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Thanksgiving Begins With a Kick (Literally)

In an effort to record significant moments of my Thanksgiving break, I’m going to post a few short, sporadic blog posts this week.

My mom convinced me to get up and go to Body Combat at 8:15 a.m. I only conceded to this after being asked if I’d rather go to 5:30 a.m. Body Pump. Fine, 8:15 it is, and I like combat (or so I thought)- kicks, punches, similar to what I’ve done in the past with KenpoX. (Thus thinking I would be totally fine since P90X is so hardcore.)

I. wanted. to. die.

Several reasons it was not the same as KenpoX..

1. I couldn’t press pause.

2. I couldn’t keep refilling my water bottle.

3. Since the instructor was standing right in front of me, facing me, I couldn’t just partially do it when I got tired.

I was trying to use the techniques I had remembered while doing Kenpo to get me through it. Think of someone you hate and picture their face that you’re punching and kicking. But I honestly couldn’t think of anyone. I’m sure that’s a good thing, but at the time it wasn’t. So then I started thinking of the fried pickles and fried alligator with ranch I ate last night and how I needed to burn it off. That thought only lasted for so long. Of course at the very end I realized I should just be thinking about my wedding and honeymoon. That will be my new mantra: wedding. wedding. wedding. wedding.

I could also barely understand what our fearless leader (who I wanted to call Tony) was saying over the loud music. So at several points he started laughing and I didn’t know if he was laughing at something he said, or something I did, since he looked at me every time he laughed. Granted, there were only 3 people in the class.

I can’t say I’m not glad we went because it does give me a sense of self-confidence that I could beat up anyone in the alleys of El Dorado. Which might be necessary, in all honesty.

As we were walking out of the class, he asked us if we were coming back to the 11:15 for round 2. The first thought that crossed my mind was turning around and using my hook and uppercut right there. I guess I am ready for the streets.

Posted by milledavis | November 24, 2010 | Categories: Health | 2 Comments

15 Truths I Learned from 15-Year-Olds

I spent the greater part of my weekend with eight 15-year-olds. It was exhausting. It was fun. It was crazy. It made me feel like a mom. But I learned a lot. I watched their actions and listened carefully to their conversations. I reminisced about when I was 15. Tthough I often wish I was “young” again, I’m so glad have learned these lessons I didn’t know at 15.

1. It is not okay to talk about people behind their backs.

2. How you look is not the most important thing in the world.

3. If someone in authority tells you to do something, do it.

4. Always think about the other people around you and how loud you are being.

5. People’s feelings get hurt more easily than you think.

6. Some of the best times of your life will be when you stay up all night laughing about silly things.

7. Don’t be afraid to talk to older people. They will often love to talk to you and share their experiences.

8. There is no shame in singing at the top of your lungs to a song.

9. Boys are not the center of the universe.

10. The best present is not necessarily the most expensive one.

11. It does not matter who you ride with in the car for 5 minutes.

12. Do not gang up on one person, no matter how mean or annoying they are.

13. Uggs and shorts are not cool.

14. Doing homework for a 2 hours during the weekend is not that big of a deal.

15. Eat all of the junk food you can while your body doesn’t show it.

I couldn’t find any 15-year-old pictures, but here are a few blast from the past pictures of when I was 16.

Me and Kyle! Who looks the most different?

Fun mother-daughter trip to San Diego!

Even then I was a baller..

Posted by milledavis | November 14, 2010 | Categories: Inspiration | 5 Comments

No Day But Today

“He’s still feeling like he’s 16
And you’re chasing all of the same drink
Only living on the weekend nights
The card is empty but the tab got paid
I think it’s funny how some things change
There’s got to be more to life.” – The Kill, Ben Rector

Typical Monday: Open my planner. Write down everything I have to do for the week. Groan. Wish for the week to fly by and that it was the weekend already.

I seem to categorize my life in weekends. I look forward to weekends to come. I think about weekends in the past. The days of the week seem to just kind of be there, taking up space, not really meaning anything except for work and the occasional random, fun hangout times. I look at the month ahead and don’t even think, oh hey that Wednesday could be just AWESOME, but instead plan each weekend and wait expectantly.

I don’t like living this way and I’ve decided we need to change. Maybe I’m the only one who does this, but I have a feeling I’m not. In all honesty, do we know if we will even make it to the weekend? We are wasting our life by not living day to day, but instead only living on the weekend nights. Or, like it sometimes happens, will the weekend let us down? We pass up hanging out with people during the week so we can get our “work done” and have free time on the weekends, but then there’s nothing to do on the weekends. Why should we wait for Friday night, Saturday and Sunday to hold all of the fun and relaxing times of the week? Why can’t we spread it out all week and look forward to each and every single day?

So, let’s do it together. Let’s vow to not let the week get us down. To not have a case of the Mondays. Let’s vow to live every day like it’s our last. To do something we love every day. To relax every day. To not look at the rest of the semester by the weekends we have planned. Let’s live like there’s no day but today.

