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30-Day Blogging Challenge: Day 1

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I wrote this 30-day challenge a while back in hope that it would get me going. It’s only taken over a year for me to finally get a crack at it. I thought with the new month here (even though it’s 31 days) I would finally delve into this series. Feel free to join me, let me know if you do! So first day here we go!

About Me:

My name is Mary (duh) I am a recent college grad with a love for the internet (obviously). I like to drink decaf coffee at night time to prepare for bed. I have the greatest cat in the world. I aspire to be a freelance writer and blogger.

I went to college in Frederick, MD and never wanted to leave, so I didn’t. I got a job outside of DC and take a hellish commute every day two times a day, but it’s honestly worth it to live in a place that holds such a big piece of my heart. I’m originally from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and while that will always be home, it was not a place I wanted to move to post-grad. I love my family and friends back there, but I needed something different, aka I wanted to be closer to Target.

I love Jesus and my friends call me mom, which is the perfect segway into my next point: the suburban soccer mom without the kids.

My Blog: Mary’s Average Adventures

Formally called: Mary’s Completely Average Adventures, later shortened because to be quite frank I forgot about the completely part of it, also it flows better now. When I was leaving for college I wanted to start to better document my life and thoughts and feelings, so here is all of that. I kept it a secret from my friends and family for a good bit, then decided to do a year of daily blogging, which is when I started sharing on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Originally, I planned to literally record the most mundane of adventures; hence the title. However, it morphed into its own niche over the years. From college blogger, to what I would call lifestyle, I’ve blogged about it all.

I have a lot of thoughts about a lot of things and I like to think people care about what I have to say, so it’s all here. I would say 99.9% of my thoughts over the past 4 years are documented right here on this site. Blogging has brought me a community of friends, support, and amazing people that while I have never met them face to face, many have impacted my life significantly.

My blog was created as an outlet for my creativity and thoughts; when it reality it has turned into much more than that.

What brought you to blogging?

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Dating Diaries: “Costco Sunglasses”

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So I’m dating again. As you probably know, I hate dating. It’s the worst. But alas, I would like a boyfriend because one day I’d like to get married and have a family. However, it’s not going real great so far so I thought I would start a new series about dating*. I like to consider myself fairly low maintenance when it comes to men, I don’t want to be paid for (example A bought my own coffee), I’m fine making decisions for myself, and I don’t require excessive amounts of attention, all I ask is for them to be upfront with me.

This afternoon I went on a first date. Personally, I thought it went well. I did a lot to prepare, got a new outfit (okay I wanted an excuse for a new outfit), shaved my legs, used a facemask, did my makeup very well. To be honest, most of that was just needed as some mental self-care. Went to meet him at a local coffee shop, he was late and the wait at the place was 30 minutes so we walked to another. We sat in that coffee shop for almost two hours. Then, we walked all over downtown for nearly 3 hours. By the end of the date, it was nearly 5:30. He walked me to the car and said he would definitely text me with plans for another encounter. Well, he did.

However, he said that he didn’t think that we would be good romantically. THEN WHY THE HECK WOULD YOU LET ME GET BLISTERS WHILE WE WALK AROUND FOR THREE HOURS.

Hindsight, I definitely agree that we wouldn’t be good romantically agree. I mean, he showed up in plaid cargo shorts, what the boys in elementary school would wear! Add onto that his Costco sunglasses, he would need a little fashion change, and that’s coming from me who rarely matches. I realize this is something that makes me sound extremely shallow, and that there’s something wrong with all Costco sunglasses, or Costco in general and there isn’t. However, I think the look of the sunglasses, the fact that they were worn inside, and the plaid cargo shorts showed a level of immaturity that I’m passed at this point in my life.

I also had to push all of the conversations, ask so many questions, and just try hard. I definitely am just tired of being single and wanted it to work very badly. However, still a little offended he waited to text me that it wasn’t going to work out. We spent five hours together, plenty of time to tell me!

Be honest people. Dating attempt one: check.

*This segment is the first of an ongoing series about my life dating. I will go into things like waiting until marriage, what I’m looking for in a potential husband, as well as delving into my dates.

Weekend Coffee Share: New Apartment

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If we were having coffee we would be sitting in my unmade bed (the sheets are in the dryer) with Leslie Knope, my new cat. If we were having coffee, I would probably make you help me move my dresser out of the living room and into my new room, once we finished our coffees of course

If were having coffee I would talk too much because I’ve been alone in my apartment for two days with only my cat to talk to. I would tell you all about my new job and how I’m so excited to dive in with the real work this week.

