Christina Da Carter

Chillin' in the USofA

2014-07-04T23:08:00.001-07:00

Rant: I am always waiting for the next stage in life. Two years ago I was waiting to go to China. One year ago I was waiting to get back to the United States. Now I am just waiting until I buy a house and establish myself somewhere. Although it is almost imperative for me to look forward to something, I have realized that focusing so much on the future is veraciously keeping me from experiencing my present.

While I was living in Utah, all I could do was fixate on my impending move to China. I didn't see the need to make friends or really explore Utah, because it was such a temporary stop in my life. My time in China was a replay of my Utah perspective. I have spent two years of my life simply waiting, instead of really being present. What a depressing misuse of my time.

Now that I find myself in another ad interim moment, I am trying my best to feel a part of where I am. It is difficult, but I am doing my best.

Moral of the story: Don't be like me. Do your darnedest to enjoy where you are at, no matter what you are waiting to happen.

Also, randomness: I went to the gym a lot this week. Bad idea. I can't move my arms. Next time I will remember I am not Superman.

Boring Info: I live in Texas. I work as a Business Development Writer for Instructure. I am not pregnant. I am visiting Iowa in July and Idaho in August. And yes, I really do like running and expensive makeup.

Oh, July

2012-08-01T13:52:00.001-07:00

I have recently realized that I don’t understand things I should understand. Some of these things include banking, investing, and health insurance. So I have been trying to educate myself in those areas, and I feel so stupid for not educating myself on my ridiculously incondite knowledge before now. I could have been investing this whole time, and I haven’t! I definitely wouldn’t have signed up to bank with Wells Fargo, that’s for sure. Blah, blah, complain, complain.

On my birthday, Seth surprised me by knocking on the front door with a chocolate cake full of lit candles. It was rather adorable. He also gave me two books, one of which is about Henry the VIII and why he SUCKS! and the other is about some Jewish man in China. Thennnnn, we ate at The Madison, which is a newer restaurant in Provo. It looks nice, but the meals kind of taste like I made them. Such a thing should never ever happen at any restaurant. Ever.

My parents also came for a visit, and I didn’t get to see them very much. Liam mostly complained about how gross Utah water tastes, even though I am rather positive it tastes like Idaho water. My parents took us out to Chinese and pizza, which was supa nice. Although, Liam wouldn’t eat the pizza because there was chicken on it and the music at the restaurant was too loud. I worry about that child.

Tomorrow, I will be in Iowa. I can’t wait.

UNTITLED!

2012-07-03T09:44:00.004-07:00

My apartment obstinately stinks of smoke. A few days ago I was convinced something in the house was on fire; then my brain turned on and realized it was Utah, not my apartment, was on fire. In reality, the fire is far-removed from Provo, but Provo Canyon is asking as a wind tunnel for the smoke and drenching the town in it. The clouds need to get the hint and RAIN!

I recently saw Bill Cosby with my parents. It was a “sit down” comedy, because I think he is too old to stand for two hours. He told funny stories the whole time, and I laughed too much because my face was sore the next day. I also appreciated that he was wearing sweat pants and a hoody for his show. If he is touring in your area, GO SEE HIM! You will only regret seeing him if you are lame, and you are not lame.

Then…I went camping with my sister and two of my cousins. We went to Bear Lake, which happens to be one of the ugliest places in existence. But the lake is cool. So we sat out on the sand and got sunburned. When we put up the tent, we found a large, squashed rat. Someone had probably slept on him the night before. I personally slept on spiders, or at least that is what the bites all over my leg tell me. The best part was our dinner: cosmic brownies, donuts, chips, sour patch watermelons, and starbursts. That was also our breakfast.

In August I will be flying to Iowa for friend’s wedding. I haven’t seen most of those wonderful people since high school, and now they are all getting crazy-sophisticated degrees, have jobs, or are having babies. Weird. I am super excited to see them, and remind them how socially awkward I can be.

Seth and I will also be going to Arkansas with his family on some houseboat lake thingymajob. The South is this mysterious, strange place to me, which makes me a little nervous and excited to go. I hope everyone has accents and eats chitlins. Yeah, I stereotype.

Oh, oh, and I finally read the “super amazing” The Fault in Our Stars that everyone talks about like it is a book god. I hated it.

And happy 4^th, everyone.

Tax Return. I Shall Save the American Economy Now.

2012-03-08T14:37:00.002-08:00

A few days ago, Seth did out taxes and found out we are getting a rather generous tax return. This makes me rather happy. Now we just have to find out what to do with it. (I refuse to save ALL of it, because I am just not that fiscally intelligent. Seth will buy a Samsung Note Phone, even though they are made for giants and monsters. We might also go on a cruise. Maybe we will just retire…for a month. I hope ya’lls got tax returns up the wazoo, too.

