Good morning and happy Monday morning to every one of you. Hopefully everyone had a fantastic weekend of beautiful fall weather. Yesterday, I participated in my second inventory of the month, and I lived to tell about it. On Saturday, a baby threw up on the floor in betty's 3. I also lived to tell about that, though my initial reaction was to throw up in my own mouth and reaffirm (for the billionth time) that kids simply aren't for me. I digress....
This week a lot of very very VERY strange things happened to me. I've officially come to the realization that the most absurd beings flock to me by the dozens. I've taken a lot of time to think about what may have cause this, and I think I (and a few of my friends) have come up with an explanation. Overall, I am nice to 99% of the people that I come in contact with on a regular basis. I know that the world can be a shit place, and I am a firm believer that you cannot pass judgement on anyone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. Since I have never actually walked a mile in any one else's shoes, and you probably haven't either, it's simply easier to respect other people no matter how much or how little you may think you know about them.
It is this very ideal that has brought all of the psychos out to play in my general vicinity.
Everyone that talks to me KNOWS that I have a blog, and while I use this writing space predominantly to inspire others and provoke happiness, I have some pent up hostility just begging to be let out. From now on, if you act like an idiot or treat me like garbage I WILL CALL YOU OUT IN THIS SPACE. No more miss nice girl, if you want to act like an idiot... everyone will know about it from this point on.
The following stories are absolute truth, and I encourage all of you to laugh at my expense. I hope you are sitting down.
Whenever I first started at the south hills I drank many o cappuccino from the Gloria Jeans located in the mall. After a few awkward conversations, the man who made my beverages asked me out on a date and I explained to him that I worked on the weekends and that I was not available. I did this because I didn't want to give him a blatant "no" and hurt his feelings. Here are the facts, he is far older than me and speaks somewhat broken English. I was simply uninterested. Over the last few weeks, I've made a valiant effort to avoid this particular coffee shop in order to avoid more awkward interactions with Peter (that's his name).
However, one evening I needed a latte for my long drive home and I dragged myself to scoop up a cappuccino before my departure from the south hills. Sure enough, guess who was working. Here is how our conversation played out.
Nicole: Hi Peter, may I have a cappuccino please.
Peter: Do you still work on the weekends?
Nicole: Yes, every Friday and Saturday.
Peter: Well that's funny, because I saw you on the south side last Saturday.
Nicole: You did? Why didn't you say hello?
Peter: You were wearing a red dress.
Nicole: (creeped out) Why didn't you say hello?
Peter: You were supposed to be working.
My observations:
1. I will fall asleep driving the Jetta before I step foot into that coffee joint again.
2. I pissed off a man that doesn't even know me.
3. Peter obviously thinks I should have told him before I went out.
4. How dare I enjoy myself.
5. Why did he remember what I was wearing?
6. This is how girls like me disappear into unmarked white vans.
So that was one situation. BUT WAIT, there's more.
I can't even go into all of the details of this next psycho because our texting relationship lasted roughly 5 days before I was told about myself via books on books on books of text messages from a non-iPhone. Just to clear the air, I did not do anything wrong to this individual. In fact, we never hung out. Ever. In my lifetime. It was one of those, respond to my messages NOW regardless of what you're doing or I will text the shit out of you and fill up your message screen for whenever you pick up your phone next, knid of things.
Needless to say, it didn't end well. Amongst the books of messages, that began with "yo," and utilized the expression "don't get that twisted" (he was white, believe it or not) I was called a bitch; which, for all of you reading this... is absolutely hysterical. And once the name calling came to an end I was told.... wait... for... it.... "Do me a favor and unfriend me on facebook, I can't do it from my mobile. Thanks!" And, that was that. Needless to say, I was heartbroken.
I CAN'T AND I WON'T.
And finally, as if allllll of that wasn't enough... Justin recently told me that I owe him a Christmas present this year since I didn't get him one last year. This, of course, came after I returned the digital camera that I purchased for him after he talked to me like an idiot and then pet me on the head like a puppy in front of our waitress at Emiliano's last December. So now, he believes that I owe him a present. Tis the season.
