It's been a great week

Where to start?  Christmas was last week (duh) and I had a wonderful holiday.  First off I got some great stuff.  My brother and sister-in-law got me a BluRay player so I can watch Netflix on my TV.  You may remember this post, where I told you I canceled my cable.  But I love TV so having to watch it on my computer was a bit of a drag. Here comes #1 Brother to the rescue.   The only day I've had to work was Thursday, so I've had plenty of time to watch mindless TV on my couch.  It's been fabulous.  I've been watching Lie to Me.  

I also got a ton of UD makeup.  My bosses got me the Naked palette and I bought myself the Naked 2.  And honestly, I think I like the original Naked better.  My best friend got me the Midnight Emergency palette.  Midnight Cowboy is my all time favorite eye shadow, so this palette is perfect.  Clearly, it was a UD kinda Christmas. 

Tonight is New Year's Eve.  And ya know what?  I hate NYE.  There is always so much hype around it.  It has to be a superly awesome night that has to be the best ever.  And it never is.  Ever.  I also think it's hard to be single on NYE.  It's harder than Valentine's day. If you're single on V-day you just don't do anything.  Or you get together with your single friends and do an anti-V day thing.  Whether or not you're single on NYE, you still need to do something.  And maybe I hate NYE because most of my friends are paired up.  Last year #1 Brother had a family party.  We played games, ate too much, drank too much.  It was a lot of fun.  This year SIL didn't want to have a house full of people and her sister is having a party this year.  So I've been trying to organize a party this year.  Unfortunately my cousin's daughter is really sick and she is in the hospital.  Poor thing.  So my 2 cousins and aunt and uncle are spending NYE with her. I love my parents but I told them that I wasn't driving home just to hang out with them.  But I'm going over to m other cousin's house and we are going to have a dinner of dips and drink too much. I'll take any excuse to eat appetizers for dinner.  I honestly would do absolutely nothing on NYE, but there's that stupid pressure that tells me I shouldn't just sit home and do nothing.  That's why I hate NYE.  

a rose by any other name

While I was home for Christmas I went over to my friend's house.  She told me that she was thinking about starting blog.  And of course, since I have two blogs, I am the utmost authority on blogs in my friend's eyes.  She was stuck on what to name it.  So we talked about what she wanted to write about and what her blog's "voice" was going to be.  We brainstormed for a bit and I think we came up with a good one.  I won't, however, tell you what it is because she wants to write for a while before she "goes public"with her blog.  But this got me all thinking about my blog name.  When I first started it I was having a hard time thinking of a name.  After I started to write this, I thought of another name.  A better one.  But I didn't really want to change it, it seemed kinda wrong.  But now I think I want to change the blog name.  Instead of The Randomness of Me, I think I want to call it Short Story Long.  I think that sums up my posts pretty well.  I am incapable of telling a short story.  Y'all know this, you've read my posts.  

What are you're thoughts on this?  

New Year's Eve Eve

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This has been my motto for the past year or so

Jessica watches another movie

Last night I saw the American version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  

First off, you should know that I have read the books and saw the Swedish films and I liked them all.  Ok, with that being said, I think they did an OK job with the American one.  They did change some of the story line, but not to the point where it made me mad.  They did it for the sake of making it a shorter film (I think.  I don't actually know why they changed things since no one bothered to call me about it).  Both Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara did a wonderful job with the characters.  The books/other movies had some pretty disturbing scenes that are vital to the plot of all three books.  I was worried that they would get toned down for this version.  I was happy to see that while they did tone down the graphic-ness of the scenes, they left the content there.  My only major issue was that either the music was too loud or the voices were low, but I had a hard time understanding some conversations.  I knew what was happening because I know the story but it would have been nice to not have to stain to hear.  I think that if I hadn't read the book I might not have understood what was going on.  

So over all, I didn't leave the theater amazed but I did enjoy it and I'm not upset that I paid money to see it.  If you read and liked the books go see it.  

Happy Whatever

I hope that y'all have a wonderful holiday- whatever holiday that may be.  I'm off to my parent's for a few days and it pains me to admit it, but they still have dial up.  So clearly I won't be around to read all the wonderful things that you saw, did, made, got or realized over the holidays.  But don't fret, I'll be back and catch up.  

Until then (probably Tuesday night) be happy, be safe, & be full of sweets!

food rakes!!

*Warning: there will be several digressions/back stories.  I apologize in advance. 

