i'm annoyed [total rant]

You may remember that I joined the gym [which I will refer to as *large chain gym*] at the beginning of 2010. There are two within the same general vicinity as my house and work. I have been driving about 7 miles one way, after work, to go to the nicer of the two gyms. On the weekend and nights I don't feel like driving, I go to the less nice gym closer to my house, about 5 miles one way.

So imagine my delight when *large chain gym* decided to open a new gym right smack between my house and work...literally! I have been patiently waiting months and months for this gym to open [seriously, it's encountered every single delay imaginable] and it finally has!

I was so excited to check it out last night and it really is spectacular. The cardio machines are awesome, the workout equipment is top-notch, the group exercise classes look promising, etc. etc...

BUT...and of course there is a but....

My current membership does not include access to the new gym! Apparently, there are four different levels of gym, and my membership only allows access to three of them. What??! Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy? I am so tired of additional fees, hidden taxes, upgrade charges, and whatever else companies can think of to make us pay even more!

I'm more than likely going to pay the extra $15 a month to have access to the "Super Sport" level, but I think it's absolutely ridiculous and honestly, I feel taken advantage of. When I signed up for my membership, I was automatically assigned the "Sport" level because that was what the gym closest to me is considered.

Now that there is a higher-level gym near me, I am going to be forced to pay the additional fees while new members probably get a really good deal to sign up. It makes no sense. If companies want to stay in business, you'd think they'd first look at accommodating their already existing customers instead of raising prices on them.

Ughhhhhh...I'm just so annoyed by this!

Am I alone in my way of thinking?
Am I overreacting?

etsy favorites

It's no secret that I adore etsy. In fact, last year I hosted a week of giveaways and all of the prizes were fabulous finds from etsy sellers. I've been doing a lot of etsy [window] shopping lately, and have come across some great finds. Here are some items that I have added to my favorites list:

1) I love the fun prints found at Erin Jane Illustrations. Erin designs these illustrations herself and there are so many different and unique options! Wouldn't a set of these look great above your desk or in the bedroom, to provide added inspiration to your day?

2) The Preppy Ladybug sells some great stationery products. I am obsessed with the honeycomb note cards [pictured below] and they've been on my favorites list for months. These would be so cute to send out to your friends, complete with a corresponding return address label. Preppy and fun! Plus, TPL is located in Cumming, GA, which is where I'm from so I am extra supportive of her!

3) Nella Design Studio is another print shop that offers the most amazing custom prints! I think the Personalized Love Silhouette Print is so unique and would make a great wedding present. There are also a lot of cute children-themed prints that are too adorable!

Whenever I need to buy a gift, I always head to etsy. You can literally find whatever it is you are looking for and often times, you find things you didn't even know you wanted! I could spend hours looking around the site and not get bored.

What are some of your favorite etsy shops??

i love friday!

I am beyond excited that it's Friday! Not only is today payday [thank goodness. i just found out this week that $5 worth of gas does not get you very far!] but its the start of a beautiful weekend! I don't really have any big plans, but I think C and I will be going to see Iron Man 2 and to an afternoon Dodger game, which should be fun!

My sweet friend, Belle on Heels, tagged me to do the 8 Things game! I love reading these on other blogs so I hope some of you enjoy getting to know a little bit more about me.

8 TV Shows I Like to Watch
I am obsessed with this season of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villians, The Amazing Race, Top Chef Masters, Chefs vs. City on Food Network, MTV's The Challenge: Fresh Meat II [seriously, so amazingly entertaining], NCIS: Los Angeles, Bones, and Glee.

[currently my FAVE show on tv]

8 Favorite Places to Eat and Drink
I love to eat. It's pretty much my favorite thing, like ever. I plan all of my days around my meals and you better believe all my trips are planned around where to find the good food. Some of my favorite places to eat and drink are: Ladyface Ale Companie, PF Chang's, The Buffet at the Bellagio, Sonic [for the cherry limeades and tater tots!], Chick-fil-A, California Chicken Cafe, Chipotle, and Blue Dog Beer Tavern.

