Alpha, Bravo, Charlie...

I have a very doable challenge for you this week: learn the phonetic alphabet! I found this graphic on Pinterest a couple of years ago and thought "hey, this is what the cops are using on all those TV shows!" You know, when they are relaying a license plate number and say "Charlie" or "Foxtrot" amidst the numbers. So freakin legit, am I right?! These specific words are chosen because they're pretty specific to that letter and/or that letter's sound.

*Disclaimer, some people use beta instead of bravo. Either one works.

I soon printed off this list and put it up at my desk at work so that I could learn it, pretty much just to say that I knew it (#guilty). However, I referred to it on a few phone calls when spelling or clarifying email addresses and it was extremely useful. The person on the other end of the line made no mistake knowing which letters I was using! I don't know why I was surprised that it worked well, but it was such a cool little, "I'm totally an adult who can be articulate on the phone" moment.

To memorize it, I just read through it a few times a day, and tried it without looking the third time. Then, practice using it by spelling your name. Use only the "code" words, as opposed to saying "V as in victor". For example, I would say, "My name is Meagan." They'd be all, "How do you spell that?" And I'd go, "Mike echo alpha, gamma alpha november." Now try your license plate number. Seriously, say it out loud...it's so cool! Why doesn't everyone always use this?! Beats me. It's resourceful and easy to understand no matter who you are. 

Next time you see me, I challenge you to a phonetic alphabet battle. *Insert fist emoji here* We'll just start going down the list, maybe altering between us every letter, and the first person to forget the word associated with that letter, loses! Now start memorizing and go impress your boss.

Let me know how it goes in the comments!

One of the Guys

I experienced elementary school largely in the same "sport girl" Nike t-shirt and ponytail, playing basketball and soccer with the boys at recess. It wasn't until middle school that it occurred to me that my hair could do other things, that my ratty t-shirt wasn't going to last forever, and that makeup was kind of fun. I also grew up with only brothers and played sports for as long as I can remember. This, inevitably, molded me into one of those girls that can be "one of the guys". I often met friends through pick-up basketball or because they had seen me play for our school team. My general knowledge of a few different sports makes me easy to relate to and gives us instant common ground.

Yes, there are some nice advantages that come with feeling like one of the guys, such as these:

• I can hook my friends up
• Get to see their soft side
• Don't feel the need to dress up or make too many plans
• They grow to be protective of you
• They're pleasantly surprised to see you all cleaned up and pretty
• Hear more of their side on dating and relationship matters
• Sometimes, they buy your food
• Real talk. No beating around the bush that is your feelings (it may feel like a con, but it's a pro in the end)

However, there are some not-so-awesome sides to it, including:

• No filter on their jokes (most of the time)
• Them forgetting you're a lady
• Being seen in a "little sister" light (ugh)
• FRIEND ZONE
• You get made fun of for any girly behavior

Furthermore, I think there is a misconception that since a specific girl can hang with the guys, all said guys want to date her. Oh, if only that were true! Other women tend to assume that because a girl can talk to men fairly easily, that she has her pick of them and you can count on her to bring all the guys to a party. It's just kinda silly and not true with most people. BuzzFeed knows what I'm talking about, check out this video.

I have to end with a shout out, though, to all my fellas. Having so many wonderful men in my life is the greatest and I love 'em all like crazy. They help me chill out, laugh at myself, and make me a better basketball player. ;) 

From the Silver Screen

The following are some of the lines that stayed with me long after the show ended, from knee slappers, to tear-jerkers, and everything in between.

"You gonna hit the ball or you gonna dance with it?"

The Legend of Bagger Vance, 2000

"If he calls Wednesday for Saturday, you have to be busy...even though you're free?! It's so annoying!" 

Aquamarine, 2006

"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great."

A League of Their Own, 1992

"If I ruined it for you, I don't want it anymore."

                 Bride Wars, 2009

ANNIE [about her cappuccino maker from dad]: "I couldn't love anything more." 

GEORGE: "My thoughts exactly."

Father of the Bride, 1991

"I treasure my remark to my grandson who asked, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said, 'No...but I served in a company of heroes.'"

Band of Brothers, 2001

"We're gonna run the picket fence at 'em!...Now, boys, don't get caught watchin' the paint dry!"

Hoosiers, 1986

"I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life, and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life." 

Steel Magnolias, 1989

"'Joe'? 'Just call me Joe'? As if you were one of those stupid 22 year old girls with no last name? 'Hi, I'm Kimberly!' 'Hi, I'm Janice!' Don't they know you're supposed to have a last name? It's like they're an entire generation of cocktail waitresses."

You've Got Mail, 1998

FAIRCHILD: "You don't deserve her."

 LINUS: "I don't. I know. But I need her--and I don't need anything."

Sabrina, 1995

"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!"

Steel Magnolias, 1989

"I got a lifetime of knowledge."

      She's the Man, 2006

"Wanna know a secret? You're the sweetest guy I've ever known."

