Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Spring Break Update

Ah Texas. There is nothing more that I love than Texas.

I haven't done much of anything this week other than shopping and eating. Shopping and eating. I love it. I could do it all day if I had unlimited funds.

There's also been some down time mixed in, especially at night. It's nice to just lay down and check up on facebook/twitter/blogs and then read. I've already read 1.5 books thus far and it's only day 4 of 9. I hope to have two more finished by the time I return to Missouri.

That's all that's really happening here in Texas. We're just trying to get in as much shopping and amazing food as possible. It really helps that Katy's mom took off work this week to help us decide on places to go. :)

I haven't been keeping up with my blog because honestly, by the time I have time to do it, I'm exhausted. I was up for 21 hours on Friday and my body is regretting that. On top of the fact that I didn't get much sleep last week anyways, I could use as much sleep as possible. However, it would be nice if my body wasn't automatically set to wake up between 8:30 and 9:30 when I don't have anywhere to be. Lame.

Until next time <3

Top 2 Tuesday


Today's Top 2 Topic: Random Facts About You.

1. I can't take the paper wrapping off of my napkin at a restaurant. I don't know what it is, but I hate the sound of the paper wrapping on the paper napkin. Whomever I am with (usually Lynsie or Katy) takes it off for me. I can hear other people take theirs off, but there is something about mine that drives me nuts - like nails on a chalkboard. Maybe it's the feeling. Who knows.

2. I'm a serial dater. I haven't been single for more than 2 weeks at a time since the 8th grade. I've been single for almost 4 months now and that's a long time for me. It's weird. 

I'm not sure how I feel about the fact that I had to ask two friends for random facts about me. This is way more difficult than I thought!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Scrapbook Saturday


Since I was traveling all day yesterday headed to Texas for Spring Break, I wasn't able to do Five Question Friday. Expect that a lot this week. I'll be spending my time in the Texas heat and shopping :)

But for scrapbook Saturday, I'm posting a picture of me and my grandfather than I edited a few months ago. It's the 2 year anniversary of his death, so this picture means a lot to me.

But it's off to Chik-fil-A! YUM.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Thankful Thursday


Thankful Thursday. All morning I have been trying to think of something meaningful to be thankful for, but the only thing that comes to mind right now is caffeine. This week = drastic lack of sleep. I'm a person that runs off of the typical 8 hours of sleep. This week, the most I have gotten in one night has been 5.5 hours and it's not looking good for tonight either. I have my first on-air performance tomorrow (although don't let that make you think it's a big deal. It's only for 2ish minutes) but it's during the Today Show. This requires me to be at the station by 5:30. Sure, I don't have to put makeup on and sure, I don't have to have my hair perfectly fixed yet, but it has to be dried and semi-styled and I have to be showered. This wouldn't seem like a big deal if I was able to go to bed at say, 8:00 tonight. Buuuut I can't. I leave tomorrow around 3:00 pm for spring break in Texas and I am very much behind on the lovely little things called laundry and packing. I am done with classes today at 12:15 but am going into work to prep as much stuff as possible for the time we are gone, so I won't be able to start laundry/cleaning/packing until 3 or 4 today. Long story short - It's going to be a long two days.

Feel free to watch me tomorrow on KOMU at 7:55 and 8:25 :)

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Reformation

Since I'm currently in my History of the Reformation class, I should be taking notes. But I have mentally checked out and spring break is on my mind! So I'm recording the lecture on my computer and will listen to it and type out notes when I start to study for our next test. It'll help with studying...right? Totally.

To do something to make the 2 hours and 20 minute class go by, I've decided to copy Lynsie and do this:

10 How's
1) How did you get your scars?
I have quite a few scars. I have one on my knee from when I first learned to shave. I have one on my elbow from scraping it alongside a boat in Minnesota. I have a chicken pox scar on my chin. I'm sure I have plenty more but they're all miniscule and insignificant.

2) How did you celebrate your last birthday?
On my actual birthday, I was sick with some sort of head cold but my boyfriend at the time (now ex) took me out to eat to Kobe and we watched movies all night. The day after, I got pink eye. Great birthday.

3) How are you feeling at this moment?
I'm starving. I haven't eaten anything but a few chips since breakfast this morning.