Today was the first day I was given my first proposal to write all by myself. I confess I feel a lot of pressure. If all of my proposals are rejected, I shall feel like a writing loser. It’s crazy how a good work environment makes you want to do great work. NEVER WORK AT A TERRIBLE JOB. Seriously, if you hate your job, never stop looking for another one.

But I really do work out...

2012-03-07T12:39:00.002-08:00

I sit for at least two hours in my car every day. In between these drives I sit in an office for eight hours a day.

So when I am not listening to a book on tape, I am listening to crazy-awesome dance music. And while I listen, I kind of dance. Yes, I dance in the car. Sometimes people look at me like I am crazy. Maybe I am a little crazy, but sitting still that long is torture! Now I actually enjoy my rides home.

The next time you see someone jamming out in their car, JOIN THEM! Or mock them. Whichever.

These past few nights I have been working out like a beast. I had a personal trainer yell at me for an hour, and I am in serious pain. I thought I didn’t have trouble pushing myself at the gym, but after my whole body was shaking, and I was practically crying to the trainer that I couldn’t do anymore, he made me do more. Yeah, it turns out I am not as strong or flexible as I thought I was.

So what is the moral of this story? Work out more than you think you can! Then don’t wear heels the next day.

I loves you alls.

2012-03-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

My new job is full of wonderful things.

People bring in their dogs in Fridays. One of them peed on the cactus.
All the walls are windows.
Everyone is laid back, but good at their job.
I like to write!
The break room is brimming with free food.
They feed us lunch every week.
My boss is a geniussss.

The only problem is it takes anywhere from 40-120 minutes to drive here, depending on the day. Today was the 120 minute kind.

Also, two friends, Tessa Roberts and Shayla Sasser/Sturgiss came over for hotpot last night. I love hot pot! We have a gazillion mushrooms and nasty beefballs left, though. Perhaps I shall actually eat healthy this weekend, because I have no choice.

This is not an interesting post. Too bads for youz.

Tonigggggghhhhhhttttt, We are Young (Still Stuck in My Head)

2012-02-21T12:39:00.001-08:00

I have been berated by a few people for not keeping up on this blog.

I got busy being lazy, ya know?

From now on, I shall be better, better, and better.

One of the newer/more exciting parts of my life is that I got a new job. It is a company in Sandy, Utah, which means a longer commute, which I have no objection to. I will be getting paid a rather decent salary, with benefits I could give a high-five to. Plus, the executives do not seem full of mammonism or hate my new department, like my current company’s executives. Instead, I will be working with experienced technical writers and a fully-stocked break room.

I shouldn’t have gotten the job. I wrote “plants” in my resume when I should have written “plans.” And yes, the interviewers noticed and pointed it out during the interview. As you can imagine, a typo on a writer’s resume is kind of like interview suicide. I thought I was going to jump off a cliff (or the high conference table we were sitting at) and run away. So I was surprised when a few days later they called to offer me the job. I accepted the job offer, partied with Seth, and imagined what it would be like to be a big girl with a big girl job.

I’m 24, so it’s about darn time.

Tomorrow is actually me last day. My boss is a rather nice guy and throwing me a “good bye” party. Then it’s peace out to my cruddy job.

Oh yeah, and my sister is most likely moving out to Utah for college. I am most excited because now I can make her hang out with me sometimes, but I will regret not being able to mock her about the things I watch on Portlandia anymore. Here is a clip, so you get an idea what I mean:

CHRISTMASSSSS Party at work. grammer digrezion.

2011-12-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

Today was our department’s Christmas party. We were all fighting over a Justin Bieber singing toothbrush. I lost it, but instead I got an awesome Charlie Brown Christmas tree. We didn’t have a tree, so I am rather happy with it. The tree’s sad appearance is very fitting for our lamely decorated apartment.

I love it.

I need to start taking pictures.

2011-12-13T15:18:00.000-08:00

I watched the latest episode of “Once Upon a Time” last night. The ending was truly Lost-esque! I already can’t wait to see it next week *bites nails*.

After I watched the show, I went to the gym because I am a good little girl. On the bikes in front of me, there was this girl, and every time a boy sat next to her, she would start talking to them super animatedly. But when a girl would sit down next to her, she wouldn’t talk to them at all. If I were single, the gym is the last place I would talk to a boy. Something about being grossly sweaty and out of breath just isn’t how I roll when trying to attract the men-folk. Is it normally to try and get a boyfriend at the gym? Meh.

Then…tomorrow is my department’s Christmas party. I am most excited. Now I just have to figure out what white elephant gift and dessert to bring. Choices, choices….

Gestapo.

2011-12-06T14:53:00.000-08:00

Sorry about yesterday’s rant. Today I heard the same man yell at the internal trainer because she wanted to ask him a question. He also just told off the CEO. I just think it helps rest my case.

