They tell me dating is a numbers game...

I've heard a lot throughout my life,

and especially in the last couple of years,

that dating is JUST a numbers game.

Well, I did abominably in math in school,

and while I've tried to grasp the concept

that dating is a game all about numbers and ratios and such,

it's left me somewhat more baffled than before...

BUT,

Today I did line up these numbers:

I've had my heart broken a total of 3 times

(not like little let-downs,

but big-old HEART BREAKS)

AND,

subsequentelly,

Adele has released a total of 3 albums...

Let's talk about planets aligning, tender mercies,

meant-to-be, free therapy, etc...

I don't think I've quite mastered the

"Dating Numbers Game...."

But thank goodness for Adele.

And thank goodness someone is looking out for me.

Tinder Review

Tinder is my new favorite thing.

I mean, here's a little taste of the Tinder messages I've received throughout the last few days:


"Hey have you figured out our story so we don't say we met on Tinder?"
     Yes.  You send me that message, I never reply, and we never meet.
     If I do meet/date/marry someone from Tinder, I will label every picture with him #TinderLove

"We can always say we met in line at the grocery store lol."
     (I guess I could also use this as a reply to that first guy.)

"Hello gorgeous, will you be my tinderella?"
     This one might be my favorite.

"I'm in love with you, will you marry me?"

     Uh, yes.  Duh.

"So are you as beautiful in person as you are in all your pictures?  Because that's one amazing smile."
     I honestly don't know how to answer this one.

"I like your look :)"
     Does this refer to how attractive he finds me, or how my face appears when I gaze at something... ?

"You're gorgeous and from Texas! Win win."
     Ok, I revoke my initial acceptance of marriage--I'm marrying this guy!

"Pizza or sushi?"
     Clever.  I liked this one.

"Wow ur gorgeous!"
     And THIS is why Tinder is wonderful.

"You look like a gorgeous princess from a fairy tale."
     That was almost as good as the time a kid thought I was Rapunzel.

"How does Moses make tea... Hebrews it!"
     Hold on, can I marry this one??

"What if I fish like Brad Pitt in the movie A River Runs Through It?"
    Uh, I would prefer that you eat insatiably like Brad Pitt in Oceans 11.


In all seriousness though, in 4 days on Tinder I've had the opportunity (if I've wanted it) to go on over twice as many dates as I have had the chance to go on in a whole year of living in Utah.  I have yet to actually go on any of these dates, so I recognize we're talking quantity versus quality here, but that's a GINORMOUS difference.  I've decided Tinder is a great type of a wing-man... like you know how when you're interested in someone, and you want to get that confirmation from a trusted friend that they think the person you like, likes you back?  And you always secretly wish your friend would just straight up ask them... well Tinder is that friend, and it ALWAYS comes through.  You only get matched up with someone if you both say you're interested.  And then you start a text conversation.  Straightforward.  Simple.  Yes, dating made simpler.  I didn't think that was possible.

Now, the method of "matching up" with people is a fairly shallow one; you see a photo of someone and swipe the picture to the right if you're interested, and swipe left on the other hand if you're not.  You can take the time to read their "Tinder statement" that they've written about themselves, and look to see if you have friends or interests in common... but um, that takes a lot of extra time.  So mostly, you swipe right or left, if you find them attractive or not.  Therefore obviously, there are some creepers on there, and it's a "read the book by the cover" situation initially.

But again, it removes that long, arduous, monotonous, and frustrating period of time where you're figuring out if that person is even interested in dating first of all, and then second, interested in dating you.  They're on Tinder, they swiped right, so they're interested.  It's awesome.  And if you have decent social and conversational skills, from that point on, it's similar to "real life" dating.

If you want to meet and date people, I recommend it.


"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."
--Muhammad Ali

#TinderisaRisk
#worthitsofar
#steppingoutofmycomfortzone

In My Opinion; The Most Attractive

Other than "the givens" --you know, that he is a good and kind person, that he loves God, and he likes me, that he thinks my jokes are funny, and that he agrees with me that Texas is the finest of all states--I've come to the conclusion that there are basically two things that a guy can do that make him seriously attractive.


1. He asks the girl on dates.  I recognize this is not a super hipster view of the dating situation currently, but I'm admittedly old fashioned on this one. Now, I am also a southern, Texas girl, and I happen to hail from a place where it is simply more of an expectation than a special situation that guys hold the door open for a girl and such, so maybe I'm a little biased. I honestly could write a whole post about this subject, but bottom line, I find it incredibly attractive to know  that a guy is interested in dating me, and telling  me he'd like to take me on a date is a pretty sure-fire way of getting that point across.  And guys I know it's nerve-wracking to ask a girl out, but when a boy calls me up, and there's a hint of nervousness in his voice, I'll be honest, I just melt.

