29 Things I'm Thinking Right Now

i'm alive. and this is a real blog post. not a mirage. i know you haven't seen one of these from me in a while, so i understand the confusion. you get 29 thoughts that have crossed my mind recently in honor of the 29 days i didn't post this month...you're welcome.

-one of my favorite friends, keri, got married over the weekend. it was an incredible wedding.

-getting pampered at a salon as part of a bridal party rocks. free champagne. and you hear things like how your eyelids are perfect pallets for makeup. and how beautiful your hair is. and that your eyebrows are shaped perfectly.

-bachelorette party was in vegas. it was my first time there to really party since i've turned 21. it was a lot of fun. and it was not a lot of fun. both. at the same time.

-vegas recap: long drive. edc weekend. don't like techno music. coyote ugly. big ass pizza. sleep. pool party. lots of booze. lost sunglasses. thunder from down under. lax @ the luxor. tired feet. hotel pizza. coyote ugly. sleep. sunglass shopping. win big money. pool party. expensive dinner at hakkasan. long ass line for afrojack at hakkasan. long ass walk to hyde at the bellagio. long as wait at the bellagio. sleep. pack. drive home. sleep.     

-you're not supposed to fall in love with a stripper. but i did. one that's in thunder from down under <3

-69. the amount of times we heard "that's a big ass pizza" while carrying a pizza down the vegas strip.

-your phone screen can still shatter while being totally enclosed in a lifeproof case.

-blood orange vodka rocks.

-ninja mimosas rock. thanks juliette :]

-my job at the safari park still rocks.

-baby cheetahs are the cutest. we have one at work right now.

via

-i'm still overwhelmed at my office job. a month and a half left and i'm done.

-anyone else think that ice challenge is stupid?

-i need to pick up on this fitness and healthy eating thing again. it's totally been abandoned this month.

-i need to actually WEAR my fitbit. it sits in my purse and only counts those steps.

-i like soccer. i like team usa. i like competitions that take place on a worldwide stage. i can't get into the world cup this year. not sure why.

-i miss playing soccer.

-i've committed to using a lilly pulitzer jumbo agenda for the rest of my life. i'm obsessed. with lilly. and with consistency. *i've used the small for 2 years and loved it. just needed to go up in size. and this is totally not an ad.

-i'm really good at holding grudges. that's not nice of me.

-television: so over pretty little liars. super behind on sytycd. wish cara maria didn't get ko-ed from the challenge. picked up on mad men. ellen still has reruns on. i might re-watch the hills.

-my next teacher test is in 2 weeks, and i haven't studied. i start today. my notes will be titled "pink lemonade" because i'm using a yellow legal pad and a pink highlighter. 

-i complained about that whole angels stadium thing to management. they apologized. and someone offered me free tickets. i didn't take them up on it. i'll elaborate more on this soon.

-3 weeks ago i did a wine and paint thing for another friends bachelorette party. i've always wanted to do something like that. and i loved everything about it other than the part where i suck at painting. 

-i'm getting california fever. i want out. never thought i'd ever say that...but i feel like i need a big change in my life after i finish my credential program. looking at dallas and nashville right now. this might just be a phase.

-i need to read mocking jay. 1st part comes out in a few months and i still haven't cracked open the book!

-i need to stop spending money! but a savings account totally burns a hole in my pocket!

-my biggest struggle right now is deciding between carrying a cross body messenger bag for school and a purse with handles for personal crap OR a cross body purse for personal crap and a shoulder tote for school.

-tony gwynn is gone. i'm sad, but not distraught like i feel i should be.

-tony gwynn memorial was the coolest/weirdest thing to attend.

My [So Far Failed] Job Hunt

Yes. I'm looking for a job. A second job. It's not as easy as I thought it would be.

via

Mine current job is cool, I've been there for almost 8 years. I love the people I work with, everyone is friendly, productive, and for the most part...into sports. BUT, I'm not working as many hours as I'd like/need to in order to follow through with my resolution/goal of saving money to cover my expenses if/when I enter that teaching credential program. I also need money to pay for my bridesmaid expenses in a wedding I'm in. Lastly, I also need money for baseball season.