The Three Musketeers in 3D.
Yeah, the weird, new version that had Orlando Bloom.
I have one word for it:
Terrible.

Strangely enough, there will be a sequel. I wonder who will actually end up seeing it?

We also went to the Utah Symphony Orchestra with Telmar Lochridge and his friend Scott. Poor Telmar probably hates me, but I force him to hang out with my anyways.

The performance was pretty darn amazing. There was a well-deserved standing ovation, and it made me feel all cultured when I know I am really not. There were also a lot of women wearing hardly anything, but I don’t think that really added much to the performance. I just felt like I should have cut off my clothing to way above the knees and have nothing on my shoulders…or chest. Then I would have fit in. Darn modesty!

And…Something interesting about Wal-Mart: http://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-facts-infographic-2011-11

The President Face

2011-12-05T10:50:00.003-08:00

I am frustrated.

I really do like my work, and I really do like most of the people I work with. However, the president of the company is possibly one of my least favorite people I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. Even without his snobbish attitude towards everything and everyone, he dislikes my department for the sole reason that we are in charge of processes and procedures. We are the department that makes sure the company is following the law, so the government doesn’t fine us millions. Our jobs inconvenience the company president, but it also saves the company a lot of money.

He hates the government and its laws, so everything I do to make sure my company is complaint, he attempts to thwart. He makes it as difficult as possible for me to do my job. He makes it difficult for anyone in my department to do their job, actually. He will actually equivocate when he is trying to make it so I can’t start a document for the FDA. A few weeks ago he told me my job was just getting in the way of everyone else’s job. Uh….no….pretty sure I am helping people. Today I needed him to sign something, and he said no. What was the reason?

Well, he didn’t have one.

*grumble, grumble*

Oh, Tessa May..,

2011-12-02T15:59:00.000-08:00

So I still feel somewhat awful, which was truly unfortunate, because I was going to have one of my favorite people over for dinner yesterday. (Yes, it was Tessa May.) However, I was feeling so terrible that I told her that I needed to postpone dinner with her.

Then…later that night there was a really, really loud knock at the door. I was hanging out in bed, reading a terrible book, and Seth opened the door. Tessa had ding-dong ditched, leaving me a Mr. Goodbar and a can of chicken noodle soup. Seriously, Tessa is probably nicer than she should be. I don’t think I’ve met anyone quite like her.

She always makes me want to be better and more thoughtful. I guess I should start working on that, or somezing.

Also, I find these far too funny:

Cool Beans

2011-11-30T13:25:00.000-08:00

Ahh, I am sick, sick, sick. I left work early yesterday and didn’t tutor. I slept instead. Then I woke up today with high hopes of being super healthy, but those hopes have been dashed! I feel quite awful. Despite this, I was a good girl and went to work.

I will not go home early today.
I will not go home early today.
I will not go home early today.

I will probably have to re-do everything I have written today, as I think I am writing very silly things. I think it’s funny that I get paid to write.

My doubts of being better tomorrow are growing, as I have to teach tonight and super early tomorrow morning (aka: I will not get to sleep any more than four hours tonight.) If I am better tomorrow, I will be giving my immune system a high-five and a gold star and a kiss and stuff.

Complain. Complain.

2011-11-29T11:55:00.001-08:00

I will begin teaching at 6:00 in the morning this week. For those of you who have ever been brave enough to be around me in the morning, you know I abhor the morning with the fury of a later riser. I am not in the least bit excited about my new change in schedule, and I apologize for those of you whom I am grumpy to or fall asleep on in the following months.

I also worry about my “real” job, as I am prone to space off listlessly at my computer when I am tired. Oh well. Who needs an income, right?

Anyways, this video clip is farrr too long, but it is definitely worth watching the first 30 seconds. Do it, man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjseF82R7es

Thanksgivin'

2011-11-28T14:42:00.000-08:00

I give Thanksgiving weekend full marks. I want another one now. It was nice to just sit around and do whatever I wanted for four days.

Seth and I went up to Rexburg for pie-pie night, where I ate at least three pieces of pie. The next day was Thanksgiving, and we all went to my Grandparent’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. Normally there are so many people that we fill up the whole basement. This year we all fit in the upstairs dining room, because there was hardly anyone there! It was actually somewhat depressing.

After I sufficiently stuffed my face, I took a nap. I believe in the “turkey makes people tired” theory. I don’t even like turkey!

On Friday, we came back down to Provo. We almost bought a cat, but didn’t. It costs a lot to get those darn things declawed! Despite this setback, we will get one soon, and s/he will be adorable, and I will love it most unconditionally.

Also, tonight is a new episode of Once Upon A Time. Am I excited? The answer is YES! You should be excited, too. If you haven’t seen it, go to hulu.com and watch it NOW!!!! You can thanks me later.

And: