What I've learned from my big girl job...

...mapquest makes bad decisions sometimes.

...lunch breaks should be pre-planned to avoid not getting any break cause you're running around like crazy.

...rush hour traffic exists. Just cause I haven't ever had to sit in it before, doesn't mean it wasn't there.

...music makes everything go faster.

...singing outloud is frowned upon in corporate environments.

...you will be confused, but it's ok to ask questions. In all of life.

...I make mistakes, but they can be fixed.

...no matter how many times I do it, calling phone to phone in the office will always be as fun as when I was five and calling my cousin on my dad's office phone.

...coffee is good.

...and tea can be better.

Can You Paint With all the Colors of the Kitchen?

Well I can!

Saw these all over pinterest and just had to give it a try. 

This is the result. 

Guys...lets keep doing this ok?

Memory 21

Did you ever have pretend games as a kid or was that just me? 

I loved dress-up, Indians, enchanted forest, pioneer women. I loved them all. I would create worlds and characters and personas. 

Dress up was no playing matter in my world. 

And I got particularly good at pretend office. 

I had the whole set up complete with four page fake customer list with phone numbers, magazine that customers would order out of (designed by myself and my best friend at the time Heather. We were a clothing magazine) two line phone system, filed documents, and an old laptop to type on. 

Bushnick Designs Incorporated 

(seriously, don't ask how we came up with that name, I don't remember)

How appropriate that now that I'm entering the world, I get a job working for a corporation doing data processing. 

I know, not exactly the type of job you'd see eccentric me working in. But since I'm only in Virginia till the boy snail graduates, I needed something temporary. And this one lets me act like a big kid.

(complete with new, big-kid-I'm-a-working-grown-up shoes. They're real pretty)

And besides, I'm sure corporate America could use a few more little kids to lighten things up.

What was your favorite pretend game growing up?

Location, Location, Location

When the boy snail and I started thinking about getting married, I became quite particular about the location. 

My first choice was the amazing theater we performed at in high school. 

It's mostly ruins now, but so many memories camp out in that section of my heart. And, the parking lot of this theater is where the boy snail first told me he liked me all the way back in high school. 

But alas, when I called about reserving the location, the manager said they would probably demolish this beauty by the following year. 

(they've been saying that for years though, so maybe a engagement photo opportunity hmm?)

So we started back at square one. What to do. Many websites I looked at suggested a place that had emotional significance for the couple, but that idea had been shot down. 

So I went with the second best thing to emotional significance. I went with something that I adore (and that the boy snail loves, maybe not adores like I do, but there are sparks). 

Pumpkins. 

Mom and I started the hunt. And guess what. I think this location might have emotional significance in the years to come, just like the theater. 

Faulkner's Ranch and Pumpkin Farm. 

Yes. Pumpkin Farm. You know it's perfect. 

Next, Just-Learning Baker

I got brave.

After my declaration of my new, obsession-level love of cake decorating, I tried my hand at it. 

Tell you what, things are always easier with the right tools. Valli, my cake decorating mentor and adopted mom for the next 4 months lent me all the professional cake decorating supplies she had. 

And I present to you, a first ditch effort to bake then decorate!

Let the new obsession take root and grow.

Week 24

1) Cake Decorating

Seriously, I'm addicted to Cake Boss, Next Great Baker, Cake Wars, Ace of Cakes, and Amazing Wedding Cakes.

P.S. - Valli, who I'm living with right now, used to be a cake decorator. My present this year for my birthday is a custom made cake by Valli, that I get to help with to learn! What!

Next Great Baker here I come. Or maybe more like Next Just-Learning Baker. 

2) Tulle. 

Oh don't worry, you'll find out why eventually. 

3) This incredible cover of Fix You by Coldplay done by my soon-to-be-sister and her friend. 

I can't believe how soothing her voice is. I've listened to this like 14 times already. 

4) Paint Chips. They save my life while pre-wedding planning.

5) Wedding Planning. 

And to keep all you lovelies updated on the happenings, I present for your enjoyment a new series!

So get ready, cause the fun don't stop till I get a ring on that boy snails finger!

Kiss the Girl - December Part 5

New Years Eve was particularly wonderful this year. Emily had a party at her house, complete with good friends, good food, and lots of fake mustaches! 

The boy snail and I were heading to Virginia on the 2nd, so I was particularly eager to see my girls one last time. It was the perfect end to a perfect December. 

Thank you guys for all your support in this crazy time. 

I'm just trying to remember if there is anything left to tell you about December.

I don't know...can you guys think of anything?

Anything different at all?

Oh come on! You know!

