Espresso for the soul...

I think I'm due for some self-praise/-introspection. And I'm going to do it. I honestly don't care how conceited I sound or strange I seem. This one's for me, baby. Heaven knows I need this shot of self-esteem for the ego.

Talents I have:
* I am a fairly awesome piano player. I don't do any improv or such things, but you set me down in front of a piece of music, and I can usually pick the thing out. (I really should play more...)
* I am a mean cook. Not as in, "get out of my kitchen or I'll club you with this rolling pin" type of mean, but I can put out some pretty impressive meals.
* I am a human calendar, in that I remember dates/occasions/other random tidbits, probably to a fault. I know I've mentioned it here before, but it's kind of freakish. Or a talent. I think the latter.
* I am a decent driver. I don't claim to be a good driver because I've been known to scare some people with my skills, but I try to keep my stunt double tricks on the road to a minimum.
* I am a pretty good writer. I'd like to think that my vocabulary is somewhat extensive and that I can keep a reader's attention. (Well, I like to think that...) Also, I try to use correct punctuation and sentence structure. I'm sure we can all appreciate that.
* I am somewhat hilarious. Sometimes I don't even try to be, but it just comes out. And sometimes it's annoying (to others), I'm not going to lie.
* I am responsible. You've all heard about my budget and OCD filing system. Well, I figure if I'm going to have the fun adults have, there's a price to pay (curse you, responsibility!!). Secretly, I kind of enjoy it, though.
* I am a planning maniac. Ask me about my college plans when I was a freshman. I basically had all the classes I wanted to take written down and divvied out to the different semesters I'd want to take them. Crazy, I know, but it goes to show that I'm a girl with a plan. Parties, trips, board meetings...all in my repertoire. In addition to planning like crazy, though, I try to be flexible when plans need to change.
* I am a bargain shopper (most of the time). I found a $40 sweater and a $25 shirt at American Eagle the other day, and after combining a few coupons/% off offers, I got them for $38 (including tax). And that wasn't even one of my better conquests!
* I am neat. Yes, I am cool/awesome, but that's not the 'neat' I'm talking about. I like to have things in their place, and if things get slobbish, I press pause on life to get into a state of cleanliness once more.

Things I love:
* Laughing so hard that I can barely breathe. I have a few friends who can get me into these fits of frenzy, and I love being with them because I know I'll feel more jubilant.
* Forgetting about my diet and eating as much ice cream as I want. Save the guilt for later. (I can't do this often, but it feels so good!)
* When you are changing radio stations and a good song comes on right as you change it so you don't miss a second!
* Watching Gilmore Girls with Rachel.
* Feeling warm and fuzzy after I've done something good for someone else.
* Looking at the weekly ads for stores when they come out on Sunday.
* Going to Wal-Mart at 7:00 on a Saturday morning when I'm basically the only one there.
* When my body actually lets me sleep past 6:30 on a weekend...
* Not driving in crazy traffic to or from work (yay for a strange schedule!).
* Hot chocolate and popcorn when I'm curled up with a blanket.
* Getting a new bra.
* Guys who smell good.

Well, I feel a little better.