LOL and?

I'm Jackie. This is the land of LOL's. Baltimore born and raised. #citygirl I love music, food, clothes, DIY projects, and laughing. You'll either love me or hate me. Let's hope for the best.

[sandandglass]

[somecutewhiteboy]

Ellen is like hollywood’s quirky gay mom

[loland-blog]

Tough Days

So I'm having a bit of a rough day today.  Luckily, my best friend wrote me some letters to take with me to Houston to read when I'm having days like today.  And when I'm done here, I'm going to go get one of those, read it, and then continue watching netflix the rest of the day.  But first I wanted to put some of my thoughts down on here.

Moving across the country with no one in tow is hard.  Its all been made easier because I know my boyfriend will be joining me here in 5 months, but for the time being and for the past 3 months, it's been interesting.  Its made me become close to coworkers more quickly than I may have otherwise, made my job more important to me, made my students more central to my life, and made me think more.

I love my friends and my life back in Baltimore.  I miss being able to have 4 options of things to do and people to hang out with.  I miss having a big social network.  I miss being an essential part of peoples lives.  And sure, I know I'm still important to people back home... but distance pulls at the ties of relationships.  While I am 100% confident that Allan and I are better than ever, I am lacking on most if not all of my friendships back home. 

Here, I was expecting certain things to happen when I arrived.  I was used to the social culture of my last job.  And to say the least, it is not the same here at my new job.  The social structure between me and other people in my position is very work-based.  I know almost nothing about some of them others have their own schedules and lives and friends and show little to no interest in involving me in it.  Some spend time with me.  And others are the most important people in my life down here; And I am so thankful for them.

Its just not what I was expecting.  I was so ready to come here, make change, and make this place more stable and run more smoothly... and don't get me wrong, I think I am doing that, and I think I'm doing a really good job at it. I just wasn't expecting the culture shock to be so strong.

I'm still transitioning, and I think the transition is going to continue for a few more months... and then I'll be fortunate enough to start a new personal transition of living with Allan again in a space that is really ours and just ours.  I'm gonna get through this...and even though I'm missing home really badly right now, I am loving Houston, loving my students, loving my job, and loving my friends... I am so thankful that I still have the support from Maryland to help me understand myself, get through this transition, and to make it past tough days... when I'm 1500 miles away.

Now... to my letter.

[scissorsandthread]

Animal Stirrers | Momtastic

We have finally gotten a cool change after a week straight of 35 degree plus weather and it’s got my excited for Winter! And then I saw this incredibly cute DIY and now I want hot chocolate with a moose stirrer and maybe some just baked chocolate chip cookies and a warm blanket and Project Runway on my laptop. Funny how a DIY can do that…

[romythe]

A sweet headband

I might draw something like this later

……

Guys

I did not expect over 600 notes on this

Make that 800

[wildwithwhimsy]

Sharpie on Ceramic

A sharpie (any color) + A porcelain dish(You can even use super cheap mugs from the dollar store!) Just draw and bake it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow them to cool completely before washing or using.

[truebluemeandyou]

DIYEasy Jewelry Interchangeable Shoe Clips Tutorial from Honestly…WTF here. Really easy tutorial with links to supplies. 

[lipgloss-is-poppin]

Pin it up!

[birdsmakegoodneighbors]

Nest of Posies: Dipped Votives

[truebluemeandyou]

DIY Birthday Balloon Surprise from She’s Crafty here. Fill a sturdy box with lightweight balloons filled with candy, cash etc… More details at the link.

[rockstar-on-a-budget-deactivate]

Adorable portable cherry jello shots…surprisingly easy and less trash to clean up after you gun 20 of them!

Directions here

[birdsmakegoodneighbors]

At Home in Love: DIY Shelves with Belt Straps

[love-this-pic-dot-com]

DIY toilet paper rolls wall decor

[scissorsandthread]

Bijoux Sofa Organiser | Art Gallery Fabrics

I’m sure sofa organisers bring to mind old nanna lounge rooms, but after seeing this amazing organiser I’m sure you will change your mind! They really are a great way to keep everything together and in one place (especially those pesky remote controls) And they also protect your arms. Win-win!

[loland-blog]

Hi there! Once you get this message you have to share 5 random facts about yourself and then pass it to 10 of your favorite followers. :)

1. I'm a born and raised city girl.

2. I love airports.  I love walking around them on my own; I feel important.  And I love watching people in airports, especially at departure and arrivals.

3. I have been published in the National Hazing Prevention Resource Guide and participated in two national webinars advocating for hazing prevention.

4. I love DIY'ing. That is actually why I just got on tumblr.  To find cool DIY things.  Its also why I am considering making a pinterest.  #sellout

5. I eat tomatoes like apples.

[loland-blog]

Just saw the your in Texas now. How do you feel about the recent laws they have passed about abortion? Now that you live in a red state do you think you will become more poetically active about abortion rights or race or women's rights in general? There also have been reports of a lot of racism at uni

Continued Anon question: Of Texas. Do you have a plan to tackle this? Your a white woman so you probably wont see much but in case you do how do you plan on handling it?

Moving to Texas hasn't changed any of my personal beliefs or the ways I express my political beliefs.  I am who I am.  I believe what I believe.  And I express those beliefs in the way I have and always will, but partaking in conversations with those who are respectful and want to hear what I have to say.

I don't work at UT, I work at University of Houston, which is a minority-serving institution.  And me being a white woman doesn't mean I don't see racism.  While I may not often be the victim of racism, I see it quite frequently, and as per my job and my personal and professional beliefs, I confront it in an appropriate and educational way by having conversations, providing educational opportunities, and time for reflection with the communities and individuals I work with and training my staff to do the same.

[zoenicoleemmerson-deactivated20]

Photo cred: Costa Zgourides

[love-this-pic-dot-com]

No Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert