Battle of the Budget

I guess if it were easy then I wouldn't have had a problem in the first place. But I did, and budgeting is HARD!

Last week I definitely went over, and I don't even want to thing about by how much. I was already over budget due to going out of town for a wedding, but when I got back I also went to a karaoke bar with a friend. A couple drinks and crab rangoons later, I got a bill that was nearly half the week's budget! Boo.

On a related note, I put together a video list of songs you should not be singing at karaoke. This is for everyone's well-being, trust me. If you consider singing any of these songs, put down the song book and just walk away. 



Just an ordinary citizen looking out for society while battling a budget,

~K

16 Guys: Date #1

Thursday night my roomie and I went out to karaoke in Bellevue. It was an ok night with several really good singers. However, as often happens, I grew a bit tired and decided to make a note. I wrote down all of the guys I've ever gone out with, including just single dates. If I am correct (which I'm pretty sure I am since I racked my brain all evening), I have gone out with exactly 16 guys in my life. Yes, this is a tiny number, but keep in mind that I didn't date until college. So I've decided that I will (briefly) chronicle these guys for my adoring readers. They may occasionally be out of order, but I'm sure you'll be ok.

You're welcome!

My very first date was with a boy named Cody first semester of my sophomore year at college. He was in my dorm's brother dorm, and I remember the first day I met him. It was orientation week for freshmen and I was in hall leadership so I was there as well. There was a long line in the cafeteria for the soda machine, so when I reached the cups, I grabbed an extra one and passed it to the person behind me. Cody was surprised, smiled, and said thank you. I then went to sit down with a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios, and had barely managed a spoonful before I was approached by said brother dormer. Grinning sheepishly, he came up to me and asked where I had found cereal. I pointed him in the right direction and went back to my Cheerios.

We saw each other often due to brother/sister dorm stuff, and at one point he asked me out. I was a bit perplexed since I really only saw him as a friend, and let him down gently.

A month or so went by and he kept up his attention to me, as did another boy (we'll get to him later). It was weird for me to have two different guys into me at the same time, so I got a bit flustered. However, Cody was a nice guy and he was kinda cute. So when he finally got up the nerve to ask me out again, I said yes.

He gave me a couple different options, but we ended up going out to eat and seeing a movie. It was a wonderful first date, and he was a complete gentleman. But my initial feeling for him held up; he was definitely the sort of guy that is better as a friend.

To wrap this up, Cody is now married to a lovely girl and is a youth pastor in Virginia.

I know I don't have a lot of dating experience, but every day is a new one and I have hope that I will find love somewhere and sometime in this world.

Goodnight!

~K

Let's have fun, shall we?

So Aspiring Fashionista tagged me in her survey thingy, so now it's my turn to answer the questions. Enjoy!

1. Your hair? Curly dark brown with black grow-out. I'm growing it as long as possible for Locks of Love.


2. Your favorite food? Indian food, definitely. Serve me up some paneer tikka masala on some rice with some warm naan and a fresh glass of mango lassi and I will be in heaven!

3. Your favorite drink? Hmm. Gonna go with mango lassi for right now.

4. Your dream/goal? To touch others' lives and leave them better than before having met me.

5. Your hobby? Karaoke, dancing, blogging.

6. Your fear? Needles and people in those big mascot suits.

7. Where were you last night? Eating yummy bacon ranch fried chicken sandwiches at Sport with my friend, then a sleepover at her place.

8. Something you say all the time? GRRRR.

9. Something that you’re not? Tall

10. Wishlist item? More wishes! Mwa ha ha

11. Last thing you did? Ate lunch.

12. What are you wearing? Jeans, black flats, black v-neck with a t-shirt weight short-sleeved cardigan over it.

13. Your pets? A cat that lives with my parents.

14. Friends? Fabulous show! ..oh, I get it. lol I love my friends :o)

15. Missing someone? My college friends.

16. Something you’re not wearing? Stirrup pants and shoulder pads. ::shudder::

17. Your favorite store? Fireworks. Local and international artisans, and everything is beautiful!

18. Your favorite color? Pink.

19. The last time you cried? Not sure, actually.

20. When's the last time you laughed? Earlier today at work. My co-workers are awesome!

21. One place that I go to over and over? My apartment??

22. Where do you eat? Lots of places, but I love Mehfil in Redmond Town Center!
 
Okay, I guess it's my turn to tag. Budget Babe, City of Dionne, and Cafe Couture, it's your turn!
 
Love and kisses!
 
~K

A Year in Photos

A lot happened this year, and much of it was forgettable. However, there are always certain moments that last in my memory.

Earlier this year, my cousin got married in New York. Thus, our family had an excuse to stay in a tiny hotel room watching TV for several days. We had fits with each other, we went out for ice cream and manicures, but all in all, it wasn't so bad.

 

In February, I took a huge step; I moved out of my parents' house. I'd moved back to Washington and lived with them while getting my feet on the ground, but it felt so good to get out on my own (with a roomie). This right here is the emptiness that would become my room.

