The "Don'ts" in My Opinion

This post is something that I've thought about blogging about for awhile, but went back and forth with it. It has nothing to do with T1D, fitness or being gluten free. It is about the world of online dating. Can be a touchy subject, but it is 2014 and now the internet is a part of everyday life for the majority of people so it is nothing unheard of. Plus I am sure a lot of people will be able to relate to some of my feelings and experiences.

Now these are just my own opinions and in no way is it meant to offend anyone. Maybe it will give a different perspective?

I have been a part of the online dating world for awhile now. Dating in the real world is hard enough and I have come to see that the online world is no better. However I feel that when one makes their online dating debut they should see it as an opportunity to sell themselves. After all isn't that why you go on there and depending on the site, make an investment to keep a profile?

With that said I wanted to share some of my biggest online dating pet peeves.

1. Spelling Errors

We are in the year 2014. We have spell check, apps for spelling, friends to ask and last but not least... the dictionary. On the other hand auto correct has gotten many of us in some awkward situations before. I get that, but there is no excuse for not proofreading. Double check, triple check, quadruple check if you have to! Your online bio is a persons first impression of you! If you cannot compose a decent paragraph or two and know the difference between there, their and they're we are not a good match.

2. Picture Selection

This is the first thing a fellow online dater sees when checking out a profile, so make it your best (and normal)! If all of your pictures are "selfies" with a kissy face, do you really think I am going to take you seriously? I am sorry, but I am not looking for a teenage girl.

Not even kidding.

Or if 9 out of your 10 photos are from the year 2008 I am going to be a little skeptical. Are you trying to get me to date your 2008 self? We are not going back in time. Find a friend, go outside, and get a nice normal shot (or at least try to). Less is more.

The majority of your pictures include other people. Whose dating profile is this? If I have to play a game of "Where's Waldo?" it's on to the next.

Oh and please, don't post multiple pictures of your cat/dog.


3. Sending an Email

This is where that lesson you learned in elementary school about how to write a friendly letter comes into play. Keep it short, but well thought out. "Hey" is not going to cut it. What are we back on AIM circa 2003?

Show that you took two minutes of your time to read the persons profile. Ask a question about the person, state something specific that you noticed you have in common. If you can't compose a coherent, proofread email what do you think a first impression of you will be?

4. Exchanging Numbers

After exchanging a few emails you realize whether or not this person is worth meeting. If they have passed all of the above criterion it is time to meet. This crucial step can really make it or break it. The texting world has had a negative impact on this generation to be able to communicate face to face. Do not rely on the texting before you actually meet. I don't know you yet. I highly doubt you care about my day just yet or want to see what I am up to. If you do that is very nice, but I doubt it. Pick up the phone (or text if you must) and make PLANS to meet. For example...

HIM - "Hey (Kim) it is (Prince Charming) from match. Does Tuesday night work for you to meet for coffee at Starbucks on Smith Street around 7?"

ME - "Hey (Prince Charming) yes that works great. Looking forward to it"

Plans are made, great! Please don't text everyday until then. I do not know you and would like to get to know you IN PERSON. I am not looking for a pen pal.

Obviously afterward if things go well and you continue to get to know each other texting is in the safe zone.

The following example is just a little too pushy for a first time text... just my opinion though.

After specifically saying "Here is my cell, contact me when you would like to schedule a time to get together." This happened: 

Are you kidding me? We have not even met yet. You are not allowed to flirt with me... Or try to. 

The conversation ended there. 

I mean really, "hot" what are you 16?

Also it was clear that this online dater confused two people. Nowhere in my profile did it say NYC. Get your facts before you act... or text in this case.


Some people argue that a young gal' like myself shouldn't rush my single years away. Understandable, but everyone feels differently.

I am in no way trying to rush my life away. I just figured I would share this to hopefully make this process a little easier for the newbie online daters (and hopefully give you all a laugh). I think I have had a fair amount of experience where I can put in my two cents. Maybe I should start being paid for putting up with some of these online offenses for as long as I have. :)

Friday Favorites

It has been a pretty fun week which leaves me with a lot of favorites that I want to share! 

This clearly takes the top spot:

Meeting Billy Joel. Wow I am still star struck. Sadly his mom a long time customer of the restaurant I work at passed, but he held the dinner here! He was very friendly and I am so excited I was able to get a picture with him!


Favorite Academic Moment:

Passing the ALST! A required teacher certification test and my last one :) If at first you don't succeed try again.