2. He offers to help.  Once, I dated this really sweet guy; he was kind and always told me I was beautiful, and I won't complain about that, that was real nice.  But, at the time I was working two jobs with crazy hours, and he never even offered to help me out in any way.  Instead, he actually would get frustrated if I had other obligations and couldn't go out on a date with him.  I didn't realize it until later, but that was the most alone I've honestly ever felt. (It's not a great idea to be in need of help, and not know how to ask for it, and then get into a relationship with someone who has no clue how to offer it...) Another time though, I dated someone while I was juggling a lot of responsibilities from a calling at church, and this guy would literally come walk next to me while I was going around like a crazy person taking care of those responsibilities.  And in contrast to that first situation, this second guy's support made me feel more taken care of and cared about then almost anything else anyone has done for me.  So if a guy offers to come help me do anything, even as simple as helping me to carry my bags, despite the fact that I'm pretty darn independent, it just makes me appreciate him 10 times more.  And it's the same if I see him offer to help other people.  It's real attractive.  Just sayin.



On the other hand, here are some things I could not care less about:

1. His muscles.  I readily admit that I'm not the best at going to the gym consistently, so I honestly do admire how much commitment it takes for him to work out to get those big muscles.  But, if they don't make him any kinder, or more witty, funny, or better at conversation, it just doesn't make that much of a difference to me.

2. How much money he makes.  I. Don't. Care.  I mean, there are some red flags related to this subject--such as massive amounts of debt, or a lack of motivation to work--but hey, no matter what your profession is, as long as you're a dedicated and hard worker, life can be real good.  I'm more impressed by a guy's drive and passion than his paycheck.


Anyway, these are just some thoughts I've had lately.  Thanks for indulging me and reading my rant.  Peace and Blessings y'all.

Grateful for: Knowing scads of wonderful people.  I'd be real ungrateful if I didn't acknowledge how much dang love is in my life.

The Problem

Dear Utah-ins,

Just one thing.  Real quick.

To the 932 people who have asked me why I have yet to get married...

...see, the problem actually is...



that I have gills, and apparently  boys aren't interested in marrying amphibians...

...but seriously, when I figure it out, I shall ratify the issue asap.



Thank you for your concern,
But no thank you :)

Amanda

Two Scoops.

Tired.

  

This is my schedule for the last 3-ish days:

5:30-Wake up and go running/work out (and maybe go back to sleep for an hour).

6:15-Shower.

6:30-Wake up kids/finish getting ready.

6:45-Really wake up kids/make them eat breakfast.

7:15-leave for school drop off's.

7:45-kids off to school, onto job #2.

8:00-check in at job #2.

(enter scenes of me filing, answering phones, greeting patients, learning dental lingo, etc...)

1:00-lunch.

(sometimes lunch with mom, sometimes pick up kids for early release, sometimes take care of sick kids, maybe run a few errands)

2:30-go to pick up kids from school.

3:00-3rd grade homework.

4:00-Enter the middle schoolers/7th and 8th grade homework.

4:30-drive to tutoring appointment/soccer practice.

5:30/5:45-dinner.

6:00-8:00-games or movie or mutual.

8:00-3rd grade bed time.

9:00-7th and 8th grade bed time.

9:30-GRE study/HGTV fix.

10:30/11:30-bed.

Repeat.

A few more times in a row.

And then every once in a while (like tonight), I actually get to sleep in my own apartment.

Whew.

 Tired.

Conclusion: I have 2 jobs, I live pretty much equal time between the house I nanny at and my own apartment, I split my social time between my family and my friends, I even have 2 callings.  It's all about balance right?

Question: So I'm just wondering... where's the two boys vying for my attention??

I mean wouldn't that just bring a complete balance to my life?
I'm already juggling two helpings of everything else!

And I wouldn't mind at all two extra scoops of that. 

Juuuust sayin.

Grateful for: A second job! Such a blessing! And visiting teachers, and home teachers.  And also Kerby-Lane-gluten-free-pancake-lunch-breaks with my Mom, and perfectly-timed (and much-needed) calls from my roommate, and the fact that both my immediate family and also my absolutely wonderful extended family live close enough for me to see them a lot.  Very grateful.

Quote of the day: "Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart."   ~Erma Bombeck