Lipsticks

I decided recently that I want to start wearing lipstick.

Yes, I'm a professional woman and my 30's are looming, but I've never really worn lipstick. I'm more of a chap stick kinda girl.

Lipstick is scary. Lipstick is a commitment. Lipstick means I might actually be a grownup. Wearing lipstick means you have to keep wearing lipstick.

Lipstick is also an art. You can't just slap it on. It has to complement your skin tone, your hair color, your outfit, and the rest of your makeup. Lipstick runs the gamut from neutral/nude to ba-da-bling!

I've been noticing a trend over the last few years among celebrities and fashion of this bold red lip. I love it.

It's a beautiful and classy way of wearing lipstick.

 The only problem I have with this is that my hair is red/auburn. I'm not a brunette or blond.... Don't get me wrong, I love my hair the color it is, but I'm wary of wearing red lipstick/shirts/etc.

Won't it wash me out or make me look overdone?

So, I did what any other 20 something with the internet would do, I went to the all-knowing Google and looked for some redheads wearing lipstick. There are a lot of options out there. Some of my favorites are below.

I love the coral with the smokey eye! It's not a red, but it's a cute and fresh option.

This is a bold red option. Her hair is more coppery than mine, but I love how it doesn't wash her out.

I'm not an LL fan, but I she has a more olive skin tone like I do and this nude lip intrigues me.

 So, all that said, I went out and bought some lipstick. I started with a coral that I really liked. And then, on a whim, I bought this bold red! Eeek!

The coral

And then the red

I'll admit, I really like the coral. I feel way more comfortable wearing it around. I'll be keeping the red, though. I'll probably bust it out from time to time for fun occasions. 

Something I learned on this adventure, wear lip liner when wearing red lipstick. Otherwise you end up with the lipstick staining the skin around your lips and making you look like you put on your lipstick in a hurricane.

Orange Jumpsuit

While we were in Hawaii at the first wedding of my aforementioned 3 week extravaganza vacation, my sister bestowed a book on me.

Now if you don't know my sister, you may not understand what a monumental occasion this is. My mom and I are the readers of the family, the rest of them just do it because they have to. In fact, lil bro usually won't read unless he's forced to. He says it's something to do with my mom not knowing she was pregnant with him....but that's for another blog post...

Let me clarify: lil sis giving me a book is nothing new. I usually get books for birthdays and Christmas, I'm a reader, it's an easy gift to get me a book because chances are I'll really like it. This particular occasion was something new, lil sis had read the book before she gave it to me. AND she was giving it to me because she liked it so much she just knew I had to read it! Proud big sis moment, for sure! Usually it's the other way around, me giving her books to read because I think she should read them.

So, back to the book. It's called Orange Jumpsuit: Letters to the God of Freedom by Tara Leigh Cobble.

quick note: I read this book of my own volition and get no kickbacks or schwag for commenting about it on my blog

I. Loved. This. Book!

It was wonderfully written. Ms Cobble has a unique style of writing and broached subjects that I myself am usually unwilling to think about.

One of the things she writes about is following God's calling in her life, even though it goes against what every fiber of her being wants. That's a really tough thing to do. 

I've been trying to challenge myself in this way too; trying to let my heart follow the God-pulls in my life. It is incredibly frustrating. The things I want, the luxuries and people and comforts, are not usually what God wants. Grr! Why? But I'm sticking with it. 

What does it mean, exactly, you might be asking yourself. Well, it doesn't mean that I walk around barefoot, giving other people my clothes, and eating out of trash cans. That's just silly talk. But it does mean I'm giving to others instead of myself. Instead of buying myself a latte from Starbucks, a true luxury of mine, I'm going to the store to purchase a health need for my church pastor. Don't ask me why I feel like I need to buy him this, but on Sunday at church, I was so moved to get up and go to the store right then and there I knew I was supposed to do it. Instead of browsing online stores for things to buy for my new house in Tulsa, I'm going to put my time and energy to a cause a friend of mine is involved with instead. 

It means I'm going to be at true peace with my decision to move to Tulsa instead of staying in Detroit where I'm comfortable. This has been a source of major anxiety and grief for me. I have grown to love this city and the people in it so much! I can't even tell you. I will miss my church and every single member, even the pimps and the crazies. I will miss my friends and going to Tigers/Lions/Redwings games; Tulsa doesn't have any major league teams. I am going to miss all the water and trees. I will miss the history. Why do I have to go? Detroit is like my second Seattle!! 

I will trust. Trust doesn't come easily to me, just ask my therapist.... But I'll do it. 

Here's one of Tara Leigh's songs called "Naming the Dog" -- I can so relate...I'm sure many of us girls can!

Adventures at Home for the Long Weekend

I'm cat sitting. I've been cat sitting for over a week now. I forgot to tell you. I'm sure you've survived just fine without this knowledge.

This cat is ridiculous. I'm not kidding. Now, I've cat-sat this cat before, so I know the ridiculosities of which she is capable.

