Well, I guess I was wrong. Both girls I picked to go in the Top 12 were voted off! Both Ashley and Janelle. I will give myself credit for knowing that I didn't like them and they weren't in my top favorites though. I never updated about the guys, I like Casey James, Michael Lynche and Todrick Hall. But Andrew Garcia is definitely my favorite.

I think it's interesting how this season they've kind of marketed it as a "Guys V. Girls". If i must choose sides those, it's going to the ladies!

Today is my mom's birthday, so Happy Birthday Mom! These are the days when I really feel homesick. Even though there was just a small lunch celebration- I hate that I can't be there to give my mom a hug in person and tell her happy birthday! Yes, technology is around to call, e-mail, and facebook each other, but it really is just NOT the same! I feel like I miss out on a lot! No matter where I live I think I'll always have that homesick feeling!

All that being said, Cheyenne and I are looking forward to Japan and the adventures it holds. Goodnight!

Chelsea

American Idol Girls Night

I am an avid American Idol fan. As I have previously stated, I watch it religiously. (Thanks DVR!) I don't vote though. Yep, I am one of those people who will yell at the tv, "What?! She's getting voted off?!" But hey- I don't vote so my opinion doesn't matter! I actually did vote last season for Kris Allen just so Adam Lambert (who I loved more) wouldn't get stuck under any contract he didn't want to be under. That being said his performance at the MTV awards (I think...) Was awful. I was appalled at his actions. Ew. No one wants to see you shove someone else's crotch in your face. Save that for HBO or Porn. Ew.

Ok, this post is not about Adam Lambert, but about this season of American Idol! So- I just watched back the show from last night, featuring the 12 girls. If you live under a rock and don't know how this works, they have narrowed it down to 12 girls, and 12 guys. The girls performed last night (Tuesday). The guys will perform tonight (Wednesday) and then they will have a results show to tell us who will be the TOP 12! (6 guys, 6 girls) Ok... so... I judged the girls today and have picked my top 6 faves.

1. Crystal Bowersox. Hippie rocker chick with dreads who has an amazing voice! She claims to have never watched the show, ever. I found it hard to believe at first but today when Simon said she needs to do something more original she responds with "but, they don't allow original songs." Hahaha. She's funny. She could take the whole competition... we'll see! She also said she only did the show for the financial gain for her son- who is not the cutest baby, and he usually has a runny nose when they show him. No judgement- but boogers are gross. :) But- I LOVE her.
2. Katie Stevens- Cute 16 year old who won our hearts with a sob story about her grandmother with alzheimers. But, she has in Kara's words "Amazing chops". I like her.
3. Didi Benami- Another pretty girl with a pretty voice. She didn't do GREAT this performance, but in all of her other auditions she proved she is pretty fabulous.
4. Siobhan Magnus- Yet another girl that reminds us of Adele or Duffy, but is a tad more original and sings powerfully.
5. Katelyn Epperly- Curly blond hair, she sang the Beatles "Oh Darling" which is one of my favorite songs of all times- so maybe I'm partial. I think her voice is powerful, current and she could definitely sing a hit song. She's also young, I don't remember how old.
6. Toss up between Lilly Scott and Haeley Vaughn. Lilly Scott has bleached white hair and sang a Beatles song. Haeley was one of my favorites from the beginning. I find her terribly annoying when she isn't singing but when she does sing there is just something about her that I find intriguing and her voice is just so different. But she is one annoying 16 year old. She did sing country for a lot of her performances but switched it up today and did the Beatles "I wanna hold your hand". Which she did a version more like from the soundtrack from Across the Universe than the original Beatles. I liked it.

Those are my 6--err... 7 favorites. However, I don't think they'll all make it through. Here is who I think will make the top 12:

Crystal Bowersox
Ashley Rodriguez (very Alicia-Keys-esque)
Didi Benami
Siobhan Magnus
Janelle Wheeler
and
Katie Stevens.

5 of my top 6-7. We'll see how it goes. Tune in to see how wrong I am on Thursday. I'll make an update on the boys' performance sometime tonight or whenever I get the chance. :)

Go American Idol!
Chelsea

Technology is something to be learned, loved and feared!

