Puerto Rico

So, if you've read my "Rae's List" blog post, you know that visit Puerto Rico is on my list of things to do before - or by the time - I turn 35 (in, like, 3 years). I've wanted to go to PR since high school, when I saw a Puerto Rican cutie pie (don't remember his name or where I saw him, I just remember that he was fine). Then I actually saw pics and heard from others how gorgeous it is and instantly fell in love.

I'd made plans to go after graduating from college, 10 years ago, but money (or lack thereof) put a stop to it. Well, next year, I'll be graduating with my doctorate degree and I figured, what better way to celebrate becoming Dr. Rae Weakly, EdD, than taking a trip to Puerto Rico.

So, next year, during spring break, my sister, cousin, and I will be spending 10 glorious days in Puerto Rico. I have 5 months til we board that airplane. 5 months to save money for mucho spending dinero. 5 months to lose any weight I've put my mind to losing. 5 months to practice my espanol. 5 months!

Our trip is still in the planning stage, but, you can believe we'll be there come March 12th. My sis and I are determined to see this trip through. Nothing's going to stop us, not even a failing economy, unless, of course, God decides it ain't happening (and we've already prayed on that). I cannot wait. I think I deserve the trip. I have pics of PR plastered on my bedroom wall as inspiration and incentive to keep persevering. This doctorate thing is driving me insane, oh, but when I'm chilling on some beach, relaxing and having fun, the hard work will be worth it!

Guilty Pleasures

Guilty Pleasure: something one considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it (Wikipedia).

The other day, while enjoying an episode of Suite Life of Zack and Cody, I got to thinking about things that I enjoy a little more than I really should...my guilty pleasures. Truthfully, I don't feel guilty for enjoying these things (well, except for one - more on that later). My attitude is: "Yeah, I like it. So what!" Or in Spanish, it's "Y que" (And what). It's just that people may look at me funny for liking this stuff (again, I say, "y que"). So, here's my list:

1. Disney Channel: I'm seriously addicted to Disney. You can always find me enjoying Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Suite Life, etc. And let's not even talk about the fact that I know most of the words to the theme songs.

2. I Kissed a Girl: This song by Kate Perry, is seriously addictive. Although I'm not into the girl-on-girl thing, I find myself singing along. The track is hot, what can I say?

3. Jonas Brothers/Miley Cyrus: My taste in music varies. It just depends on what I'm in the mood for. Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Latin, Country...the list goes on. Added to my playlist is Burnin' Up by Jonas Brothers and 7 Things by Miley Cyrus. I don't go screaming like a crazed fanatic when I see or hear them (which would be oddly disturbing since I'm 32 and they're, like, 15-21). I just like their music.

4. Erotic Novels: So, this is the one that I sometimes feel guilty for liking. I mean, I'm a "good girl" and a "good girl" shouldn't be reading that kind of filth, right? *rolls eyes* Whatever. While erotic novels are not my fave type of books to read, I do enjoy reading them...as long as they're tasteful (there are some raunchy ones out there). I love Zane's novels.

5. Phone Games: I'm totally addicted to playing the games on my phone. I play when I wake up and before I go to bed...not to mention the bagillion (I know - not a word) of times I play in between. It's sort of calming for me - just like coloring. Playing my games soothe me. Don't ask why.

6. Fragrances: You may wonder how can fragrances be a guilty pleasure. Believe me, when you're as obsessed with it as I am, it becomes one of those pleasures. I'm not one who has just one fragrance. Nope. My perfume matches my mood. I can seriously do some damage to my finances if I go shopping for perfume. And if I come across a man who smells good, my nose is automatically drawn to him. I remember a time when I had to keep myself from laying my head on the shoulder of a man sitting next to me in church. I couldn't even concentrates because he smelled sooooo good (and looked good too).

7. Books: Why a guilty pleasure? I'm obsessed with books. I LOVE to read. Seriously, I could spend a whole day reading and finish 5+ books before I go to bed. Wanna know something crazy? I have more than 50 books on my shelf that I've yet to read. Some of them I bought last summer, but ended up putting them on the back burner because I checked other books out at the library and read the library books first. And I still have a "must read" list waiting for me.

8. Tinkerbell: Yeah, so I know I'm a little too old to be into Tinkerbell. I have pens & bags...was just eyeing cute Tinkerbell checks, too (if I had a checking account, I'd already have the checks).

9. Stationary: Another obsession. I can't go through the school supply section at stores without getting the urge to buy spiral notebooks, pens, crayons, markers, mechanical pencils, or pencil bags. Even now, I have a box of unused spirals (decorative) that I refuse to give away. And the fam knows to stay away from Rae's pens and pencils. Sometimes, I get a pen/pencil that matches my spiral. Did I mention that I'm slightly OCD? Good thing I'm not the only one obsessed with stationary. My dad, mom, and sis are too.

10. Bags: Yep, you guessed it - yet another obsession. Just like stationary. Backpacks, messenger bags, bags with wheels, totes. If the design attracts me, I want it.

Sadly, there are more, but I don't want to overwhelm y'all. Maybe another post. Do I sound crazy? Maybe. Do I care. Not really. So, what are your guilty pleasures?