Larry has requested that he receives a cameo at the end of every blog post from this point forward. He wishes for it to be called "Larry's tip of the week." Here is his smiles and happiness debut:
Larry psycho tip of the week: "If you don't have iMessage keep your texting to me at 140 characters or I'm not responding. Sometimes that shit sends out of order, and I'm not trying to put a fucking puzzle together"
Now, last but certainly not least, happy birthday to my favorite psycho in the whole wide world, Geoff! :) He prides himself on his number of twitter followers so if you could please follow him, that would be great, even if it's just for today: @lan17dry
Recently, my blog has gained a crazy amount of readers. If you just read this, please click the "like" button on the facebook link that I posted so I can see who is actually reading this. I'm both intrigued and flattered.
Until next week, here's to avoiding the countless psychos plaguing the world,
As always,
Xoxo<3
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Don't Aim to Please the Un-Pleasable
Good evening to each and every one of you absolutely beautiful individuals. My sincere apologies for my one day delay, I spent my Sunday in wild and wonderful West Virginia at another store in my district working on inventory. I will sum up that experience as: a real treat. Inventory is always an experience and on this particular occasion, nearly half of the RGIS staff was named Bruce. So, that was that. Luckily for me, I will take part in my own store's inventory this weekend and relive the experience all over again.
I'd like to take this time to personally thank Jesse for sarcastically telling the entire Morgantown staff that I am a selfish girl that always complains about her life and puts all of my problems on everyone else. I'm glad that you think your lies are funny because I know 100% of those people thought that you were serious.
On Saturday morning I took part in the Pineapple 5K to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma society and it was truly an amazing event. The race featured different obstacles throughout the course and I spent a great deal of time picking mud out of my hair and private parts after the race. In fact, I drove home in undies and a sports bra in an effort to not ruin the seats in the Jetta: crisis averted. In the end, cleaning up mud and driving home nearly naked is a small challenge compared to the challenges that those infected with cancer face. At the end of the race, participants heard from the "Pineapple Prince," an eight-year-old boy battling leukemia. The boy and his mother talked about their struggles with the disease and it really gave me some perspective on my own life. Their thankfulness and gratitude was heartwarming. This family was genuinely thankful for everyone that participated in the event. I encourage everyone to read Mario's story here.
A couple of hours after the race, I found myself in Starbucks behind a young woman in a military uniform. Once she ordered her drink, I tapped her on the shoulder and let her know that I would be paying for her coffee. She said "no that's okay" two or three times but I don't think I need to mention who won the battle of the bids. Afterwards she thanked me over and over again. Her iced coffee was $2.89. I spent less than three dollars on a woman that has devoted her life to ensure our freedom and she thanked me. She was grateful for my random act of kindness, even though she does so much for a country full of people that she doesn't even know.
Later that day, a young girl came into my store with her father in search of a dress. The young girl was nine, seemed very ill, and was confined to a wheelchair. One of my associates, Brittney, helped the girl to pick a dress. A bit later, Brittney was in the mall on her break and she saw the young girl and her father. The girl's father approached Brittney and thanked her for helping his daughter. He told Brittney that his daughter was on the liver transplant list and that she was very ill. To this nine-year-old, Brittney helping her find a dress made her day.
All of the above are examples of how complete strangers can be so appreciative of the smallest acts of kindness. Unfortunately, not everyone is as thankful as the aforementioned individuals.
There are some people in the world that simply can't be pleased. There are some people that think they are better than everyone else, feel like they are deserving of everything that the world can offer them, and will never thank anyone for anything ever.
For the betterment of your own life, do not aim to please those people. They will never be grateful for what you do for them, no matter what, ever.
Some people are only in it to win it for themselves, and if they can't achieve their goals, they will find someone else to blame it on. Sadly enough, when they fail, they attempt to take other people down with them. Don't let these people get the best of you.
