25 Things

So things have still been crazy and I've been slacking on the blog - I know! But Jim's sister Mary Jesse graduation college this weekend, I"m heading to Buffett tonight and all things seem to hit at once. With that being said, a lot of good blogs coming up!

In the meantime, I got this note on Facebook awhile back and liked it. I liked reading other people's things and I liked sharing...so enjoy, 25 things you may not have known about me.

1. I like to scare people. I like jumping out at people, hiding in scary places and doing anything to give people that “wah wah” feeling.
2. I was in a movie, Milk Money and had a big part – my face takes up the whole screen. 2 weeks off school and lotsa money at 12 - so was awesome.
3. I was on Oprah. Well asked a question and was featured. David Copperfield was the guest and they pre-screened who asked and the question. I was 15.
4. Aside from what people think, I’m pretty good at holding secrets.
5. I cannot stand the feeling of things rubbing on my front teeth . Paper towels, food and even carpet – Yes, it bothered me so much that I had to try rubbing them on carpet- it’s weird but true.
6. I was in Nairobi when they sentenced several of those involved in the US Embassy bombing in 1998. This was in 2001 and prior to 9/11 and it was still very unsafe. We were told not to leave our hotel and we would leave first thing in the morning.
7. I hate when things snag on my nails, like clothes or wool. I tend to avoid wool because of this.
8. My family and I were once stranded at sea. Our boat sprung a leak and we made it to an abandoned island and waited for help.
9. I laugh at inappropriate times. Like when people are injured or anything should be taken seriously.
10. I was in the middle of a two country revolutions, one violent and one not so much. I traveled with my Mom and another woman to the jungles of Costa Rica and the country revolted against the electric company and caused fighting and violence among it’s own people. We had to be escorted out and walk miles with protected guards because roads were closed. Unfortunately, all film and memory of this trip was lost due to stolen luggage and it never made the news in the states. Second time was in Belize and the country was refusing to pay the high rates on gas so the electric company would shut off power and water supply randomly. Not so violent but awfully annoying.
11. In high school my car had a Mickey Mouse decal painted on. It was a used car and my parents so nicely bought it for me so can't complain, but hated that Mickey.
12. I still get scared walking up stairs that someone is chasing me. I often times sprint up them.
13. I used to have my right eyebrow pierced.
14. I believe those who have passed can contact us and have been contacted by my Dad. I had a series of weird, random events including vivid dreams and him guiding me places. I saw an angel lady because it spooked me a bit and then I was comforted by it.
15. On that note, the family who moved into the house he passed away in, where we used to live, had the house “cleansed” because she often felt his presence and claimed she saw him once. I guess that’s an exorcism with the priest and all?
16. I absolutely cannot stand anything with bones – broken bones, bruised bones or bones touching. Don’t even get me started on banging together wrist or ankle bones.
17. I worked almost my entire time at college, not because I had to, but because I wanted to and it seemed right. I saved all this money and traveled to places I never imagined I would go, like Andorra.
18. Scuba Diving and being underwater is extremely peaceful for me. I like the sound and the feeling of being so small in such a amazing place.
19. My brother and I were featured on the cover of Super Shopper and I look older in that picture at 10, then I do know at
20. I have been hit by a drunk driver note once, but three times. And one time the drunk driver not only ran into the back of me full speed, but she proceeded to reverse and run into the back of me two more times before someone finally stopped her.
21. I have little to no control over what I say sometimes. I think it shocks a lot of people.
22. I have held a shark that I lured in with a fish head. The shark was about 5 feet and very rough.
23. I am actually a shy person until I get to know you, sometimes it comes across as mean but I don’t mean it to.
24. I’ve always had a dream to write a book about my life. I think it could be well rounded with ups and downs, funny parts, sad parts and the kind of family everyone could relate to. I imagine myself as a best seller.
25. My biggest fear is being alone. I am a very social person and like people around.

I'm Engaged!!!

It’s true, Jim and I are sooo excited and can’t wait to build a life together. For people who have been engaged you know what I’m talking about, for those not engaged you have this to look forward to, but the past week has been so overwhelming and exciting!

So, the good part – how it happened…

We did our usual Thursday night filled with softball, friends, Chili and a few beers outside enjoying the weather. Jim was very adamant about me coming home early so I thought I was in trouble. To my surprise, I came home and walked in and on the bed were our suitcases. Jim told me we were going somewhere but it was a surprise and I wouldn’t find out until we got to the airport. So he told me what to pack and we were leaving in less than 10 hours – needless to say I didn’t sleep very much.

