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Saturday, May 14, 2011

Bike + Breean = Bad Ass (well kinda...)

No...this isn't me...
                                                                 and neither is this...

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...but it should be! 

I've always wondered what it would be like to ride a motorcycle and now I know...

After riding the first couple of times with Brian, I immediately felt like I should be robbing a bank, shooting at mobsters, being chased by cops or scheduling an appointment to get a tramp stamp tattoo. 

(Brian quickly told me there would be no tramp stamps on his bike)

I don't know if it's the speed or the bike attire, but there's something about it that makes me feel like I could have easily been casted as Cameron Diaz in "Knight and Day." Easily...

The only thing I can't figure out is how to take my helmet off and have that "movie star flowing hair." 

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You know, the kind that is blowing in the wind and looks exactly like it did before you smooshed it into a helmet, sweated and then let the wind have it's way for a good half hour. Yeah, that kind. 

Something else I have learned is not to point at things that I would normally point out in the car. For example...we were on our way to my dad's and I noticed that this new sushi place was opening up. I got excited..and (naturally) pointed it out to Brian. Little did I know, that he thought I was pointing for him to turn. My bad! Now I just keep my hands down and remember to tell him about the sushi bar opening!!


So now that you know that riding on a bike makes me feel like...well, kind of a bad ass...here I am!


This IS me (on the back)...just clarifying since Christin said you couldn't even tell I was a girl...
....and yes...I am smiling under the helmet (like a total dork)! 

Friday, April 29, 2011

It's not THAT hard...

It goes without saying that my name is brutally mispronounced on a daily basis. I mean, I've been called everything from Fran, Brian, Bren and Bran (yes, like the Flake). Someone actually said (after I corrected them) "Oh, good...I was wondering what kind of parents would name their kid Bran..." Really?? It especially used to surprise me when my teachers/professors could pronounce names like Tahaiesa or Mikhail...but I get it. It's just different...and I'm totally ok with it! I just thought I would take this opportunity to share the meaning(s) behind my names and why they are what they are. Here ya go...no more excuses!!

Breean (Celitc. Meaning: Strong One): The correct pronunciation (that my parents and family use) is Bree-un. Because I wasn't born in the South and my mom is not Southern, there is no accent on my name. It wasn't until we moved to South Carolina that my name turned to Bree-Anne. If you have met my family you will notice that they all call me Bree-un. I will answer to both but not to Breeana or Breen...just an FYI. My name is actually misspelled, too. The "correct" spelling is Brianne but my parents forgot how to spell it when I was born and just made something up. Don't hold it against them...a woman in labor for 24 hours can spell their child's name however they want!! According to some English professors of mine, it's grammatically incorrect, too. The "English language" says that you aren't allowed to have three vowels together. Stupid...who really cares...I was named after the actress Brianne Leary. Apparently she had some rolls in "Chips" and a few other TV shows, but I don't know anything else about her. I have met a few other people with the same name as me (spelled differently of course) but, nonetheless, we are all super cool people. I have also noticed that there are very few people who spell my name correctly. They can pronounce it right, but spelling is a whole other ball game. I've seen Breeann, BreAnne, Brean...not that it matters, the "you spelled that wrong" line comes up under all of them on the computer! Despite the fact that I can never find my name on souvenirs or trinkets such as key chains, coffee mugs or note pads...I really like having a different name. It's turned out to be a great conversation-starter!

Caroline (Latin. Meaning: Beautiful Woman): My middle name. Probably one of the most common names in North AND South Carolina but I love the meaning behind my middle name. My dad is originally from SC while my mom is from "The Great" Pacific Northwest. They had all three of us in California where we were raised for a few years. When I was born, my dad never thought he would live in South Carolina again and gave me the name "Caroline" so that he always had a piece of home close to him. Atleast, that's the story I've been told. I don't care if it's not true...I love it! I wasn't named Caroline because I was born here or because it's the most common "southern belle" name in the South, but because my dad wanted me to have more than just his last name...he wanted me to continue his southern tradition.