Instead of wasting time attempting to please then un-pleasable, spend your time doing good for people that appreciate every aspect of your compassion. Life is too short to chase after people and bend over backwards for them knowing damn well that they will never be appreciative of your generosity.
It's absolutely pathetic that an eight-year-old, a nine-year-old, and a military personnel with a three dollar treat can appreciate life more than someone that has had absolutely everything handed to them and still believes that they deserve more. I think it's time to look at the big picture.
Here's to giving all we can to the appreciative,
and hoping that the un-pleaseable figure it out some day (or move far far away)
As always,
Xoxo
I'd like to take this time to personally thank Jesse for sarcastically telling the entire Morgantown staff that I am a selfish girl that always complains about her life and puts all of my problems on everyone else. I'm glad that you think your lies are funny because I know 100% of those people thought that you were serious.
On Saturday morning I took part in the Pineapple 5K to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma society and it was truly an amazing event. The race featured different obstacles throughout the course and I spent a great deal of time picking mud out of my hair and private parts after the race. In fact, I drove home in undies and a sports bra in an effort to not ruin the seats in the Jetta: crisis averted. In the end, cleaning up mud and driving home nearly naked is a small challenge compared to the challenges that those infected with cancer face. At the end of the race, participants heard from the "Pineapple Prince," an eight-year-old boy battling leukemia. The boy and his mother talked about their struggles with the disease and it really gave me some perspective on my own life. Their thankfulness and gratitude was heartwarming. This family was genuinely thankful for everyone that participated in the event. I encourage everyone to read Mario's story here.
A couple of hours after the race, I found myself in Starbucks behind a young woman in a military uniform. Once she ordered her drink, I tapped her on the shoulder and let her know that I would be paying for her coffee. She said "no that's okay" two or three times but I don't think I need to mention who won the battle of the bids. Afterwards she thanked me over and over again. Her iced coffee was $2.89. I spent less than three dollars on a woman that has devoted her life to ensure our freedom and she thanked me. She was grateful for my random act of kindness, even though she does so much for a country full of people that she doesn't even know.
Later that day, a young girl came into my store with her father in search of a dress. The young girl was nine, seemed very ill, and was confined to a wheelchair. One of my associates, Brittney, helped the girl to pick a dress. A bit later, Brittney was in the mall on her break and she saw the young girl and her father. The girl's father approached Brittney and thanked her for helping his daughter. He told Brittney that his daughter was on the liver transplant list and that she was very ill. To this nine-year-old, Brittney helping her find a dress made her day.
All of the above are examples of how complete strangers can be so appreciative of the smallest acts of kindness. Unfortunately, not everyone is as thankful as the aforementioned individuals.
There are some people in the world that simply can't be pleased. There are some people that think they are better than everyone else, feel like they are deserving of everything that the world can offer them, and will never thank anyone for anything ever.
For the betterment of your own life, do not aim to please those people. They will never be grateful for what you do for them, no matter what, ever.
Some people are only in it to win it for themselves, and if they can't achieve their goals, they will find someone else to blame it on. Sadly enough, when they fail, they attempt to take other people down with them. Don't let these people get the best of you.
Instead of wasting time attempting to please then un-pleasable, spend your time doing good for people that appreciate every aspect of your compassion. Life is too short to chase after people and bend over backwards for them knowing damn well that they will never be appreciative of your generosity.
It's absolutely pathetic that an eight-year-old, a nine-year-old, and a military personnel with a three dollar treat can appreciate life more than someone that has had absolutely everything handed to them and still believes that they deserve more. I think it's time to look at the big picture.
Here's to giving all we can to the appreciative,
and hoping that the un-pleaseable figure it out some day (or move far far away)
As always,
Xoxo
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Lending a Helping Hand
Good morning and happy Monday morning to all of my beautiful followers! I hope that everyone had a fantastic weekend! It's finally fall! Yayyyy, who wants to go to the patch with me this year?
I'd like to start off this blog by wishing a VERY HAPPY congratulations to Shannon and Casey Gallas who tied the knot on Saturday! Thank you so much for inviting me to celebrate your special day, the wedding was truly beautiful and I love both of you very very much! xoxo
Though it has been over a month since I have consumed a single piece of fried food OR drank any pop, I gave into peer pressure on Saturday night as I stuffed my face with a piece of the greasiest pizza I have ever seen in my life. To my friends that encouraged me to eat that pizza I say to you: You may have one the battle, but I will win the war. That pizza will not break me from my heath spree.
For a quick criminal 411: I assisted in an arrest on Friday when a man stole from Sears and then came into my store to fill out an application for employment. Yes, you read that correctly. Sears loss prevention came into my store to watch the kleptomaniac and I printed out his application complete with his first and last name and provided the nice man from Sears with some valuable information. Poor Russel. He was arrested moments later. I also must have wooed the LP agent, cause he slipped me his digits on a blotter card before he left. Win/win. Moving right along...
This week's post won't be so much about my views or stories, but rather a call for some help within my community. I encourage anyone that is willing to donate some of their money or time to help in one of the following causes to do just that. As a girl whose dad is ONLY alive today because of a group of people that donated their organs to save lives, I can understand the value of giving to others.
We must be the change we want to see in the world.
This coming Saturday, there is a 5K at Hartwood acres to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! I am participating in this race with a team of people from my gym! Each team gets a pineapple at the beginning of the race and is responsible for completing the 5K obstacle course with their entire team and the pineapple. Sounds fun, right? I can't wait to compete for a great cause! If you are able to participate or donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please visit this website:
A second cause worth helping out is the following:
Recently, Larry's friend Erin received some terrible news. Her 18-year-old brother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that infects his bones and soft tissue. As an amazing sister, Erin has pulled together a fundraiser to help out her brother Sean and others affected by this terrible disease. T-shirts and bracelets are also being sold. To donate to this cause or purchase apparel, please visit the event's Facebook page here.
Erin's fundraising event will be held on October 13th at Slippery Rock University. If you can attend, or can find it in your pocket or in your heart to donate to this very important cause, I encourage you to do so.
In a recent conversation with my friend, Jesse, he told me that he was amazed by how much happier I am than everyone else that he speaks to on a regular basis. "You must wake up every morning and say, 'The world is a beautiful place.'" The truth is, the world can sometimes be an absolutely terrible place. HOWEVER, with a little help from the people not yet jaded by the ugliness in the world, we can make a difference.
Meredith Grey once said, "to still be standing at the end of the day is reason enough to celebrate." To be honest, to get out of bed each morning is reason enough to celebrate. Let's appreciate the things we have, and give back to those who may not be as fortunate as we are.
Here's to helping others, out of the goodness of our hearts,
Xoxo
I'd like to start off this blog by wishing a VERY HAPPY congratulations to Shannon and Casey Gallas who tied the knot on Saturday! Thank you so much for inviting me to celebrate your special day, the wedding was truly beautiful and I love both of you very very much! xoxo
Though it has been over a month since I have consumed a single piece of fried food OR drank any pop, I gave into peer pressure on Saturday night as I stuffed my face with a piece of the greasiest pizza I have ever seen in my life. To my friends that encouraged me to eat that pizza I say to you: You may have one the battle, but I will win the war. That pizza will not break me from my heath spree.
For a quick criminal 411: I assisted in an arrest on Friday when a man stole from Sears and then came into my store to fill out an application for employment. Yes, you read that correctly. Sears loss prevention came into my store to watch the kleptomaniac and I printed out his application complete with his first and last name and provided the nice man from Sears with some valuable information. Poor Russel. He was arrested moments later. I also must have wooed the LP agent, cause he slipped me his digits on a blotter card before he left. Win/win. Moving right along...