I didn’t know we were going to Washington D.C until we got to the gate at the airport. I was thrilled, I had never been and had a hunch that he might be popping the question! As we boarded the plane Jim gave me an itinerary for the weekend, complete with tourist activities, lunch, dinner and breakfast places, free time and a morning of pampering for me Sunday. He informed me he had booked a room at the W Hotel and even upgraded so we could overlook the White House.

Our room was amazing! We could see then snipers on top of the White house we were so close. We also overlooked the United States Treasury building. I’m such an idiot for not taking pictures of the room – I’m mad at myself for that now. Our first stop was to head over to the White House. A friend of ours works for Obama and gave us a heads up that Marine 1 would be landing shortly after we arrived. So we headed over and camped out. Having never been to Washington D.C I was amazed at how beautiful the city is. Everything was well kept, blooming and very friendly. Watching marine 1 land on the White House lawn was breathtaking, it gave me chills and made me very proud to be American and live in a free country. I obsessed about this for the first 4 hours we walked around.

After this we visited some spots where Jim lived when he was in D.C. We went to Georgetown for dinner and out on the town – all the hot spots where Jim used to party back in the day. We woke up Saturday morning, with a slight hangover, ate breakfast at the W Hotel and the got our bikes for a long bike ride along the Potomac River. Our plan was to bike all the way to Vernon Manner, but discovered that it was way further than the lady had told us – 32 miles total. After about 20 miles in the 90 degree weather we decided to call it quits! I wasn’t feeling too hot because of the heat and lack of food so we decided to take it easy in the room.

While back at the room, Jim went downstairs to “check on our dinner reservations” and I took it easy. I didn’t realize he was gone so long since I didn’t feel well, but apparently it took a long time to get the ring out of the vault downstairs. See, Jim had the ring shipped there so that he didn’t have to carry it on the plane and risk me finding it. Once he finally got the ring he came back to the room and it was burning a hole in his pocket.

I could sense he was anxious so got up to do something and that’s when he got down on his knee and proposed. I won’t share all the intimate details, but it was very sweet and it took me about two seconds to say yes! So we called our family and shared the great news. Then up to the rooftop of the W Hotel to celebrate with champagne and each other (this is where the photos are taken from). We were so thrilled and excited it was the best night. We went to a celebratory dinner at Capitol Grill and then out for awhile but were so beat we headed back to the room and crashed out.

I woke up Sunday morning thrilled, enjoyed my massage and paraffin treatment Jim gave me and then we went out and walked around the town some more. Went to the National Archives, saw the Constitution, Air and Science Museum, American History Museum and much more. We had the best weekend and are so happy to begin to build a life together.

The past week has really been a whirlwind, I can’t even tell you what I did last Monday. Between work, seeing people, planning a party for our friends and sports it flew by. I’m sure that the upcoming weeks are going to be even more hectic as we begin to plan. I’m very much looking forward to our wedding and most importantly building a future, children and all that comes with it!

In case you are wondering, Chili is definetely a bridesmaid, see the picture to the right when I asked her - she's thrilled!

Picture Paints A Thousand Words

Over the weekend I was hanging with one of my friends who was cracking up at a picture another one of our friends sent us via text. All of us get these all the time and they crack us up so I though I would share a few of them that make me laugh when I see them. I have a ton more but they are really not Internet appropriate.

Photo #1
Yep that's me barefoot and shoeless in a bar at about 1A. Right before this photo was snapped I turned to my friend and said "I just wanna dance". And this came after - dancing shoeless in a bar hair flipping, booty popping and dropping - Sunday was awful!



Photo #2
This was a Jimmy Buffet concert so enough should be said about this photo. This was taken after many Corona's, tequila shots and baking in the parking lot sun for hours. At this point in the day I think I had just enough partying in me I was actually considering kissing his parrot.


Photo #3
This is me in Jodie's car, Tiffany or Penny (I can't remember), mocking the neck rest in the backseat for those long car rides she apparently goes on. We were laughing not only at the neck rest but also remembering that in high school I had a Mickey Mouse painted onto the bumper of my Honda (it came with the car). This night ended up just as funny as it started - good times!

Photo #4

A practical joke pulled on Paul at the office. We found an old bottle of wine that looked like urine so we put it in this mason jar with a cute little note to HR: Dear Rachel, Your office was locked so here's my "sample" there shouldn't be a problem. Ps. Sorry, I had asparagus for lunch.

