Curly Hair/Second family

This is me circa October 2011 (SO long ago, I know)...

Story behind this picture. I woke up at 6am to go to an interview in Salt Lake City at Primary Children's Hospital. I obviously got there way too early, and decided to take this picture and send it to my sister.

In college, a fellow curly-haired roommate of mine told me that studies have been done proving that interviewers take perspective employees less seriously if their hair is curly. So, to my first ever interview at Lenox Hill, I wore my hair straight. I also wore this lovely outfit: a magenta classy yet stylish cardigan, a cream blouse that is fitting yet sophisticated, and a grey pencil skirt. I got the job. I swore it was my lucky hair-do and outfit. I came to this job interview for basically my dream job. I was so nervous. And guess who didn't get the job.

So, on to my next job interview. I wore my hair crazy and curly, probably put in a low bun because I was lazy, but I still wore my lucky interview outfit. I got the job. I was more confident. I think maybe because I feel more myself with curly hair, but it could also be because this was not my ultimate dream job so I was more laid back. But it sure does feel good sometimes to straighten my hair. It makes me feel pretty.

I have a deviated septum. I want to get it fixed, but it's a quirk I don't mind.

And thanks Mom and Dad for giving me the awkward 1.5 year braces period of my life, because I like my teeth a lot. And thanks grandma for my curly hair and shortness. If I weren't this short, I wouldn't be Little Amy in the big world.

P.S. I love that the majority of people who liked this picture on facebook are my second family - The Patterson family. I love them all so much.

An homage to the Patterson's:

My second family....My Best friend ever, Nichole, Zach, Vicky, and Scott. And can't forget Kentucky Fried Rylee and Abers.

What the outside of the lake house usually looks like. Family, family and more family that have basically adopted me. And Vick smiling because the family surprised her for her birthday.

The lake, the reclining, the relaxing, the sun, the family. I love everything about this picture. I want to be in it again. I would like to be that tan again too.

That my friends, is happiness. I am so lucky to have all of you, Patterson family. Since I was 8 years old it has been nothing but wonderful memories with you all. I don't think I would be the person I am today without every single one of you. You've showed me how lovely family can be.

I love all of you!!! Miss you so much.

I'll be straightforward when I start by saying -- This is going to be one random post. I promise it'll be fun.

I'll start on a happy note.

A 100 year-old beautiful little lady/some would call a cougar gets married to an 87 year old that she fell in love with in her nursing home. And I love it. It made me cry just seeing her in that wedding gown, being wheeled down the aisle. And how she was talking about how in the old days, weddings were so simple -- bouquets picked from the backyard garden, it makes me want to live in the 1940's. Things were so much simpler back then. Well, love is real. Love is everywhere. And no matter how old you are, love is beautiful. The end.

Next on the agenda, iPods and headphones. Two things I miss about NYC. The majority of NYC pedestrians/public transit riders have headphones on- talking on the phone, or listening to music. As soon as I walk out of work, I just want to be in my zone. Yeah, my car is like a 3 minute walk away, but the urge to put headphones on usually gets the best of me. And I walk through the hospital with them on, and people look at me weird. Like I'm an outcast, or an angst teen or something. I don't really care what they think, but come on people, catch up on the trend. Headphones and music are in fact cool.

I miss my little sister, too. I want to take care of her and give her presents every day and be her personal nurse.

Oh, and I guess I miss that little baby I'm holding there too. I now stalk him via twitter -- True story, big sister problems forever.

I'm kind of like a mom, let's be honest. Well, Jackson and I have deemed me "caregiver Amy" , which can be good and bad (but I find it very fitting; that's my personality).

Why do we have to grow up...And why do I hate working the night shift, and why does my body hate me? So many unanswered questions. I have been one hot mess lately -- But I'm hanging in there. I'm trying. I'm trying hard.

THis is a few days old.

I will not devote a post to how much I dislike Valentine's Day. I will, however give shout outs to all those who were legit offended by my status. Like I said right in the status, again shut up. But one thing I noticed about this Valentine's Day: Why was everyone posting every single thing/flower/gift/jewelry/card that they received from their loved ones? I felt like it was a competition. One girl got a Kindle Fire. The other got a beloved movie. Who got the biggest bouquet of flowers?

Okay, I'm done being mean now.

I've been up for 32 hours and counting. I went to the doctors today because my heart rate was in the 140's and I freaked out. I'm okay, but I got my first EKG -- and um, my patients do not need to complain when I take those gel stickies off of their skin. It is painless. I thought I could sympathize, but I cannot. Here I am, negative nance again.

I have a new fashion icon/obsession.

Joy Williams - From the Civil Wars, probably my favorite duo of all time. Joy and I are basically BFF's since she answers all of my fashion questions via twitter. Seriously, most humble two-time grammy winner ever, that woman is. As I was telling Nichole, Joy is with child -- Which means maybe she'll lend me all of her dresses for the next 8 or so months. Can a girl dream?

Beauty.

I really can't wait to plan a trip home soon.

teenagehoodism.

Ugh, TEENhood was SO long ago.

Just kidding, it wasn't. But sometimes it feels like it....

Like on mornings (which are my nights) when I sit here listening to Straylight Run and think about nights (which were really nights) where I would write in my journal, weekends where I would throw parties with my friends, and go to high school and love/hate it. I cried a lot, I laughed a lot, but I just have mostly good, warm feelings thinking back on those times.

I'm glad I can look back on things via livejournal/blurty blogs I had back in the day which links will not be shared unless it is demanded of me.