If we were having coffee, after I went on and on about my job, I might ask you how you’re doing and what’s new with you, but it is sometimes more like me just to keep talking about myself. So then I would go on and on about how this blogging transition has been hard for me and content creating has become difficult. Not because I don’t like it, but because I’ve just been in a rut with my thoughts and ideas. I’m either too ambitious or too underwhelming.

If we were having coffee, I would probably give your the mini tour of my new apartment, and it would definitely be a mini tour. I’d tell you how excited I am to have an office, but since we’re still unpacking it’s pretty much unusable. I would also show you the coffee maker so we could make a second cup. Then we would go back to my bare bed because the dryer takes forever.

If we were having coffee, I would ask you what I should wear to work tomorrow, and then tell you about my idea for a photo shoot of different work outfits but I lack a photographer, since that is what I do for others. I would also tell you about all the ideas for that I would need help to accomplish which is sometimes very frustrating.

If we were having coffee, I’d ask you for advice– what should I do with my life? Like yes, I have a job and I love it, but what should I be doing with the rest of my time, certainly not just watching Netflix and coloring like I have been. I just want to know what’s next.

If we were having coffee and our time was up, I would walk you to the door and thank you for coming. “I’ll see you next weekend my friend.”

Weekend Coffee Share

Mary5 Comments

If we were having coffee you’d be sitting on the other side of the couch at the home I babysit at every Sunday. We would be watch “13 Reasons Why” and I would be ranting about how much I hate boys and I just want to meet a nice man that treats me right and how I hope so badly it’s the one that’s talking to me now. Then I’d tell you that I don’t think it is, which makes me feel conflicted as conflicted can be.

If we were having coffee I’d be sipping my second big cup of the day. Trying to get rid of the headache, the tiredness I’ve been feeling from barely sleeping the past few weeks, and most importantly, just trying to enjoy the taste and calming down.

If we were having coffee I’d pour you a nice big cup. We would talk about all of the things that have been bothering me. My blog, boys, jobs, everything. I would vent, and then let you vent. I’d probably interrupt because that’s probably my worst habit of all. I’d complain about not knowing what to make for dinner, my diet, and then I would whisper “I’ll probably just go to Subway again.”

If we were having coffee, I’d let you know that I think it’s weird the baby has been sleeping for three hours, but I wouldn’t complain. Trust me I’m thankful. I would then go on to show you pictures of how cute he is, and how thankful I am for all of the wonderful families have allowed me to watch over their children this year.

If we were having coffee, I would probably go on a feminist rant, tell you about how much I love social media, and how I wish my blog would thrive. I’d have a lot to say, but at the same time, nothing at all. I’d open up like I used to on my blog. Before I went public with it, before I was applying for jobs, and before when I didn’t have many friends. I’d share my worries, my thoughts, and my doubts.

If we were having coffee, I’d ask you if you want another cup but pour you another no matter what the answer was. The truth is, on Sundays I get to a point where I desperately need to talk to an adult so I wouldn’t really want you to leave.

If we were having coffee, I’d have to eventually excuse myself to get the crying baby and I’d thank you for joining me. I’d invite you back next week and be so happy for my friendships with you.

What would you tell me if we were having coffee?

Late Night Blogging with Mary: Part 3

Mary2 Comments

After several Google Chrome crashes from other little title pictures I was going to make and a 45 minute phone conversation, I figured let’s just do another one of these. I feel like I don’t know what to say other than that. I’m again at a loss for words.

All I want to do is drink coffee and travel. Like but I also don’t want to move. I wish there was teleportation. And unlimited money. I wish money wasn’t an issue. Like if it wasn’t a thing, life would be really cool. Minus the whole lack of any system guiding the world.

There are like a lot of interesting facts in the world in case you weren’t aware. I spend a lot of time reading random articles about things that don’t apply to me. But reading really is the best way to learn about things you don’t understand. That and documentaries. So keep that in mind.

Fact. I went to delete this post like twenty times but I feel like a failure already because I hardly post three times a week and that’s supposed to be the minimum for the week so it’s tough.

Okay so serious conversation: do the articles on elite daily offend anyone else? I’m a very avid BuzzFeed reader so I thought it was another one of those. However, this seems more like do this, do that, don’t do this, don’t do that, what’ you’re doing wrong, what you’re doing right, etc. I just feel like it’s a lot more targeted to people who need validation. I’m not saying anything wrongs with the site, it’s just my first impression of it. Whenever people post articles on Facebook I usually like them but then today I visited the site, and while there are a few things that I like there’s a lot more that I really didn’t like. I’m not sure, I bet that’s a very unpopular opinion. I’ll probably stick to BuzzFeed. What are your go-to article sites?

