my one post for summer

For a pretty large portion of my 26th summer here on earth, I have been a free bird, just roamin’ around doin’ whatever it is that I feel like doing. There have been two reactions when people hear that I haven’t worked for a month this summer… The first is usually “oh my gosh, I wish I had time off.” The second is “How could you EVER do that?!” I have cycled through both and am currently lying in a pool of “I am slightly bored, SOS.” which is really just pretty selfish.

You see, I only ever worked at a big girl job during the summer during one summer… and during that summer I used all 21 days of my PTO and had to wait about 5 months for it to be renewed. (oops) So, having a free summer wasn’t really even a long time coming or a new thing to me, but I knew that it was necessary before I embark on what is supposedly three of the most exhausting years of your twenties. Exhausting, but worth it. (I should clarify that.) {p.s. if you haven’t heard, which you probably have, I am going to work for K-Life Ministries as the Women’s Staff in Columbia… aka my life is about to be ruled by college, high school, and junior high girls and I could not be more pumped about it.}

During these 4 weeks of unemployment I have learned several things:

1. I have to force myself to shower. Maybe this shouldn’t be listed first, but it’s the most important. If you are a potential male suitor please know that I will gladly change this habit asap if need be.

2. When you have all of these plans to “deep clean” your house, it becomes the last thing you actually want to do. It sounded better to tell people who were gawking at me having a month off that “I have so many house projects to do.” rather than “Dude, I’m goin’ to the pool everyday lets be honest.”

3. When you have all day to go to the pool when it’s 106 degrees out for a month straight, you actually can find any excuse to not go. This is totally opposite of what I thought I knew to be true. The thought of going to the pool somedays was almost like me going and sitting on my stove with all 4 burners on high… terrifying.

4. This summer was a bad summer to have zero television connection in my house as the Olympics are about the best thing to ever happen in 2012. I’m not even a hipster, I’m just really cheap and don’t want to pay for DirecTV (mainly because their customer service sucks really bad and I think paying $100 for 75 channels is stupid.)

5. I am no better at sitting in 3 hour long movies than I was before. Me sitting still is also agitated by the fact that I am supposedly not allowed to laugh out loud, cough, make any kind of noise, or ask questions during the movie…

6. My daily schedule pretty much revolves around food, working out, reading, and more food. This is pretty much awesome and my idea of a good time.

7. I still am not a huge fan of talking on the phone or driving on the highway. But I am a fan of twitter (but please don’t abuse this… I really only like sarcastic/funny/cool people on twitter), texting, and emoticons.

8. I believe I was called to marry Ryan Lochte…. so all you chicks who think they’ve got it goin’ on and RL is their soulmate… lookout. I have been watching women’s water polo and learning from their vicious and brutal tactics and I am not afraid to dunk you like a boss.

9. Speaking of boss… the book of James is insanely packed with truths that are rocking my world via Beth Moore’s study “Mercy Triumphs”… if you want to be challenged, convicted, encouraged, and blown away by Scripture, I’d highly recommend this study! I also hope to one day be like Beth Moore… fashion and all y’all.

10. On another serious note: I am pretty blessed to be in this place of life. Although I’ve had my “moments”, one thing has stuck out in my mind the most during these past 3ish weeks… I am completely and utterly humbled to be able to live out such an exciting calling. I’m really stoked for what’s next and the people that I get to come into contact with. As I left my last job (which was pretty dang awesome too) I was so encouraged by the love that was sent my way and the encouragement that people think that I am “made for this”. Everything becomes more and more beautiful with time… thank God.

So, here is to good things ending and even better things to come!

Cheers! (with some club soda)
AG

lylas

So it’d be cool if I could just be consistent in blogging, right? Why. Is. It. So. HARD.?!?! I mean there are few things I’m fairly consistent at:

1. Loving ice cream/froyo/smoothies. Those can all be bundled into one.

2. Pinterest’ing. Yes… it’s an adjective.

3. Sounding like Jay Z when I rap.

4. Hating burpees. And yes, I mean HATE. It is a strong word.

5. Replying with “I don’t have cable!!!” whenever someone asks if I watch a certain show.

Blogging? It’s a different story… I’ve always thought that in order to  be a good blogger you have to pick one subject and stick to that. Most of my favorite blogs are house/diy OR fitness/nutrition. Most don’t blend them all into one. The other blogs that I read are either hilariously funny and make me check back regularly or are mom blogs and I want to poke my eyes out after seeing every single picture of their baby… {not that babies aren’t cute. But I don’t need to see you potty training… leave some things up to the imagination internetz.}

With that being said… I’m not going to pick just one subject and I am going to work harder at being more consistent by choosing subjects that I’m feelin’ that day. Ya with me?!

