Month: December 2015

Happy New Year!

~ kristalauren ~ 4 Comments

New Years Eve is has been strange for me a few years now. It’s always been one of my favorite holidays, as I love making resolutions and having a fresh start.

Many of you know that I was diagnosed with a chronic illness about 3 years ago now, but I’ll write a little bit more about that another day for those of you who don’t know my story.

I’ve learned that NYE is actually a really hard time for young twentysomethings with chronic illnesses. Most of our friends are out drinking and celebrating, while it’s not always quite so simple for us spoonies. There is a lot of planning ahead for a night out in the town, and even if we get out there can be other complications.

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It’s really difficult sometimes feeling like my life is so vastly different from my friends, and although it’s a lot less frequent, I still get frustrated that I can’t have a “normal” life.

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to focus more on what I can do.

It’s hard each year seeing health resolutions that are not met, but this year I am going to make resolutions I can actually control. Instead of saying that by next year I am going to be without chronic pain, I am resolving to be more diligent about my exercises and going to the gym. Instead of saying that I want to be able to move to a crazy city by myself next year, I am going to make the resolution to write more and be creative about making adventures for myself around here until I can venture off on my own.

Making more realistic resolutions is going to be rewarding and I am excited that they require daily work that I will do every week to get closer to my ultimate goal of getting better.

What’s The Buzz On Bumble?

~ kristalauren ~ 1 Comment

I downloaded Bumble this week after several people recommended it to me.

For those of you who don’t know what the app is, it’s basically like Tinder, but instead of either party reaching out with a message, the female has to be the first to communicate. If she doesn’t send a message in the first 24 hours, the connection expires.

One funny thing I’ve noticed about Bumble is that there are a lot of guys using it. Like, I ran into 8 people I knew in the first 15 minutes of using it! And these are guys who are my friends outside of the dating app — there were even more that I recognized from Tinder, Hinge, etc. (Because I’m apparently all over the place.)

At first I thought Bumble would be kind of lame. My prejudgment of the app was that guys who were afraid to ask girls out on their own would use it and that I would really have to take the reins and lead the conversation.

I decided to take my preconceived notions off the table, though, and go into the app with an open mind. Bumble ended up proving me wrong.

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After using Bumble for almost a week I’ve decided it’s actually one of my favorite apps. Here’s why — there’s something on dating apps I like to call “swiper’s regret.” This happens when I match with someone before really reviewing their profile, then realize they’re kind of a creeper. It’s unfortunate having to tell a guy that you’re not interested right off the bat, and it’s a nuisance umatching a bunch of people after looking into them further. Bumble allows a female to do her swiping, then take a closer look before having an exchange with someone.

A pro for guys is that it’s simply more efficient for a girl to reach out and show that she is interested. A twentysomething girl with a dating app is bound to get anywhere from dozens to hundreds of messages that are difficult to sort through, and cannot always reply to every single person who reaches out — it would become a full-time job and dating apps are supposed to be simple.

A lot of guys I know complain about how so many girls don’t even bother replying to their messages. Bumble makes it easy on guys so they can just quickly swipe right, then wait to see if the girl is actually interested in having a conversation.

 

Overall I’d give Bumble a good review for ease of use, efficiency, and quality of matches. What do you think of the app if you have used it? Do you agree or disagree with what I observed so far?

Playing With Matches

~ kristalauren ~ 1 Comment

I had a hilarious time babysitting last night. One of the little girls I watch is in the fourth grade, and somehow got a hold of my iPhone.

She was swiping through my apps so I walked over to see what she was checking out. I cringed a little as she clicked on Tinder, but I took her to the “liking” area for her to swipe right or left. I explained how the game was played, and she caught on quickly. I have to say, she has great taste in guys!

Her criteria for choosing was kind of hilarious. She said that she liked guys with muscles or military men. That’s cool with me.

Then she noticed that there was an option to chat with the men she chose. I let her send the first message, which was usually something like, “Hey cutie, my name is Krista.”

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At least I found out early that he didn’t swipe right because of how funny I am.

I told her that after I screened the incoming messages (Because you know how Tinder can be…) she could reply back. She told a man in a Speedo that she liked his swimsuit and he was very receptive to the compliment.

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Despite the spelling/grammatical errors and creepy message he still wanted to hang.

By the end of the evening I think I had about 100 new matches and a 6 pack from laughing so much. As I was gathering my things to leave, my little partner in crime informed me that she was a great matchmaker and would “hook me up with someone” for the holidays. I am looking forward to seeing her try, but I think I’d rather spend my time goofing off with her than with any of the guys she is trying to set me up with.

Today’s lesson: You really never know who might be on the other end of a screen — you could be Tindering with a ten-year-old girl.

The Single Life

~ kristalauren ~ 2 Comments

Those of you who know me even just a little bit are likely aware that I have a big sweet tooth. I’ve always liked to bake solely because I love the aftermath of baking — eating dessert. This is even listed on my dating profiles, in hopes that I will be asked on a dessert date instead of out for dinner or drinks.

I was recently browsing Pinterest for “eggless cookie dough recipes for one.” This is the definition of being single.

Actually, here is the real definition:

Single (adj): Someone without a significant other.

Activities for singles often involve eating amazing desserts alone while watching reruns of The Office on Netflix.

Anyway, the first thing that popped up when I typed in “eggless cookie dough recipes for one” was an eggless cookie dough recipe for two. Way to rub it in, Pinterest. I thought I could trust you.

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I quickly realized Pinterest had actually given me a blessing in disguise. Not only did I stumble upon a kind of amazing food blog, but I also realized that I could make a recipe for two… Then eat both servings myself! Cookie dough for two is twice the amount of dessert, thus twice the amount of happiness. It’s pretty simple math.

So that’s exactly what I did. I didn’t need to keep looking at the silly recipes for one — those were for amateurs. My life is forever changed, and I will always be a “dessert for 2” kind of gal.

Today’s lesson: Don’t be one of the people who looks at Valentine’s day as being “Singles Awareness Day” or oversize desserts as a rude reminder of your lack of a SO… Step up to the plate and enjoy that treat all on your own! Desserts weren’t meant to be shared anyway.

Ghosted By A Girl

~ kristalauren ~ 4 Comments

I think I’ve mentioned in the past that I love to play matchmaker; I don’t know why. Part of it is definitely just that I love romance. I am a hopeful romantic, in that I do think that there are beautiful love stories out there, and I would be so happy to help people find one of their own.

The only problem is that I am apparently not very good at it. I don’t know if it’s because I never know the people I am setting up well enough to know their “type,” or if I just don’t have a large enough group of people to pull from. Regardless, I have never helped a match get to a second date.

I recently thought I found the perfect match. I was far more excited than either of the parties involved were, as I thought it might be the start of something great for both of them.

Nope. I was 110% wrong.

They made plans for a date, and went out for brunch. Apparently the guy had a pretty good time, but something went wrong on the other end of things.

Not only did the gentleman I set up get ghosted, but I got ghosted when I asked her how the date went too! Like, how bad of a matchmaker do you have to be to get ghosted by your “clients?”

Today’s lesson: Leave the matchmaking to the professionals. People go to them for a reason… Unless you don’t want to pay anyone, then feel free to ask me to set you up. I’m 0 for 4, but am still totally up for the challenge.

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