Also I feel like I have an issue with the show Big Brother right now but I don’t know why or what it is, something about it is just annoying me. Does anyone else watch that?

Finally, I can’t stop thinking about giraffes. I’m just so in love with all of the pictures I took and I can’t wait to edit the rest and put them up on my flickr.

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Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

Mary3 Comments

So while I was gone Adi from The Happy Lifeaholic nominated me for an award! Which is far too kind of her. If you don’t know who she is, well you probably should. Go check out her blog. Thanks so much for nominating me!

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Adi’s questions:

1. You have one paragraph to describe your feelings about coffee. Go!

If only a paragraph was enough! I love coffee, especially iced as of recently. I can’t say I drank a lot of hot coffee this past winter even. I understand why people don’t like it, but it really is amazing. It’s one of those things that you love or hate. 

2. Do you prefer using Macs or PCs? Why?

I have only ever really used PCs because my dad is very anti-Apple. However, my life would be easier when it comes to data sharing across my phone/iPad/laptop if I had a MacBook instead of my HP. However, I do really love my laptop. 

3. If you could cast yourself as the protagonist of a story/novel of your choice, who would the character be and what would the story be?

Definitely Hermione from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I just have this connection, and the same birthday as her, so why not?

4. If you could have one of these 3 superpowers, which would you pick, and why? i) Mind reading ii) Water bending/manipulation iii) The ability to become invisible

I would also go for mind reading, but only if I could turn it on and off. I think I would like to be able to teleport because I hate driving. Finally I think I would also want telekinesis so I would never have to get up. 

5. What, in your opinion, is the worst movie you’ve ever seen?

I have watched a lot of bad movies, however, I would definitely say the worst is “Waiting Forever”. I rented it from Redbox and it was the biggest waste of a dollar. It’s now on Netflix if you want to waste a few hours with it. 

6. What color would you absolutely refuse to paint the walls of your house?

I would never paint my walls orange. It’s too bright for me. I would do yellow for some reason, maybe because my comforter is yellow. 

7. What are 2 of your pet peeves?

I am one of those people who has a lot of pet peeves. My first one is probably people ignoring me in the middle of a conversation and the second is probably people who are just disrespectful or irresponsible just in general. 

8. If you could go back in time and change one thing from the past year, what would it be?

I would definitely change who I choose to spend my time with. I think that it is important to remember that there are some people who care about you and some who don’t, hang out with the people who do. 

9. Sadistic question time: If there’s a cat about to get run over to your left, and a dog about to get run over to your right, and you can only save one animal, which would you pick? [I know, I’ awful. Sorry!]

I would have to outweigh which one is older, if one is someone’s pet, things like that before I make a decision. Also I don’t do well under pressure with life or death situations so I feel like by the time I would decide it would be too late. 

10. Assuming you have a best/close friend, tell us how you met that person! :)

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Here’s a picture of us last weekend

Eric is my best friend we met in Molly’s room. There was a lot of people and it was very overwhelming so I don’t really remember it. We didn’t really start hanging out until the fall though, that was also one of those random things. 

Rules:

  • Thank your kind nominator
  • Proudly display the award image on you post and blog
  • Answer the 10 questions sent to you
  • Nominate 5 lovely blogs for the award and let them know by linking them to this post
  • Ask them 10 questions too!

Nominations:

In no particular order, I would like to  nominate the following five people:

The questions I would like them to answer are as follows:

  1. What is your first childhood memory?
  2. What is the one thing you really want to do before you die?
  3. If you could have a pocket sized pet, what animal would you choose? It could be any animal, just extremely small.
  4. What has been your biggest blogging setback?
  5. Is there a point in your life that you wish you could put on repeat?

Congrats on your nominations everyone! Thanks again for nominating me Adi!

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Wool Socks and Decaf Coffee

Mary4 Comments

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I have a tendency to do things out of habit, things that just make me comfortable. For example with few exceptions I have not worn matching socks since the second grade because why waste the time to match them and as long as they’re the same length it adds character. I’m unfortunately a creature of habit, one that will hardly ever be seen wearing matching socks. The socks in this picture are actually the only matching ones I tend to wear since they’re the only similar type of socks I have.

Lately part of my routine has been wearing wool socks and drinking decaf coffee at night while comfy clothes, whether that is my sweats or my pj nightshirt. It just helps me to detox and feel more relaxed, whether or not this is prior to or following a bath is also becoming frequent. Checking my todo lists and making sure my alarm is set is also a habit, a good one. Making sure I’m prepared for the next day is an evening habit. If my life isn’t in order I can’t quite sleep. The disorganization of my clothes and books may be distracting to the normal person but as long as my brain and things are ready for the next day I can sleep.