Now… Ready. Set. GOOOOOOOO.

Today’s subject = the fact that no matter what I do,
I will never not have thighs that rub together.

Ladies, are ya with me? Boiz, tune out if you want or read further so you can actually understand what we go through for like .5 seconds every second.

Lately I have been catching up with So You Think You Can Dance… gimme a HOLLA if you’re a fan. Those people have moves that I have never seen but then I try and practice them in my hall mirror to see if I can even look 1% that cool… usually I don’t even look .1% that cool. The problem is not how fantastic the show is, but the fact that when I am watching ballerinas float around in spandex for 3 episodes in a row of SYTYCD (aka 6 hours) I somehow think that I look like that even though my thighs rub together and you can put a book in between theirs. i don’t get it.

Now, this is not a “I feel so bad for myself” post. This is a WAKEUP AG, NO ONE IN THE POPULATION OF REAL WORLD AMERICA LOOKS GOOD IN SPANDEX WHY ARE YOU EVEN TEMPTED BY THIS. 

Another disclaimer: I would never actually wear spandex shorts in public, only in the privacy of my own home or my family members homes or maybe to Walmart on a Friday night because everyone there does it and it’s acceptable to look like a hot mess.

I found myself on Sunday night looking into the mirror while brushing my teeth {possibly doing some pop and lock moves} in my purple spandex shorts of glory and thinking… “yeah. let’s keep those babies under dresses and as pajamas. this is not a cute look for anyone whose name is not Sasha Fierce. But the bonus of these amazing purple spandex is that you cannot actually FEEL your legs viciously rubbing together trying to start a fire under your dress.” Again, I’m okay with it.

So there you have it folks… the harsh reality that spandex shorts are not your friend unless you dance or have bangin legs and your booty is actually pointing to heaven and then it’s fine or if you play volleyball and you’re forced to do it then it’s cool too.

… because who doesn’t think that’s hott?!…

Spandex leggings? That’s another story. I’d be lost without em.

Love ya Like Spandex,
AG

What’s Cookin’ Good Lookin’?

This weekend has been really good for my soul… sometimes you just need to step back from the chaos that is life and do things that make it seem a bit less chaotic. I have expressed to numerous people as well as to blogworld how bad I am at cooking… it was about 2 years ago that I signed up for the disaster that was Cake Making 101. A little over a year ago I was living life as a bachelorette with zero desire to grocery shop or cook… except for the one time I got bored with life and decided I wanted to gain the pounds I am now trying to lose by making cookies and berry crisp.

All that to say… my track record is TERRIBLE. I’ve basically gotten by somehow but I’m not sure how so don’t ask. 

The past few weeks that I’ve lived alone I have basically lived in my kitchen… for reasons unknown to me I have been cooking and baking up a storm. AND GET THIS. I haven’t poisoned myself or anyone else, people are asking for my recipes, and I think I kinda like this newfound hobby. Although my recipes are fairly basic, they work for me and within my nutrition goals and budget.

So… this week I’m going to invite you into The Little Green House’s kitchen to see what’s cookin up in here! Please don’t expect anything crazy… #1: I don’t even own a camera {well, I do, but I can’t find the battery charger…}. #2: I think my 11 year old cousin could probably make this stuff. #3: I basically eat meat and vegetables… gluten free {basically} and pretty much paleo-ish is what works for me. #4: I find things I like on Pinterest, blogs, or friends, and tweak it… so you may have seen this before. Like I said… don’t expect anything Cray Cray!

