One giant step for....growing up

After a few weeks of researching stocks and mutual funds, I finally opened my own personal investment account tonight! I didn't set it up to be specifically for retirement, just general investing, but I think it was a very smart decision. Everyone has been advising me to get in now, not only because I am young, but also because the stock market is down. With graduation money coming in a few months, I wanted to get a head start on growing up, heh.

This weekend I went home to Lake Charles for my sister's 23rd birthday. There's something about visiting family and spending time at "home" that makes me a complete mess! I don't know what it is, but one part of me feels relieved to be home, off the road and in a familiar, loving environment. I thoroughly enjoy when my mom cooks for me and does my laundry while I play couch commando and raid the pantry. But not long after I've settled in and unpacked my bags, my "other side" reminds me that I have important domestic responsibilities and homework waiting for me 2 hours away. I am a terrible driver at night, so this only adds to the anxiety of getting home. I still managed to have a great time, although it was short-lived...I came home Saturday afternoon around 4.

I was however, very shocked to hear that my mother has recently been a victim of identity theft! Someone obtained her credit card information online and made two purchases before she discovered the fraudulent charges. Luckily Chase has been working with her to get her account reimbursed, and they are thoroughly investigating the situation to make sure her credit isn't jeopardized. She is the 4th person close to me that has had someone use their credit card information illegally, and I've decided that identity theft is inevitable. No matter how careful you are to shred sensitive documents and minimize online purchases, someone will find their way in. Actually, two of the people I speak of were victimized by using their credit/debit card in a restaurant! That's right-you give your waiter your debit card with the check, then they walk off with it to run your card, and this is when they also run it through what's called a "skimmer" that they keep in their pocket. It memorizes all the information on your card so that they can retrieve your information later. Identify theft is the number one crime in America, and I predict it will only get worse with the failing economy.

Good luck out there! and good night.

::loren::

It's a Beautiful Day, Don't Let it Slip Away...

Hello friends! Anyone else enjoying this beautiful weather? Jeremy and I sat outside most of the day and played with Tank. I also read a little further into The Devil in the White City, which is turning out to be a very good book.

Last night we went to Tokyo Cafe to celebrate Melissa's birthday! I love hibachi, and I especially love sharing good food with good friends! Oh, and the red velvet cake we had for dessert was magnificent. After dinner we went to visit some old friends who are expecting a baby girl, Taylor Violet Walsh. The baby room is so adorable, and I can't wait to see her! I try to find good reasons everyday to use as "good birth control," but sometimes you just can't help but get excited about welcoming new life into the world.

Tonight we are having dinner with some friends at Kona Grill. We'll probably catch a movie next door and then meet everyone downtown at Boudreaux's and Thibideaux's (I really hate that name...) for some drinks. Before I go get ready, I have to share my love for Martian Child - I absolutely love John Cusak, and he does an outstanding job in this movie about an orphan who thinks he's from Mars. [ here's a preview ]

::loren::

The Weekend Recap

You know, it's been a while since I've seen a good suspense movie. Saturday night Jeremy and I went with some friends to see Untraceable, and I can't stop thinking about it! That movie evoked every type of emotion in me, from anger and rage to nausea and satisfaction. I was literally on the edge of my seat, completely absorbed for the entire duration. Movies are supposed to entertain and captivate, and while it may not go up for movie of the year, it was a highly successful and therefore, I highly recommend! Please let me know what you think if you make it out to see it, but I must warn you, it's not for the faint of heart! [ watch the trailer ]

We also ventured out to the dog park Saturday to share the beautiful weather with our beloved canines, sorry Miles! It was my first dog park "experience," and it was also highly entertaining. I'm excited for the Cane's park to open, hopefully soon. Later that night we went to Wal-Mart, and since I felt bad for leaving Miles at home, we got him a harness and a leash as an experiment - it failed miserably this morning! He wildly protested with a lengthy temper tantrum. Glad I didn't spend more than $6 on that...

It is indeed another beautiful day in south Louisiana, and I think I'm going to take Tank down to the lakes before sunset. I hate Mondays.

::loren::

Lundi Gras, Mardi Gras

[ a little history on the holiday ]

Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday") is the day before Ash Wednesday, and is also called "Shrove Tuesday" or "Pancake Day." Mardi Gras is the final day of Carnival, though the term is often used incorrectly to describe the days and weeks preceding Fat Tuesday. Carnival begins 12 days after Christmas on January 6 and ends on Mardi Gras, which always falls 47 days before Easter. Perhaps the cities most famous for their Mardi Gras celebrations include New Orleans, Louisiana; Venice, Italy; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

While not observed nationally throughout the United States, a number of cities and regions in the country have notable celebrations. Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a sedate French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century, when King Louis XIV sent the pair to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisianne, which included what are now the U.S. states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Today I continue work on my p o r t f o l i o . . . tomorrow we drink!

::loren::