“Point of Parliamentary Procedure!”

The Minute I Hellllllllllllllld The Key.

Making yet another attempt to find something remotely appealing in the tracks of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida. So far, minimal success. We’ll see.

Have ingested yet another LorTab. I’m a biggg believer in pain relief. I also anticipate criticism on my liberal usage of pain meds. When you have a scalpel taken to the palm of your right hand, then and only then will you be allowed to criticize my pain relief initiatives. That’s all.

Also, in my ongoing quest for sensory overload, I’m watching BBC America’s docuhorror Plastic Surgery Junkies. Like many before me, I’ll liken it to roadkill. It’s disgusting, but you can’t make yourself look away. The Male Barbie guy realllly bothers the snot out of me. Kind of like the Cat Lady. Who told them they looked good? What kind of doctor deems it acceptable to operate on someone that is so obviously sick? Just bugs me.

Have moved onto a few newer additions to my iTunes library — Animal Collective, Department of Eagles, and pieces of the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. Here’s the part of my blog where I tell you what to do.

TRACKS WORTH HEARING
My Girls – Animal Collective
Brother Sport – Animal Collective
Grass – Animal Collective
The Purple Bottle – Animal Collective
Daily Routine – Animal Collective
Winters Love – Animal Collective
For Reverend Green – Animal Collective

Phantom Other – Department of Eagles
Waves of Rye – Department of Eagles
Floating On The Lehigh – Department of Eagles
Teenagers – Department of Eagles
No One Does It Like You – Department of Eagles
In Ear Park – Department of Eagles
Noam Chomsky Spring Break 2002 – Department of Eagles
Origin of Love – Department of Eagles

Ringa Ringa – AR Rahman, Alka Yagnik & Ila Arun
Paper Planes (DFA Remix) – M.I.A.
O…Saya – AR Rahman & M.I.A.

Think that’s all. Seriously, check ‘em out. I can’t promise a religious experience, but I guarantee you it’ll brighten your Friday.

That’s it. Love.

xxAimeeCait

The Live Music Capital of the World.

It’s 2009, boys and girls. Happy new year. Smile pretty.

So it’s January 6, 2009.  I got this crazy idea about being an au pair on December 30, 2008.  17 or so emails, 6 phone calls, and 2 interviews later… and I’m flying to Austin, Texas this weekend to see if I’m the right fit for an amazing family. Crazy? Yes.

I’ve been job searching for 6 months now. I’ve got a few stipulations about what I will and won’t do… mostly, I’m not down with fast food, or any food, really. Waiting tables isn’t something that’s beneath me, don’t get me wrong, I love serving people. I just don’t want to work at a chain — you’re not gonna catch me with fifteen pieces of flair pinned to a miserably ill-fitting polyester vest, taking orders from snotty people for dishes with horribly cute names, wading through a crappy roach-infested kitchen where nothing is sanitary or even good… ugh. No way.

I’m not qualified for things I feel that I could easily handle, like secretarial work. I’ve got a GED, a 28 on my ACT, a typing speed of 70wpm, a firm handle on Microsoft Word, and a sparkling personality. But zero relevant job experience. All of that combined with the rubbish current job market puts me in the position I’m in. I’m qualified for jobs I don’t feel are worth the trouble, and I’m not qualified for the few jobs that are actually available… that’s rough, yeah?

I’ve been a babysitter since day one. I’ve got 5 brothers and sisters — 4 that are younger than me, 3 that I took a pretty active role in helping raise. I’ve been a one-off babysitter for countless families, and a regular babysitter for many. I’ve nannied for two wonderful families, had fantastic experiences with both of them — considered their children my own. I am a great babysitter. I’m brilliant with kids. This is something I know about myself — these are my skills. So I’ve been taking as many babysitting jobs as I’ve been able to get my hands on since moving back from England, but those are few and far between. I need something regular, something that pays well, with some great kids.

On a total whim, I decided to Google ‘au pair’. I came across a few different sites, but landed on one called GreatAuPair.com. It’s essentially eHarmony for nannies & families. An au pair/nanny posts a profile, families post their profiles, then the site allows them to search for each other. Within 2 hours of posting my profile, I saw an out of state area code on my caller ID — it was a prospective family calling to ask if I would be interested in working with them. I was shocked at how quickly everything seemed to be happening, but at the same time, hello ego boost! I went from underqualified to a hot commodity in less than 24 hours. Emails began to pour in as families added me to their ‘hot list’ — a list of nannies they were interested in learning more about. I received a couple of voicemails and personal emails from different families, all of which felt unreal. I still can’t believe how quickly this all materialized. What alternate universe did I step into? Suddenly, potential employers were flooding my inbox… and I hadn’t even talked to my parents or boyfriend about it. Talk about whiplash.