Standby folks. This week’s menu is pretty stellar: 
– Veggie packed Meatloaf with Free Range Organic Beef with my favorite Coleslaw Salad
– Spicy Honey Mustard Pecan Chicken with baked Avocado fries
– Peppered Salmon with Garlic Parmesan Edamame
– Sauteed Pesto Chicken/Veggie amazingness
– Spicy Turkey Burgers with avocado honey mayo and baked asparagus fries

annnnnd I may throw in a favorite dessert of mine that will have you slap your momma because you can’t believe how many calories aren’t in it… just sayin. 

back in a jiff…
ag 

Glittermania

This blogpost is dedicated to any and all gym goers in the United States of America. 

I have been frequenting the gym a lot in the past 5 and a half months mainly because of my New Years Resolution being taped and aired on the news… But it wasn’t until yesterday that I had my first REAL problem. 

I was minding my own beeswax on the treadmill with the TV attached to it due to cancelling my cable at my house and only being able to watch HGTV at the gym… yes, I do go watch House Hounters, First Time Buyers, Million Dollar Rooms, and all my other obsession HGTV shows on the treadmill or bike for HOURS. 2 birds. One stone. This is a post for another day.

Back to the story… minding my biz on the ‘mill when Miss Tan America Barbie comes bouncing up to the treadmill next to mine. Now, I have seen and been around these girls before AND I have Jesus in my heart but this was a whole new experience. 

Picture a not as pretty version of The Bachelorette, Emily Maynard, in Nike head to toe with a bumpit in her hair, some kind of a spray tan that had glitter in it (I’m assuming this is a new feature Mattel is advertising), copious amounts of hairspray and perfume, and at least 10-15 lbs of eyeliner. What the what?! 

My biz was interrupted and I was immediately choking on all the elements that were preventing pure oxygen from entering into my tender lungs. THANK THE GOOD LORD ABOVE that the treadmill was broken and she had to go somewhere else where I could watch her run like a gazelle with her poof not even moving…. oh wait, I wasn’t thankful for that. I was infuriated so I had to tweet about it… because isn’t that what you do when you want to talk about someone behind their back and they’re not on twitter?! {i’m joking mema.}

Immediately after Barbie graced my presence, a man who could’ve doubled as Arnold Schwarzenegger came over to the same broken treadmill. Now… I know I could’ve definitely said something like “Hey Mr. Governor, but the thang is broken.” but I’m sick and think it’s hilarious seeing people try to work a broken piece of workout equipment. IT’S NOT LIKE ANYONE WAS GETTING HURT OKAY?! lay off me. 

Arnold was POUNDING on the screen to get it to work until he finally looked over at me and mouthed something that looked like “What the ****?!” Not sure what the asterisks represented as I had Househunters blasting in one ear and Nelly in the other… yes. I had 2 sets of earphones in. I can’t be tamed. I just shrugged and giggled mainly because I thought I was suddenly transplanted in New Jersey where only guido’s and Barbies workout.

All that to say… ladies, get on my level. Wear an ugly t-shirt that you got for free from your work with your hair going in one million directions and your purple tennis shoes and two sets of earphones blasting your eardrums out. Because really, you look ridiculous with a bumpit in your hair regardless of where you are in the world, gym or not. 

Here’s to coughing up some glitter. 
ag 

dream job

It’s in my opinion that after college you have to experience about a million and five different things before you find what it is that you were truly “meant for”… for most of us. I was not one of those girls that knew she wanted to be a teacher at the age of 10, a doctor (that was halted when I realized math and science were involved & I peaced out on that dream), or a corporate executive. That was never me. EVER.

Since college I have been in a graduate program, started my own event planning company in another town than I’m in currently, a nanny, a homeschool teacher, an assistant to the CEO of a company, an assistant to a Project Manager at the same company, and now a general ole office assistant who sorts mail, hauls boxes, and keeps the office working so other people can work.

Let me say right here and now that this is in ZERO way bashing any of those jobs, companies, people, etc. DON’T GET IT TWISTED. Buuuut. None of those things are my “dream job”. Opening, sorting, and delivering mail for 7 hours on a Monday? Not ideal. But, at 25 going on 26 you learn to deal with it and you do it in order to have all Apple products and spray tan every Thursday. {disclaimer#2: i have said in haste that I’d never buy another apple product again but that was a big fat lie from Satan himself and I’m sorry that I uttered them. Also, yes, I spray tan, and no I don’t look like Snooki.}

this was me on Monday after doing Saturday mail which was 2 boxes and during Monday mail which was 3 boxes… happy camper!

