The Whitening Power of Crest

Okay, so I knew my teeth weren't the whitest, but I didn't know they were that bad. Not until I started telling people I was using Crest White Strips and they said things like "good!" and "it's about time!"... which didn't make me feel very good about myself :/ I knew they weren't super white, but I didn't think they were super yellow either. I guess no one ever had the courage to say anything to me. Chris even admitted that my teeth didn't look that good, and all I could think was, "how could you go out with someone who has disgusting teeth?" I guess I'm glad they all waited to tell me until I was actually doing something about it...

Before

After

Well there are my results! I used Crest 3D White Whitestrips Advanced Vivid. I think they look much better, but I think they could still be whiter. The product was very simple to use, I put them on once a day for 14 days for 30 minutes and let them do their job. They stayed in place very well and didn't even have a bad taste to them at all! My gums did get a little sore while in use, but they've stopped hurting since I stopped using the strips. The pain was bearable, more annoying than anything else. I would definitely recommend this product to others who are looking to whiten their teeth.

I definitely feel more confident about smiling now. Next step is to get them straightened! My top teeth aren't that crooked (at least I don't think so, but I guess that doesn't mean anything), but my bottom ones are; my bottom teeth grew in too fast for my baby teeth and became crowded. At least they don't show when I smile! But then again, I really don't want braces... anyone have the lowdown on invisalign?

Wordless Wednesday

Driving in Goleta

Look out people! Driver from Bakersfield coming through!

There are quite a few differences between Bakersfield and Goleta. One of the big differences I have observed is the speed limits! I can just be minding my own business, driving down the road, and I'll notice that I'm passing everyone up. Then I realize I'm going 50 mph and slow down. It's so weird! If you drive 50 mph in Bakersfield, you're going slow and other drivers will get pissed off at you. It's just automatic for me when I'm driving; I cruise at 50/55 all the time in Bakersfield.

In Goleta/Santa Barbara most of the speed limits are 25-45. There are rarely any places where you can drive over 45 mph (legally). The one big exception is the 101 freeway. I have a feeling people living there LOVE the freeway. Why? Because that's the only place I'm driving too slow. The speed limit is 65. I drive 65. Practically everyone passes me up on the freeway. For this reason, I have learned to take the freeway whenever possible, of course it is nice to just cruise around and explore sometimes (which I've been doing a lot this past week).

I've actually been avoiding the freeway for the most part and taking the regular roads so that I can get more familiar with the area. I'm in Bakersfield right now for my birthday weekend, and I'm thinking about getting my bike fixed up and taking it back with me. Another difference about Goleta? There are people on bikes everywhere. You have to be very careful when you're driving. This is probably another reason why the speed limits are so low; they don't want you running over bikers!

Other than being lucky about not getting a speeding ticket yet, Goleta has been great! I am loving the weather! I arrived on Sunday and on Monday I checked my Google Homepage and noticed the weather was still set up for Bakersfield. I changed it to show Goleta as well. This made me especially happy to be in Goleta (:

Wordless Wednesday

Big Decisions and Big Changes

Chris just left. He's on his way to Santa Barbara. He's been planning on moving back there since before the day we started going out two years ago. I always thought of it as being a sad day. This guy that I love, then liked, was going to move away, and I would hardly get to see him in person, if at all. I would try to be happy for him, because he really didn't like it in Bakersfield, and I would smile and tell him I'll miss him, but I knew there would be some tears eventually.

My whole outlook on him moving changed about a month and a half ago when he first brought up the idea of me moving with him. Wow. We've been dating for over two years now, and his house is like my second home, so it wouldn't be that big of a change, but it's going to be a whole different city. I'm not going to lie, it's a little scary. Not only am I making the decision to move in with him, I'm making the decision to move cities. Away from all of my friends and my family. I know I have friends there, and I'm sure I'll make new ones, but it's just such a big change.

I've lived in Bakersfield my entire life. The biggest change I've made since living here was getting a small tattoo on my back! I know I'll be okay, but I also know I won't be able to sleep at all Saturday night. I would have gone with him today, but I have to work on Saturday, so I'll be moving away on Sunday. It sounds so sad to say "moving away" haha. I hear all my friends making plans for this summer, and it saddens me to know I won't get to be a part of them. You all have to come visit me in Santa Barbara! (or else).

But it's not all sad stuff! I'm taking a big step with my boyfriend and we're moving in together. That makes me very happy. I'm also going to be able to get to know his family better! I know he loves them all very much (: Right now all I have to worry about is getting a job, and I'm really not too worried about it. I've already applied to a few places, and I've got a list of more places to look into. I've had a interview already... which I don't think went that great, but by Sunday I'll be living in Santa Barbara and I'm sure it'll be easier once I'm not 2.5 hours away (:

This is the biggest decision of my life so far, and I know I'm making the right one. I'm sure I'll come back to Bako once in a while, and I'm coming back for the fall quarter, so it's not like I'm leaving for good. I'll miss you all.

Farewell.

Wordless Wednesday

A Sigh of Relief

I did it! I made it through the last week of the quarter! Now only finals are left, and I'm not really worried about those haha. I probably should be, at least a little, but I'll stress about those when it gets closer :P

I have crossed nearly everything off of my previous list. All that is left is the accounting project, however my part of that has been done since Sunday- I'm just waiting on the other girls in my group. I have a few remedial homework assignments, but for the most part my list is manageable. I have two finals on Wednesday and my ag final is a take home, so nothing really to stress about there!

When I'm feeling stressed about school work, the best thing I can do is make a list. It allows me to figure out what needs to be done and just focus on one thing at a time. When I think about all the work that needs to be done (I have a ten page paper, and a two page paper, and a four page paper to do! How am I going to get all of this done?!?), I tend to get a little bit stressed out. Making lists helps my workload feel more manageable, and being able to cross an item off the list is so relieving. Instead of thinking of things in bulk, I think about them by themselves (I have a ten page paper). This allows me to focus and work my way through one project at a time. This always helps. Always.

Next time you're feeling overwhelmed with school or work, just make a list of what you have to do and focus on one thing at a time. It will help you to know exactly what you need to get done, get it done more efficiently, and helps relieve unsightly stress! I'm a huge procrastinator, so I know how it feels when everything piles up on you (see my to-do list). Making lists is my number one piece of advice for destressing at the end of the quarter. What's yours?

On another happy note, I'm loving my new camera (: Thank you babe. Have I mentioned how much you rock lately?

Crossing It Off The List

Cue the loudest, girliest squeel ever.

Okay, so, last week I was bored in class so I started making a "want" list. Well, two lists actually. An "I can afford" list, and a "not gonna happen anytime soon" list. In the latter there were little things like hair flowers, mascara, and nail polish. The shorter, more expensive list contained items like a new laptop, a smart phone, and an "awesome" camera. I never dreamed that I would be crossing something off that so soon!

On Thursday I had an interview at BevMo! in Santa Barbara. I invited Chris to go with me; I thought it would be a fun day trip, and I know he appreciated the weather there. We got to visit with his mom for a bit and his cousin- it was a real good time! I don't know how well the interview went.... but I should find out in the next few days if I'm getting a second one! Anyway, we got there around 11, interview was at 1 and we left around 2-2:30 ish. On the ride home, Chris decided to make a pit stop in Oxnard.

We stopped at a uniform store and Chris bought some awesome boots for work and then we went to Fry's and Best Buy and Chris gave me the biggest surprise. After being extremely dissatisfied with the customer service at Best Buy, Chris bought me a camera at Fry's. And not just any camera, an awesome one! This is where the girly squeel comes in ;) He was going to buy me the Canon Rebel t2i, but it was out of stock at Fry's and we ended up going home with the t3i.

I never expected this. All I can say is I have the most awesome boyfriend in the world (: He said he was going to buy it while I was at the interview, but this was surprise enough anyway I think, because I never saw it coming :P I had my suspicions when he actually picked up the SD card and carried it over to the cameras, but I wasn't about to get my hopes up. Turns out I was right. I am now on the way to being a "professional" photographer :P

So many doors have opened, and now all I need is a better laptop that is faster, has more memory, and has Photoshop CS6 so I can edit the RAW photos my awesome camera can take... Hey! My birthday is in 23 days! Maybe I should put my list on here... Haha, anyway! Thank you so so much Chris. I didn't think you could do it, but your rating on the awesome scale just went up that much higher (: I love you, I love you, I love you.

So yeah, Ashley Amick Photography just got awesomer as well. So if you every want me to take some photos for you (with my new awesome camera) just let me know!