Usually, I watch her in her home, as her mommy and daddy and nutso puppy-sister lived a couple miles from me. However, they recently moved to Lansing, MI (the capitol city of Michigan, home to Burt Reynolds and Steven Seagal, and the city in which Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson lives in his movie Tooth Fairy.)

Moving on.

The first time I watched Lucky (the cat), her family had been gone a couple days and she was sensory deprived! I couldn't get away from her. She followed me around like a puppy and would roll around on the floor/table/bed, whichever was nearest, just waiting for me to love on her. However, as with most cats, she only wanted me to pet her to her hearts content, any more and she'd nip or swat.

This time she's at my apartment, and it's just been the 2 of us. She's pretty much ignored me the entire time. Unless she wants food. When she wants food, she lets you know!

Mostly she just hides under my bed. But last night, she did something odd...

My apartment is a 2 bedroom, but the rooms are separated by our living room/dining room/kitchen area. Last night I was sitting on the couch in the living room being fairly unproductive as per usual when I saw a little grey head poke around the doorway to my room. Lucky was watching for me watching for her.

just peeking

10:42pm - Lucky saw I wasn't watching for her, she sneaked across the living space to H's room.
10:47pm - Lucky bolted back to my room.
11:06pm - Lucky strolled to the kitchen.
11:07pm - Lucky knocked 1/2 the food in her bowl onto the kitchen floor
11:11pm - Lucky walked back to my room.
11:23pm - Lucky sauntered through the living room to H's room.
11:30pm - Lucky ignored me as she walked in front of the couch toward the TV and decided to play on the few boxes I've packed and bat at the blinds
11:32pm - the blinds are no longer interesting. Lucky hides behind the couch.
11:38pm - Lucky is back in the kitchen eating her spilled food off the floor
11:41pm - I get up to use the bathroom, Lucky ignores me.
11:42pm - Lucky growls at me when I come back from the bathroom.
11:44pm - Lucky starts rolling around in (yes IN) the myriad of boxes strewn about the floor.
11:57pm - I head to bed. Lucky looks at me as if to say, "Seriously? You're going to bed right now? LAME! What are you, like 80? Boooooo!"

cat is very disappointed in you

So, this morning, I get up and make coffee and start watching the Today Show and out strolls Lucky. She acknowledges me with a nod and heads into the kitchen. Then she sits at the corner of the kitchen and the living room and stares at me.

Then she decided she wanted belly rubs. She rolled around on the floor.

Looked up at me to see if I saw her. Rolled again on the floor.

So I proceeded to oblige her. She quickly got tired of the petting and ran away from me. She's been sulking under my bed ever since. I'm not really sure why. I filled her bowl. She has water, even though she decided to drink out of the sink this morning....

From what I've read, I've surmised she is either:

• pissed at me for the rainy weather we're having here in the D 
• hungover, though I swear I only let her have 1 drink last night!
• plotting to kill me

I'm pretty sure she's plotting to kill me.  She has 6 of the 9 warning signs, and 2 she doesn't have because she's not allowed outside. Maybe I should go away for Memorial Day Weekend afterall....

Tulsa

As I mentioned Wednesday, I am moving next month. 

This may seem like an excessive amount of information on my new adventure to some people, but I'm actually pretty excited. Ok I. Am. STOKED!!!

As a medical student, I worked my butt off and I paid to do it every day. When I move to Tulsa, I'll be working as a Resident Doctor and getting PAID to do it. My hours will get worse, but they'll be paying me!

I am approved for a house in Tulsa!

Actually, it's not a house, its actually a bungalow. I'm going to live in a bungalow! Eek!

that's the front of my bungalow!

I have a porch! and it has a ceiling fan! hope it's ready for some plants

front room complete with a fireplace!

dining room with built-in shelving

tiniest kitchen on the planet!

Seriously. It is the smallest kitchen ever. I don't think my entire rear end actually fits in it all at the same time.... So if you come over and want to help me cook, it just won't work out. BUT you can feel free to cook for me, provided your rear end isn't too much larger than mine...

Can you tell I'm smitten???

I promise to post lots of pics when I move in! I can't wait to put all my own stuff in there! Gosh I hope it all fits....

Also, did you see I got a mention from AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles? So nice! I'm pleased someone is entertained by my rambles!

Long time, no blog!

I'm not very good at this thing. Sorry readers. I am so flighty, especially lately since I'm OFFICIALLY DONE WITH SCHOOL, I forget that I actually have a blog that I write at.... Silly me....

I apologize. That was a horrible apology. I apologize. I lack the commitment to blog on the regular....

Anywho, I've been packing. YAY! I can't believe I'm moving again! This will be my 4th move in the last 4 years....

See my moving strategy?

Books strewn everywhere.

Boxes in random places (yeah, I got them from the recycle bin at the local library).

Computer and coffee easily accessed. TV on.... I should probably turn the tv off....

I am not very good at moving. Especially when I move away from a city I've grown to love. I tend to procrastinate a lot. A LOT! I find other things to keep me distracted, like the internet or my DVR.

