Author: azlotnik

Honeymoon in Paradise

/ azlotnik / Leave a comment

wedding pic two

On September 29, 2013 I married my best friend. It went by in a whirlwind like everyone said it would. It truly was the happiest day of our lives thus far. I couldn’t have asked for a better wedding. Although there were things that did go wrong that weekend, I didn’t let them bother me and my wedding was everything I had hoped for. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the banquet room was decorated for the reception, how lovely the flowers looked, and how delicious and enticing the cakes were. I had a blast on my wedding day. During the ceremony, I felt very honored to say my vows and to marry such an amazing man. Everyone who attended our wedding kept saying how beautiful our wedding ceremony was, how everything was nicely decorated, and how fun the party was! We danced the night away and it truly was very special. I often look back on our photographs from the wedding and relive that amazing day.

wedding pic one

The day after our wedding, we left bright any early for the airport to go on our Honeymoon. We flew 9 hours and traveled a total of 18 hours when we finally arrived to our condo in Kauai, Hawaii- a true paradise! We are so grateful to my aunt and uncle for allowing us to stay in their condo. We were so surprised to find a nice gift basket from my aunt and uncle waiting for us with gift cards to local restaurants and every type of food you could think of made with Macadamia nuts. It was such a thoughtful wedding gift. The condo’s view was amazing and every day we would eat breakfast on the porch and revel in the beautiful scenery.

View from the Condo

View from the Condo

We were lucky that we got to do a lot of fun activities during our time on the island of Kauai, and here is what some of what we did:

Helicopter Tour
Now going into the helicopter tour, I was a bit scared. I had never flown in one before and it seemed frightening. I’m not a big fan of turbulence anyways. But this tour was beyond my expectations. We flew around the whole island, from the high mountain tops to the sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. We went with Safari Helicopter tours and our pilot was great. At some points the pilot flew very close to the mountains and that was a bit unnerving, but I got used to it. The scenery was utterly breathtaking. From the waterfalls to the tree tops, to the farms and flatlands of Hanalei Valley, to the beautiful beaches, it was an amazing sight. My husband took video of the whole flight with his GoPro camera. (The GoPro was a great tool to capture our honeymoon memories and is the camera we used in the videos on this blog post. It’s waterproof and was a must-have for this kind of adventure). That was probably the most exciting and my favorite activity of our honeymoon. Too bad we waited to do it until the very end of our vacation!

On the Helicopter Tour

On the Helicopter Tour

 

Hiking Adventure
My husband and I went on several hiking trips during our stay on Kauai, and I’m not much of a hiker (or an outdoorsy person) so some of them were a bit of a challenge for me.  We hiked up cliffs overlooking the ocean, hiked through the trails through Waimea Canyon to the highest elevation on the island (5,148 feet above sea level), and hiked up a trail on the North shore. I would have to say, our best hike (and the one that pushed me the most) was our hike to the Ho’opi’i  waterfalls. My uncle gave us a great guide book called The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed, which was a valuable resource during our honeymoon. I highly recommend you buy this book if you ever go to Kauai. The book, written by a Kauai resident, not only tells you the best beaches to go to, what restaurants to go to and those to skip, and where to stay, but it also tells you places to go on the island that most people don’t know about. The waterfall hike we went on was one of them. Known, only by the locals and those who have this book, the waterfalls were very secluded and upon finding we felt like we unearthed a hidden treasure.

We parked on the side of the road outside of a neighborhood and found the beginning of the trail. We hiked next to some pastures and then trekked down the trail and through the woods. We made it to the first waterfall and it was so peaceful. The water rushed down the falls and into a lagoon. We were not the only ones there. There were several other people enjoying the falls and we saw them jump into the lagoon and climb up the rocks on the sides of the waterfall. We were not daredevils like them and just took in the scenery and snapped a few photographs.

The book said there was another waterfall a little farther down the trail and we decided to check it out. We walked what felt like forever and finally heard some rushing water. There were two trails you could take, one very small Billy goat path, and one skirting high along the mountain. We took the high road thinking there would be an easy way for us to go down. There was not. We literally had to climb down the extremely steep mountain holding on to tree branches and rocks to hold us up. It took me quite a while to climb down and then we saw other hikers come by and several women and young kids climbed down very quickly with no problems. Like I said, I am not very outdoorsy!

The falls we hiked to

The falls we hiked to


We finally make it to the waterfall, and it is spectacular. I couldn’t believe the beautiful sight. These falls are less intense and the water does not fall as rapidly. The left side of the falls is a slow trickle and the right side has a more rapid waterfall that leads to a pond that you can swim in. We decided to cross the rocks and get in to the water near the falls. This must be done very carefully, as the rocks are very slippery. We literally were crawling across the rocks on our hands and knees so we wouldn’t fall down. We got about chest deep into the water and hung out beneath the falls. I was very proud of myself for climbing up the rocks and standing next to the waterfall. We saw the locals move very quickly climbing through the less intense left side of the waterfall, gliding gracefully across the slippery rocks. We also saw another local bathing in the pool beneath the falls with rushing water all around her. Needless to say, we didn’t try it ourselves! Our hike really was a great adventure. We got a few bug bites, a few scrapes and there was a little complaining from yours truly, but it was a day we will never forget.

Read more about our honeymoon of a lifetime in the next installment coming soon.

Wedding Planning Jitters

/ azlotnik / Leave a comment
Our Venue: Villa Christina

Our Venue: Villa Christina

According to my Knot.com site and my registries, T-Minus 45 days until we say I do! I look at that number and sort of freak out inside- Ack!  Now, these jitters are not because I’m scared to get married — I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. I’m nervous because there is so much left to do! Throughout my whole engagement (a little over a year), I have been planning, organizing and really on top of things.  I booked all my vendors within ample time and created a wedding binder to house all of my ads, lists, notes and contracts. It is almost time for my big day and I’m nervous because now all the final things need to be done, such as song lists, songs for the wedding video, seating charts, timelines, and more. I did everything right on schedule, if not earlier, in regard to wedding planning, and I still feel like I’m behind. Luckily, my fiancé is staying calm, and I have a wedding coordinator to answer all my questions and help out in the planning process. Seems like all I do nowadays is email correspondence with my coordinator, event planner, and vendors so that I can get all my questions answered. But I am so excited to get married and I do love the planning process. I’m not meaning to complain, but it is a lot of stuff to do!

The picture that inspired our cake.

The picture that inspired our cake.

This part of the wedding planning is a bit harder than in the beginning of my planning process because now my parents are living in another state. With their move, we sped up signing all the contracts and such, but it is still hard to do some of the wedding tasks without them. My mother came in town for my bridal shower and we got a whole lot of things done for the wedding during that time. She stayed with us for over a week and we did all the programs, party favors, invitation stuffing, etc. We went through a whole lot of ribbon! I moved up my trial run for hair and makeup and my second fitting so that it could be for when my mom was in town for the shower. It was really nice to get a lot done, but since my mom lives far away, I have to do some of the remaining things on my own or with my Matron of Honor. My MOH is coming with me for my final dress fitting since my mom can’t make it. I will meet with the florist and will do the final walk through and planning session with the event manager for the wedding and my coordinator without the help of my parents. It has been a bit challenging not having my parents here, but it has also allowed me to be more independent. My parents are just an email or phone call away, so it’s not like I can’t get their help.

Similar flowers to our wedding flowers.

Similar flowers to our wedding flowers.

I can’t wait for my wedding! It will be such a fun and meaningful experience. Let’s just hope for no rain as we are having an outdoor ceremony! We recently met with the Rabbi and we went over what we will do in the ceremony, so that helped with the jitters. Just the final tasks to go and we are ready to get married! I’m really looking forward to my bachelorette party as it will be my one last fling before the ring! My bridesmaids are planning a great party for me. I couldn’t be happier with all the help I have gotten from everyone for my wedding. And we are really thankful for all the wonderful gifts we have received. September 29, here we come!

were_getting_married_marry

Cha Cha Cha Changes!

/ azlotnik / Leave a comment

A while back, I wrote a piece I was very proud of for my blog. Then I read about a writing contest through “Narrative Magazine” where I could potentially win a lot of money and get my name out there. I was not able to post it on my blog until the decision was made on the winner. Unfortunately, I did not win, but now I get to share it with all of you! This is the story I wrote in early March:

changes

Merriam Webster dictionary defines change as: “to give a different position, course, or direction to.”

We all go through changes in our lives, sometimes they just happen more often than you think. Personally, my life is changing right in front of me and in a big way. These changes not only affect me, they affect my family and my soon-to-be family. Change can be hard, but sometimes it is for the best. You have to embrace change and deal with what you have. After all, you only have one life and you must live it fully in the best way possible with whatever hand you are dealt.

I am having a very exciting time in my life — I’m getting married. Marriage is a change that you can only know once you have experienced it. So who better to ask about marriage than my married friends? Marriage changes your outlook on life. Instead of thinking about just you and looking out for number one, you are now a “We.” What’s his is yours and what yours is his. Marriage teaches you to be less selfish. It allows you to feel more secure in your relationship because it is going to last forever (ideally). It opens the lines for communication and allows your partner to share more than they would before. This is because of the bond that is now formed because you become one.

Marriage quote

Planning a wedding is a full time job in itself. And I’m not even hiring a wedding planner! We do have a month-of coordinator, but I am mostly doing all the work myself.  Finding and contacting vendors, getting recommendations, etc. I get a lot of help and opinions from my mom and friends, but it is mainly all on me. Its work, but it sure is fun! Less than 7 months to go! But our planning has to be in full swing much quicker because of some other changes going on. Due to my dad’s job transfer, my parents have to move to Dallas, Texas a few months before the wedding. That kind of threw a wrench in our planning, but we are making it work.

One good thing that will come from my parents’ temporary move is that my fiancé and I will be moving into their house in Marietta! We will get a chance to save some money and put those savings toward a house of our own one day. That will be a big change for us too, especially since the move is for only a year and a half. Most of their stuff will stay in the house but we are bringing some furniture with us. It may be a bit weird at first, but I think this is a good situation and we are very grateful to be able to do it.

were-moving

My fiancé’s parents are also going through a similar change right now. His dad came out of retirement to move to Homestead, Florida and work at the nuclear power plant down there. He and my future mother-in-law moved into an apartment and had to undergo a lot of changes for the 9 months or so that he is working down there. The work requires him to work six 12-hour shifts. Seventy two hours a week, which is the maximum hours a person is legally allowed to work. It is taking a lot out of him and I know it is also hard on my fiancé and his mom. My fiancé and I have been checking on their house in Buford to make sure it is being kept up. Too bad they don’t have relatives living in their house like my parents will when they move.

If you didn’t think that was enough change- think again! My big brother recently got engaged! He and his fiancée (my future sister-in-law!) have been dating for almost three years and he finally popped the question. He proposed in the middle of the sidewalk after eating a nice dinner in their old neighborhood. I’m so happy to have her as a sister and excited that she is also one of my bridesmaids in my wedding! We are very excited for them and look forward to attending their wedding, which will probably be held early next year.

So, we are adding new family and merging families through marriage, and family is moving and dealing with different situations at the same time. But in the end, my family will be stronger and grow larger. Changes are hard at times but it is a fact of life. I’m looking forward to what these changes will bring in the years to come.

Road Trip: From Cold Atlanta to the Sunny Florida Keys

/ azlotnik / 2 Comments

While many of my friends were traveling up north to go home for Christmas and the holidays, my fiancé and I took a road trip to Florida. We drove from I-75 to the Florida Turnpike- all the way to the end. What’s at the end? The Everglades (and a bunch of alligators and large snakes!) But we didn’t drive to Florida for the swamp. We went to stay with my fiancé’s family for Christmas. His parents’ permanent home is in the metro Atlanta area, but they are currently residing in Florida City, which is near Homestead. His dad took a temporary job in Homestead and we stayed with them in their condo for the holidays. It was really nice since I was off work for almost two weeks. We spent our entire vacation in Florida and had a blast. It was really nice to spend time with my fiancé’s family and have a nice sunny Christmas Day in which we could wear shorts and T-shirts. It was a little strange not being at their house for the holiday, but we managed in the condo.

It was a 13-hour car ride down to Florida but we made it in 12 hours and it really was not all that bad. It didn’t feel like it was a very long time. We passed the time talking and listening to music. We even made a gas tank last almost 600 miles! My ‘ 99 Toyota Camry (also known as a ticking time bomb) gets great mileage, especially on the highway using cruise control.

We finally arrived to the condo and had a nice few days relaxing and enjoying our vacation. We mainly just hung around the condo and went on errands to a few stores. We drove down to Key Largo to see the sites and ate at a very nice restaurant on a marina overlooking the water called The Pilot House Marina, Restaurant and Glass Bottom Bar. The floor of the patio had a glass bottom, and you could see the fish swim by as you ate. Even tried some fried gatorbites! My fiancé thought the gatorbites tasted like chicken.

Outside the Pilot House

Outside the Pilot House

Christmas day was spent opening gifts, eating a big breakfast and then another big meal for Christmas dinner. Santa was very good to this Jewish girl! On Christmas my fiancé and I took a nice walk around the condo complex and just enjoyed being in the warm weather. If we had spent Christmas in Atlanta, it would have been a very different story.

Later on in the week, we went to the Everglades Alligator Farm, where we went on an air boat ride though the swamp. There definitely wasn’t a splash free zone on that boat. It was really neat to see the wildlife and fun when the airboat did doughnuts in the marsh. We also went to the snake show and the alligator show, which was very impressive. The Everglades Alligator Farm is the only place in the world that houses both alligators and crocodiles in captivity. They are in separate fenced-in areas of course. We saw a lot of baby alligators. Too bad they grow up to be big mean gators!

Everglades Alligator Farm

Everglades Alligator Farm

Baby Gators

Baby Gators

Key West. What an adventure! The three-hour car ride from Florida City to Key West left us in the mood for sightseeing and fun. Once we parked, we set off to walk around the island. Shopping and looking at restaurants took up most of the afternoon. We kept trying to find a place for lunch but ruled out just about every place we walked by. Then we ended up at the end of the island at the Southernmost Point. What a tourist spot! By that time we were so hungry that we bought a coconut on the side of the street. This guy had a big cart with a barrel full of coconuts and a drill. One by one he would drill a hold in the coconuts, put a straw in them and charge three dollars a pop. It was pretty good but so heavy! We ended up throwing half of it away.

IMG_0964

We walked by the Hemingway house but decided not to go in. They wanted 13 dollars per person for admission! We walked back and finally found a restaurant to eat at with a great Mahi Mahi wrap. Then we explored Key West some more. By the end of the day, we had walked across the whole island and back.

Hemingway House

Hemingway House

In the evening, we had tickets to a snorkel and sunset cruise, which started out as a disaster and ended calmly. A rocking catamaran with 40 plus people scrunched in it, led to snorkeling in high waves. There actually wasn’t much snorkeling going on at all, just trying to keep our heads above water and not have the current smack us into the boat. We decided we had enough of it. With our bellies full of salt water and fogged up diving masks, we swam the short distance back to the boat. I tried to board the boat and the waves knocked me into the stairs, leaving me with a huge bruise on my leg that lasted for weeks. It wasn’t all bad though. As we sailed back to the shore, a beautiful sunset was in our view throughout the rest of the cruise. After the cruise, we went out to a restaurant called Turtle Krawls where they race live turtles. The food was superb, and we enjoyed grilled oysters, crab dip and the traditional Key lime pie. Late at night, we headed back through Marathon, Key Largo and the smaller keys to return to the condo in Homestead.

Key West Sunset

Key West Sunset

We had a wonderful experience with all the people throughout the Florida Keys. All the places we went were clean and inviting environments. The Florida Keys have a reputation of being expensive. They do live up to this, but I think it is worth every dollar. I highly recommend it and plan to go back again someday.

The next day we went to Miami. Let’s just say we will not be going back. This is what made our trip unpleasant: Traffic. No place to park. Crowded beach and streets, for starts.  All the restaurants had patios that extended in to the Street. (Ocean drive was blocked off to vehicle traffic to prepare for the Orange Bowl festivities). Servers and hostesses would stand near the patio entrance to each restaurant and try to get tourists to come in and dine with them. There would be a big sign out front with all the specials. We thought wow, lucky us; we’ll get to eat for cheaper! But this was only to lure frugal tourists like us in. My piece of advice: Don’t order the special! The restaurant we ate at did not even want to deal with us since we wanted to only pay $10 per meal like the sign advertised. Not only did we have bad service, we were overcharged and the food was not impressive. Here is a picture of the $50 appetizer that definitely was not worth the money. But if we only had one bad experience on our lengthy vacation, I’d have to say the trip was a success.

Overpriced appetizer!

Overpriced appetizer!

Miami Beach

Miami Beach

Other memorable moments of our vacation included eating at a dive bar in Key Largo called Shipwrecks that had exceptional seafood baskets and our trip to Homestead Bay Park. The park overlooked the bay on one side and the ocean on the other. It was a beautiful day to walk around and enjoy the scenery. There was also a marina at the park that housed a variety of boats. Our drive home went by fast, and overall we had a great tropical vacation!

Homestead Bay Park

Homestead Bay Park

Happily Ever After

/ azlotnik / Leave a comment

So, my blog has been on hiatus for a while and while I was not writing, I now have some news: I’M ENGAGED!

My fiancé did a good job picking out my ring; I love to watch it sparkle!

And now I have before me the daunting task of wedding planning. It is super fun but also can be really stressful. There are so many things to do and remember. But it is great to start the planning early. I’ve been engaged for a little over a month, and so far I’ve gotten a lot of things accomplished.  The date, check! The venue, check! The ceremony officiant, check! A wedding day coordinator, check!

My wedding is about 11 months away, and so far I’m really ahead of the game. I’ve looked at Bridesmaid dresses with my MOH and have a day set aside to try on wedding gowns. I have a good idea of what my bridal party will wear and the colors of my wedding: yellow and gray.

There are a ton of wedding checklists out there, but the one I’ve found the most helpful is on The Knot.com. So far I have accomplished 13 of the tasks on there and have 159 to go. I’m making pretty good progress. Having a wedding coordinator really helps the process and gives you a piece of mind that everything will run smoothly through the time leading up to the wedding and especially on the big day.

Pinterest is a great source for wedding ideas including a lot of do-it-yourself crafts. I really love this idea for the centerpieces: lace and ribbon wrapped floating candle holders. I also love the idea of putting a picture of the bride and groom on the end of each aisle. The frame would have a ribbon tied to it and could be recent photos and photos of the bride and groom as children.

Here are some of my inspirations:

Music Makes the World Go Round

/ azlotnik / Leave a comment

I may not be a singer. I may not be a songwriter. Hell, I can’t even carry a tune or play an instrument. But I do love music, and I wanted to share with my blog followers who I’m listening to.

I like a wide variety of music from rock to pop to hip hop and even country. Five years ago, I would have never have thought that I would be telling my blog readers that I like country music. That genre has recently grown on me.

So, what’s on my iPod?

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift– She is by far my favorite female artist. Her voice and lyrics are amazing and I can’t get enough! Swift usually sings about her teenage years, but I think that maybe now she will focus on her adult life. I listen to her albums on repeat in the shower. (I have an iHome in the bathroom.) It never gets old.  Her music contains elements of country, pop and rock. Though, I do not like her latest release “We are never ever getting back together.” I just don’t think it is one of her best songs and it actually annoys me when I hear it on the radio. However, I am very excited for her new album called Red which comes out on October 22, 2012.

