Ginger In The Rye: January 2012

Monday, January 30, 2012

I Hate Hipsters.But I'm Rocking Ray Bans!

It has been about 4 years since I first started wearing glasses. In those short four years I have been through about 5 pairs. YIKES! Some people can wear their glasses for years without having a scratch on them, however, that is not the case for me. I like to leave them places around town, friends apartments, in my backpack, but not this pair. After my other pair needed a little too much TLC I bought my own pair for once. I went with the Cadillac of glasses. The ever so retro...Ray Bans. Lets make one thing clear. I hate hipsters. I'm talking about the ones that that wear Ray Ban's and a hoodie in the middle of June kind. That listen to old Vinyl Records because it, "Just sounds better!" kind.

This is a typical hipster I am referring to! (Just in case you need a visual!)

Hey, close your legs!

True Story!

Then there is me! I bought the more traditional Ray Bans. I promised myself to take REAL good care of these ones!

Consider, Rocked!

Hope life is beautiful wherever you are!

----Shannen

Sunday, January 29, 2012

My Take On The Next Presidential Election.

If you know me sometimes I tend to get a little political. I am a conservative that hates radical left wing Democrats. My parents instilled the values of HARD WORK, LIBERTY, and HAPPINESS, which created a guideline of conservative practices in my household.

But as far as this next election goes and for the rest of eternity for this country I have never been more disappointed, worried, and frankly scared for my entire life.

In 2008 we voted for this guy.

I don't want to push anyone's buttons or upset anyone, but The American People were fooled. "We" wanted change, and oh boy did we get it. Our debt is at it's highest, gays can be open in the military, college tuition keeps rising, and millions are still unemployed.

But to be fair I could never be more disappointed in the candidates of my own party this year. After turning 18 last year, I can finally vote in this one! I am excited but I haven't found that WOW factor in any of my party's candidates.

Lets look at the line up!

Newt how is your wife that blonde!?
Oh..and what does Pelosi have on you
that you, "Won't be president."?

Mitt I liked you. Why do you change your mind all the time?
Flip Flopper!

Who the hell is this guy?

All I'm saying is Republicans, this was your chance...and you give me these guys. Give me a break!

What is your take on Election 2012?

Hope life is beautiful wherever you are.

----Shannen

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

I Finally Broke Down...And Started Tanning!

So as you may know my sister Stephanie is getting married! Her wedding is right and around the corner and I soon came to the sudden realization...I am WHITE AS HELL! My skin color is the result of having flaming red hair! With that I bought a tanning membership to Club Tan and I have already started to see results! If you know me you know that I don't like doing these kinds of things, but I plan on looking spectacular for the wedding! Since this was my first experience in tanning I had a little difficulty the first time. I forgot to put the lid of the tanning bed down. Needless to say I needed a little help! Thanks stephanie! Oh and my favorite part About this whole tanning thing is that I'm using JWOWW's Black Bronzer!

Hope life is beautiful wherever you are!

----Shannen

My black bronzer!

My new best friend!

Monday, January 23, 2012

All In The Family. Part Two.

So if you have been keeping up you know that I told you about my family. But If you are a fellow ginger then you know that being a red headed step child calls for another family. This family is the type that is warm and inviting. Loves you like your own parents. Sends you texts. Buys you gifts. And are your family you go to when you need a break from your own. For me this would be the Alvarez/Flaherty/McDonald Household(Don't have time to explain all the last names.)

MEET MY OTHER FAMILY!

Bob, Bobby, The Bobster

As you can tell Bob is super photogenic! He sells life insurance for CBIZ. I don't know a whole lot about the company, but they give out the most amazing free Chapstick ever! Oh and he gets to travel quite frequently. He has a lot of life experiences that he shared with me. Some are crazier than other but they are crazy! Hands down best person to share a beer with and loves taking pictures!

Meet Kelly!

This is Kelly! I call her "MOM"! She is super nice and always laughs at my jokes. She loves Facebook! She is BIG TIME IRISH! As in they gave me an Irish Claddagh for graduation. She loves her kids, works hard, and genuinely cares about people. She is married to Bob who loves pictures and she hates em!

Shayna hates pictures too!

I met Shayna in biology my Sophomore year of High School. We had prior beef with each other in middle school, but that was soon resolved due to my friendliness and shinning personality! When we started to hangout I soon fell in love with her family as they are great people! Shayna wants to be a Veterinarian! She also loves Facebook! Has a lot of common sense...as sometimes I do not!

This is Claudia, she is really smart.

But also can be very sneaky!

Then there is Ashley.....

This picture should sum it up!

Oh and who could forget the Artist of my other family! Valarie, her boo Gino and their adorable baby Lily!

This picture is breath taking.

Hope life is beautiful wherever you are!

Everyone has or had one of these families! They have done more for me then I will ever know!

Thanks,

---Love, your redheaded daughter, (Ginger in the Rye)....Shannen

Sunday, January 22, 2012

19 On The Nineteenth.

As some of you may know my birthday has passed. It was a pretty low key day! I had class in the morning, but still managed to sneak in a birthday breakfast with my mom at our favorite Eastside cafe, KG'S. I enjoyed the tradition of eating KG'S Short Stack of Pancakes that in reality could pass for IHOP's full stack times 3. After History and English I waited for one of my best friends John, AKA JohnJohn to get out of class to go to lunch. He took me to Applebee's which was refreshing because I haven't been there in a while. I am here to tell you, Applebee's has CHANGED! They took everything off the walls painted them one color and put up pictures of random kids in Stanford shirts on the walls. The atmosphere was different but the build your own sampler made up for it! It was delicious! Then John, his sister Samantha and I went to ColdStone to enjoy my favorite, Birthday Cake Remix, which was delicious and ironic as it was also my birthday! After I convinced John to take pictures at the park while we were waiting for our buddy Zach to get off work to really get the party started!