Got a call a few nights ago from a fantastic family in the heart of Texas. We clicked immediately (God is working overtime in my life) and after a long talk on the phone and another long talk with my dad, I’m flying to Austin this Saturday to meet them. I’m really looking forward to this weekend, you have no idea. A 4-year-old boy and 19-month-old twins… sounds like a dream, right? I’ve never worked with twins before, so I’m anticipating a challenge… but a really cute, cuddly challenge, y’know? I got the opportunity to chat with their former au pair, and she was so helpful in answering my questions. I still have yet to experience any real doubt or anxiety… it feels oddly like the month leading up to England. I’m running on the excitement of finding a job and potentially embarking on my next adventure… that allows me to casually ignore the worry that I should be consumed with and the unease I should be feeling about potentially moving 10 hours away for 6 months. I’m chalking this up to the peace that surpasses all understanding.

My parents are being incredibly supportive and Joe is being an angel. I’m so thankful for their flexibility and especially for their faith in me. I know that 6 months is a long time, but it’s not forever. There’s a concrete beginning and end. Long distance relationships are daunting, but not impossible, and I’m a firm believer in testing relationships. Time and distance are two major tests, and I know that Joe and I are ready for that kind of faith-building. Thank you, Joe Joe. You mean the world to me.

I’m excited about Austin. It’s the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ — need I say more? I love adding cities to my list of ‘places I’ve lived and loved’. (I’ve got ‘Woke Up In A Car’ by Something Corporate stuck in my head now. Awesome.) I’m in love with picking up camp and starting over… this is an ideal way to do that. Hooray.

So there’s that. I’ll keep you filled in on how it’s going. This process is exhilarating, and so God-orchestrated. I love it.

In other news: I’ve received two letters from the University of Memphis.

Letter Number 1: CONGRATULATIONS – It is my privilege to inform you that you have been accepted to the University of Memphis for the Fall 2009 semester as an undergraduate student!

Letter Number 2: CONGRATULATIONS! I am pleased to inform you that because of your superior academic credentials the University of Memphis wishes to offer you the UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS PROVOST’S SCHOLARSHIP beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year. THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS PROVOST’S SCHOLARSHIP is a $5,500 per year award for four years. This award is in addition to any Tennessee HOPE Lottery Scholarship Award you may be eligible to receive.

How am I celebrating, you ask? Well, first, I’m laughing at my aforementioned ‘superior academic credentials‘. Wow. I mean, let’s be completely honest: there is NOTHING remotely ’superior’ about my academic credentials. Like… really. Dang.

Next, I’m crying, because I didn’t think I was going to be accepted to a 4-year university… but now I’m essentially being awarded a merit-based full ride? Whoa. To God be the glory, and y’all watch me as I show school who’s boss. Thank you, Jesus. This is insane.

So there’s my life for the past few weeks, minus my trip to Baton Rouge, which I’ll account for in a subsequent post.

For now, be good, smile pretty, and when you ask in earnest, be prepared to receive.

xxAimeeCait

What’s the story, morning glory?

…so I guess you might as wellllllllllll
What’s the story, mornin’ glory?

Hi, my name is Gwaltney, and I am not stoked about being awake right now.

5 hours of sleep is not the amount of sleep necessary to keep my young lithe form functioning at optimal condition.

However, I’m up at the request of mom, so out of the too-warm bed, tired feet on the floor. I’m off to walk the dog (read: 7th child) like a good daughter.

Side note regarding morning music: I haven’t listened to my ‘good morning’ playlist in ages, so that’s how I’m gettin’ this mornin’ started. This was my ‘feel better about waking up’ playlist whilst in England. It made gettin’ up at 9 AM that much less traumatic. It’s rubbish crawlin’ out from under the covers when it’s hella cold and you just want 15 more minutes of being warm & horizontal in LaLa Land… but it’s a little easier when you have something as hellaciously corny as Donna Fargo singin’ about how much happier she is than the rest of the nation’s female population.

Love it.

