My Hair is RED

I have always really loved red hair and find red heads really pretty or attractive. Dying my hair red on Thursday was a big step into the unknown for me. I was super nervous going into it, but am really happy with the outcome.

Last December was the first time I've ever gotten highlights in my hair because I've always had nice natural highlights. Before that I have never put any sort of color into it (that wasn't extensions). My friend Sam has dyed her hair multiple times before from a box and it's always looked really good, so I asked her to help me. It was a good thing there was both of us too because I have way too much hair to try and get it all myself. I'm sure I could have used two bottles instead of one to really get my whole head red, but I like the mixed auburn-y look it came out as.

and just for comparison, here is a picture from before:

I used L'Oreal Feria permanent color because they had the widest selection of reds. A lot of the brands were limited to a dark purple-ish color or a more orange-y tone, which I was trying to avoid. I thought the system worked really well and was pretty simple to use. It also made my hair really really soft, which I think was mostly in part to the conditioner that comes with it. I definitely took a long time looking around ulta for a good color that would work with my skin tone and be what I was looking for.  Overall I would definitely use this again and recommend it to anyone who's looking for a box color.

Olympic Playlist

Yup that's right, I am so cool I made a playlist for the Olympics. Honestly I make playlists for everything. The list is kind of a mix between semi-old rap music, classic rock, and whatever it is I've been listening to this past week.

1. Home by Philip Phillips (thank you nbc for getting this stuck in my head... at least it's a really good song)
2. I Bet That You Look Good On the Dance Floor by the Arctic Monkeys (the opening ceremonies kind of reaffirmed my love for this band and this song)
3. Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen (just as I was thinking about how much I was beginning to hate this song the US swim team came out with this video and now I can't stop watching it)
4. Got Money by Lil Wayne (because it was summer of '08, we all know how Phelps loves Lil Wayne, and the olympians have money now)
5. Young Blood by The Naked and Famous (well I guess the name of the song and the name of the band kind of work for this pick)
6. The Waiting by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (seriously, they have to just stand around until the gun or whatever, that'd be hard)
7. Forever by Drake (last name ever first name greatest)
8. Under Pressure by Queen (just think about all that pressure of representing your country)
9. Livin on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
10. Boys Boys Boys by Lady Gaga (kind of self explanatory now isn't it)
11. The Fighter by Gym Class Heros
12. All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled (all we do is win, the US has 83 medals currently)
13. I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
14. Bicycle Race by Queen (BICYCLE BICYCLE BICYCLE)
15. We Like Sportz by the Lonely Island (me this whole week, "hey do you want to go to a party with me? no the Olympics are on"
16. Bad Things by Jace Everett (I want to do bad things with a few of those Olympians)
17. Go Getta by Young Jeezy (talk about some go gettas)
18. Sexy and I Know It (because of this video)
19. Dirt Off Your Shoulder by Jay Z
20. Good Time by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
21. I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry (because I will always think of Michael Phelps when I hear this song... don't ask why)
22. I'm So Paid by Akon (they mention Michael Phelps...)
23. Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men (My roommate has been playing this a lot this week. Obviously I don't mind)
24. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk (because that's the way Olympians do it)
25. Want U Back (she's british and my roommate and I have been rocking out to this all week)
26. Another One Bites the Dust by Queen
27. Lose Yourself by Eminem (this is a classic go out and do your best because you've only got one shot song)
28. Wavin Flag by K'naan 
29. Don't Stop Believin by Journey
30. American Star by Lil Wayne
31. Star Spangled Banner by Boston (because USA that's why!)
32. Come Together by the Beatles (how awesome was that sing along during the opening ceremonies?!)
33. Wannabe by the Spice Girls (8 year old me is super excited about the opening ceremonies)
34. Bonus Track: Jeah! by Ryan Lochte (yes I made a sound recording off this video for my ipod. I die laughing every time)

So sit back and enjoy that masterpiece I just shared with you. Also go watch the Olympics because it only comes every 4 years, it's in London, there's hot people doing things you probably can't do and it's awesome!

The Greatest Olympic Athlete of all Time

The Olympics is always about witnessing history, and Michael Phelps has certainly made his mark in history. The man is an inspiration to people everywhere. Four Olympics, 22 medals, all those broken records and he's only 27.

This picture is currently my computer background (I had to switch out Lochte for Phelps under these circumstances) 

I can't imagine a summer Olympics without Michael Phelps. All of my good vivid Olympic memories have included his presence and things just won't be the same without him there in the future. My cousin and I were talking about it last night and about the first time we noticed Phelps. He was probably the reason I started paying attention to the Olympics. I watched the 2000 and the 2004 Olympics at my cousins and it was there we began joking about "that one swimmer with the butt crack pants." 