Tate (English. Meaning: He Who Brings Happiness): First of all, let me clarify...I am not related to Sharon Tate. I get asked that on the regular. Like I was affected by the Marilyn Manson spree or something...not so much. Anyways, I have to spell out "Tate" probably as much as I have to spell out and correct "Breean." I have had numerous people spell it "Tait"or "Tayte." The worst...? Yes, I have had people pronounce it "Taint." A girl at the tanning bed wrote "Taint" down on the sign in sheet...I looked at her and said "...Really...?? Come on!!" Another interesting rendition to my last name is when I worked at the hotel. The Spanish-speaking housekeepers kept pronouncing it Ta-Te'... somehow I can understand that alot more than "Taint." Geeeezzzz.....!! Come on people!!

So now, I would like to thank all who have tried (and few who have succeeded) at pronouncing and spelling my name(s) correctly. I greatly appreciate it!

Keep it going!! What does your name mean? Funny stories? Come on...SHARE!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

10 Things I am Currently Sick Of...

I don't get annoyed quite as easy as some do, but there are certainly plenty of things that I am sick of. I am not perfect (by any means) so I am not preaching here...simply my opinions.
Here are my top 10 (in no particular order)...

#1. How society has created this idea that "if it makes you feel good do it..." There are no boundaries or standards set anymore...especially for kids. Whether it is respect for elders, "experimenting" with your sexuality, popping pills like it's a Pez dispenser or settling for second best. There's always an excuse for something or a prescription to hand out because someone is a little unhappy with the way things are. It's LIFE! It's not supposed to be fun all the time. No one promised you rainbows.

#2. Obama...no explanation necessary.

#3. Foursquare on Facebook. I don't care where you are ALL the time. But if were a stalker, I would absolutely love to follow your every move. From your parent's house...to McDonald's....to work...to home...Is it all really necessary?

#4. Listening to people continue to use the excuse of the economy as to the reason they have been "feeding" off unemployment for 3, 4, 5 years. Really?!? Get off your lazy butt and get a freaking job at Burger King. I was unemployed for six months and, if you apply yourself, you can find a job.

#5. Beiber hair. I understand it's "trendy" but just cut your hair and stop flipping it to one side. Just because all the girls are screaming hysterically over Justin Beiber...doesn't mean they are going to scream over you because you have the same hair style.

#6. Hearing how horrible bullying is. Now, I don't think bullying is right, but I think that's part of growing up. I was bullied...everyone probably has been. And you learn to "be the bigger person." Yes, there were days in middle and high school I would go home and cry, but you either learn how the be the best at revenge or you just move on. I know there wasn't social media or smart phones when I was growing up, but there was still plenty of mean things to do to people. It helps you grow up, become a stronger person, and get ready for LIFE.

#7. Everyone trying to figure out the "best" way to loose weight. Why don't you just work out and eat better?? Seriously...you don't need this huge crash diet, these pills, those shakes...I understand everyone is different and some things don't work for everyone, but now that shows like"The Biggest Loser" have shown us that being committed to diet and exercise work...why not try it!?!

#8. Whiners. I can't handle the people that whine about everything. I mean, people who complain about it being too cloudy one day and too bright the next....Things are as bad as YOU make them...I bet if you looked at life as "the glass is half full" you will be alot happier.

#9. Cold weather!! I am so ready for Spring and Summer! Bring on the Bar-B-Q's, pool side weekends and sun dresses!

#10. Bad movies. It's been hard to find a good movie recently. They all seem to (a) either have the same story line or (b) are so cheesy I can't stand it! Hopefully, those Hollywood people stop being so predictable and...weird!!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Catfish, Cranes & Crosswords

This weekend Adam invited me to go night fishing with him at a lake that supposedly is full of catfish.
Now, to the normal person a catfish might be a foot...foot-and-a-half long, right? Well, I did. Atleaset until I walked up to the building in front of the lake and saw pictures of a 6-foot catfish! Apparently these horrible looking things are like gold fish and grow as big as their surroundings allow. Learn something new every day...huh?!