Favorite T1D meme:

Luckily I have avoided this for awhile now, but I have been here so many times.


Favorite Adventure:

Meeting my longtime friend Nicole in the city! Check out these throwback pics...

Favorite Aruba Post:

Hopefully one day.

Favorite Song:

You & I - John Legend


Favorite Gym Moment:

Taught 3 spin classes this week and getting good feedback! My spinners nicknamed me "The Pusher."

Favorite Single Girl Problem:

Favorite Quote:

Have a good weekend! Stay tuned... I am working on a post I am excited, but a little nervous to share at the same time.

Saturday Morning Jumped Out Of Bed...

And put on my best workout clothes to go hiking. Fellow spin instructor and friend Erin invited me to go over to the trails in Kings Park to workout which was a nice change of pace from the gym. We lucked out and had a beautiful morning!

Erin was nice enough to drive. It was really great switching up my workout and I am definitely feeling it now! As always before any new type of workout I get concerned about blood sugar issues, but I had a perfect morning.. yay! After my usual "safety" go to breakfast I started working out at 150 and ready to go.

After some stretching...

We hit the trails.

I instantly felt the difference running on a trail as opposed to flat concrete. Leg burn immediately! 

Even though the trails were shady we were still nice and sweaty when we made it to the boardwalk for the HIIT part of our workout. Sprints, exercise, light jog, repeat. The exercise alternated between pushups, mountain climbers, side planks and burpees.

Burpees... love to hate them, but in reality we really love them. :)

My new motto for HIIT is short, sweet, and sweaty.

Blood sugar check: 184

The remainder of our workout consisted of jogging/walking along the beach back to our starting point.

I really liked this challenge! Lately I have been feeling in sort of a "workout rut" and this definitely broke me out of that.

Came home to this: 

Yay! Thanks Erin for a great workout... next time we tackle those hills.

Katy Perry Post

Wednesday was the Katy Perry concert at MSG. She was incredible! It was so great that even my blood sugar rose to the occasion and came to watch. Uninvited of course, but when is it ever invited? 

My friend Melissa came with me and beforehand we grabbed dinner at one of the restaurants in Penn Station. We both went with the fajitas! Melissa - steak and me - chicken. Instead of flour tortillas we used lettuce wraps instead... bye bye gluten and calories!

By the time we made our way upstairs to our seats I got this....

Even though I had no carbs at dinner and took insulin most things with T1D don't make sense. All I could do was take more insulin and try to relax. Easier said then done. It is very frustrating when you try so hard to do things right, but you feel like your efforts do not matter. Even more annoying is sitting and worrying that something will happen because your blood sugar is so high and all you want to do is enjoy the concert.


Anyway enough Debbie downer. Here are some pictures from the concert. We had great seats and were up doing a lot of singing and dancing!

We had to resort to taking our own picture because the woman sitting next to us was of no help. 

Opening to Roar! 

How cool would it be to fly around MSG? 

I was out way past my bedtime but it was totally worth it. We made the 11:42 train home and luckily Starbucks was still open so I was able to enjoy an extra bar time on the way home. 

Getting home around 1:30 am to this 

A great number, but too low for going to sleep. So I had a plumb and finally got to bed around 2am. 

Really hate going through this cycle ...

But it's just the reality :( 

Billy Joel, Fireworks and Other Stuff

You know what they say, after the 4th of July summer is almost over. 

I can't believe July is well under way. It has continued to be filled with some fun things like this summer in general.

Last Wednesday I went to the Billy Joel concert at MSG. What a performance! Even the opening act, Gavin DeGraw killed it. I think it was the first time at a concert where I knew who the opening act was.

Despite getting caught in torrential rains heading to the Garden and not the most considerate concert go-ers around us, it was great being able to see such an icon perform live.


Friday was the 4th of July. Despite Hurricane Arthur passing by us earlier in the day, it turned out to be a beautiful evening with the best fireworks show Macy's has ever displayed!

I forgot to snap some pics from me during the hot dog eating concert. I had my hands full, next year! :) 

I also received news that my best friend Tanya is engaged to her boyfriend of 4 years!!! (Thanks to me somewhat) So excited and happy for both of them. :)

               (Open those eyes JT!) 

The past couple of weeks I have been trying very hard to give myself advice that I often give to others. What's meant to be will be. Why is it so difficult for us to accept when we are the ones trying to believe it? These are just a few things I have found comforting lately...

And this just because.....

         Makes me want a puppy :)