MORNIN’ SWEETHEART

Happiest Girl In The Whole USA – Donna Fargo
Secret Heart – Feist
Wake Up Alone – Amy Winehouse
Morning Glory – Oasis
The Best Is Yet To Come – Frank Sinatra
These Days – Mates of State
Catch My Disease – Ben Lee
Wednesday Morning, 3 AM – Simon & Garfunkel
Foundations – Kate Nash
Red Morning Light – Kings of Leon
Tell Me In The Morning – Cold War Kids
SexyBack – Justin Timberlake
Luv Addict – Family Force 5
Stronger – Kanye West
New Shoes – Paolo Nutini
Typical – Mute Math
Good Day Sunshine – The Beatles
Wake Me Up! (Before You Go-Go) – Wham!
I’ve Got The World On A String – Sinatra
Wake Up – Arcade Fire
Good Morning, Good Morning – The Beatles
Na Na Na Na Naa – Kaiser Chiefs
Wake Dead Man, Wake – As Cities Burn

Ahhh. It’s good. Not cohesive in any way, shape, or form. But if waking up is inevitable, you might as well do so with a quality soundtrack.

xxAimeeCait

Wednesday is Too Much To Do Before 10 AM Day.

Walk with me.

So, you know when you’re looking out over a day as it’s approaching, and you’re thinking about all the things you need to get done, and as you consider these tasks & appointments, you can feel the potential stress beginning to form a firm phantom grip on your lungs & various other vital organs… not unlike a vice.

Today is Too Much To Do Before 10 AM Day. It is not yet 10′o’clock in the morning, and I have been all over Collierville, Tennessee. Collierville High School, Germantown Baptist, back to the High School, soon to the YMCA, later back to Germantown Baptist… probably to Starbuck’s because it’s been a solid two week period since I’ve partaken in the joy that is barista-crafted espresso.

More later, probably. It’s no secret that I haven’t got anything to do.

xxAimeeCait

Baking Hastily

True story. It kind of defeats the purpose of my baking (which is typically to destress & unwind after a rough week or a hard day) but fortunately, the result is still delicious. Baking is my happy place, and I’m headed to my happy place in a few short minutes. I’m hoping to either recreate the magic of/improve these cookies. We’ve got family coming in for the night (surprise!) and we (my three sisters & I) have been busying ourselves ’round the house, trying to do the same quality job our mom would do.

So, on assignment from mom, I quite reluctantly sticky-rolled my black bedsheets to remove the white dog fur that mysteriously finds its way there.

No lie. Sticky-rolled… my bed sheets. I feel like Monk.

I’ve just received word that I’m being sent on a Diet Coke/Diet Dr. Pepper run (something we’ll obviously need if we’re expected to survive the night).

Last quick note — The other day, I vlogged about a book I’m reading: “The God That Smokes” by Timothy J. Stoner. I have to say right here that I cannot put it down. I’m taking notes like a bandit, writing down further questions to explore… all sorts of good things. If you’re browsing Barnes & Noble, thumb through it and see if it catches you like it’s caught me.

Off to procure diet soft drinks & peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
Yum.

xxAimeeCait

Vlog #7: Tummy Ache

Smile.

I’m ridiculous.

more about “Vlog #7: Tummy Ache“, posted with vodpod

Vlog part 3

True story – forgive the airheadedness.

xx Aimee Cait

Do you know what it means… to miss your cafe au lait?

3 more weeks and I’m back in Beignet Country. Can I get an amen? Honestly, I’m not even a massive beignet fan… I’m in it for the cafe au lait.

I miss strong black coffee with chicoryyyy.

Yes please?
xx Aimee Cait

Too much caffeine

Okay, that’s a lie. There’s no such thing as too much caffeine for this little Starbuck’s girl. Jeepers, I miss being able to afford a venti cup of black coffee. Nothin’ better. Orrrrrr a massive cafe’ au lait with 3 extra shots of espresso. This also brings to mind the adventures had in Paul Revere & the 4Runner. GUS – my coffee date! I miss you, darlin’.

I was telling Jason about Java Chip as a form of therapy today while we were in Esquire’s.

Esquire’s is quite a neat little coffee shop franchise in the UK (which apparently originated in Vancouver, Canada, according to the quite informative little website). That being said, their blended drinks have nothin’ on my old standby – the venti Java Chip frappuccino with extra whipped cream. Mmmmm. Nothing says “I’m mad at the world and this is my silent, delicious protest” like a Java Chip-induced sugar coma.

Also missing me some Coffee Call today. And Cafe Du Monde was mentioned in last week’s This American Life podcast (which you should subscribe to — it’s genius) and that makes me 5 different kinds of homesick.

Anyway. There is no point to this post. Just babbling. On with your day

Also – it’s hailing outside. Bahaha. The weather patterns of the Northeast of England are absolutely hilarious.

xx Aimee Cait