Another thing I learned Saturday is that I adapt quite well to new surroundings. Like the outside, for example.
If you don't know already I prefer make-up, heels and my heat set at 70 degrees. My sister claims all the outdoor, sporty and athletic genes that were allotted for the Tate children...but I'm okay with that. I can make it work when necessary. So, back to my impeccable outdoor adaptation skills. We got to the lake around 5:30 that evening and set-up "camp" as I would like to refer to it (only because I don't know all the technical terms for Adam's fishing tools). It was chilly, but it was so nice to get away from everything for a brief time and enjoy eachother's company. We cast out our three rods and waited.
  And waited.
       And waited.
I had only been fishing once in my life (years ago) prior to Saturday, so the time that you have to set aside for just waiting was astounding. I was sure that the chicken livers and shrimp would scream "here fish-y, fish-y" the instant it settled. Wrong. Don't get me wrong, I had no where to be, no one waiting on me and I was excited to spend time with Adam while learning new things. I was just concerned that maybe catfish migrate or know the "fish hook drill." I was told neither hypothesis was correct. Although we went to the lake to catch catfish, we ended up being entertained by a few other things.

One of the first things we noticed when we set up "camp" was that this place
was apparently a Mecca for all stray cats. I love cats. I have two. But when there are about seven cats and two kittens watching you for hours, it becomes a bit uneasy. One black cat would perch next to me and just stare. I felt like it was reading my mind! The white cat would sit in front of Adam and do the same...weird. Although the cats starring at us and eating the majority of our bait when we walked to the other side of the lake is entertaining, that is not the main cat story. Like I said, there were two kittens. One was lively and easily entertained. But it was the second one that broke my heart. It was laying under the porch all night crying like a baby. I've heard cats make just about every noise, but this noise was painstakingly sad. Every time it would try to get up, it would shiver and fall back down. The palm-sized kitten was extremely sick. It cried for hours without any of the other cats coming to it's aid. We walked by it towards the end of the night and I put the rest of the chicken livers next to it's mouth and gave her a nudge. She just started crying and could not get up. Her body was nothing but fur and  bones. I am sure that she died that night. The most interesting thing about that heartbreaking scene was that despite the  kittens cries for help, not one of the cats would go near it. Their instincts kept them at a distance as if they didn't want to get "sick" either...so sad to watch but ironically very interesting.

We were still waiting for a fish. Just one!! One that I was almost dreading to see. I honestly did not want to pull a 6-foot anything out of the water. We knew they were interested only because every time we reeled in, our bait was gone... but nothing. It did become quite funny when the crane came out of the woods,though. Because I am not very good at estimating things(time, weight, length, distance...numbers) I am going to say that the crane was also 6-feet-ish. Mostly legs  (think Heidi Klum) but still a huge bird. It would walk slowly out into the water and just stand there. For what seemed like hours. Then all of a sudden it would snap it's beak into the water and come up with a fish! What?!? Wait...we had been  sitting outside for hours with bobbers, bells, chicken livers, shrimp and expensive fishing rods and this bird comes out of the woods...empty handed...and grabs two fish without breaking a sweat?! I was perplexed to say the least. I understand that it's nature and all, but I still think that bird was just showing off.

Thankfully, I could avert my attention from the non-existent catfish, the crying kitten and the cocky crane to my crossword puzzle. Come to find out, Adam and I are a good crossword puzzle team. He is better at them than I am so I focused on the easy puzzles.  Six of them to be exact. Only interrupting the silence to ask what a butter imitation is or what the word for a Russian czar is. I munched on chex mix, beef jerky and my faithful Mt. Dew throughout the night until the chill started to settle in. We casted out a dozen times over the hours and walked around the lake a few times to get our blood pumping. Around 11:00 Adam's step dad stopped by to check on us and helped Adam get some fire wood. I was totally impressed when Adam walked out of the woods with a tree. Yes, you read that correctly. He knocked over this old rotted tree that was also around 6 feet-ish and carried it over to our "camp."