Lately, when I tell “adults” what I’m doing with my life and where I’m going with it, people have started asking me, “Well, Ash… what’s goin’ on? What’s your dream job? What’s your passion?!” And to be honest I think I’ve given a different answer to each and every person that’s asked me just to keep the world on their toes… I like to think that my life is like a less horrendous and brutal Hunger Games and I’m being filmed on my own reality TV show at all times.

All that to say… ultimately, my dream job is to be a stay at home friend. Yes, you read it right. A stay at home friend. That way, I don’t have to deal with the kids aspect of being the oh so cliche “stay at home mom” and all that comes with it… I don’t have to be on point for my husband at all times… AND last but not least I get to choose my friends. Sooooo this seems like a huge Win Win situ, y’all.

So, who needs my resume for this? I’ll be happy to send it your way. You know you want this as your stay at home friend. I’m good at drinking margaritas and laughing.

cinco de busby… i like to move it move it!

**** stop reading here if you don’t like to be vulnerable, honest, or hear about my vulnerability/honesty***

In all seriousness though… I think that there’s a lot of things that would be a “dream” to do. And I firmly believe that I can do all of them in some kind of way throughout my life… but I think what’s an even bigger thing that we tend to not REALLY GET in our 20’s (okay, maybe it’s just me?!) is that peoples highlight reel that we’re seeing on facebook/twitter/blogs/whatever is not the reality and for us to compare them to what we know to be true of ourselves and our lives is certifiably crazy.

I’ve been guilty of it on more than one occasion, that’s for sure. All of that to say… I’m chasing my dreams down like Katniss searched for water in the Hunger Games (oh my gosh, I am obsessed)… one day at a time, one dream at a time, and one therapy appointment at a time. {keepin it real} Trying my best to not compare {shoutout K-Rob for the jar}. Trying my best to learn to accept my talents and my weaknesses. Trying my best to pinpoint what step is next…

xo,
AG

cat lady back again

Instead of starting this blog post off with an “oh my gosh I am so sorry I haven’t written in forever…” or a “yet again I have lacked in the area of blogging…” I will say “Hello, again friends, family (since I know those are the only ones who read this thing anyway), and the occasional creepster who read my deepest  and most thought provoking words… including, but not limited to, the latest and greatest at The Little Green House, my peeves and celebratory happenings, as well as anything else that I feel provoked to write about…. which could be just about anything at this juncture.”

I’m pretty sure that this newly re-found passion to blog again has stemmed from living by my lonesome, as well as being put into exile at a cube at work where I sort mail for a majority of my day where I believe that it’s okay to talk to myself… sooo this seemed like a healthy step before I start making myself think that adopting a cat would be an okay thing to do… which I contemplated doing last Friday.

Not. Okay.

All that to say… I’m back. In full force. So hold on to your seats because ISS GON GET CRAY UP IN HURR.

ag

p.s. i just realized that the lyrics to “alone” by heart was not “and now it KILLS me to the bone…” welcome back to my brainwaves y’all. lylas.

“The Death of Pretty”

What does it even mean for a man to HONORABLY pursue a woman? What does that even look like in 2012? I can tell you what it looks like in your mid 20’s in Columbia, Missouri…

 

Exactly. It looks like NOTHING. I’m not writing this out of spite or bitterness or even jealousy at all. I write it as a challenge to myself and also to hear opinions of men and women who are younger, my age, and older.

I recently read an article I found on a friends facebook page titled “The Death of Pretty” (you can find it here) that raised some GREAT questions in my little noggin. There has been a shift from women being called “pretty” {which conjures up the image of a nice, proper, sweet woman, who probably knits baby hats and tiny little dog sweaters for her maltese, and never ever uses a cuss words or speaks badly about other people} to “HOT” or “HOTT” if you’re in highschool {which conjures up an image of a Mizzou sorority girl… oops I mean a girl who you see out at da club wearing a too tight leopard printed dress that her LRB’s “fluff” out of, most likely extensions with 2 toned skunk hair but in a sort of cute way, gets all the attention from dudes, says “like” and “totes” 100-400 times in 2 minutes, and is the girl that every guy wants to take home}.