Shooting Star...No Big Deal!

Graffiti in Tucson, what else is new!

I love taking pictures of signs.

John the Model...sorta.

After pictures, Zach came over to John's house and we played Just Dance 3 for about 2 hours and was the most fun/exhausting thing ever! But before my actual B-Day my family went to Pinnacle Peak's for some delicious steaks. This was also a good time to break in the new Camera that I got myself, which I mentioned earlier! We had fun! Food was delicious as always!

Old Time Saloon

Jail Time! (My Dad knows something about that!)

Steph and Cory!

Chinese Laundry Mat!

Savory Opera House!

And what would a Birthday be without cake! If you look really closely the Bakery spelled my name wrong. No Big. All in all I had a great birthday!

Happy 19th Birthday Shanen! #fail

And Finally a picture of me on my 19th birthday. That day I realized that the last time I cut my hair was before prom, which was in April of last year....yikes! This is the outcome. Total Ginger Status!

Ginger in the Rye

Hope life is beautiful wherever you are!

oh and a little fun fact, Mac Miller is my birthday buddy!

-----Shannen

Monday, January 16, 2012

All In The Family. Part One.

Since this blog is about my life, let me introduce you to my family. I would not be here today without two very obvious people. My mom and dad.

MEET THE FAMILY!

Jeff

My dad, Jeff is the sweetest, nicest guy I know but has shorter fuze than dynamite. He is a big softy, all considered he does live in a house full of girls. He works for the Federal Government, which means bomb healthcare!

Michelle

Michelle, my mom was once a ginger like me. She is hardworking and has a lot of common sense.

Cory and Steph!

Stephanie my sister...she is crazy, that is all! She is one lucky gal marrying that guy to her right. CANADIANS DO IT BETTER!

Nicole

This is my cousin Nicole. She works harder than any other 30 year old I know. She lost her Mom this year and still finds a reason to smile(except in this picture!). She is hands down one of my favorite people, even when we fight.

Barb

Norm

My grandparents, Norm and Barb made their mark on the world through Real Estate. They are the best example of "The Perfect Landlords".

James "Aubrey" "Little Train"

My Uncle Aubrey sells phones for Verizon. As you can see he has total and complete SWAG! It was apparently sweater vest Thursday at the store.

Jim "Big Train"

Kathy

James and Kathy, my other grandparents were in the retail business, which relocated them to Tucson from the heart of Texas. They are DIEHARD COWBOYS FANS.

Well, now that you have met the family I can't wait to tell you about my other family. Until next time!

Hope life is beautiful wherever you are!

----Shannen

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Lafonda the Honda, My New Camera, and School Starts Soon!

For my New Year's Resolution I have decided to document my life, which you can already see is going "so good so far!" In order to do that I felt the urge to go out and buy a camera that is way too fancy and high tech for me but oh well...

Sony NEX-3 OX

Picture taken with my Sony NEX-3

Another picture taken with my Sony NEX-3

Among my other big purchases this year was my car that I LOVE! After looking on the internet and reviews for little compact cars I decided on a 2011 Honda Civic! Best decision of my life. It is perfect!

On another note school is starting soon. I am very prepared this semester, as I am sure that you can see!

Hope life is beautiful wherever you are!

----Shannen

Monday, January 9, 2012

2011 In Review!

Well, not to be cliche, but this last year had many ups and downs. To begin I turned 18, and for me that was really something. I could buy cigs, mags, and go to the strip club. To be quite honest I did all of those things. Lord please forgive me!

After placing 1st in the State of Arizona for Sports and Entertainment Marketing Management Team Event, my partner Catie and I attended the International Career Developement Conference In Orlando, Florida in May. We competed against thousands of young teens that aspire to have a career in Business( however, business in my sister's thing but I am really good at it!). My fellow DECA Chapter members and I went to places like Universal Studios (Harry Potter World!!!), and Disney World! It was a blast and I can't wait to go back!

Then, I graduated from High School! Probably my greatest achievement yet, and loved spending time with my friends and family on my special day!

After a summer with my friends, I shortly started college. Life was pretty good! But then my aunt who was very sick lost her battle to Cervical Cancer. She was an amazing woman. She lives on in our hearts and her service was beautiful. It was truly a celebration of her life, and the energy of the 400 people that attended remembered her for her smile, fun loving personality, and beauty! If there is one thing I have learned in my short time on earth is that....CANCER SUCKS!

Linda Diane Johnson
July 1, 1962 - October 22, 2011

Between homework, tests, and working 40 hours a week at my new job (I guess I forgot to mention that) It was Thanksgiving! Then it was Christmas! My mom, sister, and I went on a spur of the moment vacation to Disneyland! It was so much fun! I had a fun time on New Years with some of my co-workers! My life has been crazy this last year, but I wouldn't trade anything! Here are some pictures of my family during the Holidays!