The only time I panicked was when Adam was in the woods getting firewood and I heard the "alert" bell-thingy on my rod.  Adam had attached it to my rod because my bobber didn't have a light on it and I would know when something was "hooked."  Neat little contraption, I must say. It was loud enough to interrupt my deep thoughts about what a North American deer is  called while I was working on my 5th crossword puzzle of the night. So,I stood up, focused on my bobber...than my bell...then my bobber again. It rang again! Oh my gosh! Adam and his step dad were well into the woods and I was nervous to yell because I was sure all the fish would scream "swim away" like they do in Finding Nemo. Before I could make a decision,  one of Adam's bobbers started moving back and forth, too! Even if I knew what I was supposed to do with a fishing rod and a 6-foot creature on the end of it, there was no way I could have managed two rods and 12-feet of fish! I yelled...twice. Adam came running only to reel in our lines and find all the bait missing. He did show me earlier in the night what I was supposed to do when I caught something, but amidst the adrenaline and the fear of facing a whiskered fish, I felt that yelling for the guy would work just fine. I never said my adaptation skills included fishing, ok?! I was learning...just at a very slow pace.

Despite the crying cats, cocky cranes and missing catfish, I truly enjoyed my first night fishing trip. Even if you think you're not the outdoor-sy type, you should definitely give it a shot. I learned alot about the techniques behind fishing and that it's not just about throwing some string into water with a worm attached to the end. I learned alot about the way fish "hunt" for their food, that some eat on the bottom of the lake while others prefer eating from the surface. I learned that the two beavers in the lake like to eat catfish and therefore would make it difficult to catch anything. But after everything, I learned why it's called fishing and not catching. 


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Ohhh...What to Wear!

Could a routine become interesting through words?  Write about a person (perhaps you) caught up in a daily routine.  Establish a rhythm with the story’s words that impersonates the rhythm of the routine. --Mama Kat


Showered...check.

Shaved...check.

Make-up on...check.

Hair dried...check.

Now to get dressed. The longest process of my morning (sometimes afternoon...) routine.

First and foremost, what color is my eyeshadow today? Brown-ish, gray-ish, or pink-ish...?? Ok, more along the lines of brown-ish...well, sort of tan. What's the name of this eyeshadow?? I must dig through my make-up basket and find out!!!

10 minutes later...

...so no red outfits today.

Nevermind...we'll start with the pants. Or should I wear a skirt? Leggings? What's the weather going to be like today?? I'll just go downstairs, turn on the TV and check the weather...

Wait!! What Not to Wear is on right now?!! Super!! I've never seen this one!

30 minutes later...

So I missed the weather report. Well, it looks like it's going to be nice. I'll choose jeans just in case it gets chilly.

Pants...check.

Now, which jeans??
 
  Dark wash?
   Light wash?
    Straight leg?
       Boot cut?
       
Ok...since the light wash isn't my favorite and I'm having a "fat day" I won't choose the straight leg. By process of elimination I have chosen my dark wash, boot cut jeans.

Now...hhmmmm...what color top?? No navy colors because I don't feel like matching my blues together. No black or gray because my eyeshadow is brownish. Lets do........

uuummmm............white! That's simple. Right??

Now to try on.
   Nope, that ones too see-through. 
     Nuh-uh...that ones too short. 
       Ugh...this one shrunk! 
         No way..that one looks like a hoochie shirt!! 

 15 minutes later...

AAAhhhh....this one looks cute...simple white shirt! Now turn around and make sure you look just as cute going as you do coming!! Yep!! I do!! Now the shoes...

What are my plans today?? I'm not working. I'm not lounging around. I think I'll go and walk around downtown. Yes! My boots!! Perfect!! Tan boots with a slight heel!!

Jewelry...I like gold. Matte gold. Nothing flashy.  Try on several so you don't think about which one you should've worn all day. Ok..I'll wear my gold hoops, long beaded necklace, thick leather watch, gold ring and...that about does it!!

Turning off the radio and checking myself a couple times in the mirror...change my shoes a couple of times until I end up with the same boots I started with.

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall...
  Sweater? No.  
    Different earrings? No! 
      Bracelet with the watch? Too much!
        Hair up? Leave it alone!

Just leave already!!!

In the car turning on the radio...dang it!! I forgot perfume!!!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Just Keep Swimming...