At 22, this singer/songwriter has accomplished many great things in the music industry: “Often described as America’s sweetheart, Swift is known for her hook-laden, narrative songs about her experiences as a teenager and young adult. As a songwriter, she has been honored by the Nashville Songwriters Association and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Swift’s other achievements include six Grammy Awards, ten American Music Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards, six Academy of Country Music Awards and thirteen BMI Awards. She has sold over 22 million albums and 50 million song downloads worldwide.”

Favorite Taylor Swift Songs: Love Story, Mean, Our Song, Fifteen

311

311-This rock band has produced so many great albums and so much music. They have an original sound and I have seen them in concert. I got introduced to 311 by my brother, who has seen them live more times than I can count. 311 is an alternative rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. “The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson, bassist Aaron “P-Nut” Wills and drummer Chad Sexton. In 1992, Doug “SA” Martinez joined to sing and provide turntables for 311’s later albums, rounding out the current line-up. To date, 311 has released ten studio albums, one live album, four compilation albums, four EPs and four DVDs. As of 2011, 311 has sold over 8.5 million records in the U.S.” They even have their own holiday: 311 Day that is a music concert marathon on 3/11 (March 11th) which occurs every even year.

Favorite 311 Songs: Come Original, Down, Flowing, Love Song, Amber

Incubus

Incubus– This is my favorite rock band of all time. But the sad thing is that I’ve never seen them live! I will definitely have to go to an Incubus concert sometime. I love this band but I do not like their early hard metal rock music. Everything from the album Make Yourself to present I really enjoy listening to. Morning View, Light Grenades, A Crow left of the Murder and Make Yourself are all fabulous albums. And Brandon Boyd isn’t so bad to look at either. I used to have a computer wallpaper of him singing with his shirt off.

“The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while enrolled in high school and later expanded to include bassist Alex “Dirk Lance” Katunich, and Gavin “DJ Lyfe” Koppell; both of whom were eventually replaced by bassist Ben Kenney and DJ Kilmore respectively. Incubus has received both critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching multi-platinum sales, as well as releasing several highly successful singles.”

Favorite Incubus Songs: Drive, Stellar, Nice to Know You, Wish you were Here, Warning, Anna Molly

Ken Andrews

Ken Andrews–Ken is the greatest artist you’ve never heard of. I have seen him live an actually met him. He has so much talent and was on a variety of projects such as lead singer of the former band Failure and ON, a solo project he did for several albums. I found out about Ken from my boyfriend’s co-worker who actually has a giant tattoo of the band Failure all over his chest. Ken also was the producer for multiple albums of the band Jimmy Eat World, an album of Army of Anyone and several Pete Yorn albums amongst others. You must check out Ken Andrews!

“Ken Andrews is an American musician and producer, based out of Los Angeles, California. Andrews was born in Seattle, Washington, and attended film school in Los Angeles before his band Failure received a record deal from Slash Records. He was the co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist, and co-songwriter of the rock band Failure, and also played in Replicants, a cover band side project that also included members of Tool. After the breakup of Failure, he also recorded music under the moniker ON, and later assembled and fronted the band Year of the Rabbit. Currently, Andrews is performing as a solo artist.”

Favorite Ken Andrews/Failure Songs: C’mon Collapse, I get to Feel You, Soluble Words, Shifting Skin, Saturday Saviour, The Nurse Who Loved Me, Stuck on You

Dave Matthews Band

Dave Matthews Band– Who doesn’t like the Dave Matthews Band? DMB is arguably one of the greatest bands of modern times. It’s crazy that I have also never seen them live. I started liking this band from hearing songs that my youth group friends played in high school. Crash into Me came out while I was in middle school, and though I liked the title track, I was not a big fan until much later.

“DMB is a rock band that was formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. Lyrical themes focus on topics ranging from love, sex, the enjoyment and appreciation of life, to ending racism, and political and anti-war statements. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was added to the band as a violinist soon after the band was formed. Moore died suddenly in August 2008 due to complications from an ATV accident. Grammy Award-winner Jeff Coffin has since filled Moore’s spot as the band’s saxophonist. Rashawn Ross and Tim Reynolds have also become full-time touring members of the band. As of 2010, Dave Matthews Band has approximate sales between 30 and 40 million copies worldwide.”

Favorite DMB Songs: So Much to Say, Crash into Me, Satellite, Ants Marching, Lover Lay Down, Everyday, The Space Between, Where Are You Going, Dreamgirl

Honorable Mentions: Other Great Bands/Artists I Love

Nirvana

Pearl Jam

Matisyahu

Three Days Grace

Weezer

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Katie Perry

ColdPlay

Sublime

Counting Crows

Train

The Beatles

Simon and Garfunkel

Live

Avril Lavigne

Nickelback

My Chemical Romance

Green Day

Foo Fighters

Everclear

Lady Gaga

Top 40 Songs I love:

Carly Rae Jepsen: Call me Maybe

Fun: We are Young

Gotye: Somebody That I Used To Know

Flo Rida: Whistle

Pink: Blow Me one last Kiss

LMFAO: Party Rock Anthem

Great Ways to Listen to Music:

Pandora: If you haven’t used Pandora, now is the time. I am listening to this site/app right now. I’ve been loving the Pearl Jam Radio station.  You type in a band, song, or artist that you like and they create a music station of songs from that artist as well as similar artists. It’s a great way to hear music you really like and learn about new artists or ones you didn’t know were out there.

Spotify: Haven’t really used this yet. I had problems downloading it on my computer. But Spotify is similar to Pandora and it is linked with Facebook. You can see and hear you’re your friends are listening to. “Spotify has millions of tracks, any time you like. Just search for it in Spotify, then play it. Just help yourself to whatever you want, whenever you want it.”

Cause let’s face it. The radio is just not cutting it, at least in the Atlanta area anyways. I listen to the Star 94 morning show as I drive to work each day. (And have been late many times because I want to listen to the Info to Go news updates which happen to air right as I am expected to clock in) But I really love rock music, so 99x and Project 96.1 were my favorite stations. However, just this past weekend, 99x on 98.9 has changed to 98.9 the Bone which plays basically the same stuff. Project 96.1 is now a top 40 station called Power 96.1. Too bad I will never again listen to those stations. I remember from high school liking the 99x jingle and how they played “new rock.”  I’m such a fan of 90’s rock. But recent rock music is a close second in my book.

What types of music do you like to listen to? Let me know in the comments.

My Travel Bucket List

/ azlotnik / 1 Comment

Places I want to go around the world before I die.