8 Things I Look Forward To
I have big plans in the works for a late summer vacation, but am not quite ready to spill the beans. So other things I look forward to are seeing my family again, gas prices going down [they have to eventually, right???], the day when I don't have to work anymore, finishing up my Master's degree, having money in my checking account TODAY!, settling down and living the American dream, and seeing Martina McBride at the OC Fair in July!

8 Things That Happened to Me Yesterday
Thursday was a boring day, but let's see...I got honked at in busy L.A. traffic,
I finished a paper for my N*ew Products Management class,
I turned in a jury service completion certificate to my boss [missed work Wednesday due to being at the courthouse from 7:45 am until 4:15 pm, just waiting for my name to be called to a panel...it never happened],
I made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch AND dinner,
I put $5 worth of gas in my car which by the way, in California, only got me 1.5 gallons,
I loaded the dishwasher,
I returned a belt to H&M after work, and
I watched Survivor [I'm soooo mad at Candice!]. Yup, pretty boring day....

8 Things I am Passionate About
Umm...this is going to sound horrible, but I haven't really found what I'm "passionate" about in life. I like baking, but I'm not "passionate" about it. I like to exercise, but again, not "passionate" about it. I wish I could say I'm involved in a charity or volunteering, but I'm not. I do love my family and friends, hiking on the weekends, capturing memories, and making the best out of life.

8 Words or Phrases I Use Often
I'm always abbreviating everything so instead of seriously, I say "seri", instead of asking if someone made reservations, I ask if they got the "rezzis". Yes, annoying but I'm cuuuuute! :)

8 Words I Have Learned from the Past
I've learned a lot and I still have a lot to learn: in the past, I wasn't a very good friend and many of my friendships have ended because of my lack of determination to keep them going. I have cried over countless boys, only to discover they weren't worth it. I used to be a horrible driver, but it's best just to slow down and be cautious. When you don't pay things on time, the late fees are hard to swallow and it just sucks to throw money down the drain so just pay on time. That's only 4, but they're lessons well learned.

8 Places I would Like to Visit/See
I would love to visit Australia, Fiji, and Thailand. I'd like to go back to Switzerland, Key West, Hawaii, Korea, and San Francisco [love that city!].

8 Things I Currently Want/Need
I want an IPHONE!
I need more money so I can pay off my state and federal income taxes.
I need quarters to do laundry.
I need to make a grocery list for next week's shopping trip.
I want to get a massage.
I need to go to the gym.
I need to pick up my prescriptions from Target today.
I want the work day to be over so my weekend can start!


8 Bloggers I Tag
All of my readers! But I'll warn you, this thing takes a looooooong time to do!

Wishing everyone a happy weekend!

derby fun

c and i celebrated the 136th kentucky derby at the santa anita park. we were invited to a private event hosted by maker's mark and it was so fun! while the track wasn't having any races on site, it was still fun to watch the races on television while drinking a perfect mint julep and people-watching [there were some great outfits and hat combos so i'm already thinking about next year's attire - i had very short notice this year so there was no time to get an outfit together].

anyway, it's true what they say...the race is the most exciting 2 minutes in sports! i had my bets on jackson bend and stately victor, but was sad to see that neither of them placed. that's the last time i trust my instincts! ha! c bet on paddy o'prado to win and it was so neat to see him come up the side and take 3rd place in the last stretch of the race.

here are some pics from the day:


i can't wait for next year!!

thank you jill!

my sweet friend jill sent me a birthday present and i just had to share! imagine my delight when i opened up the surprise package to find all things cupcake! a cupcake notebook, a personalized notepad, ribbon, a cupcake luggage tag {seriously, so cute!}, recipe book, file folders, and the sweetest birthday note!

i'm so blessed to have met jill in person and to be able to call her my friend. she is an amazing person with the kindest heart. thank you so much, friend! i will always remember your thoughtfulness!