I'm pretty sure these were the pants I'm talking about

In 2008, I was stuck in the U of M hospital due the infection from my surgery for most of the Olympics, and Michael Phelps (and Ryan Lochte) was the person who kept me going in there. Almost two week was a long time stuck in a hospital bed, but Phelps gave me something to get excited about and distract me. If he could manage to win 8 gold medals, I could survive being poked and prodded. I felt connected to be in a town where he spent so much time, and to watch him achieve a goal he had obviously worked so hard for. I remember my parents always telling me I needed to sleep, but I wouldn't let myself miss any of his races.

He always seems to be smiling

Phelps and Lochte always talk about the importance of setting goals. I've always tried to make lists and set goals for my life, big or small. Even if the goals seem way out in left field I think it's important to have something to work towards. If you don't have goals what drives you to live and become better? To me Michael Phelps isn't someone to look up to strictly for his swimming but for the way he seems to be as a person. It'll be interesting to see what he sets his sights on next.

4x100 medley relay (his 22nd medal)

Congratulations Michael Phelps! You're an awesome human!

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

- Phelps Phan Phorever!!!!

Olympics, Summer School, and Insanity

I've been kind of MIA in blog world lately but it's been for good reasons. I had two more exams this week for my summer classes (which by the way are even harder to study for when the Olympics are on.) My Survey of Behavior Analysis Research class has proven to be a test, and after huge doubt in my ability to pass the class, I managed to pull off a B on my 3rd exam on Wednesday! I don't think I've ever been so happy for a B before. Two more weeks to go and I'll be done with classes and getting to head home for a bit. Three weeks or so until the big bike trip (more about that later). About Four weeks before Fall classes begin... time flies!

This past week was full of fun roommate moments. In a few weeks my roommate Amanda is moving into a two bedroom in the same apartment complex and my roommate Nikki is moving to East Lansing. I'm gonna miss having these girls so close, but Amanda and I already have study dates and Insanity nights planned. The three of us started the Insanity workouts almost two weeks ago now. After experiencing the pain of Insanity last summer (and the payoffs) I was nervous but excited to get back into the routine and try to finally finish all 63 days of the workout. I'll have to take a few days for long bike rides and ultimately the bike trip but they'll be totally worth it.

The Insanity Countdown Calendar. Almost two weeks down! Jeah!

Lastly a few words (and pictures) about the Olympics. From gymnastics, to beach volleyball, to diving, to swimming I love the summer Olympics! It's always exciting to watch people's dreams come true and to band together as a country. For me, swimming is probably my favorite event. Lochte, Phelps, Berens, Adrian, Soni, Franklin... I could keep going because the whole USA team this year is awesome!

Jones, Adrian, Lochte, and Hansen

It's no question Ryan is my favorite

Nathan Adrian is like a hot teddy bear. He's just adorable. And that smile!

I think I might be heading to Dunham's this weekend to purchase a one piece swim suite in order to start working out in the pool. My roommate used to be a swimmer and I'm hoping she can teach me a few moves and we can push each other even harder. I just keep imagining what my body will look like after all this Insanity, biking, and swimming. Rock hard hopefully. 

Gonna get my Missy on!!!!!!

Listen to Her Heart

One of my favorite songs covered by one of my favorite bands. It's such a nice gift of music and makes me incredibly happy.

Unashamed Movie Viewing

Today I walked into a theater packed with women to watch a movie about a bunch of male strippers. It was definitely worth the $4 ticket and weird moment you realize you're in the theater behind a line of women who in their late 60's maybe mid 70's. Hey, whatever, I got to get a nice view of Alex Pettyfer, Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matthew McConaughey, and Matt Bomer's bare asses. Whoever was on the casting project for this movie had some lucky days on the job.

I mean really... can it get any better?

Overall, I was surprised by the fact that the movie's actual story line wasn't too bad. I figured they'd focus most of the energy on the hot guys that the movie in general would completely suck, but it didn't. I haven't seen Beastly or I am Number Four, so I was kind of blown away by Alex Pettyfer. Anyone who can steal the spotlight from half naked Channing Tatum deserves some sort of award.

Oh wait, yes it can

The movie is certainly not lacking on eye candy, I can tell you that. My recommendation, make it a girls night, buy your tickets, get out of the heat (or into it) and sit back and enjoy.

All I'd really like to know is what they all had to do to get their bodies like that? And can I touch those abs?

Movie number 20 was Brave (I believe)

21 Terms of Endearment

22 Magic Mike 

I'd give them all 4 out of 5 stars