The best way I can describe this is through my good friend Miranda Lambert’s video “Only Prettier”…

So, where is the challenge? Why do we think we have to be the “hot/tt” girl to land the dude? Being the “pretty” girl doesn’t equal boring or tiny knitted baby dog sweaters! I read a quote that said “Keep your head, heels, and standards high.” I think that sums up the “pretty” girl well… more often than not the “pretty” girl is the girl who stays true to herself and to what she believes is the right thing to do… even if it doesn’t land her the guy. The “hot” girl dresses, acts, and looks like the girl that dudes wanna take home… not to have a nice conversation about politics.

I know both types of girls and I know for sure what group I fall in… not without the occasional “BUT! I WANT TO LOOK LIKE HER TO GET THE ATTENTION OF THAT GUY WHO IS IN ALL ACTUALITY A TOTAL AND COMPLETE JERK BUT IT’S F INE BECAUSE HE’LL FEED MY ATTENTIONOMETER FOR 5 SECONDS.”

AG, where is this going? Let me be frank. Girls… step it up and cut the crap. If you want to be respected by guys… if you want to quit the dramatic “oh em gee listen to what happened with frankie” (sidenote: who is frankie and why did that name come to my mind? no clue.)… if you want to end up with a guy who actually wants to be with you because he LIKES YOU AND WILL PURSUE YOU WITH HONORABLE INTENTIONS (oh my gosh that’s another blogpost for another day!) AND WILL TREAT YOU THE WAY YOU DESERVE TO BE TREATED… you will cut the crap and start respecting yourself enough to put away the tight little skankified zebra pleather suit and put on a sweet little cashmere sweater set… oh gosh there I go again with the stereotype. But you get my jist.

Now… let’s open Pandora’s box, shall we? Comment away with your thoughts on the article and “The Death of Pretty”. True or false?

AG

p.s. i still like “bad sandy” in grease… just sayin.

 

 

 

#twothousandandtwelve

My first post in 2012… I feel like I’ve completely forgotten how to blog, let alone WRITE at all. Since beginning this post I’ve already written, deleted, re-wrote, and debated if I used the right tenses of “write” correctly. God bless America.

2011 brought a lot and it also took a lot: It brought a new job that took a lot of teaching and humility {a LOT of the latter}. It brought new friends and took focus to remain close with old ones. It brought a home church, small group, and worship team and took a lot of “personal time” to become involved. It brought new focuses to light and took away a ton of old.

In an eggshell: 2011 was {in one word} CRAY. (if my grandmother is reading this cray = crazy) I barely blogged and I barely kept up with my own life. 2012 will be about slowing down, jogging not sprinting, cleaning things up, and focusing. Isn’t that what you say every year though?

Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you wanna see it) I was forced *read that as I volunteered* to be on the news on January 2nd. Here’s the story: I was going to work out with my trainer for the first time in the new year and there was a news guy there interviewing one of the trainers about new years resolutions and fad diets. Of course, he needed to interview a member of the gym about their resolution/diet… and of course yours truly was the choice pick for the interview. Therefore, I can’t go back on my word… what if they want to do a follow up story on my raging and wild success? I can’t be the loser of ABC in Columbia, nor can I have this dudes career just laying in my hands ready to ruin if I didn’t stay true to my story. {was that dramatic enough? of course i know that i am not the sole reason for success for this dude but DUH it’s called reverse psychology.}

Since January 2 I have been a pinaholic/pinwhore/psychopinner of motivational quotes, recipes, pictures, etc. Since January 2 I have worked out every single day with the exception of 2 (so okay, i’ve worked out 14 of 16 days). Since January 2 I have almost died at least 14 times on the treadmill and/or bosu ball. I have also realized that I am capable of a lot more than I give myself credit for and I’ve realized that I need to pray a lot more for my trainer because I feel terrible for her having to put up with me every.single.moment.of every.single.day. (note to self: pray same for future man in my life)

All that to say: 2012 is gonna be awesome, for the lack of a better word. In just the last 17 days I have loved 2012 way more than 2011… knock on wood and raise in praise (double whammy, you can’t go wrong with it).