How have I not been watching Parks & Rec??!!  I've seen episodes here and there but I'd never watched it on a regular basis.  Notice the past tense there because I have been on a Parks & Rec high. 

Back story #1: I have an older brother. Henceforth, he will be known as #1 Brother.  We are pretty close and a lot alike.  We both really like TV and movies so we are always discussing what we've watched, what we've been watching, and what we want to watch.  He is really one of the few people whose opinions about TV and movies I actually trust without fail.  

one of my all time favorite pics of us.  It's a few years old now. 

Back story #2:  He always texts me funny quotes from Parks & Rec and I always have to remind him that I don't watch it so I don't get them.

So when I noticed that 3 of the 4 seasons were on Netflix, I decided to catch up.  And I have to repeat, how have I not been watching this??!!  I love it.  It's not, by far, the best or funniest TV show out there, but it's awesome. There isn't a character that I don't like.  This past week I've almost completely caught up.  I'm on season 4, which is the one on TV right now.  

So if you don't watch Parks & Rec, I think you should.  And if you do- way to go, you!

Is there anything that people kept telling you to watch and when you finally did you couldn't believe what you were missing out on?

Back story #3:  This could be called future story since it is about something that I'm going to to.  I'm going to start reviewing the movies that I watch.  I'm going to call it "Jessica watches another movie."  And be aware that I watch a crazy selection of movies.  

Favorite Quotes Friday

thanks!

I hope everyone has a very happy and safe holiday!!

This always happens!

So now that I actually have spare time, I've started reading again. I just finished Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

  

First off let me say that I really enjoyed it.  It was odd enough that couldn't put it down because I just wanted to know what was going on (!) but not so weird that I couldn't enjoy it.  However, it is the beginning of a series!!  I can't tell you how much that annoys me.  I swear there was one summer when every, and I do mean every, book I read was the start to a series.  I like series, I do.  But I like to read them all at once.  I hate having to wait for a book to come out.  I'm just not that invested in the story line or characters yet.  I didn't even get into Harry Potter until the 4th one was already out.  Then, I was four books in and was super invested.  

Whatever happened to writing just one book??!!

What's been going on

*  my semester ended last week.  Four classes down, a bazillion more to go.  Well, maybe not a bazillion but a whole lot.  I kick some grad school butt.  Three As and one A- (boo you whore).  I wanna brag about it and I think this is the perfect place to.  So there it is, I'm super duper smart.

*  I signed up for the Warrior Dash.  It's an insane 5K run with obstacles.  Did I mention it was insane?

That most insane thing about this is that I am the laziest, non-exercising person ever.  I don't really like physical stuff.  Insane, right?  But I have been trying to get motivated to work out and there is always some reason not to.  I know that once I get into the routine of running and what not, I will enjoy it and it'll be no problem.  I just have to get started.  Well this is going to do it.  There is not way I can not train for this.  And work has a treadmill I can use.  My goal is to train for 5 miles and then the 3 point whatever miles will seem easier.  I'm going to start my "training" when the holidays are over.  First I was waiting until the semester ended but what is the point of running this week when I have most of next week off and I know I'm not about to run outside in the cold.  So Jan 2nd is my starting date.  And then, hopefully, once school starts again, I'll be in a nice routine that I will maintain.  I'm going to try to post my workouts.  I know that is super boring but I think I have to "record" it somewhere in public if I'm going to be accountable.  So it's up to you guys to help me stay motivated!  A lot of pressure I know.  The only think I ask is that you not be too judgmental on how slow I am at first.  Remember, I don't exercise.  And I'm a junk food junkie.  So here is to the start of a healthier-ish Jess.

* For Christmas with my dad's side of the family we are doing something pretty awesome.  And if I can toot my own horn, I started it all (beep beep).  We are doing a Chinese Christmas, White Elephant exchange, Yankee Swap (whatever you crazy kids call it). But all the presents are As Seen on TV.  I'm pretty stoked.  We had a price range of $20-25, so unfortunately no one is getting the Forever Lazy.  Aww shucks!

I got the Slap Chop.  And it comes with a free electric grater!!!  WOW!  JACKPOT!  One of the reasons I got it was because the picture of the guy who sells it looks like a SNL parody.  It's pretty funny.  I wrote on the box so whoever gets it pays attention to his face.

*  I just bought myself the Naked 2 palette.  It was shipped this morning and I'm pretty excited because I think it might get here by Christmas.

