Why? Why? Manti?

If you have turned on a TV or picked up a newspaper recently, you've probably heard something about the Manti Te'o fake girlfriend issue. It is a bizarre story. Incredible, as in, hard to believe. And then these amazing people auto-tuned his interview with Katie Couric and I'm in love.

Monday

Mondays are the worst, and today was not really all that different. My computer monitor's drivers decided to act up, so I couldn't use my laptop or my monitor at work for a couple of hours. Not only that, whenever they flickered, I lost all of my changes to the presentation I'm working on.

Blah.

But I guess this evening was pretty good. Fiance and I made pasta with turkey Italian sausage and whole wheat penne, and it was amazing. Then we ate some of the cake I made yesterday, which is funfetti with homemade chocolate glaze.

The glaze was super easy and super fudgy! It's really simple, too:

1 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter

Bring to a boil, then add 1 tbs vanilla and a half cup of chocolate chips. Then STIR UNTIL COOL. This is very important. I added another splash of milk because mine started to get grainy because I wasn't beating until cool. But it is SO good. I don't think I'll ever buy frosting again.

Happy Monday. At least it's almost over! :o)

Friday Friday Friday!

It's Sunshines and Dark Clouds Friday, but today it's all Sunshines! YAY!

• My Ravens beat the Patriots handily on Sunday. GET ME SOME.
• It's my off-Friday! YAY!
• Fiance and I found the perfect, close-by place for us to take our dogs walking through the desert. They love it and so do we!
• Fiance bought me new tires for my car. He's such the best.
• I lost another pound this week. Only 15 away from my first goal weight :o)
• I just found out that Evita is on my comcast demand free list. Love it!
• My friend Dani is in town and coming to hang out with me tonight! I'm excited to see her again.
• I'm going to try a spinning class next week!

Happy Weekend!

I Believe!

So this past weekend was AWESOME.

It started on Saturday, with Fiance getting me new tires for my car. They are AMAZING! My tread was so gone on my old tires, so it's really, really nice having new ones! During that time, we went to lunch at Chili's and talked about football. It was great.

After that, we went to the mall and did a TON of shopping. I got my wedding shoes! I also got a fancy robe for Fiance for Valentine's Day, new Moroccan Oil for my hair, plus new mascara and eyeliner. I also paid off a video game for Thomas's birthday. Fiance bought a new watch, some new laces, and some amazing red glitter Toms for me for my Valentine's Day present (they make me look like a modern day Dorothy!).

After that, we took a long hike in the desert with my two dogs and then headed into a wonderful evening of watching Silver Linings Playbook with my fiance and our roommate Thomas :o)

Sunday, we went to breakfast with my parents and then... it was football time.




I was scared. But I was also excited. The first half was rough and we ended up down by 6... but I was happy with that for how many times it could have been worse.

The second half was INCREDIBLE. The defense found a rhythm and the Patriots, the best offense in the country, didn't score a single point against us. Plus we picked off Tom Brady twice (almost three times). He has more interceptions than touchdowns against us :o)

We ended up winning 28-13 and as the clock ticked down, I looked over at Fiance and said, "Oh my God... we're going to the Super Bowl." He just smiled and agreed, but it had just hit me. We make it to the playoffs every year (for the last five years, anyway), but we haven't been able to make it past the AFC Championship since 2000, when we won our last Super Bowl. Maybe this will be our year again :o)

My phone blew up during and after the game with friends commenting on the game and saying congratulations. It's a little strange, because I'm not playing or anything, but their congratulations was more of a "way to be faithful". Everyone knows I'm a Ravens fan. It started in 2005ish, when my cousin's roommate from UNM got drafted to Baltimore. We were all so excited for him that at that moment, I chose Baltimore as my professional team.

He unfortunately got dropped not long after, but I was already invested. By then, I had found how much I love defensive teams, how much I admired Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and Haloti Nata. How much fun it was watching my team play. Plus, their colors are purple and black. How fun is that?

I'm one of maybe 10 Baltimore fans in Las Cruces, so when we beat the Colts and the Broncos and the Patriots, most of my friends immediately thought of me... I'm no fair weather fan, so I'm happy people remembered that I have been a loyal fan for several years now. I have Ray Lewis's and Ed Reed's jerseys. I have two Victoria's Secret NFL clothing pieces. I am a real fan.

