Perhaps I Should Have Used a Different Line...

Oh my friends... bless their hearts. So I get this email from my friend:

Hey Sarah,

Last night Heather and I got a drink at Jake's. We ran into a handsome young gent and a gal who was trying to help him find a great girl. I quizzed him about traits he's looking for in a girl and well... seems like you and him might get along great! His name is Ryan. He's 33. Never been married/no kids. Good looking. Catholic. A lawyer. Not on facebook. That's about all I know about him.

Not sure if you're interested in meeting anyone right now, but I thought it might be worth a try. I have his email address and would love to introduce you two via email. Of course, only if you're interested. ;)

Let me know!

----

So of COURSE I'm like yes! Totally! Give him my info... how fun!

So she does. 2 weeks go by and not a word from him. So I decide to take a chance and send him the following email:

Hey Ryan,

How are you? I don't know about you - but I think this is hilarious. There's nothing I like more than randomness and meeting new people!

Hopefully you're having a great week!

I'm off like a prom dress,

Sarah

------

And I receive this response:

Hi Sarah,

Yes, it is entertaining. Your friend's email might have gone into my junk email, so I'm sorry for the apparent delay in my response. I think that a friend of mine was getting a little overzealous at Jake's a couple weeks ago and was talking to a few of your friends about a set up. All I know is that at some point I was pulled (okay, willingly sat) in a booth with 5 women who began asking lots of questions. It wasn't like the Spanish Inquisition, and your friends are actually very nice.

At any rate, I'm actually pursuing dating someone right now. There's probably a better word than "pursuing", but I'm not near a thesaraus right now. I digress. Anyway, it's probably not the best timing for a set up.

I hope you're having a good week as well, and maybe we'll run across each other's path sometime in the future.

Cheers,
Ryan
-------

I sent this exchange to some friends and most agreed I definitely should NOT have used the ending like "I'm off like a prom dress"... but whatever! I thought it was funny... and besides... I want to be memorable!

Oh well - that was fun!

Lesson Learned...

Don't EVER make eye contact with a creepy guy at a bar. Yah. Welcome to MVC 2011 and the Big Bang piano bar where I accidentally made eye contact with this creep. He totally made a beeline to our table and then forced me (with the help of some of my friends) to slow dance with him to a fast song.

I then asked him his name and he said "Colin". Then he proceeded to spell it for me in sign language. Then, he told me he was in school studying market research (is that a major?) and then kept trying to pull me in closer and made me put my arms around his sweaty neck all while telling me how "awkward I was".

I finally broke away after he said to me "I just want to feel the curves of your body" and proceeded to slide his hands down the side of my body... EW EW EW EW EW!

Makes for a fun story though I suppose. :) Thanks to Lizz for capturing it on film.

gross.

double gross.

The Curse of Valentine's Day...

I'm not entirely certain it has to do with Valentine's Day or any other day - but for 2 years in a row now, guys that I'm currently dating have soon decided around this day that "they're just not that into me...".

Yep - Bob broke up with me and back into the ocean I go. At least this time it was in person and not over the phone or via text message or email...

He said he's just looking for someone who is more "outdoorsy and athletic." I don't know about you but I take that as I must need to be into rock climbing and a lot thinner. Maybe I should have taken my key chain off that states "I love not camping." Oh well.

I can only hope that God is giving me these experiences as another item for my tool box of relationships... but I feel like it's getting pretty full these days! Here's hoping Mr. Right is just around the corner.

Until then - who wants to hit the gym, go rock climbing or go out? :)

Sports Illustrated

So - who knew? I'm pretty much freakin' fabulous!

I'm doing some PR/Marketing work on the side and have recently scored some press for a client in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED. Yep! It's a sports product so getting in Sports Illustrated is pretty much a dream.come.true.

Yay! I'll post the story when it comes out. And if you need help with your public relations/marketing/becoming famous... just hit me up. :)

"Home" at last...