This week's post won't be so much about my views or stories, but rather a call for some help within my community. I encourage anyone that is willing to donate some of their money or time to help in one of the following causes to do just that. As a girl whose dad is ONLY alive today because of a group of people that donated their organs to save lives, I can understand the value of giving to others.
 |
| My Pineapple 5K team! :) |
This coming Saturday, there is a 5K at Hartwood acres to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! I am participating in this race with a team of people from my gym! Each team gets a pineapple at the beginning of the race and is responsible for completing the 5K obstacle course with their entire team and the pineapple. Sounds fun, right? I can't wait to compete for a great cause! If you are able to participate or donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please visit this website:
| http://wpa.pineapple.llsevent.org/ |
Recently, Larry's friend Erin received some terrible news. Her 18-year-old brother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that infects his bones and soft tissue. As an amazing sister, Erin has pulled together a fundraiser to help out her brother Sean and others affected by this terrible disease. T-shirts and bracelets are also being sold. To donate to this cause or purchase apparel, please visit the event's Facebook page here.
Erin's fundraising event will be held on October 13th at Slippery Rock University. If you can attend, or can find it in your pocket or in your heart to donate to this very important cause, I encourage you to do so.
In a recent conversation with my friend, Jesse, he told me that he was amazed by how much happier I am than everyone else that he speaks to on a regular basis. "You must wake up every morning and say, 'The world is a beautiful place.'" The truth is, the world can sometimes be an absolutely terrible place. HOWEVER, with a little help from the people not yet jaded by the ugliness in the world, we can make a difference.
Meredith Grey once said, "to still be standing at the end of the day is reason enough to celebrate." To be honest, to get out of bed each morning is reason enough to celebrate. Let's appreciate the things we have, and give back to those who may not be as fortunate as we are.
Here's to helping others, out of the goodness of our hearts,
Xoxo
Monday, September 3, 2012
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Gooooood morning and happy Tuesday to you all! Since most people had a long weekend, I thought that my blog should be posted at the beginning of everyone's work week. I worked yesterday and it was crazy busy but fun, of course. After your elongated weekend, you may have a little bit of trouble getting a start to your four day work week. Allow me to help you.
Before I get into this week's topic, I'd like to extend a sincere middle finger to every person that saw me out on Saturday night and bought me a drink. There is no way possible that anyone saw me and said "Wow, Nicole looks thirsty" or "Nicole is very sober right now." As fun as it was waking up on a stranger's couch and walking 8 blocks to my car at 8a.m., those friends that bought me alcohol on Saturday night were no friends of mine come Sunday morning. And for that, I thank you.
In a conversation with one of my kiddos at work, I learned that she was verbally abused and bullied by some classmates at her school. I won't go into the details of what was said or what was done, but I will say that it was downright disrespectful, tasteless, and immature. With that being said, it was horrendous to see such a beautiful person being so negatively effected by the hurtful words of others, especially at such a young age. Now, since all of my readers have been in high school in the last 10 years, or are in it now, matters like this are extremely relevant.
It is absolutely depressing that there are people in the world that attain happiness from the sheer fact that they destroyed someone else's day. If your life is so pathetic that you need to take out your bad mood or terrible attitude on someone else, then you should be on moral house arrest because there is no reason to pass on your shit mood or negativity. Making fun of other people doesn't make you any cooler. Calling someone fat doesn't make you any skinnier. Calling someone stupid doesn't make you smarter.
In fact, every single time that someone says something negative about someone else, they should really be asking themselves what is so wrong in their life that they feel the need to bring other people down with them. Instead of focusing on other people's imperfections, we should focus on the betterment of our own lives and moral compass. If everyone could live by this idea, the world would legitimately be a better place to live. Specifically, middle school and high school would be a place that kids went to strictly learn, and not a place where they avoided everyone that they felt threatened by.
Words can hurt. And after someone tells you something over and over and over again, you start to believe it, no matter how wrong you may have initially believed their opinion was. But, at the end of the day, the only person whose opinion should matter is your own. If you are happy with your body, with your intellect, with your morals... don't let any one else change your mind.
I may not have seen it in high school, but I think that all of my older audiences can agree that what happens to you in high school: who you're friends with, what sports you play, and how others view you, has absolutely no impact on the person that you become.