And I believe in this team. Wish the Ravens luck on February 3... we'll need it against the Niners, which is a great team!

Facts of Me

Today, I'm linking up with Whitney at I Wore Yoga Pants... she is hilarious and you should go visit her!

*I was born and raised in New Mexico. Yes, it's a state.

*I'm a writer. I write a column for the newspaper, and I'm a technical writer at a DoD contracting company. I write a lot.

*My two favorite foods are watermelon and french fries :o)

*I LOVE Diet Coke

*I'm getting married on June 8 to the love of my life

*I'm a Baltimore Ravens fan... and we are GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!

*My dog Shadow is the furry love of my life

*I only like sweet, non-dry wine, like champagne or mimbres white

*I love TOMS

*I HATE having things tight around my neck. Chokers and turtlenecks are the worst.

*I LOVE green chile. It's the best!

*I know more about football than the average girl

*I once did the weather for an El Paso news station in middle school. I was adorable.

*I'm really a homebody. I would rather stay home than go out to the bar.

*I was in a sorority in college, and I regret NOTHING. Pi Phi helped me network, make it through some SERIOUSLY hard classes with study buddies, and make life-long memories.

*Fiance and I are movie snobs :o)

*I have super pale skin and super dark hair. One time a hairdresser didn't believe it was my natural hair and told me my dye job was "really thorough", but that I "shouldn't go as dark unless I want to look like a vampire". I was like "Um... that's my natural hair color..." and she gave me that "uh-huh, whatever you say" look.

*I read every single day.

*I love puns!

*I would rather be hot than cold. My ideal temperature is between 85-90 degrees of full sun. I don't really like rain or snow.

*I have HORRIBLE circulation. My feet are always, always cold.

*I had braces for one year, but I never had to use rubber bands.

That's it for now. Happy Tuesday!

26 Before 26

Now that I'm (gulp) 25, I guess I should start thinking about my 26 Before 26 List for next November. I have just 11 months to finish this list... so wish me luck!

Jenna's 26 Before 26

1. Do something big for my career

2. Make homemade tortillas

3. Run two 10 minute miles in a row

4. Volunteer

5. Donate money to something

6. Try fancy champagne

7. Take a spin class

8. Get a spray tan (yikes)

9. Take two vacations this year

10. Save $5,000 for a house

11. Read five classic books

12. Complete five Pinterest projects

13. Clean out my closet and donate to Good Will

14. Buy an amazing black dress

15. Bake a multi-layer cake

16. Keep a more consistent schedule

17. Get my hair cut every 10 weeks

18. Get up to date with doctor checkups (teeth, eyes, annual, etc.)

19. Host a girls' night

20. Take Shadow to a new dog-friendly area

21. Wash my hair more than once a week (for real)

22. Print out photos for a photo wall

23. Drink less Diet Coke

24. Find the perfect daily perfume for me

25. Buy a bigger bed

26. Buy myself a nice piece of jewelry

Sunshines and Dark Clouds

It's Friday! Sunshines and Dark Clouds time!

Dark Clouds:

• Fiance is SICK SICK SICK... and I'm terrified that I'm going to get sick too.
• My grandfather is not doing well. I was supposed to go see him on Wednesday, but since I've been around Fiance (and his flu), I'm a potential carrier and he and my grandmother are vulnerable since, well, they are over 90.
• I haven't worked out in a while. Blah.
• I also haven't really cooked in a while. When did I get so lazy?

Sunshines:

• My RAVENS won their playoff game against Denver. Suck it, Peyton!
• I've really been feeling motivated when it comes to my columns. I have several really great ideas.
• I read Bossypants by Tina Fey... HILARIOUS. I laughed out loud several times. She is too funny.
• Part of my bridesmaid gifts came in, as well as the mother in law gift. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.
• I might have a Groupon addiction. This is not a dark cloud (it might be a dark cloud), but I am starting to get packages of things I don't remember ordering. Not good. But the stuff I'm getting is boss.
• More football is on this weekend... I'm not ready for the season to be over. Then it's just another LONG seven months until the season kicks in again.

Have a great weekend!