 

I discovered a new love with the help of my roommate, Stacy: karaoke! We took a trip down to Canon Beach for Memorial Day weekend, and randomly ended up at a bar running karaoke. We each only got one song in, but only a couple moments into "You Don't Own Me", I was hooked.

Anyone who knows me is quite aware of how much I love going out dancing. Yeah, there's the guys and fun drinks, but the real excitement is putting together the perfect outfit and swaying to the music. From L-R: Ronnie, Sachin, me, and Jenn. It was a Bollywood night, and what better way to celebrate double birthdays for Sachin and Jenn?

 While visiting my best friend in Spokane during the summer, we decided to make Sangria. Unfortunately, neither of us had a corkscrew. This would have proven difficult for anyone less than brilliant. Well, brilliant we were, since we knew how to google! Thus we removed the cork using a screw and a pair of pliers. Believe me, that sangria was worth it!

 

My first trip to Hawaii was made in October so that I might stand by the side of my best friend as she took vows before her friends, family, and God to love, honor, and cherish a man who loves her dearly. This view, all the views, and especially my gorgeous friend, were breathtaking and totally worth the trip.

 

These are the stockings that my mom made for each family member. As cheesy as they may be, the took time, energy, and love, and they are one of the things that make Christmas with the family so special.

I hope that you made wonderful memories this year as well!

~K

Making do with what I have: Cigarette pants

Shopping in my own wardrobe is not as easy as I could hope for, but I suppose it isn't as difficult as it could be. I am blessed with more than enough clothes, and most are even cute! So, without further ado, here is my in-closet makeover.

I began with a pair of cigarette pants that I had picked up earlier this year after watching "The Philadelphia Story" and admiring Katharine Hepburn's style. They weren't especially easy to find, but Banana Republic came through for me with this would-be wardrobe staple.

 My first look is for New Year's, as most people need to get a bit more dressed up for the NYE parties. I took a lime green (kinda) halter-neck top, left my hair down and flowing, added some low-heeled pewter dress sandals and a statement bracelet and voila!

I don't think cigarette pants would be such a potential wardrobe staple if they couldn't be worn to the office. Therefore, I knew I needed a work-appropriate look for this collection. I pulled my hair into a loose bun, threw on a fuchsia long-sleeved tee, a grommeted belt, a pair of black flats, and added hoop earrings and a black pearl necklace with invisible wire (it's kinda like fishing wire). Here's the work look:

My last look is for my love; karaoke. I think every girl needs to make sure that she has a fabulous outfit for a night out belting the lyrics of classic favorites and new hits. For my karaoke look, I pulled my bangs back and left the rest of my hair down, slipped into a pair of black patent heels, threw on a 3/4 sleeve purplish v-neck topped with a t-shirt weight dark gray shawl (or whatever you'd call it), added a couple bangles, hoop earrings and a multi-strand silver chain necklace and called it a day.

 

Hope you like!

~K

Disturbing Behavior: Date Rape

Last night to celebrate Hump Day, my roommate and I decided to break from our Saturday-only rule and go sing karaoke. We went to our usual spot; a lounge in the back of a Chinese restaurant in Bellevue. We saw a couple of the regulars, and took our regular table. Deciding that it was a bit late in the game, we each only put in three songs. I was up first, and I believe that I gave a decent performance of "America" by Neil Diamond.

Unfortunately, Stacy was unable to hear a word I sang as some creepy guy kept talking to her throughout my entire song. He asked her to dance repeatedly and would not take a hint. Once I had finished, I sat down and that creepy guy (we'll refer to him as Perve) started talking to me. I just wanted to drink my diet coke and enjoy our girl time in peace. Perve wanted me to dance with him. I did not want to dance with Perve, and I told him that I would not be dancing.

A couple songs later, Stacy gave a lovely performance of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac. A few songs after that, it was Perve's time to shine. His song of choice? "Date Rape" by Sublime. Considering that this particular venue prides itself on its 12,000+ song book, I don't understand why that would be the song he chose. It did, however, fit him perfectly. Stacy and I were steaming mad and left soonafter.

I cannot understand how anyone would write (or sing) a song like that. This is not a silly little song to sing at karaoke, and I really do not care if the song punishes the rapist. It's still disgusting and abhorable.

ABC News had an article about a date rapist who was acquitted several times. Reading about this man, I fail to see how he became the monster that he now is. Every man was once a little boy. Between the age of innocence and a life in prison, something went very wrong and I'm not sure what exactly it was.

On top of this, the date rapist's victims kept in contact with him and often would later have consenual sex with him. It seems that the idea of "idenification with the agressor" comes into play here. What other people see as a horrible person that committed one of the most violating of acts against a woman, the woman may see as a man who was just too overcome with desire and did what he had to do, even if it wasn't right. Humanizing such acts and belittling their consequences upon the victim is absolutely wrong.