I'm going to make myself a birthday calendar. A perpetual calendar to be exact. One where I can have everyone's birthdays in one place, hanging on the wall. It's tough to remember everyone's special day, particularly if they don't have a Facebook!!! :) I LOVE the F-book reminders but I want something I can hold. I kind of hate technology, but only kind of. I just hate how much we rely on it. I hate that I can't stand to write in a journal and I'd rather blog, only because it's so much quicker. I love the fast pace of it all, but in all reality- technology is something to be learned, loved and feared. Honestly. It scares me to think about how much technology has impacted our lives! But, I also love that it helps me stay connected with people! So... thanks Facebook.

I'm watching George next to me on his laptop searching real estate properties here in Little Rock. I even saw him send a Facebook message to Paul- our real estate Guru. If George thinks we are buying a house here... he's nuts. Not happening. No. No. No.

I watched the Beatles movie Help for the first time. For those of you who don't know, I am obsessed with The Beatles. I love them. I've never watched their movies but have Net-flixed it and watched it and honestly thought it was funny!

Also, I tried to change my blog layout and colors and somehow messed it up and can't figure out how to make it pretty again. Any suggestions from you other bloggers? And if any of you want to leave comments- that would make me smile. :) Thanks!

Always,

Chelsea

"It's going to be an adventure..."

I love yoga. Just since we've moved to Little Rock I've kind of fallen in love with it. Am I very good? Questionable. Do I enjoy it? Definitely. It's all about flexibility, balance and overall health--all things I look forward to improving in the future. George and Kyle got Lauren and I a yoga certificate to do 5 90minute classes with our favorite yoga instructor Katie. She is also an AF spouse and will be leaving soon, so we are trying to get our last 3 out of 5 classes done!

I want to extend a big CONGRATULATIONS to Kyle and Lauren who have had their offer accepted for a house they are going to purchase in Abilene, Texas. We are so happy for them! And even a bit jealous. :) We get to sit around and watch our friends buy these wonderful homes because they'll be here in the states and we won't. It's a little disappointing but we know Japan will also be a wonderful experience for us. We can at least save up money to get a home when we're ready! We really are very excited for everyone else!

Finding a job sucks. Really. I hate searching for a job. I find this to be one of the most awful, daunting tasks. It makes me have to think about myself and my skills and sometimes I feel I fall short of the mark for what people are looking for. OR I'm completely over qualified. I've applied for the same job that I did in Corpus. The job I loved, the actual act of working there... eh- not so much, but I really look forward to hearing back from the CDC in Japan! I miss working with children and really hope that this job will work out!

I really enjoy working. I like to leave the house, do something that makes me feel I'm contributing to society and our financial situation as a family, and it gives me something to do. BUT... I also enjoy laying around all day playing Yahtzee and Bubble Spinner on my computer and watching HGTV. (Yep, more tv addictions...) I enjoy painting and scrapbooking, all things creative, baking/cooking. I have enough hobbies to occupy myself, but I do want to work. I just can't justify NOT working. Even though it is fun to not work. :)

I really just want to travel when we get to Japan. Travel, travel, travel. I feel that is one of the most important things to do while we have he opportunity. We don't have children to lug around, and hello- we'll be living on the other side of the world- how could we not want to travel?! I can't wait to meet local people, try the local food, learn the language, eat barefoot in restaurants, sit on the floor, finally conquer the art of eating with chopsticks (instead of sushi with my fingers... hahaha). I'm just so excited! Sometimes it makes me sick to my stomach thinking about leaving the US, and my family and friends (even though we're already separated)... but I just keep repeating: "It'll be fine! Everything will be OK!!! It's going to be an adventure!!!"

Feel free to continue to repeat these phrases as you run into me too. :)

Love,love,love,

Chelsea

My TV addiction, Tiger Woods and Japanese

Ok, who has been watching the Olympics? Because I have been glued to the tv watching it. We have Netflix and I have the Beatles movie "Help" right now. I've had it for a week but I just can't seem to find the time to watch it, because of the Olympics and my additional 10+ shows. YES I have over 10 shows that I watch on a weekly basis. Sick, right?