Of course my habits can be bad too. I crack my knuckles, try on 15 different outfits before I find one I want to wear, then leave the other 14 on the ground, or just leaving my papers all around rather than putting them in their designated folders. Habits are hard to crack, for now I’m just going to enjoy my wool socks and decaf coffee. Also, don’t give me crap for drinking decaf! I love the coffee taste I just can’t stay up late with work the next day. What are your good or bad habits?

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Friends, Diners and a Bump in the Night

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First of all I will be picking the winner of the Giveaway tomorrow around this time so if you want to submit your likes and comments!

Today I took Meag back to our half way point and decided to go out to coffee with Lindsay and Jade. Starbucks around here close at 9 and the only Dunkin that’s open 24 hours is way back where I live, so it’s way out of the way for them. So since I was passing through we decided to go to the diner. Diners are experiences in and of themselves, if not for the people you go with it’s the people there. I’ve only ever had two bad experiences at this diner, and I’m almost certain it was with the same waitress, but typically they’re such sweethearts.

Anyway it’s nice to be able to go out and laugh with my friends and forget about the fact that things have changed since being away. I just love hanging out with my friends and laughing. I don’t remember a time I laughed more than I did tonight. I hope all of you have a few close friends like this that you can just laugh so hard with you’re afraid you’re going to pee your pants. I can honestly there is nothing better then sitting and laughing with your friends.

Okay so we went to a 24 hour diner so we stayed until about 11:30 which didn’t  put me home until a little after midnight (why the post is late), and even though I’m 19 and live in a very safe place, I don’t like coming in that late or even walking around the house that late. So I change and grab my blanket, and headed to my basement because I wanted to watch Friends, plus that’s where I left my laptop today. I put down about half my stuff but I had to go get some water.  Finally once I’m all settled and started on this post, some noise happens upstairs and my phone of course is just restarting up, and my first thought is, “I’m going to die watching a rerun of friends, and I don’t get to update today” so even though it was probably just my dog or the ridiculous wind outside I still thought I was going to die. I am 19 years old and I still get carried away.

So yeah, I know it’s not update night and this isn’t really an update, more of a day in the life or something I don’t really know what to classify this as, oh well. Thanks for reading, and some cool things are coming this way. Winner to be announced soon so make sure you go back and enter if you haven’t already!

XOXO,

Mary.

Rolling on the Floor.

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So yeah my schedule thing I made has not been working out lately, or my plan for that matter but that’s why I never committed to it 100% because I figured that might happen. Well anyway today/this week has just been one of those ones where all I want to do is roll around on the floor and whine because of life. My sleep schedule has been way off, and I’m just tired of everything and everyone. Like I don’t really know what to write about tonight so I’m just kind of going with the flow of whatever my fingers decided to type up. I want to go to bed already and it’s not even 10 yet, man. I think I’m just going to write a list of my thoughts because there’s far too many.

