I could really use some…

Sno Beach.

Just the other night I was slightly giddy with excitement because I finally had something I wanted to blog about again. Given my recent dry spell (AKA this is my first post to be seen since August 29, 2011), I was thinking about what all I would put into my next post. Originally, I was going to post about my growing affinity for the city of Houston…

L and H (J) drove down to Houston for a night this past week, and after H asked how I was liking HTown – I realized that I’m quite fond of it now. I had lived here for ten weeks on my internship and absolutely hated it. Over time I realized maybe it was because it’s what was keeping me from college life and Austin (<3) but whatever the reason – I was not a fan. However, after living here for over a year (it’ll be two come the end of September – cra cra) – Houston, you’re not too shabs. I’ve gotten used to the driving (shout out to 70.71 sq mi Wichititty City) and even though I wouldn’t really dub myself as a “foodie,” there are definitely some yummy eats here. Also, just last week I caught myself saying “we” when referring to this place – bah!

But back to my first point – originally this was going to be a post about how I like Houston more now (even though the previous paragraph kind of is ha) – I changed my mind about my post today because I realized that it doesn’t have Sno Beach. I kiiind of grew up on snowcones/balls so they’re kind of a BD in my life (J and L can attest to this – anyone from WF really..)  good thing I’m heading to Austin this weekend. The weather has been warming up here so naturally I started craving the good stuff. I wanted Sno Beach so badly and suggested my friends and I go somewhere I could get shaved ice in Chinatown after lunch at Don’s today. You can’t really compare the two though – even though both include…shaved ice, haha – but I know what I mean! So anyway I pulled some Yelpage and not very many places popped up (GIT Houston) but I did find this – ! It looks pretty decent – anyone up to join me – or have any good snocone places in Houston to suggest?

In the meantime, I’ll be looking forward to seeing this guy this weekend:

Miscellaneous updates on life:

‘rents came in town this past week including the little one + the bf – miss them

finished the Hunger Games series – Team Peeta

NYC trip planned for July – holler

currently healing from allergies/cold (unclear as I am not a fan of going to the doctor) and a burst blood vessel in my eye :/

Girls wearing cologne

…and using other products for men.

“You smell SO good” I creepily  sniffed at M after she borrowed my shower to clean up before we went to go see Glee: The 3D Concert Movie a few weeks ago. “Oh yeah, I was wondering if that [Old Spice Pure Sport] body wash was yours but it was the only one in there; I was confused…” M replied questioningly.

Yes, it was mine. I bought it a month or so earlier when it suddenly dawned on me that there wasn’t anything stopping me from purchasing amazingly scented body wash intended for the opposite sex. I always choose men’s body wash over body wash meant for women if borrowing someone’s shower that has both; why not?

This incident prompted me to search back in my post archives for a draft I had saved awhile ago when a similar event occurred whilst getting ready for a night out. I spritzed on some Acqua di Gio S had given me a year or so ago because it was almost out anyway. I have been in LOVE with this scent since my old friend T used to wear it in high school. E, staying at my place for the weekend, immediately called me out: “Whoaaa Mel, why are you putting on cologne?? Trying to get the boys tonight??” she teased. I “lol”ed and exclaimed, “What??” E semi-joked that I was using it to attract guys. Cue another “lol” and the inquiry, “Is that true??”

I had never considered that before and just wear it like I would any of my other perfumes because I love the smell of it. Sidenote: I also LOVE Abercrombie & Fitch men’s cologne and thoroughly enjoy each time I catch a whiff  of it when I walk by one of  their stores (probs because they spray it every half hour on the half hour everywhere..).

Also, I just read in my latest US Weekly magazine that KR of the former Destiny’s Child wears men’s cologne: “I wear men’s cologne – it gets the fellas!”

What!

I tried Googling and quickly checked out a few links. It was probably 50/50 between guys saying it was a turnoff for women to wear men’s cologne/scents (they do not want to smell themselves or think of other guys from the smell) and not caring either way (if women like a smell just wear it).

Thoughts?

The Fans Go On

I would much rather enjoy the musical stylings of Lupe Fiasco’s “The Show Goes On” than the current drone of the two large Namco fans whirring in my apartment (see picture below).

My Current Nemeses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, morning toilet pipe burst.

Yipee Hooray!

Right Now	Next 36 Hours

	Today	Tonight	Tomorrow
Sunny	Sunny	Mostly Clear	Partly Cloudy
65°F	70°	50°	73°
Feels Like: 65°	High	Low	High
Love.

Day 2

of my teeth whitening regimen going well, as evidenced by my unopened Crest Whitestrips.

Unopened Crest Whitestrips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s to a brighter smile in 2011.

Remember when…

…I dedicated a post to you, O, and included an unflattering picture of the two of us?

<3 on Dirty 6th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll miss you (whispered)..