4) How did your night go last night?
It was a long day but ended quite nicely with dinner with Lynsie at Tequila's I actually got an interesting note from a waiter who has been flirting with me the last few weeks.

5) How did you do in high school?
As a freshman, I was ranked 40th out of 1,167 students. By the time I had graduated, I was 140th out of 1,167. I tried really hard the first two years and then realized Notre Dame, Yale, Harvard, and Princeton didn't have a broadcast program, so I backed off a little bit.

6) How did you get the shirt you're wearing?
I bought it at Old Navy

7) How often do you see your best friend?
I have multiple. My two here in Missouri that I see all the time. And another one lives in New Hampshire so I don't see her very often at all.

8) How much money did you spend last month?
Not that much. I'm trying to save for spring break!

9) How old do you want to be when you get married?
I want to be married by 25ish. Hopefully. I had better get a move on with that. I turn 21 in 38 days. Crap.

10) How old will you be at your next birthday?
Definitely just answered that, but I will be 21 on May 1st.

9 What's
1) What's your mother's name?
Vikki Marie Contreras

2) What did you do last weekend?
Lunch with Lynsie!

3)What's the most important part of your life?
My friends, family, and school work.

4) What would you rather be doing?
Eating.

5) What did you last cry over?
Grandfather.

6) What always makes you feel better when you're upset?
Curling up and watching either The Little Mermaid or The Sound of Music with candy and my favorite blanket.

7) What's the most important thing that you look for in a significant other?
Being at ease with the person and being able to be boyfriend/girlfriend and best friends at the same time.

8) What are you worried about?
Not messing up for cut-ins on Friday! And finding time to pack for break!

9) What did you have for breakfast?
Cereal and sausage biscuits.

8 Have You's
1) Have you liked someone that had a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Yes

2) Have you ever had your heart broken?
Mhm

3) Have you ever been out of the country?
Canada. Woo. Although, there is a town in Mexico called Contreras. I'd love to go there someday!

4) Have you ever done something outrageously dumb?
Oh yes.

5) Have you ever been back stabbed by a friend?
Actually, quite recently yes.

6) Have you ever had sex on the beach?
No.

7) Have you ever dated someone younger than you?
Hah yes

8) Have you ever read an entire book in one day?
Happens all the time.

7 Who's
1) Who was the last person you saw?
I'm in a classroom. People are everywhere.

2) Who was the last person you texted?
Katy

3) Who was the last person you hung out with?
I live with my roommate, so if you count spending time at home hanging out, then her. But if you don't count that, then Lynsie.

4) Who was the last person to call you?
My mother. Shocking.

5) Who did you last hug?
Claudia at work.

6) Who is the last person who texted you?
Katy. We are that cool.

7) Who was the last person you said "I love you" to?
Baby brother.

6 Where's
1) Where does your best friend live?
I already answered that. Missouri and New Hampshire.

2) Where did you last go?
Before coming to campus, I was at home for a few and before that I was at work.

3) Where did you last hang out?
If you count my apartment, then there. If you don't, then Tequilia's.

4) Where do you go to school?
Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri - Columbia

5) Where is your favorite place to be?
On the couch with my puppy

6) Where did you sleep last night?
My bed.

5 Do's/Does
1) Do you like someone right now?
Maybe.

2) Do you think anyone likes you?
I know so. The waiter last night wanted my number.

3) Do you ever wish you were someone else?
Sometimes, but mainly only to have their clothes.

4) Do you know the muffin man?
Weird.

5) Does the future scare you?
Definitely not :)

4 Why's
1) Why are your best friends your best friends?
They are always there to listen whenever I need them and we usually have quite a lot in common.

2) Why did you get a myspace?
Xanga got old?

3) Why did your parents give you the name you have?
It's a tradition in my mom's family to name daughters in a Margaret - Victoria pattern. I got Margaret (thankfully) and my middle name came from my other grandmother.

4) Why are you doing this survey?
History of the Reformation can't seem to keep my attention today.

3 If's
1) If you could have on super power, what would it be?
FLYING

2) If you could go back in time and change one thing, would you?
Everything happens for a reason.