So, I need a second job. The thing is...I've never had to look for a job. 

Hear me out.

As I mentioned before...I've worked my regular job for almost 8 years. It was my first real job. I knew the owner/my boss through little league because he has a son my brother's age and I'd always be at the ball fields. Also, my best friend's dad works in the same office. I was offered the job. Kind of had to interview, but it wasn't anything big. It was just sort of handed to me. I don't even know if they interviewed any one other than me for the position. I'm super thankful for my job because I get paid well, they've been super flexible with school, and understanding when I have to leave early take a day off for a baseball game...or trip to LA to see Dancing With The Stars when I did that type of thing. 

The other job I've ever worked was at H&R Block as a front desk person. I've worked there 4 different tax seasons since 2006. It's the job I like to go back to when I need to line my pockets with extra moolah. It's seasonal and open late so I can work nights after my regular job/school. I also had an in there. My best friend's mom worked there...and they needed someone that first year. I've been able to go off and on as the years passed, without really having to interview/submit a formal application. The one year I did intend to actually apply, I stopped by the main office on my way to school wearing Uggs, sweats, and a tee and they were interviewing that day and was asked to come back to interview...in my Uggs, sweats, and tee. I got the job that year but there's a pretty good chance it was because I had worked there before. Either way, I never really had to search for this job either. 

I went into 2014 fully knowing how much I need saved so I applied to H&R back in November, interviewed and thought it was a done deal, I'd be offered my old job immediately. I was offered a position...like 25 minutes away from my house. It's not bad, but the money I'd be making would pretty much only cover gas, and my availability would be cut down because I offered to work nights after my regular job...I'm losing availability time driving from Job A to Job B because of how far of a drive it is.

Two weeks ago I kind of started exploring my options...but I really didn't have any clue where to start. I wrote my first real resume EVER at the age of 25 and figured I'd go from there. 

via

Then I saw a Care.com commercial. I signed up, but I'm not sure that site is as great as it's made out to be. This is going to sound dumb...but people don't come to you on that site, you as a sitter have to look for jobs. I kind of don't have time for that. 

I thought about the hotel industry! They are usually open all night and need a over night front desk person to take care of clients if they need help, but none of the ones in my local area are hiring. I submitted applications (and took a long morality/personality test) to some a little further away but still haven't heard back.  

I applied to about 4 beauty/hair salons as a front desk person to schedule appointments, etc. I heard back from 1 telling me I wasn't qualified because I don't have experience in the beauty industry. Makes sense...because I don't. I'm assuming I haven't heard back from the others because they didn't really advertise available positions, I just randomly sent them my resume.

I have moved on to restaurant/retail/grocery stores. Those application suck. They're mostly fill in stuff, not just an easy resume submission. Whomp. One was a sporting goods store, which would rock to work at because I love me some sporting goods/clothes. 

I used to think that people who can't find jobs aren't trying hard enough...but I'm learning that this is a pain in the ass. I'm taking a break from applications for the next couple of weeks because I reallllly need to study for my CSET, which I had to postpone until the 23rd because I didn't think I'd be ready on the 16th. Once I take [and pass!] the test, I'll start the job hunt again [probably in fast food since they're open 24 hours right?] because this "not having money for my future" thing kind of sucks. Wish me luck :] And if you have any ideas that I haven't thought of...make my life a little easier and LET ME KNOW! Please and thanks!

Happy Thursday All!     

  

Resolutions

via 

Oh hey there 2014. How are you? 

The turn of the year was a good one for me. I was up til 2:00 am celebrating with family, friends, and family friends. Celebrating was followed by 11 hours of sleep, a visit to the [empty!] gym, and then studying for the CSET.