As far as I can remember, I have always loved to travel. I think Family vacations and moving across the country at an early age played a big role in that. I have been privileged to travel quite a bit in my life so far. I’ve been on four cruises, many trips to Florida, back and forth to California countless times, Belize, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Puerto Vallarta, the Bahamas, NYC, most states in the south, Israel, and more that are slipping my mind right now.

It’s good to reflect on fun times in the past, but also to hope, plan and dream for the future.  So here is my travel bucket list for when I have all the time and the money in the world to travel. This year a vacation was not in the cards for us since we are trying to save money. But, one day I will travel to all these places.

Hawaii:  This is my dream vacation spot. The beaches, the islands, the scenery; it is true paradise. My family has spent a lot of time here, but I have never been. Hawaii is a great place for honeymoons. It also helps when your relatives own a condo in Kauai (the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands) and will let you stay there anytime they are not using it! I would like to visit Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island. Everything is very expensive here since it is so isolated and all items have to be shipped in.

About Kauai — Hawaii’s Island of Discovery: “The oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain is draped in emerald valleys, sharp mountain spires and jagged cliffs, aged by time and the elements. Centuries of growth have formed tropical rainforests, forking rivers and cascading waterfalls. Some parts of Kauai are only accessible by sea or air, revealing views beyond your imagination.”

Things to Do: Kayak the WailuaRiver. Snorkel on PoipuBeach. Hike the trails of KokeeState Park. Go ziplining above Kauai’s lush valleys. Visit a volcano.

Alaska: Not especially in the winter time, but Alaska is such a beautiful place. It’s the last American frontier. From watching Flying Wild Alaska, I have learned what a remote and fascinating this place is. The remote towns are very isolated and the sunlight and lack of the sunlight during the year would bother me. But it’s neat to think about seeing a critter in Alaska like a fox or elk and know that you may be the only human it has ever seen. Many people go to Alaska to hunt, but I want to go to see the beauty of the countryside and get a glimpse of the glaciers in the winter.

Things to Do: Take a sled dog ride. Go hunting (legally of course). Wildlife viewing.  Go fishing. Wintertime skiing. See the Northern Lights. Hike around the backcountry. Go four wheeling and zip lining across the wilderness.

Vegas: Viva Las Vegas! I have been meaning to take a trip here during a visit to California, but haven’t yet. You can get hotel suites at The Palms and many other famous Vegas hotels for very cheap, because they want you to stay a while and spend lots of money gambling in the casino. The shows, the lights, the glitz and glamour, quick weddings, and huge buffets, there is no other city like it. I’m not a huge gambler myself and wouldn’t feel comfortable betting more than a hundred dollars or so, but there is so much more to do here than gamble. Seeing all the neat hotels and shows would be fabulous and Vegas is a great Bachelor/Bachelorette party destination.

Things to Do: Gamble in a fabulous casino. Jump off the Stratosphere Tower at SkyJump Las Vegas. Sky dive indoors. Ride a rollercoaster at Adventuredome at Circus Circus. Dive with Sharks at Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel. Explore CityCenter on the Las Vegas strip. Get Hitched. See an Elvis impersonator show.

London and the UK: Since the Olympics are going on right now, everyone is talking about London. I have wanted to go here for some time now. London is the birthplace of modern society and also the home of my favorite author Madeline Wickham (Sophie Kinsella) where her books take place. For my first trip to Europe, the first stop would be London since we speak the same language and all. Although, I would have to get used to British English, which has many words and phrases that differ from American English. When I go, I would also travel to the rest of the United Kingdom. The countryside outside of London is quite nice. I hope I can understand the Scottish accents in Scotland though!

Things to Do: Visit the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge, Canterbury Cathedral, and WelshCastles. View paintings at the National Gallery. Watch the Wimbledon Championship. Have afternoon tea. Shop in London like a Royal.

Greece: This is such a beautiful country. From watching movies and looking at photographs, I have determined that Greece is my ideal European destination. The Greek culture is very unique and the food is delicious. Although the natives are having a major economic crisis, it is still a great tourist spot. Santorini is one of the gorgeous Greek islands. I love the architecture of the houses along the water.

About Greece: “Greek sovereign land includes 6,000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, of which only 227 islands are inhabited. This is a truly unique phenomenon for the European continent.”

Things to Do: Santorini Architecture. Visit the Acropolis. Meteora. Beaches of Crete. Delphi Ruins.  Ride a boat through the Melissani Cave.

France: Oh Paris. The city of love. The Eiffel Tower. I can’t wait to experience everything that this city has to offer. It is world renown for its museums.  Nice, the south of France would be a wonderful vacation destination. The French Riviera is known for its great beaches.  Although the people of France have been known to be somewhat unpleasant to tourists, I hope they are nicer in Nice.

Things to Do: Louvre Museum, Disneyland Paris, Palace of Versailles, Le Val de Loire (The Loire Valley), Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dam Cathedral.

Italy: This is a country made up of many great cities — Florence, Rome, Venice, etc.  Rome was the capital city of the Roman Empire which is home to many archeological and artistic treasures. Florence is known as the “cradle of the Renaissance” for its monuments, churches and buildings. Venice is a city of small islands that uses canals as the main means of transportation. And let’s not forget the great Italian food including pizza and pasta.

Things to Do: Visit the aqueducts, fountains, churches, palaces, historical buildings, the monuments and ruins of the Roman Forum, and the Catacombs. The Colosseum and the Pantheon. Have a romantic boat ride through a Venetian canal.

Sweden: I have family here that I have never met. The Swedish Zlotniks still reside in here and have lived there since right after World War II. My grandfather lost his wife and kids in the Holocaust and him and his brother were the only two survivors of my dad’s family. They spent some time in displaced persons camps, and then traveled to Sweden. My grandfather met my grandmother and they left to live in other parts of Europe and later America, but his brother stayed and grew his family in Sweden. My cousin went and visited my Swedish relatives for Passover when she was studying abroad in Europe and someday I would like to go there.

Things to Do: Catch a ferry to the Stockholm Archipelago. In Stockholm, see the fantastic architecture of Gamla Stan, the old town. Go to Lapland. Head to the beach in Gotland.

Germany: I would like to visit Germany and travel through Berlin. I want to go to the Concentration Camps and walk around, but I imagine it would not be an easy experience for me. I would not like to ride on the autobahn. I don’t think I could handle the extremely high speeds. It would be neat to talk to the natives because I think hearing Germans speak is kind of amusing. It’s such an interesting sounding language.

Things to do: Experience the Romantic Road. Visit Neuschwanstein Castle. Visit a beer garden such as Schlenkerla Brewery and Tavern. Go to the BMW museum. See the Berlin Wall. Spend time in Berchtesgaden National Park.