Photo #5 & 6
I truly love my dog Chili so I couldn't not have a photo of her in here. Photo 5 is Chili monster getting ready to fly home from Gigglemoor. She's is pretty spoiled and only flies private so here she is all strapped in the back seat ready to go. Photo 6 is Jim and Chili in the Giggle Truck just being cute, I love them so much!

Sweet Boy

I don't blog that often about "my boo" but he has been too sweet this past week not to. He's going to hate this blog and I'm not the biggest fan of it either, but believe it or not I have a loss of thoughts and words this week.

So here's why he is so sweet:

1. He randomly sent me a Groupon to Urbanity Spa that said "to pretty up and already pretty face". Which means he was listening when I said I haven't had a facial in forever but would rather spend the money on clothes. Then boom...I get a gift certificate.



2. Later in the week I get a notice that someone has something to tell me and it takes me to a website where people can randomly say why they love you. See picture. It's his style, cute and funny. "I love you because your pretty face and you let me stay out late".

He didn't do anything wrong and we weren't even making up, he was just being a sweet boy and I love him even more for it!

XO

Googling Yourself

If you haven't done it yet than you are lying, everyone Googles themselves. If you haven't done it yet and you aren't lying than you better do it - it's the best way to know what's out their about yourself and to try to control it. If you've never Googled your lover, do it! Anytime you are meeting someone personally and especially business contacts get to know them first (there is nothing wrong with this)!

I work for an Internet company, am on Facebook, have a blog, Tweet, etc. so I'm going to be out there a lot. Plus, I've done a lot of things recently that have been featured in press related items so my name comes up a lot. And the biggest topper, my last name is really unique UHLMANSIEK.

My last name is the topic of conversation whenever I meet someone. Where are you from, how many of them are there, etc. Well to be honest, not that many (that I know of) - as a matter of fact my immediate family and grandparents are the only ones I know. My Dad was an only child his dad was an only child so the name has been kept pretty tight. My brother has a lot weighing on his shoulders so get to it!

Anyhoo, the whole point of this blog is that I Googled myself yesterday just to do a check and decided to click on the image link too. Well low and behold the third picture amid all the correct pictures was the one featured to the right. Another Jenny Uhlmansiek and she's on Facebook- WHAT?

So I did some more Internet stalking and found nothing. This poor girl has to compete with my name and all the stuff on the Internet for SparkPeople so gets little to no love from Google. So I went back and forth on friending her on Facebook but finally decided not to. Part of my decision was that one of the only groups she belongs to is "safe connections" - meaning she probably doesn't accept strangers and only having 100 Facebook friends should probably tell me that.

Other Jenny Uhlmansiek if you read this blog and would like to be friends feel free to be my Facebook friend, I won't find it weird.

Gross

I was going to write about butterflies and roses or something like that until I came across this picture of Heidi Montag - GROSS! Seriously, what on earth has happened to her? She looks so plastic - I feel bad for her family. Her new boobs are ridiculous, somebody please get her help!

Telling It Like It Is

First off, I watch Gossip Girl and I'm not afraid to be 28 and admit it! If you read my blog you know there are much worse things I watch. Anyhoo, last week I caught the most amazing commercial during Gossip Girl, which is rare thanks to DVR! I thought it was a joke at first but after some research have come to discover it's a whole movement to have women not be so embarrassed about their period.

Kotex has taken a different approach and tried to discover why people are so freaky about periods with their U by Kotex campaign. Basically, Kotex has created a campaign that mocks the past several years of Period ads that have been in media. You can see in this first ad they are mocking the pretty girl at funny angles telling you what to buy AND of course wearing white - If you are a girl you know you never wear white while on your period.



In the next video, found on the Kotex website, you see a real women telling you how she wouldn't do all these things featured in the commercial. Like yeah, when I'm on my period I want to dance and do cartwheels through an open field? Who were these creative geniuses making the first ads?



As I mentioned, after seeing this ad I immediately went and checked out their website only to discover there are several hilarious videos giving you the real dish about your period. Check out this undercover video of a man buying tampons for his girlfriend, or this video and see how people are so afraid to say the word vagina or penis (that was even hard to type) and last check out this one and make sure to take care of your beaver, it's the only one you have!

Happy April Fool's Day

I saw this ad the other day and it made me laugh. It's April Fool's Day and I could put a good joke in here but I got nothing so instead enjoy this joke.