Now onto the point of my post, let's discuss my experience with resolutions. They're something you resolve to follow to complete/attain a goal in any given period of time. A New Year's resolution is one that is prompted with each new calendar year. We all make them. Yes, all of us. We might not all announce these resolutions to the world via social media for everyone to read but we all have something we'd like to change about ourselves for personal growth. And that's not a bad thing. It can be huge things like losing weight, saving money, traveling, etc. or small things like being punctual, spelling correctly, smiling at strangers, etc. No one is totally and completely perfect, and if you are and none of what I just said applies to you...then good for you. Back to me. Let's laugh at my resolutions from last year. I used to think I was above needing an arbitrary date to serve as motivation to get things done. I used to think I didn't need a new year to motivate me to get in shape, or save money. Turns out, I kind of do. I started working towards all my "resolutions" listed below a couple of months ago, but the clean slate that is/was January 1, 2014 lighting the fire under my butt to get everything done so I can move onto the next chapter of my life. 

My 2014 resolutions:     

1- Get into the teaching credential program at CSUSM. I want to be a teacher. I always have. And to be a teacher, you need a teaching credential. For the last 7-ish years, I've been working towards that. The application submission deadline for the Fall 2014 program begins January 15th. I'm still working on getting all of my requirements done for a complete application, and still get anxiety over everything. My not so great GPA plagues me, my CSET is in 14 days, and the big question causes me to lose sleep...what if I don't get in?!! This is something I've wanted since 7th grade and have already killed enough time farting around in college, that postponing it ANOTHER year would kind of just officially suck big time. 

2- Save money. It's on the list every year, but this year it's more significant than those passed. If I do get into the credential program, I'll be in class and student teaching M-F all day! The problem is...those are the hours I work. If I get into the program, I'll have to quit my job, and not have any sort of income August 2014-May 2015. To cover JUST my bills for those 10 months, I will need about $4,000 saved up. That means, I need to put away at least $600 away from my monthly paycheck. With the amount of money I make...that's almost impossible. The rough realization is I do a lot of cool stuff...that costs money. Stuff I won't be able to do in 2014 because of this "saving money" nonsense. To make things even more tight I'm gonna be a god mother, and in a wedding (which includes a trip to Vegas) this year. It might be time to look for a second job. Also time to start looking into financial aid/grants/student loans! I hate stressing about money, but I've got to be realistic and make sure this is a priority if I want to make it out of the program without becoming a bum.  

3- Lose weight. Because, duh. I'm still on the "journey" and haven't totally fallen off the wagon but I'm not where I want to be. The save money thing should help because I won't be able to afford eating drive-thru/restaurants like I do/used to. I've got 60 lbs to lose, something totally do-able. Time to make it happen. 

4- No booze. This one might be rough to do, but something that I would really like to adapt as a lifestyle choice. In 2013 (and in life) I had my fair share of horribly drunken days/nights and didn't like it. They don't happen often, maybe 2 or 3 a year at concerts/ballgames/birthdays, but none of them were good times. The most recent one was Kayyy's birthday in November and looking back...having a buddy pretty much save my life after getting kicked out of a bar is kind of embarrassing. I can usually control my alcohol intake, and have a margarita or two here and there, but when it's time to party, Marty parties too hard. And it's not fun. Sorry to ruin the "Marty with the party" illusion. It's not good for my body, it's not good for my wallet, it's not good for my safety. This should help and should be helped with the previous 2 resolutions. Now to include a exception/loophole...Through this platform, I declare that when I do drink, it's for a special occasion, but I will only allow myself to have 2 drinks in celebrating such worthy occasion. 

That's it. I think. 

What are your resolutions? What suggestions do you have for me to make sure I make mine happen?

Happy 2014 everyone!

Dear Me

Last fan Friday, I promised I wouldn't write about attending a baseball game...so I'm switching things up.

I came across an article a couple of weeks ago where 12 stars (Andy Murray, Aaron Rodgers, Abby Wambach, Jeff Gordon, and more) write letters to themselves as young athletes and thought it was an interesting read. As a Yankees fan, I feel the need to be against anything and everything that relates to the Red Sox, but out of all the letters...David Ortiz's was my favorite! I love his focus on education. I decided I would do this for myself!

Below is my letter to 17 year old Marty, in my last months of senior year and personally had a rocking soccer season. I thought I'd be a shoe-in for the softball team and didn't want to bother myself with trying out.