Kenya: In Africa, I would love to go on a Safari in jeep and see all the wild animals. I probably would not like the accommodations, being a city girl and all. But, I do know more about this country than any other in the continent of Africa thanks to a report I did in geography class in high school about Kenya.

Things to Do: Visit Nairobi City. Maasai Mara, Africa’s greatest wildlife reserve. Stay at a beach resort in Malindi. The exotic old town markets in Mombasa.

Patagonia: Patagonia is a region that expands into Argentina. It is known as the most beautiful scenery on the planet. During the wintertime you can ski and snowboard. In the summer you can climb mountains and it is known to be the most amazing mountain climbing in the world. You can go sightseeing in the summertime and look at glaciers and crystal clear waters.

Things to Do: Winter Sports. Kayaking, camping, boating, birth watching, scenic hikes. Whale-watch in Puerto Madryn. Stay at a ranch. Horseback riding.

United Arab Emirates: Dubai would be a great city to travel to, seeing as how you can do pretty much anything you can think of here. Except of course, show some skin and the whole men and women embracing in public thing. The UAE is the European vacation spot with indoor skiing and neat resorts. I have to admit, my knowledge of The UAE comes mainly from watching the movie Sex and the City 2. But it just seems so fabulous.

Things to Do: Shop at the Gold Souk in Dubai. Ride a camel through the desert.  Go skiing at the Mall of the Emirates. See the Lost City. Play at Wild Wadi WaterPark.

Australia: Although the plane ride would be hellish, I’d love to go to the land down under. I love it when I talk to people with Australian accents. It would be neat to see kangaroos and meet aborigines in the outback.

Things to Do: Swim, snorkel, ride and sail on the Great Barrier Reef.  Go surfing. Visit Kangaroo Island. Tour the central Australian desert. Hike Franz Josef. Cruise along the beautiful Swan Valley.

Where in the world would you like to travel? Leave me a comment about your dream vacation spot. 

What Love Means to Me

/ azlotnik / Leave a comment

“Once in a while, right in the middle of everyday life, Love gives us a fairy tale.”

Recently, I was looking through old boxes from my parent’s house and I came across my middle school and high school poetry book. So, I thought I’d share this short piece I wrote on what it means to be in love. It was written in 2001, before I ever had experienced true love for myself. Now, years later, I am very much in love and my writing from my youth has come true.

What is True Love?

True love is when you will do anything for another person no matter the consequences.

True love is the best feeling in the world.

True love is when you mean the world to someone and they mean the world to you.

True love can conquer all obstacles.

True love becomes better and better as the relationship progresses.

True love is when you want to spend every waking moment with someone.

True love lasts when the lust of a relationship fades.

True love is when every moment spent with that special someone is too short and every moment spent without them is too long.

True love is everything. It can survive through any amount of distance and the worst hardships.

True love makes you stronger. It is unconditional and everlasting.

True love is putting yourself in danger so that the one you love will never feel one ounce of pain.

True love is knowing what someone is thinking or exactly how someone feels without saying a word.

True love is waiting your whole life for that special someone.

True love is real.

True love is utter happiness.

True love is sharing great experiences.

True love is about making sacrifices for that person.

True love is dying for someone because you can’t stand living without them.

True love lasts for eternity.

True love is appreciating the little things.

True love is romantic. It is about being amazed by that special someone.

True love is opening your soul and your deepest secrets.

True love is being as close to someone as you can possibly be.

True love feels like the first time, every time.

True love is wonderful and amazing.

By April Zlotnik

February 9, 2001

Scrapbook It!

/ azlotnik / 1 Comment

For this page, I used an idea that came with a sticker set I bought from Creative Memories.

One of my favorite passions and hobbies is scrapbooking, and over the years I have gotten progressively better at it. It started off with me making a scrapbook of my sorority photos and then I decided to not only scrapbook my college Greek life, but every other aspect of my life as well. I have been known to scrapbook for hours, making page after page. But, sometimes my scrapbooking goes on hiatus. It will be months before I open up my massive collection and start working on more paper creations. This is probably due to the fact that I have no real place in my apartment set aside for scrapbooking. If I had a bigger place and a set aside workspace, I’m sure I would scrapbook much more frequently.

It is always great to journal in your scrapbook pages for lasting memories.

One thing about this hobby is that it gets REALLY expensive! You could go into a scrapbook store and drop a lot of cash very easily. You may not think that small embellishments or sticker sheet costs a lot, but $5 here and $3.50 there really adds up. So, my suggestion is to make a budget for your shopping trip and stick to it. Only buy what you really need to make your page and if you don’t end up using it, save it. You never know when you may need it down the road. I have so much stuff I have bought and not used, but I still keep it, because one day I am going to use it.

Which brings me to my next point — organization. If you have a lot of scrapbook stuff, you need to organize it in a way that makes sense to you and that you supplies will be easily accessible. Archiver’s (my favorite scrapbook store) sells tons of organizational supplies such as paper sorters, totes for scrapbookers on the go, bins, caddies, photo storage boxes, etc. I recently made a cheap scrapbook into a scrapbook supply book with embellishments, paper and stickers. And, if you have any questions about supplies, organization, page layout, etc., the staff at Archiver’s are more than happy to help you out. They help me all the time. Archiver’s even has a scraproom in the back and a photo copier for you to use. Be sure to get on their email list where they send out coupons, new products, tips and ideas.

This page took a lot of searching for the right paper and stickers for our Halloween photos.

Here are some tips for beginner scrapbookers:

  • Never cut a photo with scissors. Use a trimmer or paper cutter. I have a trimmer from Creative Memories that I always use. You will need to sharpen the blade every so often. It is also good to have a regular smaller trimmer for 4×6 photos as well as one that will cut 12×12 paper and maybe even some decorative trimmers for borders.
  • For any album, you will have to decide if you want to do 12×12, the more traditional scrapbook size. Or, if you would like to do 8×8 or another size of your choice, that is fine too.
  • Great tools you will need: corner rounder, circle and oval cutters, adhesive (I like glue dot dispensers), acid free pens, and decorative scissors.
  • Embellishments, stickers, and patterned borders can really make your page come alive. It is always good to make a background mat for your photos.
  • Store your finished pages in albums the same size as your paper. You can add more page protectors to your album, but I would not recommend doing that more than once per album.
  • Best places to shop for scrapbook supplies: Michael’s, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, Archiver’s, your local scrapbook store (mom and pop places can be found in most cities. Sometimes they are scrapbook discount stores), paper supply stores, a Creative Memories consultant, and online scrapbooking retailers.
  • If you ever get into a slump and need ideas, many websites have ideas for all types of scrapbook pages and themes. Here are some ideas from Archiver’s and Creative Memories. If you search for scrapbook ideas online, you will find tons of options and helpful websites.