You may not have noticed then, but every single person has a cornucopia of unique and unbelievable characteristics to offer. In fact, every single person that you come into contact with in your life has something to offer the world, no matter if you choose to see it or not.
While you may not benefit from each person you meet, they are valuable to someone. They may be an amazing brother, sister, son, daughter, cousin mother, father. They may tutor young kids in math, they may volunteer at the local food bank, they may build houses for the homeless. Someone out there loves them unconditionally.
At the end of the day, who are you to make the judgement that their existence is any less important than your own?
We're all human. Let's start acting that way.
Everyone out there is different, everyone is a valuable asset to the earth, and everyone is beautiful... no matter what any idiot has to say about it.
So next time someone makes fun of the girl next to you in class, stand up for her. She could be the president someday and while she will probably forget the person that made fun of her gym shoes, she won't forget the one person that was on her side.
Here's to not saying anything at all if we don't have anything nice to say,
Xoxo
Before I get into this week's topic, I'd like to extend a sincere middle finger to every person that saw me out on Saturday night and bought me a drink. There is no way possible that anyone saw me and said "Wow, Nicole looks thirsty" or "Nicole is very sober right now." As fun as it was waking up on a stranger's couch and walking 8 blocks to my car at 8a.m., those friends that bought me alcohol on Saturday night were no friends of mine come Sunday morning. And for that, I thank you.
In a conversation with one of my kiddos at work, I learned that she was verbally abused and bullied by some classmates at her school. I won't go into the details of what was said or what was done, but I will say that it was downright disrespectful, tasteless, and immature. With that being said, it was horrendous to see such a beautiful person being so negatively effected by the hurtful words of others, especially at such a young age. Now, since all of my readers have been in high school in the last 10 years, or are in it now, matters like this are extremely relevant.
It is absolutely depressing that there are people in the world that attain happiness from the sheer fact that they destroyed someone else's day. If your life is so pathetic that you need to take out your bad mood or terrible attitude on someone else, then you should be on moral house arrest because there is no reason to pass on your shit mood or negativity. Making fun of other people doesn't make you any cooler. Calling someone fat doesn't make you any skinnier. Calling someone stupid doesn't make you smarter.
In fact, every single time that someone says something negative about someone else, they should really be asking themselves what is so wrong in their life that they feel the need to bring other people down with them. Instead of focusing on other people's imperfections, we should focus on the betterment of our own lives and moral compass. If everyone could live by this idea, the world would legitimately be a better place to live. Specifically, middle school and high school would be a place that kids went to strictly learn, and not a place where they avoided everyone that they felt threatened by.
Words can hurt. And after someone tells you something over and over and over again, you start to believe it, no matter how wrong you may have initially believed their opinion was. But, at the end of the day, the only person whose opinion should matter is your own. If you are happy with your body, with your intellect, with your morals... don't let any one else change your mind.
I may not have seen it in high school, but I think that all of my older audiences can agree that what happens to you in high school: who you're friends with, what sports you play, and how others view you, has absolutely no impact on the person that you become.
You may not have noticed then, but every single person has a cornucopia of unique and unbelievable characteristics to offer. In fact, every single person that you come into contact with in your life has something to offer the world, no matter if you choose to see it or not.
While you may not benefit from each person you meet, they are valuable to someone. They may be an amazing brother, sister, son, daughter, cousin mother, father. They may tutor young kids in math, they may volunteer at the local food bank, they may build houses for the homeless. Someone out there loves them unconditionally.
At the end of the day, who are you to make the judgement that their existence is any less important than your own?
We're all human. Let's start acting that way.
Everyone out there is different, everyone is a valuable asset to the earth, and everyone is beautiful... no matter what any idiot has to say about it.
So next time someone makes fun of the girl next to you in class, stand up for her. She could be the president someday and while she will probably forget the person that made fun of her gym shoes, she won't forget the one person that was on her side.
Here's to not saying anything at all if we don't have anything nice to say,
Xoxo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)