Posted by milledavis | November 10, 2010 | Categories: Inspiration | 1 Comment

Celebrity Style of the Week: Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams is one of my favorite stars in Hollywood and always exudes beauty and grace in everything she does. Though my initial thoughts for this portion of my blog was to include stars that had a unique sense of street style, I came across this photo and couldn’t turn away.

McAdams wore a ruched metallic Lanvin dress with black mesh pumps and Fred Leighton diamonds to the Morning Glory premiere in New York. With tousled locks and a perfectly curve-hugging dress, McAdams shows her equal affinity for the girl next door look and a sultry, but classy style.

Posted by milledavis | November 8, 2010 | Categories: Fashion, Pop Culture | 2 Comments

Wish I May, Wish I Might

I’m always wishing I were someone I’m not.

-I wish I were a runner.

-I wish I had an olive complexion like my mom.

-I wish I was a hot tea drinker.

-I wish I could let my room or car be messy for a day without stressing out about it.

-I wish I was spontaneous.

-I wish I loved healthy foods so much I was disgusted by anything else.

-I wish I didn’t care about my grades.

-I wish I was a night owl, instead of a morning person.

-I wish I was a news junkie. (Don’t tell my journalism professors I’m not.)

-I wish I liked talking on the phone.

I used to think it was bad for me to think these things. I need to be happy with who I am and not fret over who I’m not, I thought. And though to an extent I do still believe that, I now have a new way of looking at it. Though some of these things I can’t change (like the color of my skin), some of them I can. Having these wishes are little aspirations for me to work up to. I wish I was a runner. Well, okay, get your booty moving and become one. I clearly remember last year when I was training for a half-marathon (that never happened) I was so proud of my body and what it was capable of. I even called myself a runner to other people and on my Facebook status (so obviously it was legit.) I wish I was spontaneous. (I won’t go into detail for this one because you’ve already heard me ramble about this.) Well, start doing random, fun things just for the heck of it! We all need something to aspire to be and if we were perfectly content with everything in our life, we would never grow as human beings and we would be boring and arrogant as all get out. I do have a list of things I wish I were, but I also have a list of things about myself that I love and am thankful for, and that’s the list that should never be forgotten.

Posted by milledavis | November 6, 2010 | Categories: Inspiration | 3 Comments

Quelqu’un M’a Dit

I know these things are ridiculous sometimes, but I have seen this one on Facebook lately and though it looked interesting. Some of them are HILARIOUS and some are perfect. Anyway, hope you enjoy a little break from your week by reading about my life via iPod shuffle.

Are you male or female?
I Want It All- HSM3 (I’m not quite sure what this means, but it’s HSM so I’ll allow it)

What do people feel when they’re around you?
I Want to Hold Your Hand- The Beatles

Describe your current relationship.
Shiver- Motion City Soundtrack

Where would you like to be now?
The Ice is Getting Thinner- Death Cab for Cutie

How do you feel about love?
Lonely, Lonely- Taking Back Sunday

What’s your life like?
Fifteen- Taylor Swift (pretty accurate Tay)

What would you wish for if you had only one wish?
Jesus Messiah- Chris Tomlin

Say something wise.
Hide and Seek- Imogen Heap

If someone says “Is this okay?” You say,
Blindsided- Bon Iver

How would you describe yourself?
Green Eyes- Coldplay

What do you look for in a girl/guy?
Indescribable- Chris Tomlin (this answer is just too perfect for words, indescribable perhaps)

How do you feel today?
Daft Punk is Playing at My House- LCD Soundsystem

What is your life’s purpose?
My Life Would Suck Without You- Glee Cast

What is your motto?
I’m Bored, You’re Amorous- Dear and the Headlights

What do your friends think of you?
Gold Digger- Kanye West (any comments on this one friends?)

What do you think of your parents?
Saturday Night Divas- Spice Girls (guess I had to get my diva from somewhere)

What do you think about very often?
When “You’re” Around- Motion City Soundtrack (again, perfect <3)

What is 2 + 2?
I Like it Rough- Lady Gaga

What do you think of your best friend?
Where You Go I Go- Joel Auge (love this)

What do you think of the person you like?
The Feeling- Ben Rector (had to sit and listen to this song while thinking of the person I “like.”)

What is your life story?
Life on a Chain- Pete Yorn

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Enchanted- Taylor Swift (am I not enchanting already? thanks for giving me something to live for tay)

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Boys, Boys, Boys- Lady Gaga (whoosh, good things it’s not girls, girls, girls)

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Innocent- Taylor Swift

What will they play at your funeral?
Yeah- Usher feat. Lil’ Jon and Ludacris (hmm, not sure how I feel about this)

What is your hobby/interest?
Bittersweet Symphony- The Verve

What is your biggest fear?
Better Than Revenge- Taylor Swift

What is your biggest secret?
Failure By Design- Brand New

What do you think of your friends?
Your Love is a Drug- Ke$ha

What will you post this as?
Quelqu’un M’a Dit- Carla Bruni

Posted by milledavis | November 3, 2010 | Categories: Music | 1 Comment

What is a hipster?