    I made this scrapbook tray project in 2 hours. It was a kit with step-by-step instructions. I used some of my own ideas as well.

Traditional scrapbooking vs. Digital scrapbooking.

Traditional scrapbooking is paper crafting using your hands and tools, however now digital scrapbooking has become more popular. You use computer programs and digital photos to create a page online. The digital scrapbooking provider allows you to create custom albums, like a book that is printed and then mailed to you. I have never done digital before; because I would much rather create scrapbook pages with my hands. I think it requires more creativity. But, there are those who enjoy it, and Creative Memories has a lot of digital options out there. If you don’t want to buy a lot of supplies, digital scrapbooking may be the way to go. I have made a basic online photo book with My Publisher before. The books are great gift options.

Like I said before, I would love one day to have a scraproom or scrapbook desk in my house. Here are some of my inspirations:

I hope you just got inspired to create something!

Stay Tuned

/ azlotnik / Leave a comment

Summertime. What we always looked forward to as kids. Now, as adults, most of us have to work year round, so summer isn’t what it used to be. Another downside of Summer is that all our favorite TV shows are on hiatus. So, while we are waiting to be entertained this fall in HD I thought I’d share with you all what I will be watching.

What I’m watching:

Modern Family: (Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC) In my opinion this is the best TV comedy series in a very long time. Though I caught on to this marvelous show late in its second season, this is by far one of my favorite shows. And the awards this series has gotten speak for themselves. Modern Family is hilarious! I love it when Phil says, “gotta fix that step.” I own the first and second season on DVD and have kept up with the third season. This fall Modern Family will return for its fourth season and I can’t wait. The show’s title really says it all. It portrays modern families in today’s age. We are long past the Ward and June Cleaver days, and Modern Family has characters that are not as traditional but ever so prevalent in today’s world.

Claire and Phi Dunphy (Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell) are married and have three kids, Hailey (18), Alex (14), and Luke (13). Claire’s parents are divorced and her dad Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) remarried a much younger woman named Gloria (Sofía Vergara) who happens to be Columbian and has a son named Manny who is 13 going on 30. Claire’s brother Mitchell Pritchett (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) lives with his partner Cameron Tucker (Eric Stonestreet) and they adopted a Vietnamese baby named Lily who is four years old and turning into a terror. Cam and Mitchell are trying to adopt another baby but are having a little trouble because they want to adopt within the United States. This show is great to watch and you just can’t stop laughing practically the whole time. I look forward to many more seasons of this great comedy series.

The ABC website on Modern Family: “First, let’s meet the Dunphys. Phil is the enthusiastic, “tries too hard” husband/dad who loves his slightly-uptight (but in a good way) wife, Claire, and their three way different kids. Haley is the independent, eye-rolling teen. Middle sister Alex is wise beyond her years and little brother Luke, well, isn’t.

Claire’s no-nonsense dad, Jay Pritchett, married a much younger Colombian beauty named Gloria Delgado. Her passion for life has rubbed off on her young son Manny, who marches to the beat of his own drum, usually in a burgundy dinner jacket.

Jay’s lawyer son, Mitchell, embraced a major life change when he and his free-spirit partner, Cameron, adopted their super-cute Vietnamese baby, Lily. They’re learning all the parenting ropes as they go. Fortunately, they have the loving support of their extended, eclectic, ever-funny family.

Modern Family won 11 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series two years in a row.”

The Middle: (Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC) I missed the first season of this great show as well. You got to love this quirky family. Although they are all odd, you really get to like the Hecks. Sue, that’s another story… She has a crazy and not so cute fashion sense that always strikes up a good laugh as well as a twisted view of the world. The show is humorous and each episode always ends well. The family has ups and downs but at the end of each episode you feel good inside because the Heck family usually shares a sense of togetherness. They may not have that much money and their house is always falling apart but they are a close family who loves one another. I highly recommend this humorous show.

The ABC website on the Middle: “Forget about athletes, movie stars and politicians. Parents are the real heroes—but we think Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton), must be some kind of superhero. A loving wife and mother of three, she’s middle class in the middle of the country and is rapidly approaching middle age.

Frankie and her husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), have lived in Orson, Indiana, their whole lives. A man of few words (every one a zinger), Mike is a manager at the town quarry and Frankie is the third-best used car salesman (out of the three) at the local dealership. She may not be a high-powered career woman, but when it comes to her family, she’ll go to just about any length. And with kids like these, she had better. There’s Axl (Charlie McDermott), her semi-nudist teenage son conceived while under the influence of Guns N’ Roses; Sue (Eden Sher), the awkward teenage daughter who fails at everything… but with the utmost of gusto; and their seven-year-old son Brick (Atticus Shaffer), whose best friend is his backpack.

Sometimes it seems like everyone is trying to get to the top, or struggling not to hit bottom, but we think Frankie and her family will find a lot of love, and a lot of laughs, somewhere in The Middle.”

The Office: (Thursdays at 9 p.m. on NBC) In the fall, this comedy will return for its ninth season. Depicting the everyday lives of office workers of Dunder Mifflin/Sabre in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the show is shot to look like a documentary.  In the early seasons of The Office, the focus was mainly on the romance between Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer). Virtually unknown actors before they show, they still remain my favorite characters on The Office.

Even though Michael Scott (Steve Carell) left the show, The Office did not go downhill. In fact, it may have gotten even funnier. The awkward humor is still there. I think Andy (Ed Helms) did a great job (at first) of taking over Michael’s position as manager. When Andy went to Florida to get Erin (Ellie Kemper) back Nellie (Catherine Tate) declared she was manager, even thought she had no rights to the job. But, in the last episode of season eight, Andy reclaimed his managerial position and his old office thanks to David Wallace (former company CFO) who decided to buy Dunder Mifflin/Sabre.

Fringe: (Fridays at 9 p.m. on FOX) The best show you’ve possibly never heard of. This science fiction marvel follows the strange lives and cases of a division of the FBI that specializes in Fringe Science. It’s just a whole lot of weird stuff, but that is what makes the show so interesting. You really learn to like the characters, especially Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson), and Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble). I especially like Walter’s random comments which mainly are about what kinds of food he wants to eat next. Also known as “Walterisms.” Overall, you really see some cool science fiction that could never happen in real life — or so they want you to believe…  From alternate universes to shape shifters, you are not going to believe your eyes. If you are not watching this show, start! I would recommend watching it from the beginning on season DVDs. That’s what I did, but I’m still on season 2. There is a lot of background information you need to know if you have not seen the show before. However, I also watch new episodes so it gets a big confusing for me. Luckily my boyfriend has seen the series from the beginning and fills me in on the things I miss.

