There comes a time when you just have to move on.

Well my friends,

The time has come to say goodbye to this here blog.

I feel it has run its course.

The good news, is that I have started a new one!

Swing by and say hello, won't you?

Katie Kate

It's kind of awkward knowing one of the "bachelors"

Are any of you watching The Bachelorette?

I'll tell you a secret...

One of the guys went to my high school.

He was such a d-bag.

He is still a d-bag... I'm sure.

My sister saw him at their 10 year high school reunion and said he hadn't changed a bit.

I mean when you start a "cool kids of high school" club after high school has ended...you know that is d-bag status!

I won't disclose which one it is since I feel like I've talked a lot of s*** on him already!

I'm a horrible person.

Moving is intense.

Oh boy.  Why didn't anyone tell me how much was involved with moving?

I've been in Vancouver, Washington for almost 1 whole week now.

It feels longer.

This week was filled with changing insurance (health and car!), changing all information, setting up my room, getting a new car, starting my new job...etc.

Phew.  So tired.

The good news is that I am really enjoying my job.

It is such a change of pace from any job that I have ever had.

I am actually being trained, my bosses bought me a brand new chair, and the people I help on a day to day basis are actually nice and not yelling at me.

It's wonderful.

I still have to get a second job since this one is only part time, so keep your fingers crossed that I get the one that I interviewed for last Tuesday.  I should find out either way about that one this coming Tuesday. *fingers crossed*

The other good news is that I did a bit of exploring.

Here are some crappy iphone photos. 

I'm definitely going to go back with my "fancy" camera and do a bit more!

Mt. Hood- Taken from Fort Vancouver

The Columbian River- Taken from Portland Womens Forum State Park

Multnomah Falls

Portland Rose Gardens

And Just Like That...I'm moving.

I had a job interview in Vancouver, WA this week.
Guess what?  I got the job!
It is at a publishing house and I couldn't be more excited.
Sure it's only part time and I'll have to find a second job but it is in the field I want to get into!
I am feverishly looking for a place to live since I start on Monday.
So, goodbye sunny California and hello Vancouver/ Portland!

I've been going through such a crazy mix of emotions.
First I was ecstatically happy, then I was a crying wreck.
I'm leaving my family, my friends.  Everything.
I won't know a single soul in this area, or even within a few hours drive!
I'm trying to look at it as a new start. A new beginning.
We'll see what the next few months have in store for me.

That time I went to Portland, Oregon to do a half marathon.

My friend and I signed up to to the Portland, Oregon Rock n' Roll Half Marathon back in February.

Did I train for this half marathon at all?

That would be a no.

Gah, who am I?

When I met my friend in Portland, I told her I wasn't sure if I was going to do it or not.

She said she wouldn't mind not doing it, so we went all the way to Portland to not do a half marathon.

It was still an adventurous weekend though.

We walked about a mile and a half to our hostel

only to figure out that we had booked it for the wrong night!

I think I nearly died of laughter!

We called many hotels but everywhere was fully booked due to the race.

Luckily, we were able to find a hotel by the airport (they only had a smoking room available, but that sure beats sleeping on the streets!)

and it was another mile and a half walk to the hotel from the train.

We walked all around the city.

We went to the Saturday market which was fantastic.  

Then, we walked another mile and a half to get some Dutch Brothers coffee. 

It is seriously the most delicious coffee you will ever taste. 

If you go to Oregon, you must have Dutch Brothers!

It rained quite a bit on Saturday.  I did not where the right shoes at all.  

My feet were shriveled up like a grandma from all the water!  But, Sunday was gorgeous. 

I'm tempted to move to Portland!

On digging yourself out of a hole.

It's easy to think of all the things I don't like about my life.

Being unemployed, applying to countless jobs without a response, going to horrifying interviews, still living at home, having no friends, a blog that has taken a backseat, family drama, etc.

However, I had an epiphany the other day.

 

Image found via Tumblr

 Maybe if I change my attitude, then things will get better.

And even if they don't actually get better, I will at least feel better.

It is so hard being down all the time, 

why not fake being up and see if that actually leads to becoming happier.