I'm finally able to spill the beans... I have returned to Creighton and am working back in the Alumni Relations Office and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! It's like I never left... which is a little weird since you would think things would have progressed in two years but on the other hand, I'm really able to jump in, make decisions and know exactly what I'm doing and talking about!

I've had quite the journey, introspection and have learned a lot about myself and what I'm looking to get out of life in the past few months. And as horrible as it was... I've been able to survive and come out alive again. Funny how things usually work out ... I will continue to believe that things still will!

Here's to more exciting updates about my travels, wacky experiences and more learning. Stay tuned!

So Long Shrew...

Okay - I don't know where to even begin with this dude. But basically, we went on ONE DATE and I think he maybe thought we were dating? Anywho, it's a bit crazy and I will let the text message exchange speak for itself... it's as follows. :)

First, some background information:

I decided to text him on Friday and simply say "hey! What's up?" well that turned into him sending this huge long text asking about what happened and why didn't we date and he said that I just had my guard up and never gave him a chance. I said to him - "actually, I did give you a chance - you are just too high maintanence for me."

So then begins the fun... here is his text message to me verbatim:

--------------------------------------
FRIDAY:
Me: "Yes I did actually. And you're just too high maintenance for me."
Dude: Explain Please.

SATURDAY:
Dude: Now that it's not midnight and you don't have liquid disclosure in you like Friday, I kindly ask a third time to expand upon: 'Yes I did actually. And ure just too high maintence for me'

SUNDAY:
Dude: No response in 3 days equals invalid arguement. I would have been content with a rational explanation, but that ship has sailed. Enjoy your life alone, enjoy your blog, enjoy your expectations. Watch the movie: The Ugly Truth with Katherine Heigl & Gerarld Butler. And actually do something non passive and lose my number. I don't want you to strain yourself so: I will do you the favor of removing you from Facebook. And you didn't even know I'm a millionaire. Do a background check on me and check my tax records if you don't believe it. So long shrew.

------------------------

BWHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Seriously - I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried! Happy reading and remember - thank god it's not you! :)

From crap, crap, crappy to hap, hap, happy!

Whoa! It's been some time since I updated this (as per usual, right?) well anyway - SO MUCH has happened! Here's rundown:

1. I left my job at the advertising agency. There is an entirely different story here but I'll save that for next time.

2. I was expecting to work for 2 more weeks at said job above but they let me leave 2 days after I put in my notice. This might seem scary to most but to me - it is/was FREEDOM!

3. My friend and I have created a partnership and are doing some freelance work - it's great! More coming soon on that.

4. I'm enjoying my "lady of leisure" days until the new job comes through. As soon as it's official - I will give more updates. :)

5. I went on a "dating spree" and man do I have some GREAT stories! Those will be in another post.

6. Luckily as I was getting sick of going on mindless, horrible dates - I met an AMAZING guy! I'm pretty sure he's me in the male form - but funnier, smarter and better looking. I know - kind of hard to believe, right? But it's true! He's just the best. And as I like to say - definitely the "cheese to my macaroni". :) Hahah,

7. I've been working out 6 days a week with Farrell's Extreme Body Shaping and LOVE it! I'm in the last week of the program (it's a 10 week program) so we'll see what results I've gotten - but if anything - through all of this job stuff - it has really been a great release!

Okay Amanda - I hope this quenches your blog/update thirst for now. More (in-depth) stories and posts later!

It's Just Not In the Stars...

I like to look at dates like business meetings. Here's a little ditty from one that never quite worked out. (From an email to my friends):


So as you know - I was supposed to have a business meeting - I mean date with 5'8" Joe this evening. Well, it sucks but I had to cancel AGAIN - and for good reason!
My AC stopped working last night and I need to go meet the AC guy to get it fixed. So this is what I sent to Joe via text message today:


SARAH: Hey! Any chance for lunch next week? My AC broke and I'm going out of town. Life sucks!


And his reply...


JOE: Sorry to hear that your A/C went out, that can be annoying in the summer. I think the universe is trying to tell us that this is just not going to work out with us. I wish you the best of luck with everything. Take care.




I guess I'll have to blame it on the universe ;)


HA!

Adventures In Dating Continue...

Okay. So I was all gung ho to go on as many dates as possible and then write about them - because what a great book and adventure that would be, right? Well - I think I was wrong because I'm just getting sick of it.

Seriously - if there is one lesson I've learned through all of this - it's that you can totally tell what the guy thought of you by the end of the date.

Translation: At the end if all you get is a half hug and a "I'll talk to ya later"... that means you will never, ever hear from that dude again. He obviously didn't think you were as great as you thought he was. Or you could have which I did have once - a really great, full on hug and a "would you like to go out again?" Granted - that one ended after a month because he was "too busy"... but still!

I just keep talking myself into it though that life is better getting out there and trying to date than it is sitting at home and feeling sorry for myself. However, I'm beginning to think that this dating stuff is taking a lot more effort than I really want to put forward.

Where's my fairy godmother to drop in the man of my dreams when I need it most? Oh right - that just happens in the movies.

More adventures to come I'm sure and hopefully not too many more "half hugs and I'll talk to you laters". Hmph.

I have a secret...

(I don't want to plan my own 30th birthday party) ... but you can't really have someone else do it without asking and that's just rude. Plus - that's what happens when you're KNOWN for your stellar party planning skills. So now, not only do I have to plan my own party - I have to make it off the hook! Man this is stressful. Maybe turning 30 isn't that fun afterall?

I think I've realized the reason I'm single...

I think it's because in a weird, round-a-bout way -- God is granting my other dream of being famous! He wants me to write a book about all of these dumb guys who I go on dates with for the world to say "oh man, that sucks!" or "I totally know how you feel!" Yep... pretty sure that's it. :)

Coming to Terms...

As of late, I haven't felt like my life has been very "fufilling"... I mean, I'm bored - ALL OF THE TIME and often feel like there is NO ONE out there to hang out with lil' ole me. But I'm starting to come to terms with it and think how lucky I am! I mean seriously - I have all of the time in the world -- to work-out, read, bake, go out with friends and really - just "hang out" or as I like to call myself be "a lady of leisure." I've been uncomfortable with this lifestyle because I'm usually running from one thing to the next and barely have time to breathe - let alone RELAX -- but I'm thinking I'm at this point for a reason. Maybe it's the calm before the storm. A good storm -- filled with awesome things, lots of dates and who knows... all kinds of happiness! I'll try and keep you posted. For now, I'm going to feel lucky I have a Friday night at home alone instead of being depressed about it. :) Cheers!

So Much To Tell!

... But I don't want to jinx it! Ugh! How I hate holding my breath and wondering day in and day out about this and that and will he call? Will he text? Does he think I'm interesting? AM I interesting? Maybe I need talking points? Maybe I need to relax? Maybe I need to chill. Shit. Maybe I just need a glass of wine.

This is what goes through my head day-in and day-out. My single friend Erin and I always rate a guy on their ability to give the "stomach flip" about how great guy is. Well this guy doesn't just give me the stomach flip... he freakin gives a stomach full of Olympic style floor routines! I tell ya. And only time will tell...

I also have tons of other updates and adventures to talk about. Amanda's wedding turned awkward to crazy to "I'm getting way too old for this", to my job and all other kinds of opportunities that await my life. I'm thinking 30 might be okay after all. :)

And rounding out the list...

add: dumped via text message. Yep! First it was an email (Chris), then a chinese food restaurant (Erik), now - I've been let go via text message (Matt). I swear - some gals have all the luck! But seriously - my dating life really IS a Seinfeld episode. If only Jerry, Elaine, Kramer and crew were here to talk about how ridiculous it is over coffee...

Oh well, right? I feel like I only update this blog when BIG! HUGE! Exciting! things happen - although not so often - but I guess it is where you can get all the juicy updates and details. :)

At any rate, I'm really sad to see Matt go as he was great - but if it's not meant to be - it's not meant to be - right? (reasoning - we just didn't feel the same about each other. Translation: "he just wasn't that into me").

Although I saw this quote today about intuition and thought it was fitting:
Trust that still, small voice that says "This might work and I'll try it." Which is exactly what I did with Matt... and ya know what? I'm not mad or sad that I did... because now I'll know... that happiness can't be found in Albuquerque after all.

Here's to new adventures, new dates, and hopefully another first kiss which turns out to be the last... because seriously ... I'm getting too old for this! :)

A Rather Productive Valentine's Day

It's official... I've gone from 29 to 62. Only relatively speaking that is. Bless Matt's heart and his OCD tendecies... I finally got my drawers, cupboards, closets and finances ... in order. Yep - that's what we did the entire week Matt was in town... we filed, we purged and meticulously entered every single bill, dollar and number into excel spreadsheets. I think I'm ready to take on the world now - or at least have a more orderly approach to it.

And for all of those wondering - on actual Valentine's Day... we went to church, Chili's for lunch, wrapped up my budget stuff and I took Matt to the airport. Oh - and my most favorite part - Matt surprised me with an initial necklace from Tiffany's I've been coveting. I covet it even more now that I can wear it. Thanks, Matt and Happy Black Sunday everyone!

Somewhere in between Nebraska and New Mexico...

I lost my mind. Or did I?

Here's the "scoop" you've all been waiting for.

Boy meets girl. Girl meets boy. (Boy: Matt; Girl: Sarah). Sarah and Matt happily talk for weeks on end; Sarah complains to Matt how she doesn't have a date to her work holiday party. Matt suggests he be Sarah's date. Sarah wonders how this will work seeing as Matt lives in New Mexico and Sarah lives in Nebraska. Matt offers to take the trip to Nebraska to see family (he's from Lincoln originally) and go to Sarah's holiday party... and we can say the rest is well ... history. :)

Matt flies to Nebraska and goes to Sarah's holiday party.

Not sure if it was the talks until 2am in the morning each night prior to the visit, the walk in the park downtown among the Christmas lights where they shared their first kiss, the brewery where Matt smiled at Sarah, their creative conversation over dinner or when Matt gladly alphabatized and perfectly arranged the nametags and set up the AV for Sarah at the holiday party she was planning did Sarah think she was finally feeling a lot of "happiness" instead of "crappiness" ... courtesy of this boy Matt...

The holidays come and go and Matt has to drive back to New Mexico - a 14 hour drive - all by his lonesome. He invites Sarah to go and since she has the week off work - she thinks why not?! This could be fun. And in fact it was fun!

(now I will stop talking in 3rd person and revert to 1st person)

The only thing I could think of was "how in the world will I tell my parents?" Suddenly - the scene from "Father of the Bride" comes into my mind... you know when she's at the dinner table telling her parents - "Mom... Dad... this is Brian and we're in love and we're getting married!" And Steve Martin suddenly sees a 5 year old telling him this? I wasn't getting married but that's all I could think... "Mom ... Dad... I met the most wonderful man and I'm driving 14 hours with him back to his home in New Mexico. Love ya! Bye!"

But I trusted my instincts which never fail me and decided to embark on an adventure I was in dire need of. And an adventure it was! With a tri state tour of rest stops and horrid gas station bathrooms (they get worse as you travel west), a romantic new years eve dinner at the foot of a mountain overlooking the albuquerque lights, holding hands wherever we went, eating lots and lots of buffalo wings and nachos and drinking many margaritas, bottles of wine and beer, shopping (!), watching football, playing card games and mario kart... it was a grand entrance into 2010. I sadly flew back to my boring life in Omaha...

But here's to another adventure: a long distance relationship. I'm hoping it's full of more adventures, fun weekends across the US and a lot more happiness... as opposed to crappiness.

I'll do my best to keep you all updated... that is when I'm not tripping and falling in love. :)

Could this be the Happiness?

So I know its been awhile since I updated this but a lot has been going on in my life. The house is wonderful - slowly, but surely I'm decorating it and making it my own. I decided on purple as an accent color for my living room but need to find some lamps that match.

In other news; I am absolutely, positively, 100% - on cloud nine ... and yes - it's because of a wonderful guy ... his name is Matt. And I actually met someone with that name purpose so that my dad could keep names straight (my sister's husbands name is Matt too) - haha just kidding.

Anywho - we've only known each other a week but feel like its been years. He makes me smile and that's the least I could ask for. I don't know where it will go or end up but for now - I'm definitely enjoying the ride.

I don't want to disclose too much right now or jinx it - but I will definitely have more to write as this is already reminding me of a movie or a chapter in a book. :) Stay tuned.

Lessons Learned from Home Buying

So of course I'll write more later but here are a few tidbits and lessons learned from the home buying/ownership process thus far:

1. Home buying is STRESSFUL. No one tells you that either. I'm going to write a book about buying a home - especially as a single woman. It's not that fun.

2. I should have a part time job as a "moving conductor." With a little help from my friends I was able to get the place painted, furniture delivered, light fixtures changed, cable installed, tv installed, carpets cleaned, locks changed and all moved in within a week! Not bad.

3. Women Power! I hung a mirror - all by myself. I measured and everything. Pretty proud.

4. Target is my new best friend and worst enemy. I think you know where I'm going here.

5. My parents were foaming at the mouth waiting for me to move. Just when I thought I had all my crap put away - my dad showed up with a truckload from our basement of ALL of my memorabilia... from my first dance costume, to class photos, yearbooks, prom and bridesmaid dresses... forget my guest bedroom - it's now a storage room.

More later - including a video tour if it works out right. :)

Adventures In Home Buying...

So holy crap - I close on my house this Friday. I can hardly believe it's coming to fruition. I've kind of been in denial just thinking something would go wrong - but it looks like it's all gonna happen - so tonight I've gone into house mode.

What's that entail you say? A grand ole trip to Nebraska Furniture Mart. I used to look forward to shopping for furniture - thinking it was "fun". Tonight - all by myself looking to furnish my home - was not fun. In fact - I was so sick of thinking about options - I just made a decision and got one of those, one those, 2 of those and oh ya - throw one of those in too.

I felt like I was going to throw up. I still do. But I'm also thinking how cute my new home will be and I will have not once had to compromise for an ugly piece of furniture or a paint color I didn't like. So there. :)

So without further adieu - I share my newest home furnishing purchases with you :)

Couch for upstairs. I didn't get it in this color though as this is the color I'm painting my walls. It will be in a darker brown like seen on the pillows. The downfall - I had to special order it so it won't come in until like December or something crazy.

I got a night stand and a dresser and oh yes - a dining room table but no photos. Yet. To come - I'll post later - or you can all come visit!

More to come. Here's a rundown of the schedule incase you really care:

Close - Friday, October 9

Paint - Sat - Wed

Carpets Cleaned - Thurs

MOOOVE - FRIDAY!

Some Funny Sh*t

So amongst buying a house, working a ton, and volunteering my life away - I'm dating a wonderful guy. Not only is he wonderful ... he's HI-LAR-I-OUS.

Case in point - I share this story:
So everyone is giving me trouble for the stupid post/basket that the Shawn dude gave me (refer to previous post titled wrongly - "luckiest girl alive") ... ya know - the one for our "one month anniversary." I'm not gonna lie - it was fun at the time - but in retrospect - that whole piece of my life was ... WEIRD.

So anyway - I'm talking to John about something and he's like oh ya - tomorrow at work - I'm gonna give you a gift basket and guess what's gonna be in it...

"A bag of crap - because YOU'RE THE SH*T"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I don't know if you think this is funny - but I sure do! (Oh and yes - he knew about the "basket" I received previously...) :)