*  It's pretty much been established that I am a book ends cook.  So for Christmas I'm making some cookies, some more peppermint bark, and some bread.  For my mom's side of the family we usually do bunch a day or two after Christmas.  That way everyone isn't rushing around on Christmas day; it works pretty nice.  It's much more relaxed and enjoyable.  So for that I am going to make a chocolate peppermint trifle.  But instead of using a trifle dish, I am going to use wine glasses so they are single serving.  I've been wanting to try this for awhile but haven't had the chance.  I will most definitely post some pictures for you.  

So that's me in a nutshell.  Whenever I say that, I think this:  

 I really like videos today huh???

Special Friday

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I have so much to tell y'all.  My semester ended last night and now I'm a free women again!!  What am I going to do with all my spare time now??  Later I'll write a proper post and tell what's been going on  in my life and what I plan on doing for the next month.

too stinkin' cute

I always forget to take pictures when I'm cooking'/baking until I'm just about done.  But the only thing that really matters with this treat is the finished product.  

Look how cute my peppermint bark is!!!!!

All I did was instead of making it bark-esque I molded it with cookie cutters.  

Peppermint bark
1 bag each of semi-sweet chips and white chocolate chips
2T, divided, canola oil (or whatever vegetable oil you use)
1t, divided, peppermint extract
crushed candy canes or peppermint candy

-line cookie sheet with wax paper and put cookie cutters on cookie sheet

-melt semi sweet chips in microwave:  I usually do 1 minute then stir and keep going in minute increments until all melted.  Add 1T oil and 1/2t extract.

- spoon or pipe into cookie cutters.  You only want to fill them halfwayish.  Tap cookie sheet gently on counter to break any air bubbles and to even out chocolate

- pop into fridge for 20ish minutes to help harden chocolate

- melt white chocolate, add oil and extract and candy canes (leave some to sprinkle on top)

- spoon or pipe into cutters.  You don't want to spread the white chocolate because the brown chocolate will start to melt and may mix in the chocolate making it smear-y

- sprinkle left over candy on top and press just a little to push it in the chocolate

- pop in fridge to harden.  They chocolate should pop right out of cutters.  You might need to play with them a bit.

-eat up...yum!!!!


UPDATE:  this was just a trial run for Christmas.  I didn't want to find out it was super hard and ruin my them.  I spooned them in for this but I'm going to pipe 'em next time.  My cookie cutters come in regular (what is there) and mini sizes.  I'm going to do both for Christmas.  I think the mini will be perfect size for the kiddos and anyone who wants just a taste.

How do I even know her??

 Tonight I am going to Buffalo to see Michelle from twentynine.  She was the first person I became friends with in college.  I had the strangest roommates my freshman year.  I lived in a suite, so there were two bedrooms, a common room and a bathroom that the four of us shared.  My actual roommate was nice enough but we soon learned that we were just roommates,  not friends.  But she was an odd bird.  She had this boyfriend from home and she had phone calls that usually contained this line:  "Boyfriend's first and middle name, I *do to* love you"  I'm assuming he was doubting her love for him.  And to this day I still remember his full name because she said it all the time.  And then after Christmas break she came back with this scary crazy looking doll. It was the size of one year old.  On the face was a picture of her as a child.  It was liked screen printed on the fabric of the face.  And it had real clothes on it. It was creepy.  One of my suite mates was also very nice and sweet.  But she had no clue.  That's the only way I can describe her.  We had a long weekend for Labor Day, which was only like the first or second weekend of school, and when I came back  she had decorated the common room. With posters of animals.  One that we all probably got in book orders from elementary school.  Oh.  My.  God.  The last suite mate was nice but she had her own things going on and didn't actually come back second semester.

Luckily for me our college had this weird class for freshman.  Basically they grouped us by major, building you lived in and class schedule.  So there were like 10 of us that had a bunch of classes together and we just kinda talked about adjusting to college.  Well in that class was a girl who is in most of my classes.  She also lived just upstairs.  So we started walking to class together.  Can you guess who it is?  So that's how I met Michelle.

Unfortunately, besides crazy dumb roommates I also had a horrible boyfriend.  We went to high school together but didn't start dating until the summer right before we left for college (we went to the same college).  Of all the things that I wished I listened to my mother about, it was dating him.  She said I wouldn't "spread my wings." Dammit she was right.   I think I missed out on a lot of college things because he was (in my mind anyways) insecure and controlling.  But anywoo...Michelle and I became friends and we were roommates our sophomore year.