Hell’s Kitchen: (Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Fox) Gordon Ramsey has many shows on television, but Hell’s Kitchen is my favorite. A well respected and fantastic chef, Ramsey brings in 18 chefs from all over the country to compete for a head chef position in a five star restaurant. This season, which is currently on television now, they are competing to be a chef in Ramsey’s restaurant inside the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. They are divided into two teams, the red team of women and the men have the blue team. Some of the chefs on this season are cut-throat, doing anything they can to make sure their fellow team members do not succeed. Although this show is a competition and only one chef will win, they still have to work together as a team to finish challenges and complete dinner service for the Hell’s Kitchen restaurant. There is a lot of screaming, yelling, cursing (all bleeped of course) and Chef Ramsey getting so mad that he throws chefs out of the kitchen or completely shuts down the kitchen during dinner service. You never know what to expect next from this season’s chefs. If you like cooking and drama, this show is for you.

New girl: (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox) This fairly new show is “simply adorkable.” Jess, a really sweet and weird teacher who likes to burst out singing funny songs, lives with three men who are best friends and early-thirties bachelors. It’s fun and makes you laugh. You should watch New Girl.

The Fox website on New Girl: “After a bad break-up, Jess Day (Zooey Deschanel) needs a new place to live. An online search leads her to a great loft…and three single guys she’s never met before. But Jess moves in, and through her unique sense of self and the support of her new roommates, she learns to move on.

Of her three new male roommates, Nick (Jake Johnson) is the most grounded…and also the most jaded. A law school dropout, he spends most of his time hiding under his hoodie and tending bar. Schmidt (Max Greenfield) is a hustling young professional who’s pretty proud of his own abs. Winston (Lamorne Morris), is an intensely competitive former athlete who doesn’t know what to do next-but whatever he does, he wants to win it.

Rounding out the group is Jess’ childhood best friend, Cece (Hannah Simone), a model with a killer deadpan. As their relationships progress, these five realize they need each other more than they thought they would and end up forming a charmingly dysfunctional – or strangely functional – family.”

Newish and awesome:

Revenge: (Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC) This drama is fantastic. I love Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp), or shall I say Amanda Clark. When Amanda was a kid her father was framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Now, Amanda has changed her identity as Emily and is trying to seek revenge on the Grayson’s who framed her father for a terrorist act that ruined both their lives. This fast paced, spiteful series draws you in makes you want more. The season finale was unexpected, and I can’t wait to see what happens next in the Hamptons.

The ABC website on Revenge: “Wealth, beauty and status define the people in this town, but one woman is willing to destroy everyone for the sake of revenge.

Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp) is new to the Hamptons. She’s met some of her wealthy neighbors, has made a few new friends and seemingly blends into the town. But something is a little odd about a young girl living in a wealthy town all on her own, and the truth is that Emily isn’t exactly new to the neighborhood. In fact, this was once her old neighborhood, until something bad happened that ruined her family and their reputation. Now Emily is back, and she’s returned to right some of those wrongs in the best way she knows how – with a vengeance.”

Scandal: (Thursdays at 10 p.m. on ABC) This very new show is about a bunch of lawyers who do not work in a law firm. Instead, they investigate cases for their clients and make things happen. Olivia Pope is a former communications director to the President of the United States and is the leader of her business. But she couldn’t do it without her highly talented and experienced team. There is a lot of drama in this series, but it’s very good and keeps you wanting more.

The ABC website on Scandal: “Everyone has a secret… and Olivia Pope has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the nation’s elite and keeping those secrets under wraps. Revered and feared at the same time, Olivia, a former communications director to the President of the United States, left the White House to open her own prominent crisis management firm. She is hoping to start a new chapter in her life—both professionally and personally—but she can’t seem to completely cut ties with her past. Slowly it becomes apparent that her dysfunctional staff, who specialize in fixing other people’s lives, can’t quite fix the ones closest at hand-their own. The creator and executive producers of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice delve into the behind-the-scenes machinations of a mesmerizing top crisis manager in ABC’s highly anticipated new drama, Scandal.”

Guilty pleasures:

The Secret Life of the American Teenager: (Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC Family) Yes, I am embarrassed to admit that I still watch this show and have not missed an episode. It’s so stupid, you just have to watch. Main topics on this ABC family drama include sex, teenage pregnancy and moral issues that executive producer Brenda Hampton (Creator of 7th Heaven) thinks teenagers should be aware of. While I’m probably not in the targeted demographic of Secret Life, I started watching this show from the beginning and the drama kind of sucked me in. My old roommate came up with an alternate name of this crazy show: Teenage Baby Momma Drama — and it surely is.

In recent episodes, Amy and Ricky tell their parents they eloped. On Amy’s first day back at school, her classmates surprise her with a flash mob to congratulate her complete with photos of Ricky on a stick… (Seriously). Then, when, Ricky and Amy watch their wedding video you find out that they didn’t really get married, rather walked out of the crazy wedding chapel Amy found on the internet. I’m sure that in the next episode the secret will be out and that will raise all kinds of hell.

The ABC Family website on Secret Life: “The teens at Grant High are living life in the fast lane. Between their love triangles, secrets, drama, accusations, gossip, confusion, and scandalous rumors, there’s never a dull moment. The he-said, she-said gets intense! Their parents’ lives are just as complicated. From paternity questions to happy reunions and unexpected romances (past and present), there’s always something going on. You can’t stop watching, because you’ve just gotta know what’ll happen next.”

I can’t wait until this show finally ends, so I can stop watching the gossip and craziness that is Secret Life!

Switched at Birth: (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC Family) This is actually the best show I’ve ever watched on ABC Family. Sure it’s got plenty of drama, but it really gives you a first hand look on what it is like to be deaf in a hearing world. And the characters are relatable making it an overall interesting and great show.

The ABC Family website on Switched at Birth: “Switched at Birth tells the story of two teenage girls who discover they were accidentally switched as newborns in the hospital. Bay Kennish grew up in a wealthy family with two parents and a brother. Meanwhile, Daphne Vasquez, who contracted meningitis and became deaf at an early age, grew up with a single mother in a working-class neighborhood. Things come to a dramatic head when the families meet and struggle to learn how to live together for the sake of the girls.”

I can’t wait for the new season to start, and according to ABC Family’s website, new episodes are coming soon. That means in a few months they will start promoting the new season.

Shows that got canceled and I’m sad to see go:

House

Entourage

Flash Forward

You might say that I watch too many shows, but hey, that’s what they invented the DVR for 🙂