Thursday, February 13, 2014

On Lists.

Who else has had just about enough of the trending articles featuring lists of obscure opinions?  Is it just me, or have Facebook and Twitter become one long collection of editorials disguised as numbered lists? 

"41 Reasons Nieces and Nephews Prepare You to Be the Best Parent" 
"10 Reasons Lesbian Break-Ups are Worse than any other Break-Up" 
"22 Conversations Every Cat Owner has had with their Pet" 

Don't get me wrong, I love a good list as much as the next girl. In fact, I could make a list about why I like lists. 

Lists are sequential, and therefore easy to read. Also, most lists are titled in a no-non-sense way that lets the reader know exactly what they will be reading and for how long: "17 Things You Should Know Before Dating a Runner." No more, no less. Cause ain't nobody got time for that. Furthermore, in today's attention-deficit world, a list can be understood by scanning the numbered headers and hastefully ignoring the sub-content. Quick and easy.  

However, since when did people start getting published for quick and easy material

Another thing I am wondering: who decides how many numbers compose the final list? Are there only 19 reasons why "being a late bloomer made you a better person," or are those in fact the 19 most important reasons? I imagine the author of the article "21 Signs You were Raised by Lawyers" sitting at his computer, writing the 21st ambiguous indicator of lawyer parents and thinking, well, that's all I got.  And then the beauty of the list, is that a conclusion isn't even necessary.  21. The End.

In fact, I could have made this post into a numbered format with ease, but I thought I'd spare the satire for another post.  

You're welcome.  


Sunday, February 2, 2014

An Ode to Mustang Sally

Allow me to begin by saying this: I got a new car over Christmas break, and for that I am beyond thrilled. I could not possibly be more grateful. 

However, the new purchase is replacing my very first vehicle.  When I was sixteen I got a 2006 Ford Mustang. It was a cherry red cloth top.  We bought it because my dad said blondes look good in red convertibles...


I adored that car.  My summers were made infinitely better just by cruising down the parkway with the top down.  I measured my days by whether or not they were "top down" appropriate, and my favorite days were driven with the top down with the heat on, wrapping my legs in a warm embrace.  

That car brought me to my first date with Loverboy.
Got me in my first accident (one of the most memorable life lessons I've received.)
Got me to highschool graduation. 
Drove me to college.
Picked up my little sister when she couldn't drive.
Offered me an extra hour in the sun in traffic on the way home from the beach. 

I even learned to pump gas on that car...








And this morning, February 2nd 2014, Groundhog day and Superbowl Sunday, my parents drove off onto I-64 north toward New Jersey in my precious red car.  I think there is a Mustang-shaped hole in my heart. 




On the bright side... it is a cold, rainy Sunday with expected freezing rain and snow over night.  I don't anticipate my parents putting the top down any time soon, and I think I'll get good use out of the four wheel drive of my new SUV.  Her name is Nissan Nina. She's red too.





 

**disclaimer: My dad is keeping Mustang Sally at least for a little while.  So as Loverboy put it, it's like I'm going off to college and I'll see her on breaks :) I can't be totally heart broken just yet...

The Closest I've Ever Come to Dying

I am almost positive that I just came the closest I have ever come to dying.  

Every time I take one of the classes in the Les Mills Grit Series I experience one of the most intense 30 minutes of my life.  Tonight? The first of the cardio series.  I pushed myself in the last set of sprints to be the first to finish like I've never pushed myself before.  I was successful. And then I wanted to let my shaking legs collapse and drown in my own puddle of excessive sweat.  Just kidding. (?) 

As a result, I am still trembling slightly even as I type this - two hours post work-out.  During the 30 minute training I reached my maximum heart rate, kept it there, and burned 402 calories. Impressive enough for a half hour workout.  And then I let my heart rate monitor do it's thing for another hour after the class.  In that hour post-Grit, I sat my butt down in the Gym's lounge, drank a bottle of water and a protein shake, and burned another 400 calories. 

In concluesion: 30 minutes of Grit + 60 minutes of nothing = 802 calories burned.  
Thank you, Les Mills After Burn Effect :) 

And now excuse me while I go work on my Beach Body some more...Body Pump up next.
PS: Check out what other high intensity classes Beach Body has to offer here







Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Fresh Faced and On The Go


So posting patterns indicate that I had spare time at the very beginning of this semester, and at the bitter end.  

However, little down time is typically a good thing in my book.  I cannot deny that I like to keep busy.  Let me walk you through a typical day in my new life in Huntington, WV:

6:00 am wake up call
6:30 gym
7:30 am shower/breakfast/get ready/etc.
8:30 am work at the preschool/on campus
4:00 pm work at the restaurant
10:00 pm come home to do homework
11:00 pm bed time 

Depending on the day, I might babysit instead of work on campus, or I might drive an hour to class instead of work at the restaurant.  But you can understand the general gist. 