- WC

P to the S – One good thing that came of you leaving the great state of Texas? I got one JFW’s undivided attention for a weekend in Houston.

P to the P to the S -

J + BGF (Boston Girlfriend) O

 

Cold*.

It’s that time of the year again…*or is it?

Houston Weather Forecast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kindly take note of temperatures to come rising toward the 80′s. Not that I’m opposed to the warm (love my 70′s) but I can’t help but notice that it is December…

That wasn’t the point of this post. At all. But I digress.

All I really wanted to post about was my hairdryer. It’s been rather cold (IMO at least) this past week which leads to long hot showers for yours truly. Tonight, however, my apartment’s warm water seemed to be lacking so I hopped in and out (figuratively, ahem) of the shower only to remain rather cold after toweling off. My solution? My hairdryer. I then remembered mentioning something over Turkey break about using a hairdryer to cure coldness to J’s high school friend S, and it made him chuckle. I, however, think it works wonderfully and used it for a good five minutes after my shower earlier tonight. Sometimes I use it in the morning, too! The warm air just feels so nice between my body and clothes…creating a sort of…heat cocoon if you will.

Anyone else? Or will I regret this post…

Take that AA

A couple of months ago, I posted about an unpleasant experience with American Airlines and my trip to Boston. Luckily for me, they actually responded to my service complaint and offered a $100 travel voucher to go towards my next AA flight.

I only paid for my $50 portion of the seat confirmations but included that I wanted both my travel companion (J) and I to be reimbursed for our “unfortunate experience” with the airline. J also sent in a complaint but to no avail. I forwarded him what I submitted to the complaint department, and within a few days he received a $100 travel voucher as well! In other words, in the end we were both reimbursed for our seat confirmation payments plus we got an extra $50. Suckers.

Gloating purposes of this post aside, I learned a few things after researching online about submitting complaints when I was preparing mine to AA. Originally, I was planning to write an angry, complaint-ridden rant to the airline announcing that I would never fly through them again. However, I learned that if you ever want anything in return or, at the very least, their condolences that is one route you should never take.

If the organization reads that you plan to never do business with them again, they see no point in trying to win you back; they’ve already lost you. What you need to do is communicate that you feel you were treated poorly, unfairly, etc., praise them for their winning service or product, and acknowledge that what you experienced is something you know they do not usually do or tolerate.

In my case, I included all the details of my experience such as flight number, gates, dates, etc. (you should include as much detail and be as specific as you can) and voiced my complaint. I stated what I wanted (to be reimbursed for our seat confirmation payments) and wrote that if I did not receive it then I would never fly AA again. Apparently it is also helpful to include a deadline; I think I gave them a week to get back to me and heard back from someone within a few days.

There were a couple other helpful tips I picked up when I was looking at sample complaint letters but those were the ones I felt made the biggest impact.

…it’s happened.

I am in to the Twilight series.

Am I judging myself? Yes. Are you judging me? Most likely. Regardless, I cracked the first one open at work last Monday and am now on the tenth chapter of Breaking Dawn (the final book in the series). I have to admit, I don’t hate it! Not to worry though; I still know what’s up: <3 HP (the series not the actual character, ahem).

Up until a week ago, I had refused to go anywhere near the vampire romance novels for “young adults” and accidentally referred to Robert Pattinson as “Edward Pattinson” (much to L’s chagrin…for me though of course) all the time. In fact, all I could think about when I started reading the first book was the discussion my small group had about the series last year; my former leader B said she had tried reading the first book and found it a bit immature. Cue shame and embarrassment. However, I took comfort in the fact that a couple of the girls had read through the series and fairly if not thoroughly enjoyed it. Plus a few other friends of mine gave it a shot and didn’t dismiss it either. Of course L, my younger Twilight-obsessed sister, was ecstatic that I finally gave in.

TBH, I’ve enjoyed reading through the books. Sure it’s not without a handful of eyerolls every couple of chapters and some quick skimming over the Edward/Bella lovey-dovey paragraphs (yelch, I just judged myself again for my newfound interest). I also feel like things are just a tad bit too predictable at times. But, I guess I need to confess here that 1. I also often find myself anxiously jumping a couple of paragraphs ahead (and then going back to read thoroughly) as I do when I’m too excited to find out how a scene plays out, and 2. I’ve teared up. Yep. In my defense though it usually doesn’t take much for that to happen: self-proclaimed cry-blogger here.

Anyhoo, I figured since I’m already on the final book of the series then there wasn’t any need to hide my Twilight reading any longer. Would it be too much to add in here that I kind of maybe want to watch the movies now? :/ I’ll try to resist..

Sidenote: Any time I read about the werewolves and their attire, I can’t erase the scene circa 1:15 from my mind:

Why I Bleed Orange

I’m glad we didn’t go with maroon and blue..

How UT’s colors became orange and white.

Hook ‘em! \m/