Oh, the simplicity.

To my past self: You think life was complicated then? Oooh, girl....You're in for quite the ride.

I'm happy....But I'm nostalgic.

Existential moment. Hold on, wait up, I have the perfect song.

Lakes and Sleep.

I'm a night owl again. Not by choice.

I have been sleeping 24/7. I think my body hates me. I think Jackson isn't too fond either, considering every time I go to hang out with him, I sleep the day away. Why is this so hard on my body?

P.S. I feel like my coworkers are feeding me 24/7. They bring in goodies all the time. I can't complain.. But at the same time...ALL this food is taking its' toll! IT IS!

I woke up at 8:40 pm tonight, and am now planning this wedding. Which, I'm sure you will be sick of hearing once it's July.

This is going to be it:

How beautiful is this? Except picture green instead of fall colors.

Right on Seneca Lake. It will be beautiful.

What else about me.

I'm reading my first Stephen King book and I absolutely love it. 11/22/63 -- Pick it up if you love historical fiction, JFK, the 1950's-60's era...Oh how I would love to live in that era.

Other than that...Life is one big sleep fest.

Eee 2012!

Why do years keep flying by?

And...Why do people keep getting older?

Points to ponder.

Anyway. I cannot believe it's 2012.

I got engaged in 2011...Albeit December 17th, but still. The world turned one year older on January 1st at 12 am and I realized, I am getting married this year. Eek! It's been wedding planning galore, and I feel like I've gotten nothing accomplished, but in reality I am trying daily to get things in order. Thank you, Dad for scouting out places for me. I don't think I could do it without you.

I miss home a lot. I miss New York. I miss my co-workers there. Mostly I miss my family though. I'm obviously comparable to a homesick kid at summer camp, except this is one long summer camp trip. Or maybe boarding school is a better comparison. But really. I miss everyone.

My grandma...I am so glad I got to see her the night after I got engaged. It's sad watching people get older. Especially someone you look up to so much. I remember grandma walking us to Nathan's, when she played Pretty Pretty Princess with me while babysitting me in upstate New York (she won). But I am so thankful she is here...78 years young, to be able to see my wedding. I already told her I am naming my first girl after her.

Family is the best...I look like the devil.

Years fly by. People grow up and grow old. But, I am happy. I am happy to have spent the past year with people I love. I am happy I am where I am today, albeit far away from home.

I am happy that I have a job ---I started the night shift last week and am officially nocturnal, but I am still lucky that I have a job at all. And that my coworkers are amazing and fun and so incredibly nice. I am happy for the next step in my life!!

2012 will not be the end of the world ---It will just be the new beginning of something great!!!

The end of a lovely year in NYC.

First Comes Love...

Then comes the engagement.

I am an engaged woman now to a wonderful man who I am so excited to share my life with!

I think most people that were interested have seen the proposal video, but I wanted to share with you my side of the story.

I went home to Horseheads on December 15th with Jackson. He had the intention of asking my dad for his blessing to marry me-- But that's all I knew. I was told this lovely ring of mine wouldn't be ready until the New Year. He asked him the first night we were home, at 11:30 pm to be exact. While this was happening, I was up in my room having a panic attack under the bed....No joke. I was expecting my dad to be outraged-- I vividly remember him telling me at the age of 18 that I shouldn't get married until I turn 30.

This cute clip from Father of the Bride makes me picture what must have been going through my dad's head at the time, even though I wasn't there....It also makes me cry.

I think in my dad's mind I'm still a little girl, which is fine to me...I'll always be 'Daddy's Little Girl'. But instead of what I thought would happen (a catastrophe), my dad was so happy for Jackson and me. That night when Jackson told me how the conversation went, I cried. My dad's happiness for us was so important to me. Family is so important to me!

Which is why I couldn't have dreamed of a better proposal.

Saturday, December 17th was my planned 'faux Christmas'. Since I wasn't going to be home on Christmas day, my family planned to exchange gifts with me on Saturday. I planned to be at my dad's for a little, then have dinner (dutch meatballs, THE BEST) at my mom's afterwards. My dad told me that he invited my mom and her boyfriend over to exchange gifts, too. I wasn't suspicious, instead I was overjoyed that I could have my faux-Christmas with my entire family together. My Christmas dream come true! Fast forward to everyone coming over. Jackson played 'sick' and I believed every minute of it. We began to exchange gifts; My dad's video camera out (which happens during every Christmas event), my family happy and together, Christmas music playing in the background....And then this happens:

The 'Aws' and the crying, I just couldn't help it.

The best part: My entire family was in on the proposal; That's why the whole family gathered in the first place. My dad was a trooper and helped Jackson plan the whole thing (video credits go to him, thanks dad!!). Sadly, no Dutch meatballs were in order. Instead, my dad made reservations for us to go to Tanino's --Family favorite restaurant in Horseheads. My family already had beautiful engagement cards already written out for me. So sneaky.

Honestly, combining My entire family + The man I love = Pure joy for me!!! Which is why this was absolutely perfect. Remember when I said that graduation was the best day of my life? I think this tops it. I think the wedding will be even better.

P.S. Helpful hint: If you go to the youtube link, you'll find a nice little video (albeit 14 minutes long) of a compilation of videos/pictures from when Jackson and I first started dating to now. It's lovely. Feel free to fast forward through the zoo videos....But everything else is beautiful.

I'm going to watch Father of the Bride now. I will say, my dad is so much cooler than Steve Martin.