Here’s to the renewed, found, and the lost.
ag

 

25 in twentyfive

When I turned 24 I wrote a blogpost about the 23 most fun things that went on during my 23rd year of life… that seems like forever ago as I look back on my 24th year here on Planet Earth.

• I lived 3 places
• Had 4 jobs
• Bought a house and a car and a dog
• Learned that I CAN indeed cook.. it’s just not my preference (at least i’m honest).
• Did some crazy kewl stuff on my bucket list
•  Strengthened relationships and made new ones
• Took a long hard look at who I want to be in the long term… not just in where I am in the moment.

This year for my 25th I want to make 25 goals for myself. Some will be ridonk and some will be serious. But for the sake of oversharing my life on the internetz I shall write them here:

• Tryout for the Bachelor.
• Change my name to “The Artist Formally known as Pocahontas”
• Pierce my cheek dimples
• Become a well known white female rapper through my antics on the Bachelor
• Fly a plane blindfolded
• Enter Bota in a dog contest… and win.

OKAY…. JOKEZ. JOKEZ. JOKEZ. We all know Bota wouldn’t win a dog contest.

But surriously.

1. Take a Hip Hop class {to become the next Beyonce minus the whole preggers thing}
2. Read a book a month {blogging about that later on}
3. Visit NYC {never been… this is sad.}
4. Take a “retreat” this winter to read, write, and be still.
5. Cook dinner majority of the week… slash pack my lunch.
6. Spoil my little cousin/nephew rotten {due ANY DAYYYYYY}
7. Record my own album {with my own songs and some favorite covers!}
8. Plan more weddings & partays
9. Learn how to play the piano
10. Be a vegetarian for 1 day a week {save the planet folks.}
11. Get on the news {hopefully for something good instead of bad??}
12. Be a part of a flash mob {and then possibly become a professional flash mobber}
13. Assemble care packages for homeless people and give them out downtown como
14. Learn to coupon {maybe this is my key to fame?! TLC anyone?}
15. Go on a blind date {i’m completely afraid to type this.}
16. Run a marathon {yup. 2 years in a row on the bucket list… hmm}
17. Go on a kayak trip
18. Go to a real wine tasting at a real winery.
19. Learn how to take great photo’s
20. Play more golf
21. Memorize a book of the Bible {most likely Ephesians}
22. Play more basketball
23. Practice more Yoga
24. Actually train my dog… challenges challenges
25. Share my “pilgrimage story” to a large audience

Oh 25… you scare me. Quarter life crisis- anyone care to join me?!

AG

{and just for kicks and giggles… a picture of me in my youth. oh how far i’ve come.}

Audition update!

I am officially 3 days away from hopping in my car and driving 2 hours to STL, checking into my Delta flight that will take me to San Francisco by way of Minneapolis & LA, getting in the car with my dear friend Clancey and her hubby Noe & sweet baby boy Baylen… which will take me 3 days later to Daly City, California right outside of San Fran to audition for THE VOICE… ummm… say WHAT?!

A month and a half ago when I fully dove into this dream of mine I honestly thought the day would never come… my friend Betsy cracks me up and always jokes about (slash half serious) praying for the rapture to come before a big event that is somewhat nervewracking. I didn’t pray for the rapture on this one BUT I seriously did think that something would de-rail these plans… I’m still waiting… I’m just really excited to get there and drive across the Golden Gate Bridge- maybe then it’ll seem like real life. I stinkin’ LOVE san fran and am sooo excited for all that I get to do while I’m there aside from auditioning!!!

But.. let’s be honest- I don’t want to bore the whole world wide interwebz with my travel itinerary. You want to know the nitty gritty:

– How does the audition process go? Is it like American Idol? Do you have to chose from a song list?
– What song are you doing?! Do you get to use an instrument?
– Do you get to bring someone with you so when you make it through it’s this glorious American Idol-ish moment and you cry with a golden ticket in your hand and they show a reel of your life and what got you through to the next round even though you’re really not a good singer?! (oh gosh… rant and rave. sorry.)
– What are you wearin’ girl?! What’s your hurrdo gonna be?! Most importantly, what shoes are you wearing?!

