I guess it worked out for my parents too, because when I got back from games I was always a little more compliant when it came to chores or accepting that I was no longer an only child.

I guess baseball is always going to be that constant for me. I know it is something that will make me feel normal and grounded again despite all of the crazy going on around me. Since I'm living on the Florida gulf coast the season starts in February for me (win!), and even that never seems soon enough. The never changing game will always be there and so will the goofy never-gonna-grow-up boys. There aren't a ton of surprises. It's slow. It's long. But it's consistent.

The hot dogs, popcorn, beer man, mascot, bat boy, and crackerjacks are ready for you to fall in love with America's pastime. So what's holding you back?

Taylor is Back!

If you're anything like me, you've been impatiently waiting for new music from Taylor Swift for about the past six months. Don't get me wrong. I LOVED Red, but I just needed something new, fresh, and fun. Yesterday Taylor released her new single, and there were absolutely zero complaints from me. Zero. "Shake it Off" is exactly the song that I needed to hear. I've been down in the dumps since graduation, but this song has made everything better. Also, some of my closest girlfriends and I have not talked this much since Red came out anyway.

"Shake it Off" is a song that basically just tells all of her critics that they can hate (hate, hate, hate, hate), but she'll simply shake it off and not care. It's so upbeat and leagues different than the majority of her last album. In the video, she pokes fun at herself the entire way through and definitely acknowledges the fact that she can't dance. But you know what, she's going to do it anyway. I could definitely see myself and some of my friends jamming out to this on a road trip or just during a major dance party in the livingroom of their apartment. My favorite part of the song might be how she uses the word "hella". That word is making a comeback, and I couldn't be more happy.

Check out the video here, and let me know what you think!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Ode to Tim Riggins

This hasn't been made obvious yet on this blog, but I might be in love with Friday Night Lights fictional character Tim Riggins. No, seriously. My family is watching Friday Night Lights for the first time, so I am picking up a few episodes here and there with them. There's no doubting that Tim may be a little bit of a fixer upper compared to Matt Saracen and Jason Street, but you know what, I don't really care. He's beautiful and interesting, and that is all that matters.

I mean, just check him out:

He looks good working out, in a truck, hungover, and well, just being him. Tim Riggins is great in every way. Now if only slightly more well-behaved versions of him were real. They're probably not, so I guess I will have to keep watching Friday Night Lights for the Tim Riggins love that I need.

Texas forever, Riggins. Texas forever.

101 in 1001 Update

Since the last time I talked about this list, a lot of things have happened. I had to suddenly graduate, so some things going to be changed. I'm not completely sure what they will be changed to yet, but more information on that when it comes. Instead, this is a post about what I have completed!

38. Unsubscribe from all of my junk emails

40. Learn how to respond to emails, text messages, phone calls, all correspondence in a timely manner

45. Just graduate: I graduated on August 2nd!

47. Manage to move without it being a huge ordeal

48. Master the Orlando bus system: After taking a bus to my internship three days a week for seven months, I think I have it down.

51. See a musical

64. Use my Universal pass enough to have made it worth it

94. Organize my iTunes: I deleted everything my iTunes this past week because I didn't listen to anything on their anymore and almost exclusively use Spotify. Since it's not there anymore, it has to be organized.

Have you made a 101 in 1001 list? If so, how's it going?

Saturday Seven

1. This has been my summer jam. Rita Ora can do no wrong.

2. Ah! I can't wait for football season to start! This new video is making the two week wait so much more exciting.

3. Fun fact about me, The Aristocats is one of my favorite Disney movies of all time. Check out this cool concept art!

4. I bookmarked this on my computer over a year ago just knowing that I would need some post-grad/pre-job advice. Turns out this is exactly how I have been spending my days. There has been a lot of sleeping, reading, and Netflix watching in this house.

5. I could not be more in love with these coordinate bracelets. Just look at them!

6. I'm not too in love with the title, but this list does ring very true. Chelsea Fagan introduces some solid ways to take care of yourself and make you feel beautiful.

7. And finally, this week's quote: "Eat better. Run more. Squat more. Sleep earlier. Wake up earlier. Make a good breakfast. Drink water. Eat fruits. Read books. Adventure. Talk less. Listen more. Feel deeper. Love better. Open your eyes. Experience life. Be happy."

Graduation Anniversary

So, as of tomorrow it will have been two weeks since I graduated from the greatest school in the country, the University of Central Florida. Unfortunately, I was not able to secure a job in Central Florida before I graduated, so I had to move back home. I can't even begin to say how much I miss being there in Orlando.

Reflecting Pond on campus

I'm going to miss being on a campus that literally looks like a resort, but most of all I miss my friends. Since moving to Orlando three years ago, I kind of lost touch with everybody that I went to high school with that stayed back home. While this is unfortunate, social media is playing a huge part in my life now. It's hard to keep up with my friends from the O, but we are making due. Think of it as a weird long distance relationship with several people.

But what am I doing now? I'm applying for jobs, asking for internships, and setting up informational interviews. I'm trying to get volunteer hours in fields that I love, since the field I received my degree in is not one of those. I am blessed with the athletic opportunities that Southwest Florida offers, and I am sure that I will find my down that path soon.

Other than all of this, it's mainly been a huge Netflix, baseball game blur. I've crossed a lot of things off of my 101 in 1001 list, so be sure to keep an eye out for that post coming up soon.

Have any of you graduated recently? How are you coping with leaving your friends if that was something you had to do?