  1. I ate way too much chocolate this week.
  2. I really want blogger friends.
  3. I want to go on a run tomorrow.
  4. Will I actually go on a run tomorrow?
  5. I really need to finish that bio lab.
  6. Can I go to bed yet?
  7. Do I have to answer my text messages?
  8. How do I tell that girl that we would be really good friend without sounding creeping?
  9. How do I tell that boy I think he’s cute?
  10. That boy is really cute.
  11. Break up with her, you deserve better.
  12. I can’t believe Walmart didn’t have single tape refills.
  13. I can’t believe I forgot what I’ve been meaning to get every time I leave and I forget again. Oh bobby pins and clear hair ties.
  14. I really don’t want to go to that seminar on Saturday.
  15. I’m still really confused about the drama in and between two of my favorite fandoms.
  16. Oh God I can’t believe I just admitted I’m part of fandoms on the internet.
  17. I really want some fruit snacks.
  18. I can’t believe it’s only 9.
  19. What am I doing with my life.
  20. I need to stop snacking.
  21. I really need to pee.
  22. Why am I watching this video?
  23. It’s dumb.
  24. I need to blow up my flamingo again.
  25. I need to fill up my water bottle again.
  26. What am I supposed to wear tomorrow?
  27. Not real clothes that’s for sure.
  28. Why has my hall been so quiet today?
  29. I want to see Harry Potter again.
  30. I really wanted to read that book before I went to bed.
  31. Thank God I only had one panic attack today.
  32. Is it time for bed yet?
  33. How do you ask someone to be your penpal?
  34. HEY I WANT YOU TO BE MY PENPAL.
  35. I need to return those pants.
  36. Yeah that’s not how I thought they would look.
  37. I wonder how long this new layout will stay around.
  38. I need to peeeeee.
  39. Should I paint my nails or am I too lazy?
  40. Probably too lazy.
  41. Am I going to do my hair tomorrow?
  42. Probably not.
  43. Will Connor Franta ever notice me?
  44. Will Joe Sugg ever notice me?
  45. What is my hair doing?
  46. Seriously though, you can do better.
  47. Should I start posting poetry?
  48. Seriously need a haircut.
  49. I need to wash my sheets.
  50. I really want to go to Sheetz.
  51. I wish I could get verified on twitter.
  52. Still need to pee.
  53. Connor Franta though.
  54. Am I starting to like Connor more than Joe?
  55. What is life?
  56. Nope. Joe’s abs still win, sorry Connor.
  57. You’re a kid, stop rushing it.
  58. Welp, deep breaths.
  59. I have so many split end.
  60. That bio though.
  61. Is this making me seem shallow?
  62. Is there some sort of wolf outside?
  63. Nah it’s probably just a dumb ass already trashed from Thirsty Thursday.
  64. My back hurts.  A lot.
  65. I want to be supreme ruler of the world.
  66. I wonder if anyone is going to read all of these.
  67. Should I be done yet?
  68. I’m way too awkward for life.
  69. Why do people read my stuff?
  70. Should I have kept this a secret?
  71. Oh man I hope it’s over for you.
  72. That makes me a terrible person I’m sure.
  73. I want to live somewhere really cool.
  74. Can I go to bed yet?
  75. I need to get in shape.
  76. I need to find a new job.
  77. I miss Katie.
  78. I miss Lindsay.
  79. I miss Hannah.
  80. Thank goodness I’m seeing my family this weekend.
  81. Can I graduate yet? Seriously though.
  82. I have way too much on my mind.
  83. I need to find online classes for the summer.
  84. I want coffee.
  85. What color should I dye my hair next?
  86. Is tomorrow going to be another hermit day?
  87. I think my days are better spent alone, I’m happier that way.
  88. Where am I going to live next year?
  89. Who am I going to live with next year?
  90. I did really bad on that Model UN paper, I’m supposed to be good at that.
  91. Can I figure out how to be a professional blogger?
  92. Probably not.
  93. I need to shave.
  94. I want a relationship like Zalfie. That’s all I want.
  95. I have too many thoughts.
  96. Why do people read this nonsense?
  97. I wonder if influenster kicked me out of the voxbox I was supposed to get, I might cry if they did.
  98. I really need to clean my room.
  99. How do people look nice everyday? Will I have to do this someday?
  100. I need someone to entertain me.
  101. One hundred thoughts is probably too many.

Okay so there are my thoughts today. Sorry that it’s not a rant but I wasn’t feeling it, I don’t know my mind today. I’m beyond tired, incase you couldn’t tell. Don’t know why this is called rolling on the floor, my fingers just typed that up and seemed to like it.  So if you think you can answer any of these questions, PLEASE DO! Seriously they all need to be answered, so do it please, please, please. Thanks!

XOXO

Mary

 

A Few of My Favorite Things

Mary2 Comments

So I have told you guys a lot of things about myself, so it’s only natural for me to tell you more whether you like it or not. 

I have a lot of favorite things and I’m sure you guys have picked up on a lot of them so now here’s a list of just some more things.

I love anything Harry Potter.  I started reading the books in the forth grade but my mom wouldn’t let me finish them because she was worried I would get too afraid, so I actually saw all of the movies with my dad before I finished the books.  I have at least four shirts, along with a Gryffindor scarf.

I am obsessed with coffee to the point where I had to have a machine in my room even if I only use it once or twice a week since I usually just go to Dunkin or Starbucks to get my coffee with some free wifi.

I like Dunkin Donuts better than Starbucks.

I love to travel.

Onion bagels are the best kind of bagels in my opinon.

I have an odd obsession with turkey sausage.

I love my family, and I appreciate them a lot more now then I did when I lived at home.

My absolute favorite things were inherited from my grandmother and I would be so upset if anything happened to the necklace with the two cross pendants that I got form her.

I love being a barista even if the people are mean and rude, I like creating drinks and feeling like I’m actually good at something for once in my life.

I love shopping for other people.

I LOVE TO CROCHET!

I love Michaels craft store, it’s practically heaven.

I love to write books but I often stop about half way through the beginning.

I love to read.

I love my friends more then anything.

I try to make it my goal to make at least one person smile each day even if I’m having a terrible day.

I really have to pee so I’m going to end this post here and drive back to campus. Thanks for reading, it is greatly appreciated. Love you guys.

XOXO

Mary