3) If you were stranded on a deserted island and could bring one thing, what would you bring?
Something to contact help with, whether that be a phone or a walkie talkie or a radio.

2 Would You Ever's
1) Would you ever get back with any of your exes if they asked you?
No. Tried that. Didn't work.

2) Would you ever shave your head to save someone you love?
Duh. Hair grows back. You can't replace loved ones.

1 Last Question
1) Are you happy with your life right now?
Yes :)



Wishful Wednesday


Today is Wednesday and that means I get to share a dream or wish I've always had.

Recently, I have started to love my job more and more. I think it's because I'm starting to learn minute details about specific types of cases or particular lawyers. My "mentor" won't be there over the summer which leaves me and another person (whom I don't trust) to do her work. I know it's not even spring break, but you'd be surprised at how much there is to learn! Plus, it's easier to get all the information up front, then practice it with the remaining time left. No worries though...my boss will still be there over the summer. I just want to learn how to figure this stuff out more on my own!

But all this new stuff is making me think about my previous dreams of law school. Before I got into my broadcast program in high school, I was dead set on going to Princeton then Harvard Law. The oldest grandchild on my father's side of the family went to Princeton for her undergrad and I always wanted to follow in her footsteps. Then Legally Blonde came out and Harvard Law came into my head. Plus, who wouldn't want to go to court in a bright pink suit?! 

I think I like law because it's like trying to figure out a puzzle or riddle in order to win a case. Producing is like putting the pieces of a puzzle together but you get to make the puzzle be whatever your heart desires. They're both fun, but I think I like the pressure of being in a newsroom more. I don't know why I want to stress myself out for the rest of my life, but hey, if I like it...I like it.

I'm thinking I definitely made the right decision to go into Journalism though. After hearing about 3 to 5 to 8 hour exams from my "mentor" Lynsie, who is in her second year of law school, I don't think I could handle it. :)




Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Top Two Tuesday/Tequila Tuesday


Today's Top 2 Tuesday: Things you can't live without

1. The most obvious, my phone.

The iPhone is my life. My e-mail comes straight to my phone and the mail application is constantly going off. Whether it's from the list-serve for KOMU or for MUTV weekly meetings, I always have some kind of mail. I can access my bank account, facebook, twitter, and ABC news. I have a morning routine that consists of e-mail, ABC,  and twitter/facebook. I'm always connected. 

2. My ring. 

This ring from James Avery is very dear to me. I bought it almost two years ago when my grandfather became ill and soon after passed away. Even if I don't wear other jewelry every day, I always have my ring on. 

The title of this blog also has Tequila Tuesday in it too. No, I don't drink a lot of tequila on Tuesday. It's when I have my "coverage", or what used to be coverage, dinner each week. When I first started at my job in the coverage department, the girls got together to eat dinner each week. Now it has dwindled down but it's still fun. This semester, we've been on a Tequila's fix. Tequila's is a mexican restaurant that has cheap, but decently good mexican food. Since I am half Mexican, it's hard for me to call it mexican food, but it's pretty hard to mess up nachos. We've gotten into the habit of going there every Tuesday so now I crave the nachos all day. Even when we try to pick somewhere else, we always end up with Tequila's. :) It gives me something to look forward to after my long days on Tuesdays. (I go from 8:00 AM to 3:20 PM and today I'm working to make up hours for leaving early on Friday for Spring Break).

Until tomorrow for Wishful Wednesday!




Musical Monday

I know technically, it isn't Monday anymore, but I was working on my other posts for my other blog for a class. Those blogs take a lot more time to create than these and my roommate (to your left. Isn't she pretty?) happened to be home making me get more distracted.

Anyways, here are the lyrics for today:
Hi ho!
Hi ho!
Hi ho! Hi ho! Hi ho!

Hi ho, Hi ho
It's home from work we go
(whistles)
Hi ho, Hi ho, Hi ho

Hi ho, Hi ho
It's home from work we go
(whistles)
Hi ho, Hi ho
(more whistles)

As silly as it seems, I couldn't help but sing this all day today. I feel like all I do is go to work and go to school. I go to work and I go to school. I go to work and I go to school. Over and over and over. I love my job and most of my classes so I'm not complaining, but I'm ready for the day when I only have to go to work and not go to school on top of it.

