Mornings

Mornings. I hate them. They’re awful.

I believe in sleep. I really do. A full eight hours is good for the mind, body, and a happy happy Angela. A lot of health experts are with me on this. Better focus, better energy, better health – all because of ZZZEDS.

If you’ve ever seen me hangry then just imagine my morning look. I’m not happy. I look semi pirate-y. I have one eye closed. I don’t want to pierce both eyes with direct sunlight. I’ll go blind, for sure. I’m also part panda and part zombie. It’s a scary look. I really really liven up around 11am. But before that, don’t talk to me. Don’t look at me. I’m like Casper the friendly ghost but less see-thru.

Hi, I'm Casper!

In order to maximize sleep time I have my morning routine down to an art. An art science. A science that is an art. And it’s like that because it’s so good.  I only need 17 minutes to get ready. Yes. From the time I get up til I am out the door, I only need S E V E N T E E N minutes. I do have to eat breakfast in the office, but who can eat right when they wake up anyways? I’m not a tiger. I just said I was a panda, pirate zombie and when have you seen those things eat first thing in the AM? Save it. I’ll say it for you, “Touche my friend, touche”.

Mornings suck – and I have a feeling I know why. Because really I am a zombie-pirate-panda-owl. I LOVE THE NIGHT. I try to relish the night. I want to stay up as late as possible! Except my Dad is also an owl, but a morning owl. Hoot. So I don’t know how all that logic works. But I do know, sleep does the body good and I also know that I hate mornings.

Hiccups, why?

I think I get hiccups more often than most people. And almost always for some seemingly unapparent reason. Well, not always, usually after I eat or drink. The point is, I am an adult and I feel like hiccups are more of a kid’s thing. When was the last time you were in a business meeting and someone had the hiccups? The answer is NEVER.

But kid’s can have hiccups at anytime and it’s not weird. And so I launched myself into the world of hiccups and I am sharing my discoveries with you here.

The key questions are: Where to hiccups come from? Why? And most importantly, how to get rid of them!

Where:

Hiccups come from an involuntary contraction in the diaphragm. This cases brief closures in the vocal chords creating the “hiccup” sound.

Why:

So far there is no clear understanding but hiccups have been attributed to eating or drinking too fast. I am willing to place some clear bets that that IS the answer. I have a fear of starvation and so often look like a raccoon at a garbage can when I ate. Just can’t shovel it in my face fast enough!! And kids are just the same. Most adults are refined enough to chew their food and then swallow. Not hoover their food and then hiccup.

How to get rid of them:

No sound advice. They should go away in a couple minutes. If not, the interwebs tell me, you’ve got a serious condition. You need to see a doctor.

Also, I wanted to insert an image of someone hicupping but it was weird and gross so I omitted it. You’re welcome.

Volunteer of the Year Nominee

It is with much honor and excitement that I share with you my recent nomination for Volunteer of the Year Award with Youth Challenge International.

I was selected after a call for nominations went out to YCI’s country field offices, partners and headquarter staff. Each was encouraged to nominate standout volunteers who had a significant impact on programming Please see their super nice write-up here.

Spring 2012

LIKES:

• Corningware – I LOVE IT! As far as I’m concerned, it is the porn of dinnerware
• Ikea – because they pack things really efficiently in their tiny tiny boxes
• The sun. It makes me happy.
• Jelly Belly jellybeans – it’s shocking how many I can eat. I feel super super (SUPER) sick after
• Backpacks. I don’t care if I look like I’m 12. I look like that anyways. The backpack just helps to reinforce that and helps me carry my things around conveniently
• Disney songs. Every single one of them can be turned into a dance party
• I like to hang out at the grocery store. But not when I’m hungry.

DISLIKES:

• The word “sure”. What does it even mean? It doesn’t sound affirmative. And I only work in absolutes.
• Waiting to get off the plane. GET ME OFF NOOOOOOOOW!!!!
• Pink soap. I just don’t trust it. Like where did you come from? That color, that SMELL! It’s not natural.
• Santana. Period.
• When you don’t like what you ordered at the restaurant…I hate being disappointed with food. And then paying for it.
• That whiff you get when opening a bag of store bought bagels is enough to induce vomit
• Oddly, I dislike charging my phone. This could be solved with multiple chargers stationed around the home, and/or the city.

This is why my Dad is AWESOME! Reason #12

My Dad is an economical person. He spends money where he sees value and poo poos on things he doesn’t. Recently we took a family vacation to Le Blanc Spa & Resort in Cancun, Mexico – a 5 diamond resort and the number one ranked resort in all of Cancun – Dad doesn’t think the food is awesome. He hates their pens. The massage wasn’t great. WHAT?!

My Dad looks like an Owl. But taller and skinner. I think owls like to save money, I mean, if they used money that is, they would save it.

Dad is the kind of person that gets toe polish because he PAID for this pedicure! The kind of guy uses everything until it’s very last thread. The kind of man who only buys groceries on sale and if you forget to buy something – that is TOO BAD because we aren’t going back – because it costs money to buy gas and we’re on a geographically optimized route – DUH! Money doesn’t grow on trees!!

Daddy does have a soft spot though, for, stuffed animals. If there’s a stuffed animal to be bought, he’ll look at them all. Assessing which bear is cuter, which puppy is softer – should he buy some clothes for the dog? Does he look better wearing it? Or without? How many should he buy? One for him, some for gifts … One wearing a scarf, one wearing a sweater – what about a dress? It doesn’t matter the price, as long as its cute – Daddy Mak will have it, and that’s why he’s awesome.

How else is my Dad awesome? Click here to find out!

This is why my Mom is AWESOME! Reason #72

It’s not fair for my Dad to have an awesome post and my Mom not to because she is equally awesome.

My Mom is awesome because she wants to cuddle me while I sleep. Yes, this is awesome, because it’s hi – larious!

Keep on reading, click here!

This is why my Dad is AWESOME! Reason #43

Don’t feel like reading? Listen here!

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My Dad is awesome because he wears dress shirts and dress pants no matter the occasion.

And I mean, no matter the occasion.

Keep on reading, click here!