Nobody wants to be around a negative person, so I think changing my attitude will change other people's attitude towards me and that in turn will breed more happiness.

At least this is my theory.

I want to be happy, so I need to start looking for the good in everything again.

Change my attitude, my outlook, my interactions, and my thoughts into positive ones.

"Everything changes when you start to emit your own frequency rather than absorbing the frequencies around you, when you start imprinting your intent on the universe rather than receiving an imprint from existence."

Barbara Marciniak

P.S.

I changed the name of my blog from Simply Call Me Sylvia to ii follow rivers.

I'm going to make buttons soon!

And I'll probably be making a few format changes as well.

I think this is going to be a new start... I hope!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Oi vey.

What has come of my poor little blog.

I can't even remember the last time I blogged.

It must be the fact that I have been in a funk.

The good news was that last week I had a job interview.

It was in San Francisco.

Quick story about my time in San Fran:

I got to my interview a bit early, so I decided to kill time at the Starbucks across the street.

Not one but TWO Michael Jackson impersonators started talking to me.

Please note that I was completely minding my own business and didnt even realize they were there until they started to talk to me!

It was awkward to say the least.

I mean how do you tell a Michael Jackson impersonator that you do not want ti give him your phone number?

I also posted that question on FB.  My friend said, "Beat It". I died of laughter and wished I had been that witty!

I also have a problem with random strangers talking to me.

Like the time a LA Fitness representative started talking to me at Wal-Mart about his time at a nudest beach in Europe.  I'm not even making this up!

I spent nearly a week and a half up in NorCal.

That's Northern California if you didn't know.

I spend most of the time with my aunt and cousins.

We hiked in Yosemite, saw Iron Man 3, went bowling, and ate A LOT.

I also visited with my grandma which is always the best.

Then I went to the Bottle Rock Napa Festival.

It was ah-mazing.

3 days of music!  Including: The Black Keys, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Iron & Wine, Kings of Leon, Rogue Wave, Grouplove, Train, Cake, Rodrigo y Gabriella.

So good. So dusty. So sunburned.

My tanlines/burnlines make it look like I'm still wearing sandals.

It was great to get away. But now I am trying to think of what to do next.

I guess getting back on the job hunting horse is the only option. Sigh.

The Best Place in the Whole Wide World.

You guys probably already know this,

but I have the best MeeMaw in the whole world!

She's literally the most amazing person.

I want to be her when I grow up.

I went to visit her this weekend,
it's about a 4 hour drive from where I live.

and her farm is the most amazing place you will ever go to.

She is such a freaking bad-ass, like, I can't even.

She is 78 years old, and runs a farm.

She has a horse, sheep, 2 dogs, and like 100 cats.

No, she's not a crazy cat lady...she needs them to keep to gofers away.

She also used to have lots of chickens, but the coyotes kept eating them.
She'd let me collect the eggs, and wouldn't get mad when I would accidentally drop them!

These are her sheep.  One of them just had a baby on Easter. I think you can see it in the photo.

I have some photos of her farm around here somewhere!

I guess that will have to be another post!

Ok, well now what?

I was going to do another "oh dear, it's Monday again" gif set.

But, for me...it's not really a normal Monday.

I got laid off from my job on Friday.

So, I guess it's back to life like this post on my previous interviews.

Oh, I sure hope not!

I actually feel like the world is at my fingertips!

I can start over in a sense.

Do I want to go back to school and get a teaching credential?

Do I want to move?

Well, I for sure want to move.

The question is where? or even, when?

What do you guys do for a living?

Because, you know, I'm kind of looking for some ideas.

Single Shaming.

I think I've mentioned on here before that I am 100% single.

I like being single (most days).

I've always said that if I'm married at 30-32 I'll be happy.

But, what I want to write about today is single shaming.

Oh. my. lord. I can't tell you how often this happens to me.

Random co-worker (only 3 days I started my new job):

"Oh, so now that you have this job are you going to find someone and get married and have kids?"

Umm, what?  That's kind of a personal question, and I hardly know you.

And if you did know me then you would know that kids are DEFINITELY no where in my thought process.