This is a boring post, but it's late/early and I have an early class tomorrow. Here's hoping I remember to make coffee tomorrow morning. 


Sunday, March 21, 2010

Unconscious Mutterings


Since the Mizzou game is over and we sadly lost to West Virginia, I figured I'd post for Sunday before I get into my "study mode". The point of unconscious mutterings is to type the first word that comes to mind for the following words:

  1. Burrito: Mexican
  2. Spike: Dog
  3. Tougher: Gym
  4. Mock: Mean
  5. Slurp: Slurpee at 7Eleven
  6. Knock: Door
  7. Conference: Sports
  8. Madness: Crazy
  9. Minds: Great minds think alike
  10. Connection: Internet

Now I'm off to study Philip II. When am I ever going to need to know about this? Never. Never ever. Oh the joys of college.


Weekly Agenda

I'm not planning a wedding. I'm not remodeling a house. I don't have kids. I'm a typical, although rather boring, college student who is having her entire life consumed by school. I've been trying to think of something to blog about for the past few days and decided to try "memes" to get me to blog every day! Here's my schedule:

*Note: Some of these are created from inspirations on other blogs but I've personalized them. Others come directly from the websites.

Sunday: Unconscious Mutterings. It'll be a good way for me to get back into "thinking" for the school week ahead!



Monday: Musical Monday. I love music and lyrics so I'll be posting my favorite portion of a song on Monday's and ramble about why I love that part.




Tuesday: Top 2 Tuesday. Undomestic Momma gives her followers a prompt and participants choose their top two things in that category to blog about.





Wednesday: Wishful Wednesday. I have had a lot of different goals and wishes in life and I plan to share all past, present, and future goals (one at a time) to help personalize myself and my blog.




Thursday: Thankful Thursday. There is at least one thing every week that I should be thankful for and to help keep a positive perspective on life, even during stressful periods of time, I am going to blog about something I'm thankful for every week.




Friday: Five Question Friday. Five Crooked Halos gives her followers 5 questions to answer every Friday.






Saturday: Scrapbook Saturday. I have used Picnik to make pictures more artistic/scrapbook-y. I will share one that I have done every week, or if I get creative enough/have enough time, I may do a new one.




Because the Mizzou vs. West Virginia game is on, I'll have to post my Sunday post later. It's time to show some school spirit! MIZ-ZOU!


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Refreshed

As I post almost every week in my wordpress blog for my classes, I always feel the urge to blog about "non-professional" things that happen in my daily life. Thus, I decided to take this blog back up and make it my personal one where I can share pictures and update it based on non-journalistic things.

To catch up, I've been cleared to start working at the station for reporting and also anchoring morning headlines during breaks from network morning shows. I'm pretty excited! I got a lot of positive feedback from my professor while "practicing" for the anchoring stuff. And the professor doesn't usually make positive comments.
That's my teacher.
He's quite intimidating but the class is starting to see the "softer" side of him and when we had anchoring practice, I realized I am never going to have a teacher that cares that much about how well I do. 

I made my schedule for the first semester of my senior year of college. Talk about scary! I have an amazing schedule next semester and while I applied for an internship for the summer, I decided to stay in Columbia and take the next broadcast class. This will allow more time for me to hone in on my producing skills. 

This past weekend I decided to try something new and went home with a friend, Lynsie. She lives in the country. When I say country, I mean she just bought a house and 28 acres and she has a barn. (I had never seen cows up close before!) It was a blast. I experienced so many new things like shooting a gun, riding and driving a front loader, and eating homemade ice cream! Her family was so sweet. I hope to go back this summer and help with the painting of Lynsie's new house with her family and fiancĂ© Chris (and they are too cute together!). They also had this cute little puppy named Dozer who was so precious. He was like a little baby. But he'll be all grown up next time I see him. 

Here are some pictures of the trip:



Other than that, my life is pretty uneventful right now. I'm getting anxious for Spring Break. I'm headed back to Texas with my roommate Katy to spend a week relaxing and shopping. I'm getting excited for time in warm weather. This cold weather has been around for far too long.

Until next time!