In Search for the Perfect Pair

Levi's Curve ID

Why is it so hard to find the "perfect" pair of jeans? I mean, I'm seriously starting to think that "the perfect jean" is actually a myth. They either fit too tight, have a gap in the back, give you a pancake butt, show your crack when you sit or just all together look a mess!

I must admit, once upon a time I did find a nice pair of jeans. I found them years ago at Armani Exchange and bought 3 pairs. I still have two, but they're on their way out. You're probably thinking, "Well, Char just go back and buy them again." No can do. Why? because they've traded my tried and true "plain" jean style for ones that look like they were bedazzled by a 5th grader and splashed with a bucket of bleach. No bueno.

Jeans for days...

So, my boyfriend and I headed to San Francisco -  he had suggested I try Levi's jeans because they started something called "Your Curve ID". Basically, someone measures you and suggests an appropriate "Curve ID" (Slight Curve, Demi Curve, Bold Curve or Supreme Curve)

based on your measurements. 

I took the Curve ID quiz online and found my ID to be "Demi Curve," which matched my measurements done in-store by an associate. Only problem...the Demi jeans didn't fit…

Nothing Fit...

I proceeded to try on the Bold and Supreme Curve jeans. The Bold was too tight in the hip/thighs and the Supreme was too loose. I tried various sizes in each category with no luck. Apparently, Levi's doesn't carry the "Charlene Curve."

Although the customer services was amazing, trying on over 10 pairs of jeans will exhaust anyone. So, the search continues…

Trials Come to Make Us Stronger!

At my job we have a big red "easy" button sitting on the receptionist desk, like the ones from the Staples commercials. When you push the button it says "That was easy!" As you might have guessed, that button doesn't get pushed very often. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it's collecting dust... because most of the tests we face every day, don't warrant a press of the "Easy button."

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." ~Mother Teresa

Last week's Daily Word talked about how trials are the common threads that unite us all, mainly because we all go through them. I believe these tests serve many purposes that usually amount to making us stronger and wiser individuals. Naturally, it's usually hard to understand this while were in midst of a situation; but, if we stick it out and take the time to reflect on the experience in an objective way, we'll usually realize that we are most likely better for it!

Excerpt from the Daily Word: "Trials"

1. Trials come in various categories: They're physical, emotional, financial, and relational; it's not a one-size fits-all deal. Some are shocking and some are dawn out; some play out in public and some take place in you own private hell. Some are do to you own, or other people's mistakes, while others have nothing whatsoever to do with human shortcomings.

2. Trials test our faith: They bring us back to basics and remind us where our priorities should lie and what we truly believe. Trials force us back to the bedrock of faith upon which our foundation rests.

3. Trials mature us: When we're suffering there's a tendency to try to look for the quick way out. Don't do that. Trials are designed to make us "complete" By letting them do their work, you end up stronger!

"Sometimes I think my life would make a great TV movie. It even has the part where they say, "Stand by. We are experiencing temporary difficulties." ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

(Picture source)

'Cause a Girl's Gotta Eat: Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Potatoes

Every day you learn something new, and yesterday I learned that just because the package says "Ready to Eat," does not necessarily mean it's "ready to eat" (and FYI, in my mind "ready to eat" means it's cooked). Anyways, I had picked up a ready to eat package of smoked salmon...annnd yea. Not my thing. Needless to say I was sick after, and thus decided I needed to cook  my own food when I got home...enough for lunch and dinner!

So, with that I bring to you the quick fix of the week: Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Potatoes! This has to be one of my favorites from McCormick's Recipe Inspirations. Why? Because it's super fast! You literally just plop the spices in the bowl, mix, coat the chicken & potatoes and bake. The End.

Besides what comes in the "box"... you need chicken thighs, red potatoes, olive oil  and salt....

Mix all the spices (including the olive oil and salt) in a bowl. After you've sliced & diced the

 potatoes (in fours), coat the potatoes and chicken with the mixture and pop it in the oven...

And Ta da! Dinner is served!

P.S. This is was the "Ready to Eat" salmon I had yesterday for lunch...umm yea.

Another Day, Another Dollar...

Happy Tuesday

The Power of Being Still

These past two weeks have been pretty hectic and heavy, so I apologize for the lack of posts. With homework, work deadlines and the passing of a family member, it was hard enough just trying to keep a smile on my face and push through the days. But we've all have those moments, right? When things around you are moving so fast, your stressed out and it seems as though your fighting your hardest not to get swallowed up by your current circumstances? So what is one to do when this happens? My first instinct was to get out of the house, hang with friends, and (for a minute) forget about what's going on. But that didn't happen, and consequently I found something that worked better: being still.

While getting out to let loose and "clear your mind" is great, sometimes the best remedy is as simples as turning off the phone, computer and TV and just being still. How often do we really get the chance to do that? There's always going to be emails to check, phone calls to answer, text messages to respond to and a new life challenge waiting for you; but how often do we put all that on PAUSE and really decompress? I admittedly don't, and it usually just adds to whatever insanity I'm dealing with at the moment. So this little trick worked wonders for me. Just for those few minutes everything stopped and I was able to breathe, collect my thoughts, and reflect on the circumstances I could change and ask God to give me the strength for the ones I could not.

Give it a try, and don't be like me and wait till all hell breaks loose either...that tends to be the hardest time to "be still".

 

God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer. ~Mother Teresa

Charlene, You’re Not in Undergrad Anymore…

First of all, as I write this post I’m pretty sure there are a million other things I’m supposed to be doing. Like what you ask? Oh I don’t know…like writing a case analysis on the 1998 homeless population in Seattle or studying for a test on Aristotle’s virtue ethics theory. But I’m not. Instead I’m “taking a break” to inform you that this graduate school thing, just got real & it’s nothing like undergrad.

I’m thoroughly convinced that the minute I walked across that stage to accept my diploma and graduate from San Jose State Univ. all my mental and physical stamina in regards to surviving the stress of school went OUT the window. I really don’t know how I survived undergrad juggling (many) late night parties    <--, long hours at work, waking up early to go to various internships and carrying a full class load?! I was INSANE…but I survived.  Fast forward to now and I’m struggling to keep my eyes open past 10:00PM… forget partying late nights and trying to go to work… it ain’t happenin’.

Just a few months ago, I envied my friends that were already in graduate school. I used to tell them “You’re so lucky; I can’t wait to be in school again like you!” Their response was something like “Oh girl, believe me…you won’t be saying that when you get in.” They were right. I’m in my first semester of school and it is testing my patience, concentration and ability to obtain knowledge. Graduate school is no joke. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so happy I’m in my program and I LOVE the curriculum (Thank God)! Cause if I didn't …honey, this would this be a serious uphill battle.

But like they always say “Nothing worth having comes easy.” So to all my fellow grad students:  all the many papers, insane amounts of reading & late night study groups ( accompanied by the coffee/energy drink runs)  will all be worth it when we get to walk across that stage, chalk-full with more knowledge than we started with and ready to once again embark on a new path into our respective fields of interest.

But right now…..for me......that day is two years away, and my current source of satisfaction lies in completing this case analysis and passing my ethics test tomorrow. So until next week …Enjoy the weekend!!

Steve Jobs: An Innovator & Leader

2/24/1955 - 10/5/2011

We lost an amazingly talented individual this week, Steve Jobs (co-founder, chairman & CEO of Apple, Inc.). What a gift to society he was. Steve Jobs was an innovator, a leader, a thinker, and an inspiration to all. His works and talents will never be forgotten! In his honor...my favorite quote of his:

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” - Steve Jobs