Other co-workers:

"So, do you have a boyfriend?"

"No, I don't."

"Oh, well how old are you?"

"26"

"Oh...umm...well you still have time."

Hell yea I still have time.  This isn't the 1800's, and I am not an old maid just yet!

That last statement is usually followed up by what I call "The Look".

Which is basically a sympathetic yet quizzical look that asks, 

"What the hell is wrong with you that you aren't married yet?"

Random restaurant guy:

I was feeling really sick so I went to my favorite pho restaurant for some soup.

"Just for one?'

"Yea"

"oh {insert The Look here}, well I will eat dinner with you."

Geez.  Do I have to share every meal with a significant other?

If I waited for a guy to do anything in my life, nothing would get done

...and apparently I would be really hungry.

Boy: "Little Numbers"

I don't wanna.

Ugh. Monday. 

I have been dreading today all weekend.

 Enjoy these gifs. 

I hope they make the day better.

It's like looking in a mirror.

I just watched this video, and well it's basically my life.
Time to turn it around!
P.S. Got caught in the candy isle by a LA Fitness Rep. He asked me to go to their gym. What is life?!

#crochetproblems

I haven't had much time or want to crochet the past month or so.

But, recently I've been feeling the urge again.

However, there is a slight problem.

The weather.

It's getting warmer and I can no longer wear crocheted items.

I am loving this spring weather.

I have some lovely mint green yarn that I want to make a scarf out of,

but the weather is so warm that I won't be able to wear it!

#crochetproblems

What's a crocheter to do? 

My friend is talking about starting to try to have a baby with her husband,

so maybe I'll start working on this project for her!

Also, beware of when you search "crochet" on Pinterest.

You might just find something like this:

Image found via Pinterest

Waaaah!

What the heck?

Or, you might find something like this:

Pattern Here

That makes you feel totally inferior as a crocheter.

All well...I see it as something to aspire to!

I hate when I get caught doing weird things.

I am a weird person. 

I embrace this fact about me.

But, it is always embarrassing when you get caught doing weird things.

Let's go down memory lane, and I can give you an example.

Image found via Pinterest

 I had the house aaaalllll to myself.

My parents had gone on vacation for the week.

So, naturally I stayed in my jammies for like 3 days straight.

I hadn't washed off my make-up either.

Major racoon eyes!

So, I'm sitting in my gloriously sloth-like state.

And not only that....

...but I was fully engaged in a documentary marathon...

about ballerinas.

I know. I'm weird.

Little do I know, that my super cute neighbor decides to come over.

Busted.

Racoon eyes. Oily hair.  Russian Ballerina envying gloriousness.

Caught by all people...a cute guy!

Womp womp.

He invited me over for a party that night.

So, I had to get ready super quick.

But it turned out to me a good night.

I'm probably remembered as the girl who likes Russian Ballerinas!

Who does that?

Image found via Pinterest

Do you get caught doing weird things too??

Let's Talk On The Real {Budgeting} + Bloglovin'

Let me just start off by saying....budgeting sucks.

I mean, I have this money, why can't I spend it they way I want it?

^OK that sounded a little bit too much like JG Wentworth

But, really, why should I budget?

Oh, I will tell you all the reasons why!

#1-

If you're like me at all you need to save money to travel the world!

I learned lessons in budgeting when I was saving money to go to Europe and road trip to Alaska.

I was so happy that I had saved that money so I could have those experiences.

Somewhere in Yukon, Canada

 #2-

So you can pay for unexpected items.

Like that oh-no moment when you drive on a nail and need a new tired.

Or a new transmission.

Or computer.

Or hair straightener (why are those so dang expensive anyways?)

Why can't I live somewhere where I don't have to rely on owning a car?

#3-

Retirement.

I was talking to my dad the other day about Roth IRA accounts.

If I start putting in 10% of my salary every year now vs. 5 years from now

then I should be able to retire when I am 55-58!

This is coming from my dad who is really good at money and who retired at 55!

Say what?!  You bet your cute little booty I am going to try my best to do that

But, really, 10% is going to be difficult.

Let's say that I waited 5 years to start saving for retirement...

I wouldn't be able to retire until 70!

Yikes.  I'll start saving now that you very much.

So moral of this post is that yea, budgeting sucks. 

Skipping over buying new clothes every week sucks.

But, what doesn't suck?

Being able to afford things that you have to pay for, want to do in the long run, and retiring earlier than most.

In other news....what's going on with this google reader stuff?  To be safe, follow me over on Bloglovin'!

 

Jim James: "State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.)

Good things happening.

You know when you worry about things,

but then it turns out your worry was for nothing? 

Well, I was worrying.

And the worst part?

It wasn't even significant things.

And well, if I'm being honest, it wasn't even significant worry I was worrying.

I was worried that I would possibly be put on-call at work
for one of the super fun weekends I had planned before getting this job.

BUT!

The good news is that the schedule came out and I won't be on-call until the end of June!

Yay!

So, you know what that means?

That means that I get to go to the Bottle Rock Music Festival in Napa May 10-12.

And, Portland the next weekend for the Rock N' Roll series half marathon!

Waaaah!  I am so excited and relieved!

59 days until the music festival! 

I have been wanting to see The Black Keys live for like ever. ever. ever.

I am also so pumped to see:

Alabama Shakes, Andrew Bird, Dirty Projectors, Kings of Leon, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Iron & Wine, Cake, GroupLove, Rogue Wave, and to discover new people to like!

 

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros: "Man on Fire"

I LOVE them live!

Seriously. Cannot. Wait. 

My first vlog: What's in a name?

Check out my first vlog!

Also, editing is hard!  And I couldn't figure out how to add music.

Any tips you guys have feel free to send it my way!

Unhealthy Celebrity Crushes

I've been crushing you guys.

Like, hard core I want to be you/ date you crushes.

I'm talking about celebrity crushes.

Who's on my list?

Let's do a count down.

#4- Chris Pine.

Image found via Google

I like this guy for so many reasons.

Have you seen Bottle Shock?  

Stop what you are doing right now and watch it.

It's on Instant Netflix!

That's one of my favorite movies.

And he has a BA in English.

It's like we were meant to be.

#3- Jennifer Lawrence

Image found via Google

Umm, can I please be her?!

She is so fun and pretty and everything I want to be in life!

She was brilliant in Silver Linings Playbook. I loved that movie too.

Every interview I see with her...I just can't get enough!

#2- James Franco

Where do I even start with James Franco?

He is so handsome,

and funny,

and smart (he has like 4 PhDs or something like that)

My obsession with him is unhealthy.

Like. I can't even.

I can't get enough of this interview with him!

#1- Adrien Brody

Image found via Google

\Now, a lot of people might be like huh? him?

Yes. I'm not sure why, but I just find him so attractive.

And he learned how to play the piano for when he was preparing for The Pianist.

Can you say dedication?

Dedication.

Who's on your celeb crush list?

"You don't watch (insert lame tv show here)?!"

People ask me all the time what shows I'm watching these days.

TV is such a waste of time.

Let's see:

The Walking Dead

The Biggest Loser

The Following

Hart of Dixie

Vampire Diaries

Grey's Anatomy

Is that a lot?

I think it kind of is.

I wish I wasn't into tv so much.

TV is kind of stupid...if you really think about it.

Did you really think about it?

I think I'm getting better at watching less because 

I realized that I hadn't watched The Biggest Loser and The Following and Hart of Dixie for like 2 weeks.

So, I'd count that as a win.

Image found via Tumblr.

 I think Michonne is becoming one of my favorites.

But, I don't think I could ever cut of The Walking Dead.

It is too good.

Image found via Tumblr.

and of course I love Daryl. 

He's not the type of guy I'd go for in real life, but I really like his character.

Hi, let's rename this post to The Walking Dead 

characters I love (can't forget Glenn and Maggie) and hate (ahem *andrea*). 

I think I might try cutting it down to only that.

Mmmm, no wait.  I can't give up The Biggest Loser.

OK, so just those two.

Maybe.

 Tom Waits: "Hold On"