Sunday: Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters
Monday: The Bachelor and The Big Bang Theory
Tuesday: The Biggest Loser and American Idol
Wednesday: GLEE and more American Idol
Thursday: Community and The Office
Friday: The Soup

I realize that is out of control, but all I can say is thank God for DVR. :)

Ok- back to the Olympics. I love almost all of these Winter Sports; snowboarding, speed skating, luge, ice skating, curling etc... But I figured out that I really like watching them because I am at home on my couch wrapped up in a blanket with the heater on. And they are all in Canada, wearing tights, with ice and snow. I HATE winter and find comfort in knowing that I'm not cold, even if they are. Haha for them.

Ok... I just want to address Tiger Woods for a moment. MSNBC is doing a feature on him right now. (yes, as I lay on my couch wrapped up in a warm blanket watching TV) This scandal is bad. I'm disgusted by his actions... I mean- 14 women? That is uncalled for, and STUPID. His life was/could've been perfect- beautiful wife, kids, tons of money, successful career, endorsements etc. I don't get it. I just don't get it. I suppose he'll get what's coming to him. All I can say for his wife Elin is that I hope she can stay away from the bad guy and that their kids can be shielded from too much press!

The base library just called and said that Rosetta Stone is back in and it's my turn!!! This is just another step to making Japan a 'real thing' that is really happening! I rented it back in October. I really only sat down a few hours and played with it and I had it for 21 days. It was a waste of time, and I really regret not using it when I had the chance, but luckily for me- it's back in and now I can take full advantage of it.

Until next time,
Chelsea

Introduction...

Hello family and friends,

I am so excited to be starting a blog. I have always enjoyed writing but I never seem to take the opportunity to do it! After reading a few friends blogs for years and dreaming of writing my own blog... I finally feel like I have a life that is entertaining enough to write about.

As we all know George and I were married May 31, 2008. We moved from Valdosta, Georgia to Enid, Oklahoma to Corpus Christi, Texas to Little Rock, Arkansas all from June 2008-September 2009. Are you exhausted from all of that? Because we sure are! And NOW we are moving to JAPAN! Yep, little me is going to go on the adventure of a lifetime with my bff George!

We've known we are moving to Japan since August 2009, but since our plane tickets have now been booked... it all seems SO real! We leave the states May 17! SO SOON!

We are currently living in Little Rock, Arkansas in a house with 4 other people. Yep, 6 people and a dog. It's actually a lot of fun. We joke about having a 'confessional' room, like on MTV's Real World for us to all complain about each other. :) But, it's only a joke. We live with Kyle and Lauren, who were married this past August and Chris and Beth who have been dating since this past August. It's a lot of fun.

I am working at Pottery Barn, and I actually really like it. Retail is so different from working in the education world that I always have, but it's pretty entertaining, and I've learned a lot. However, I do miss working with children! I can't wait to get back into the CDC's (Child development center... not to be confused with Center for Disease Control)in Japan!

As a military family we've learned to rely on other people, especially when it comes to Cheyenne! We've had people watch her for us when we've gone out of town (as there is no family nearby) and it's always nice to be able to return the favor to another military family! So today we have Ace, our friend's dog staying with us, and he will be sleeping here overnight, one of Cheyenne's first sleepovers! :) Ace is really laid-back and is a (guessing....) Beagle/Jack Russel/other mix and he is so cute. We got Cheyenne a big huge rawhide bone that is shaped into a candy-cane for Christmas, yep- almost 2 months ago. She hasn't touched it. Since Ace arrived this morning she has done nothing but chew and protect that bone. Silly girl.

I have to work today from 4-10. I'm happy and thankful that I have a job that I enjoy but I really do miss my Monday-Friday job. I mean... who really wants to work on the weekends? Not me! :)

I hope you enjoy my blog- I don't know if I really have anything important to say but I think it should be a little bit entertaining as we get ready for the big move to Japan!

Thanks for reading,

Chelsea

Here are the pictures of the three homes we've lived in this year!

Our first home in Enid Oklahoma!


Our second home in Corpus Christi, Texas!


Our current and third home in 14 months in Little Rock, Arkansas!