Not a whole lot of "me time" thrown into my 15 hour days.  
Aside from staying busy, another quality you might already know about me is that I like to at least appear somewhat put together in public.  I believe in looking refreshed even when I am not feeling as such.  So how does a graduate student/teacher's assistant/babysitter/waitress attempt to look "fresh" all day long?

The perfect long lasting makeup. 



Thank you, Arbonne, for keeping my fresh face on from 8 am until 8 pm. 


The #1 tool in my toolkit is Arbonne's makeup primer.
You guys, I never before thought I needed primer, but this has become absolutely indispensable to my daily regimen.  It is smooth and lightweight, and when put on before my foundation, keeps that in place all day long.  For the days that I am too rushed to put on foundation, I simply put on a layer of primer to give me an instant glow sans the ugly appearance of my pores. 

But even before I apply my miracle primer - I use the products from the Calm line: 
Soothing Eye Gel to relieve the puffiness from the long day prior, and,
Soothing Serum and/or Daily Moisturizer to lock in moisture for the entire day.  



Another tool I keep up my sleeve? Arbonne's mattifying powder.  This translucent powder can be put under or over make up, and erases that unwelcome oily sheen I undoubtedly acquire running through a warm restaurant.  


Some other favorite finishing touches: 


Before: 

After:


And way-way-after: 


Exhausted, yes, but makeup is still in tact, am I right? 
(All three pictures taken on the same day, one at 8:00am, 8:30am and 9:00pm) 

I know I'm not the only crazy multitasking woman out there - if you're anything like me and going nonstop for 12+ hours of the day, go ahead and request a sample of any of these products. I'd be happy to help :) 

mkyelencsics{at}gmail{dot}com

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Nashfest

You guys, I am counting down the hours until 10/9c.
 Nashville returns for Season 2 and I just cannot contain my excitement.  If you haven't seen it yet, you should catch yourself up because it is juicy, scandalous, fashion-forward, sparkly, musical and everything I could ever ask for in an hour of television drama.  


I want to be Rayna James. For obvious reasons.



I think I came pretty darn close this past weekend when I escaped to Music City without any help from cable television.  

A dangerous yet telling picture of my top-downride through Kentucky. Beautiful! 
You're the only Ten I see. 
Friday morning I lugged my make-up bag, cowgirl boots, as much bling as my Vera Bradley could tote and multiple variations of a typical country-glam outfit I imagine Rayna James might wear.  I drove the 5 hours through Kentucky and into Tennesse to Vanderbilt University where my dear friend and former roommate currently resides.
I for sure felt like Rayna pulling up to Sarah's gated community. So Vandy.


I spent two full days in Nashville - just enough time for me to fall in love.
My mom says I can't move there, but I say if someone discovers my talent and needs me to move she will have no choice.  Anyone want to provide me with some talent?

Here's a peak into my Nashfest love affair:


 We started off our first evening with a Nashville Must: "Hot Chicken."  The spicy fried chicken was hot and crunchy and made for the perfect left overs after a late night out as well :)
 


 On day two, we used CitiBikes to tour downtown. It usually costs $5 for the day to rent a bike, but because everyone is no dang nice in Nashville, the nice man gave them to us for free because we had to wait a few minutes for an additional bike. Can you imagine? Free. No credit card information or even a phone number to reach us if he never saw those bikes again. I love southern hospitality.

Our tour was amazing and no words or pictures can describe how much fun I had. Love love love.




Luke Bryan?!! Is that you?! 

Sarah girl and I overlooking the Nashville Skyline 

"Legends Corner," one of many honky tonks downtown. This picture was taken at 2pm, there was standing room only and everyone had a drink in their hand!
I will be doing this for my bachelorette party. Ladies get ready.  

At night we made reservations to have dinner at "The Listening Room." The atmostphere was phenomenal.  Four songwriters perform live on stage - some songs you know because they have been sung by popular artists - and some are unfamiliar but amazingly personal and intimate.  Oh, and the local-brewed beer on tap wasn't too bad either! 

 Downtown at "Big Bang," a totally awesome dualing piano bar.  For sure the highlight of night two.




Thanks so much for showing me your new city, Sarah! Loved every second of it. Can not wait to make my second debut in Music City.

Until next time
xoxox



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Soda Pop

Someone laughed at me for saying "soda" today.  Really. 

Because 'round these parts we say "pop" ya'll.  


And here's a picture of Loverboy sippin on some pop in CHAD PENNINGTON'S personal suite. Too cool.   

xoxoxo

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Recently in WV

One thing's for sure, I've been keeping busy since moving to Huntington.

Weekday mornings are spent on campus:
 a) working at the on-campus STEM preschool (more on those cute little West Virginians later) 

or b) working in an office doing graduate-assistantship-shtuff 


Weekday evenings are spent:
a) going to class
b) submitting homework assignments
or c) working at my new restaurant job


Weekends are spent:
a) going to football games ... Go Herd!

b) having some fun with my awesome coworkers

c)more fun




More on life in good 'ol Herd Country when I'm not doing one of the above :) 

xoxoxo


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