So… let me attempt to answer your questions based on things I’ve heard from a friend of a friend who tried out, what I’ve read on the website, and my own pure imagination (scary).

1. The audition process is {thankfully} NOTHING like American Idol. We’ve all seen on TV how they have to stand outside an arena for hours on end (some even camp… refer to this post if you don’t know my feelings on camping)… that looks horrendous. NBC has it figured out…. the first step is registering for the audition (which I did a month & a half ago). A week before you audition they send you an e-mail with your registration packet. This includes the venue you will go to and the time you need to show up. After you show up for your call time you do have to wait in line a little bit (we’re talking a couple hours) but not anything like the chaos that is Idol on Fox.
           Then, I will be ushered into a room with 9 others {10 total} and one by one we will get to sing a verse and a chorus…. my future relies on a minute + thirty seconds…. SKURRY. Right after I sing they’ll tell me if I make it through to the next round or not. The next round will then be in “an undisclosed location” in September or October for 1-2 weeks (I’m assuming this is when they decide if you make it to the TV round where you audition for the coaches- Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilara, Cee Lo Green, and Adam Levine)… if I make it through that round I’ll go to another location for 4 weeks in November & December. (I’m assuming that’s when they film the auditions for the coaches and the next round which is the battle rounds)… if I make it through THAT then I’ll be in LA May-June for the live rounds…!

2. What song am I doing? That’s a great question. I DON’T KNOW YET. (don’t judge me) I have a few that I’m thinking about but nothing solid as of today… my plan is to record a few on my Mac, post them to Facebook, and have my friends “judge” me… My main criteria is that it’s something soulful, represents me as an artist, something I can be proud of, and lets my range show. We will see.

3. Negative. I don’t get to bring ANYONE with me… kind of sad but also kind of exciting. I need to put the big girl panties on and be confident in myself by myself… the plan is to get to know everyone around me, be a little “Kampy” {aka outgoing, loud, bubbly}, and tell my story to a lot of people so they’re more likely to put me through… selfish? Maybe. strategy? ABSOLUTELY. Everyone wants to see the girl with a story on TV who is fun and bubbly… I’d like to think I’m those things. I will miss my fam though… Wish me luck.

4. What am I wearing? I am playing up my midwest girl thing… as of today (this may change) I am wearing a JCrew coral, white, and yellow dress {short, light and breezy, looks good with my skin tone, comfortable} and my cowboy boots… howdy y’all! Don’t know about the hair yet but most likely the standard loose curls with braided bangs. Big earrings and bracelets, my mom’s engagement ring, my dad’s ring he gave me when I was little, and I may try and incorporate the rest of my family somehow… if they’re lucky 😉 (remember… playing up “the girl with the story from the midwest in big ole San Francisco by herself” thing)

5. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT…. that should’ve honestly been #1. But… I’m not rearranging now. I have been extremely blown away by the support of my friends and family during this whole shabang. People I’ve never met before are “liking” my page on Facebook, co-workers are wishing me well (most of whom I’ve never spoken with before and I had no idea they even knew who I was), my family is drowning me with affirmation… thank you thank you thank you!

If you haven’t “liked” my page on Facebook yet please go HERE… you can stay tuned there, on my personal facebook page, and on my twitter (found HERE).

Also- my little cousin Austin Kolb recorded an album with his band “living loose” a few weeks ago and graciously allowed me to storm some tracks… You can buy it HERE ! Personal faves:  Free Your Mind {i have a solo verse! very jazzy… very yummy},  Freight Train, Ruthie {clarifying pause: not because of who it’s about… but because the lyrics are AMAZING. I can substitute a certain someone for that song and identify and feel like I wanna claw his eyes out… too much?} and Stars. No pressure… but it’s amazing. Aaaand… he’s expecting a baby in September- with every album bought is another diaper bought… {peer pressure!}

Enough of my rambling… thank you again, stay tuned, and i love lamp!

AG