16 year old softball Marty

Dear Marty,

You’re not hot shit. Don’t think you’re too good to try out for the varsity softball team senior year by milking and exaggerating the small cold you have. If you do…you don’t make the team. Work hard from the get go so you don’t have to deal with sports politics to get on the team after not making it…that doesn’t work out either. Make sure to work hard off the field too! Don’t be too disappointed you’re going to Palomar, you meet some of your best friends as a result of playing ball there! Don’t get lazy with school. You spend 4 years at Pmar before transferring to CSUSM, and it takes you 7 years total to get your bachelors. Time is money and you wasted a lot of both by farting around in school. Last but not least…don’t fall into the credit card trap! It takes you a couple of years to dig yourself out of that hole, and it’s not fun!

Keep your head up, everything works out.

-Marisela

P.S. Lighten up on the  Zac Efron stalking. You’ll eventually meet him.  

Nothing is more sincere than a handwritten letter to yourself!

Did you play sports as a kid? What would you say to the young athlete you?

100 Things To Do Before You Die.

Like 2 weeks ago I pinned this link titled "100 things to do before you die." It has been on my mind since then, so I figured I would type it out here and cross out what I've done in these 24 years of life of mine...and decided I want to cross off 6 more and have 35 done by my 25th birthday, in September. 

1. Set foot on all continents. 

North America and South America, check! Need Europe, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, Africa.  

2. Live in at least 2 different countries with completely cultures.

3. Solve a Rubik's cube.

4. Learn at least one foreign language. 

I live in the U.S. so Spanish is foreign, right?

5. Swim with whale sharks.
Rob @ the Fantasy Factory serves as inspiration for this one. Shark Attack!

6. Get drunk a least once in your life. 

Many times in my life.

7. Bungee jump.

8. Do the Mongol Rally.
The what? I might have to pass on this.

9. Swim with dolphins.

10. Go on a safari.
And check off Africa at the same time!

11. Learn how to surf.
I've been trying to get out to the beach to make this happen but it never works out.

12. Scuba dive. 

13. Fly an airplane.

14. Give a public speech. 

Speech class/class presentations/thank you toasts.

15. Get your body in the ultimate shape at least once in your life. 

Working on it!

16. Run a marathon.
26.2 miles. Ahh!

17. Run a triathlon.
Swimming, biking, AND running?! Bigger AHH!

18. Hot air ballooning.

19. Ride a motorcycle.

20. Sing to an audience. (Karaoke counts)

21. Volunteer 6 months abroad.

22. Have your own business.

23. Fish and eat your own catch.

24. Own a pet.

25. Renew your vows.

26. Watch the top 10 movies of all time. 

27.White water rapids.

28. Try rock climbing.

30. Learn how to make sushi.

31. Go to Disney World.

32. Learn how to sail.

33. Paint and frame your painting.

1/2 way there!

34. Help a stranger in distress.

35. Ride a roller coaster.

Disneyland. 6 Flags. Knotts Berry Farm. Del Mar Fair.

36. Drive the autobahn.

37. Spend Christmas on the beach.

Does the day after Christmas count? It's my tradition to go to the beach on the 26th and chill.

38. Get your B.A. or equivalent.

Wooooooo!

39. Find of job you love or create the job you love.

40. Read the top 5 novels of all time. 

41. Sleep under the stars.

<3

42. Make a fool of yourself.

All. The. Time.

43. Drive across an entire country.
Baseball Road trip!

44. See a solar eclipse.

45. Spend the night in a haunted place.

46. Learn how to play a musical instrument. 

Clarinet in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.

47. Drink beer at the Oktoberfest.
Barf. I hate beer.

48. Sleep in an igloo.

49. Brew your own beer.
Remember how I hate beer?

50. Go to the Superbowl.

51. Go to the Olympics. (Summer or Winter)

52. Write a book. (At least try)

53. Plant a tree.

54. Learn how to dance.

I can bust a move!

55. Ride a camel in the desert.

I rode a camel once at the fair. That was near the beach and far from the desert. But I'm gonna count it.

56. Ride an elephant.

57. Grow a beard at least once in your life.

That might be a little weird.