I also tend to tell myself silly things like,

"Don't pack those winter sweaters yet, this is Michigan and you might need them the first week of June because, you never know, it might snow!"

or

"The first things that need to go into that giant moving thing are your mattress and couches, and you need those, 'cause you're not going to sleep on the floor right?, so you should just go to the pool and enjoy the 80 degree weather and pack the day before you move out."

or 

"You have plenty of time and money. Silly Alicia...."

Dear brain, 

Please shut up!

Love, me

I will give myself a little credit: I've pack ALL of my dvd's and ALL of my novels. Not to mention that my electronics (aside from the aforementioned laptop) and crafts are packed too! Though, I confess, they were never really unpacked from the previous move....

On a complete side note, I love what blogger has done with the new composition page! This is probably old news, that shows how long it's been since I've blogged regularly.... If you don't use blogger, please disregard this.

I'll be back tomorrow, never fear. But now I'm going to finish watching Ellen, she's got Will Smith on! Love that man!!! Have you seen the new Men in Black 3 trailer?

Graduation

It's official: I'm a doctor!

Holy crap. I just read what I just wrote.... I'm not ready for this! School!! TAKE ME BACK! Don't let me go yet! I need more time! I'm not done learning yet!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!

Sorry about that. Minor outburst of insecurity. Pay no attention to the apprehensive 5 year old running things behind the curtain, she has no idea what she's talking about. I'm back, full of confidence! At least I think I am...

Moving on....

I don't know how to put words to graduation week. It doesn't help that I was fortunate enough to go to 2 beautiful weddings for 4 wonderful friends before and after graduation. I was gone from home for 3 weeks....

That said, I'm just going to post some of my favorite pics. I'll put captions so they make some sense. 

the siblings, and our adopted sibling Olga (Olivia) at the first wedding in Hawaii

me and the lil bro on scooters after the first wedding

me getting DANCE BOMBED by the bride and groom at the second wedding (I was oblivious)

2 of my favs! John Thurman & Todd Brubaker

We take those Tough Mudder headbands EVERYWHERE!!!

burning that DAMN short white coat! Sayonara bacteria! 

me getting hooded (you get a hood when you do a post graduate degree) by one of my fav professors

with the lil bro and lil sis post graduation

with the big bro and his wife and 2 daughters

with my 2 aunts (2 of my dad's sisters)

with my med school brother! <3 you Toddington! 

SOCIETY 7!!! Best group a girl could ask for!

Proud papa!

me and the mama with our coffees! Seattle girls to the core! (and you can see my dress in this pic)

 It was a whirlwind week and I am SOOOOOOO blessed with all the support from friends and family the last 4+ years! Much love to you all!

Tough

Have you ever conquered something you thought not possible?

Have you ever had something so daunting in your future that you don't see any way of successfully leaping the hurdle?

I feel as though I'm having quite a few of those recently. I mean, I am graduating from medical school, a 4-year project, in just mere weeks! I'll be the first to admit it was a day I thought would never come.

The most recent hurdle was this weekend. A group of friends here in Michigan convinced me to sign up for a Tough Mudder race. We had all completed a Warrior Dash a few months prior, and we thought the next logical step would be to do Warrior Dash on steroids -- aka Tough Mudder.

I really wasn't worried about the race. I mean, it's only a 10-12 mile run (I know all you non-runners are cringing at my use of "only"), and I've done many a marathon. And really, when I looked at the course map, a lot of the obstacles looked pretty doable, especially as I had a team of 6 to back me up. And then I saw them: the tunnels.

I am claustrophobic. Claus-tro-pho-bic. PHOBIA. So much so, I couldn't watch any of the footage of the Chilean Miners until after they were out of the mine. So much so, I actually walked out of Titanic the first time I saw it because of all the people getting trapped in the boat... Ugh. My chest is tightening just thinking of it.

So these tunnels, yes, plural "tunnelS", aren't actually short. They're fairly long. The first set was pipes made of PVC set on angle down a trench and up the other side. The second set, was an actual tunnel dug into the ground that turned right and left and was DARK!

It took every ounce of courage and will power and lung space to get me through those tunnels. But, I did it.

We all did it.

I couldn't have done it alone...

Every member of the team had at least one obstacle that was deterring them. For some it was the 1/4 pipe, others the 30 foot jump, and for some the electrical wires. It didn't matter, we pushed each other through and pulled each other over every obstacle. And we all completed the entire thing! All 7 of us!

The 7 of us holding hands as we cross the finish line!

I know, I said we were a team of 6, but we gained an extra teammate by helping a lone racer on the first obstacle. She stuck with us the whole way and we were more than happy to have her. We weren't the only ones helping other people out. The entire day we saw strangers helping strangers. Everyone was willing to spend extra time on obstacles to help others out of the water/mud or over the wall/hurdle.

It was beautiful. It was the way life should be. And then I saw this video and it completed the whole experience!

I wouldn't have done this weekend any different. Even though I can't take a deep breath due to the bruises on my ribs and I can't sit down without holding onto something first. But it was worth it to earn that orange Tough Mudder headband!

And I forgot to mention, it was freezing and in order to keep morale up, we SHUFFLED after every single obstacle! Yep, we were those people! And it was epic!