Some random facts about Michelle and Me:

** she got crazy involved with her sorority sophomore and I think there were times we weren't speaking

**  even though she is the person I have lived with the shortest amount of time, she is the only person I ever refer to as Roomie

**  One time we go really freaked out over the official website of Requiem for a Dream.  I still can't some of the music without getting anxious.  That movie is freaky- if you've never seen it you should

**  We listened to the shit out of Nelly Furtado's first CD

**  She had a super duper huge crush on Lenny Kravtiz and he had some song out that showed like the top 1/4 of his butt and she loved that video

**  We use to write notes to each other in one of our super boring classes that had like 150 people in it.

**  We also use to play MASH.

** You should ask her if anyone (not us) peed in her closet

** I had the bottom bunk and if I was staying the night at my boyfriend's she use to leave my bed side lamp on.

** We use to have these bears from Hallmark.  Their noses were magnets and their hands were Velcro.  We each had a set.  We use to position them in dirty poses and see how long it took the other to see it.

** Our college also gave out a window cling that has our mascot and it was for school spirit. It was the Screamin' Eagle.  The Screamin' Eagle Fairy use to leave it in crazy places and we'd see how long it was take the other to find it.

** OMG I just remembered that we use to send  a picture back and forth to each other.  This was after college and we'd send it in Christmas and birthday cards.  It was of our sophomore suite mate's ex-BF.  One of us stole it and we use to call it "our boyfriend."  We wrote on the back every time we sent it.  It said things like "Michelle, I love you"  then it would say "Michelle I love you but not as much as Jessica" and so on. He got misplaced through a couple of moves but he would turn up sooner or later.  And I think I have him somewhere.  This makes me want to dig through some boxes to find him.

There are a bunch of other stuff, but I actually have to get ready to go! Yay!

Friday - woot woot

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I'll post an actual post about my super exciting plans tonight in a bit; I have a paper I need to finish I should probably stop procrastinating huh?

are you kidding me??!!

OMG have you guys seen this yet?

Insane, right?

scariest & favorite Christmas decoration

I don't have a lot of Christmas decorations.  Not sure why, but I don't really go all out.  I actually have more Halloween stuff then Christmas.  If I had a bigger place or if I hosted a party or something I think I would care more.  But, alas, I don't.  Awhile back, my mom was going through their Christmas stuff and was weeding out stuff that they didn't use anymore.  Most of it was junky stuff from the '80s or stuff that they had up because we (the kids) insisted they put up. She asked if there was anything that I wanted.  There was only one thing that I truly wanted.  It was a crazy table top decoration that had Santa & Mrs. Claus "ice skating."  For some reason, as a kid I *LOVED* it.  So it's mine now.  And to be honest, it's kinda creepy.  I've included a delightful video for your viewing pleasure.  

Do any of you have decorations that are from your childhood?  Is there something you won't get rid of even though it doesn't really go with anything else?

what was I thinking?

So the semester is almost over.  I have a 7ish page paper due on Tuesday and I have a whole two paragraphs written eek! I didn't really realize that I was going to have to do as much research as I need to for it.  double eek! So I had to spend the day researching but I have to use things either on the internet or that I can go get at the library tomorrow because I don't have time to do inter-library loan.  What was I thinking?  And I have another paper due the 15th. But I have a little more written for that one and it's not going to be as hard.  I have to interpret a personality test that I took awhile back.  And then I have four finals to study for.  All are multiple choice jackpot! but I still need to study for them.  So my question is: why did I do absolutely nothing all of Thanksgiving week??  I'm at the point where I am getting a little nervous that I won't be able to get it all done.  Let me rephrase that: that I won't get it done well (?) (good?). I've kicked some major grad school ass up to this point so I know I can kinda be a little slacker-ish and I'll still do well.  I mean I don't have to ace everything I order to pass.  I could probably not turn anything in, paper wise, and still get credit of for the courses.  And I'm not  bragging I'm just letting y'all know where my head is at. But I want to continue to kick grad school ass.  But right now I'm so over whelmed and I feel like I got pretty much zero work done today.

But on a happier note, next Friday I am heading out to Buffalo to see some friends, one of who you guys all know (well not all of you, but you should).  Yay Roomie Reunion!!

Hello there, Friday!!

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