58. Shave your hair off.

59. Go skinny dipping.

60. Go to your favorite band's concert.

I've seen Drake, Jack's Mannequin, Alicia Keys, Lady Antebellum, and Dierks Bentley, Need John Mayer and JT.  

61. Climb a mountain.

62. Learn how to swim.

Never been good at it though.

63. Party until sunrise.

Good times.

64. Go wild at La Tomatina.
I heard you had to be a dude to do this.

65. Go to the opera.

66. Cross a country using public transportation.

67. Get to know your neighbors. 

No witty remark for this one.

68. Travel around the world.

69. Backpack through another country.

70. Go camping.

It's been years since I've done it! Want to go again, ASAP!

71. Feed a homeless person.

72. Take a class you've always wanted.

73. Own a sports car.

74. Go skiing.
Not very good at that...or snowboarding.

75. Shoot a gun.
BB Gun.

76. Trek Machu Picchu.

77. Visit Angkor Wat.
Which would mean I'd be in Asia, another continent down.

78. See the Iguazu Falls.
Before of after I check out the Carnival in Rio

79. Go kayaking.

Once, with Sara. Funniest moment of my life.

80. Dance at the Carnival in Rio.
I've always wanted to do this!

81. See a glacier.

82. Take a bath in a hot spring.

83. Try to beat a world record.

84. Go to a drive-in movie theater.

85. Ride a gondola in Venice.
What's up Europe?!!

86. See the Eiffel Tower.
Can I get the Lauren Conrad experience like when she went there on The Hills?

87. Fly a kite.

Who hasn't?

88. Solve a jigsaw puzzle.

Again, who hasn't?

89. Be an extra in a movie.

Audience of DWTS/SYTYCD/Jay Leno counts. But I might be auditioning for Anchor Man 2 next week!

90. Dance the macarena.

That was my jam when I was a kid.

91. Eat fried oreos/twinkies/cheesecake.

Thank you Del Mar Fair.

92. Float in the Dead Sea.
I just learned about the crazy tension out in that area with Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. Scary stuff! 

93. Travel at least once by train.

To Anaheim and Santa Barbara.

94. Go on a cruise.
I'm terrified of the deep sea. I might pass on this.

95. See the Northern Lights. (Aurora Borealis)

96. Travel by yourself.

97. Ride a horse.
As a kidlet in Meheeeco.

98. Fall in love.

99. Learn how to juggle. 

Couldn't tell you when or where I learned, but I def can do it.

100. Feel like the happiest person on Earth. 

I was the happiest person on Earth that one time I met Zac Efron.

Is there anything on this list you've done that I haven't? Share your experience/tips! I'd love to hear about it :] What about stuff on this list that you'd like to do? 

New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! 

Holy crap, where did the time go?!! It goes by faster and faster as I get older and older. 2012 was a great year, I had such amazing times with family and friends. Definitely one for the books!

This year I'll be spending the night with my family and family friends up in Temecula instead of going to bars and partying hard. What ever your plans are, I hope you have a great and safe night. No drinking and driving, please!

I've made two resolutions for 2013, and they're both super cliche...save money and lose weight. 

My biggest priority for next year [behind doing well in school and work obv.] is to save $4,000 for my baseball road trip happening summer of 2014. I've dreamed of this baseball road trip since I was a kid. If I don't do it now, it's never going to happen! 

This means no going out for meals or drinks with friends, no movies, NO COUNTRY CONCERTS, no impulsive shopping...etc. Pretty much falling off of the face of the world for the year. Only kind of. The only exceptions are my besties birthdays, graduation, my birthday, Yankees games, and Padres games. So I won't disappear completely...  

Losing weight is on everyone's list and none of us are ever serious about it. It's time to be serious about it. A couple of the things motivating me are graduation, the size 9 and 11 jeans in my closet from a year ago. It's not about me wanting to be skinny, just getting healthier. I'm way too overweight right now, to the point where it's not healthy. A month or so ago I was moving a couch with my mom and I found out how weak sauce I am! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HERE'S TO 2013!