Ok ok! I'll just tell you silly lovelies! The boy snail proposed! And it was perfect, and lovely, and everything I could have hoped for.

And baby look at that ring! White Sapphire, fair trade, and a band swirling into white gold perfection.

Ok, ok, the proposal. He told me he had always wanted to reenact his fiance's favorite movie. 

The party headed outside at midnight to count down the new year. As midnight struck, Isaac's friend Dane started playing "Kiss the Girl" on guitar. I didn't realize what was happening as friends gathered around and started singing along.

And then he got down on one knee. And I shrieked and nodded through my tears. 

And so now we come to today, living in Virginia, job hunting, and enjoying first ever spontaneous date nights with the boy snail. And of course pining the crap out of my wedding plans. 

So stay tuned lovelies, things are only beginning. It's my turn for the crazy, blogging insanity of wedding planning!

These Christmas Lights, Keep Shining On - December Part 4

Many of you will remember my stories about Christmas with my family. 

So many traditions. The ornament exchange, Santa comes, Kris Kringle (complete with handmade gifts). But this year was particularly special, because we got to welcome two new people into the family, my sister and the boy snail. This was their first Christmas with the Nobrega family. 

Sometimes I wonder why the boy snail doesn't run in the opposite direction. 

And as a special little surprise, Beni got to sit on Santa's lap. He has such a strong resemblance to a certain husband of hers, we just couldn't resist. Really they're almost identical, my brother and Santa.

But the most special of all (at least for me) was that on this, the first year that my sister got inducted into the Kris Kringle tradition, I got her name. So I made what every new wife needs, an apron and a cookbook full of Nobrega family recipes, even with a few handwritten by my Grandma. 

(Also note part of my incredible Kris Kringle gift around my neck, thanks again cousin Missy)

Le sigh. Completely-Perfect-For-Me-Family pictured below. 

Walk of a Lifetime - December Part 3

Overnight flight...not the best place to study for finals. Or perfect place? I'm not sure, even now. But study I did. 

And 4 finals, 1 week and 1 boy snail later, I got to take the walk of a lifetime. 

My entire family (new sister included) came down to see me walk. 

My brother and sister spent their honeymoon watching me walk down a really long aisle and get a piece of paper that defines my future. Exciting right?

And funny enough, I graduated Magna Cum Laude. I had no idea I would. They actually had to tell me to go pick up my ropes, or I would have just gone on my merry way. 

After, my sister and I even got to have a lightsaber fight! Oddly enough I had at least three separate lightsaber fights this holiday. 

(I just had to ask the boy snail if I was spelling lightsaber right. Be jealous)

But really the highlight was my party. See I don't know if you picked up on this but my family was a little busy this last month, so my incredible aunt (she'll claim she's my favorite) organized a perfectly Hannah graduation party for me. 

I remember turning to the boy snail at one point when everything was getting set up, saying, "Everything is Hannah!" pointing to the decorations, completely with confetti, gormet cupcakes, chocolates, and best of all...

...a DIY coffee and hot chocolate bar, with peppermint sticks, 3 different coffeemates, and lots of marshmallows. 

So let's review: walk of a lifetime, Magna Cum Laude, lightsaber fights, gourmet cupcakes, coffee bar, and one very happy girl snail. 

A Wedding to Cry About (in a good way) - December Part 2

Did I forget to mention that my brother moved to Bahrain?

Shoot! 

Well he got married there too, so I guess that cats out of the bag. And boy was it a beautiful wedding.

My (new) sister Beni did me the incredible honer of allowing me to be in her wedding party.

 I got to wear a pretty dress and pretty make up and then proceed to cry off all the pretty makeup and walk around barefoot in the grass in my pretty dress. 

But ah, such is life. 

Seriously, sobbing crying. It was kinda embarrassing. So much so that Beni looked behind her at one point to make sure I wasn't dying. 

But I think the truly beautiful thing for me, was that despite us being halfway across the world, we still got to share this special day with my family at home, via skype

I couldn't be happier. I hope my day gets to be just as special, skyping my brother and sister included. 

P.S. - Check out their incredible photographer

Senior Reading - December Part 1

On December 2nd (for anyone following my crazy calendar) I had the incredible honer of being invited to read at Missouri State English Department's Student Invitation Reading. 

That's a mouthful. 

My knees shook and my palms sweated and I was pretty sure that nobody cared one smidge about Africa or me. 

But I did it anyway.

It's funny how doing something you're scared of, while it's terrible in the moment, and even for a few minutes afterward, it's hardly ever regretted. Even if you make a fool of yourself. 

Cause hey, at least you  made a fool of yourself doing something worth doing.