 13 Going On 30, 2004

Write This Down

I believe there's value in keeping a journal, and I prefer it to be handwritten. I love being able to see someone's penmanship on a page, knowing it could only be produced by that one person putting pen to paper. The record of details from everyday life that seem insignificant now could be interesting and different to your future family, perhaps long after you've gone. It's an intimate peek into a person's mind that is unfiltered, honest, and a reflection of their true self. 

I have a dear friend who is a rock star at keeping a journal, and when she extended this challenge to the both of us, I accepted with excitement, wondering how we hadn't done one of these before. Starting tomorrow, the first of the month, we will follow these prompts each day in our journals for 30 days. Some will be brief, some will be challenging, and some might surprise us. 

I'm looking forward to the memories I will be able to pull from the archives of my life, and seeing the power that comes with devoting time to a single, small idea. This will give me something I have to do every day, once a day, and I will have to sit down to do it. Would you like to join us? When the 30 days is up, I'll do a recap of the challenge, including what I liked, learned, and what I would add or subtract to the list. If you're going to do it too, let me know in the comments! I'd love for this to be a team effort! Happy journaling.

A Little Boost

Sometimes, all we want to do is crawl under the covers for a couple of days so we don't have to deal with anyone or anything. We just want sweats, food that can be delivered, and someone to tell us we're awesome. Unfortunately, responsibilities remain and they keep banging on the door. Nobody seems to care that we need a break.

If you're feeling like that, take a breath and read the messages below. I hope this can give you a little boost and let you know someone is cheering for you! 

 

                                                                                          

Most importantly...

That is so so true. I cannot emphasize this enough: YOU MATTER. You are doing good things. If you want to do better, do better! In the end, you're in charge of who you become. On your way there, remember to look back every once in a while to see how far you've come. Just do the best you can with what you have, and stay positive all the while. You GOT this! One day at a time, you'll be just fine. So many people love you and are on your side. Try putting on your rose colored glasses so you can see them a little better. :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

My Favorite Time Waster

By now, I'm sure you've noticed that I'm a hopeless romantic. All the sappy things, please! That stuff absolutely works on me, from Hallmark cards, to cheesy ABC Family Christmas movies, to predictable Nicholas Sparks love stories...they all get to me. *sigh* Well, about two years ago, my other friend who loves love (hi Mackenzie!) and I discovered wedding videos, engagement videos, and love stories, recorded of regular people by videographers. We haven't looked back since!

People hire videographers to film their wedding day, some make what's called an engagement trailer, and a few make a video of their love story (my favorite). It's such a unique way to document a special time for a couple. Imagine how cool those will be to watch in 50 years with their grown children. And, they're just so pretty. Those folks behind the lens know what they're doing. I have a few choice videographers, including Brinton Films, Kale Fitch Films, and Haugen Creative.

It's like a fairytale setting, but with regular people and under 10 minutes. I think that's what I love most about them--it's the kind of love you see in movies, but it's real people with real stories who really love each other. I love hearing the story behind their falling in love, and reveling in how wonderfully ordinary it was. People really do fall in deep, true love in real life.

Here are some of my all-time favorites, in no particular order:

Chris + Whitney Full Love Story
My friend and I can quote this one, that's how many times we've seen it (love you Salty). Now we always laugh when we see a Yogurtland. And yes, he really does look like Christopher Reeve, don't you think?

Taylor + Kelsey
Favorite line: "I figured that one day I would just eventually settle with somebody that was okay and would work; but, you have completely blown my mind since day one and I will always love you."

Hailey & Brad: NYC Bridal
These two...they're my fave. They go on so many adventures and make beautiful videos of them all! Check out her blog here. He's British, they're LDS, and they know how to have fun. So much goodness!

Alex & Chip
I know, she's so gorgeous! This one makes me want to go to a beachside fair, of course. Also, the bike silhouette shot?! Swoon.

Ryan + Eden Highlights
She waited for him on his mission, and their reunion video makes me cry, it's so darling. They are beautiful people who had a beautiful wedding! I love how fun-loving this one is and how happy they look.

WARNING: These videos can suck you in for hours at a time. But, they will be blissful hours, I'm tellin ya. The sweetest 'waste of my time' I've found on the internet. If I'm having a bad day, I will watch some of these, because they make me grin and feel better. I know that may be silly, but love is a miraculous thing, and it helps restore my faith in people and in the world.

Which one was your favorite? Let's gush over them together!

"Pink is my signature color"

 

Typical. I'm a girl who loves pink. It's a cliche for a reason, people...I mean, look! Just so many pretty things to brighten up your work day!   

And now that it's summer, pink is popping up everywhere. Hooray! My favorite shade is blush, like the bag below. (Heart eyes!) 

Pink is just a color, but when it's perfectly placed, it's enough to make me smile. I love to make things feminine and pretty, and a dash of pink is a great place to start. I hope you enjoyed this pink moment!

P.S. If you know the reference for the title of this post, you were raised right!