Hipster, via dictionary.com:

a) a person who is hip

b) a person, especially during the 1950s, characterized by a particularly strong sense of alienation from most established social activities and relationships

c) an enthusiast of modern jazz

Hipster, via urbandictionary.com:

a subculture of men and women typically in their 20’s and 30’s that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter. Although “hipsterism” is really a state of mind, it is also often intertwined with distinct fashion sensibilities. Hipsters reject the culturally-ignorant attitudes of mainstream consumers, and are often be seen wearing vintage and thrift store inspired fashions, tight-fitting jeans, old-school sneakers, and sometimes thick rimmed glasses. Both hipster men and women sport similar androgynous hair styles that include combinations of messy shag cuts and asymmetric side-swept bangs.

Hipster, via hipsterhandbook.com:

One who possesses tastes, social attitudes, and opinions deemed cool by the cool. (Note: it is no longer recommended that one use the term “cool”; a Hipster would instead say “deck.”) The Hipster walks among the masses in daily life but is not a part of them and shuns or reduces to kitsch anything held dear by the mainstream. A Hipster ideally possesses no more than 2% body fat.

Please leave a comment with your own definition of a hipster.

Q: How many hipsters does it take to change a light bulb?

A: It’s some obscure number. You’ve probably never heard of it.

Posted by milledavis | November 1, 2010 | Categories: College | 4 Comments

Flip it and Reverse it, New Years Resolution Style

It is amazingly and quickly approaching November 1, and I’ve decided on a new experiment. This idea was prompted by two things.

1. It has come to that point in the semester that laziness has kicked in. I don’t want to do anything school related- which is wonderful considering this is the point in the semester where all of the big projects and tests and papers begin. Thanksgiving is so close I’m drooling at the thought of turkey (or perhaps duck, so I’ve heard!) and I literally think about pumpkin flavored things every day.

2. New Years resolutions are bogus and everyone knows it.

Thus, I’ve decided to create a reverse New Years resolution list. My goal is to do all of these things by New Years. So not only will I avoid that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach each January 1 trying to come up with ways to “improve my new year” that I know I will break in a month, I will also hopefully end the year with a bang. So here goes. I’m not saying I will perfectly complete all of these things, but I sure will try my hardest.

1. Stop eating fast food unless it is absolutely 100% necessary. (Just to clarify for anyone out there, I am not a fast food addict. I simply want to start using my money more wisely and making overall healthier decisions, which leads me to number 2..)

2. Get into a regular exercise routine. (I genuinely do love to exercise when I get into the habit, but that’s just the problem.. getting into the habit. Hopefully when I visit my parents for Thanksgiving going to my mom’s 5:30 a.m. spin class will get my motivation reeling- or more likely kick my butt and remind me how hard it is.)

3. Limit my caffeinated beverages to 1 a day. (My current caffeine predicament can be summed up in a Gilmore Girls quote. Rory says Lorelai, an avid coffee drinker, is “90 percent water, 10 percent caffeine.” This is currently me. Need I say more?)

4. Read 5 non school related books. (Okay, here is where you can help. Please comment with your favorite books that I should read before New Years!)

5. Find somewhere to regularly start volunteering next semester.

6. Take the time to write a detailed letter to my future self of all the things I’m passionate about right now and want to accomplish in my life. (I want this to include everything from living overseas to performing in community theatre to baking my children cookies when they come home from school to bringing hope to people in third world countries.)

7. Finally, and most importantly, spend more time with God- in His Word, in His creation, in conversation.

I truly believe that if I pursue this resolution the most, all of the others will fall into place. He will give me the strength to roll out of bed in the mornings and go on a run with the beautiful body He has given me. He will give me the discipline to eat and drink healthfully. He will provide me with open doors and light passions within me for my future. He will remind me that though 2011 may seem like a year with a lot of unknowns, He has plans for me and they are even greater than I could ever imagine.

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

Posted by milledavis | October 29, 2010 | Categories: Health | 8 Comments

Midweek Entertainment

1. Taylor Swift’s new cd Speak Now was released Monday and I’ve been listening to it nonstop. Watch her release performance in NYC at mtv.com. If you get a chance to listen to more of her songs, some of my favorites are “Mean”, “Enchanted” and “Long Live.”

2. About two weeks ago I was introduced to a phrase that has changed my life. “Can you teach me how to dougie?” If you don’t know what it is first watch the music video on YouTube. Want to learn how to dougie? Watch this awesome instructional video.

3. Everyone has seen and loves the Old Spice commercials. Well, there are a new slew of them that are pretty funny and pretty ridiculous. Start with this one.

4. As much as I didn’t want to include this, I decided I wouldn’t be an entertainment buff if I didn’t. Kanye West released Runaway, a 34-minute movie featuring new music. It might be worth watching (though I haven’t yet), but here it is if you’re interested.