You know when life starts to wear you out? I mean to the point where you just grind your teeth and fight your way through the day.  You feel like you walk around like this all the time:



Well, like you, I have days like that. The sound of the gas light reminding you that you don't have gas money. The "you've got mail" man that reminds you of the bills that are due. The ringing of the phone when the credit Nazis are calling you non-stop to let you know that your student loans are still prominent...and collecting interest. Or...the days from years ago that sit in your memory and slowly eat away at your confidence. The people whose voices constantly remind you that you're not worth their time. The anger that consumes your mind and makes you go through the "what if's" and "I should have's." All the things you can't change but somehow still take over your happiness. Everything just seems to stare at you a little like this:




I know...you can't just shake something that size starring back at you. Sometimes I just have to take a deep breath and remind myself that I am doing the best I can with what I have. I'm not living outside of my means. I'm not miserable. I'm not overwhelmed. And although I am happy, I still wonder how I let all those things hypnotize my life for so long...making me feel like this:





Taking on those issues by myself without looking in the right place now makes me so squirmish. I look back and all I can see myself doing is this:




So dumb.

I am finally at the point in my life where I have surrendered the most important aspects of my life to God. Entrusting my job, my relationships, my finances and my future in Him is so freeing. I have forgiven people in my past that have used me, hurt me and tossed me to the side. I don't feel the bitterness that used to manipulate my nights into sleepless hours followed by restless days. I am at peace. God humbled me with the circumstances that were, at first, viewed as obstacles on my "road to success." I eventually realized that life is going to have numerous disappointments...but only I can choose to be discouraged by them. Instead, I want to be stronger. I want to be better. I want to be proud when I look back at those consequences and can say that I learned from them rather than dwelling on them for years. There's no need to live in the past and fearful of the future like this:




Being humbled. Prioritizing my life. Finding my purpose. Surrendering control....probably the most trying time in my life. But...also the sweetest. Things that used to consume my mind and gnaw at my confidence are now the things I push aside. My time isn't worth all the worry. What is it...like, 98% of the things we worry about NEVER happen...geeeeezzeee!!! Even if that statistic is made up I still love it!!  I don't want to keep peeking around the corner because I'm worried like this:



I love living without worry this much!!:




I know that I will make it through the day. No matter how many "dings" or "rings" resound from my electronics I will be patient. As long as I am responsible and do my part in life...I will not be wasting my time with that little guy named "worry." My nights will be well rested followed by enjoyable days. No more "what if's" because it all played out the way it did for a reason. Even if it wasn't in my game plan...I am going to...





        "...just keep swimming..."
        "....just keep swimming..."
               "...just keep swimming...swimming...swimming..."


Thursday, March 11, 2010

They're Just Ordinary Days...

Write a Haiku that describes what you love about an ordinary day. -Mama Kat

I am no poet. But I thought this was a great blog topic. So...here's to not making you read my butchered version of Haiku. Cheers!

Here's a few things I love about my ordinary days...

I love waking up and knowing that I have a full day ahead of myself. I can plan my schedule, shape my day and make it what I want it to be. I can lie in bed for a while and think about the daily goals I have set for myself and what I'm going to do to get there.

I love coffee!! Alot of coffee. At any time of the day. For no particular reason and no particular season...I love coffee!

I love getting in the shower and deciding which shampoo, conditioner and body wash I will use that day. "Do I want volumous hair, smooth hair, exfoliating wash or a moisturizing boost?!" These are the types of decisions I can make on my own :)

One thing I have learned to love about the ordinary day is to appreciate a less stressful outlook on life. It seems like the ordinary day used to be so hectic and exhausting. Now, I can literally plan MY day out without having to plan it around someone else. My expectations are enough to please me and I don't have to worry about falling short all the time. Less stress in my ordianary day is wonderful!

Did I mention I love coffee??

I love my ringtones that were specifically chosen for each member of my family and a few of my friends. It makes me giggle every time my dad calls and the Top Gun theme song resounds in my purse :)

I love the drive home from work. Knowing that I can go home, eat a good meal, take off my make-up and cuddle up in sweatpants is such a nice feeling to end the day with.

It's the ordinary things that we all take for granted...but they're also the things that make our days so uniquely sweet.


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I am a 20-something young woman growing up and experiencing the things my mother warned me about...love, friendship, hard work, disappointment and success.