nothing.

I think it's the simplicity of breaks that I love the most. I have been on this winter break for exactly four days and so far I have done absolutely nothing. Nothing.. I forgot what it felt like, maybe that is why that's all I have been doing lately. 

Tomorrow morning I'm headed to Disney with a selection of friends and family for three days of Christmasy bliss. It will be the start to my Christmas break, and maybe the end to my "nothing" streak. 

I asked for Twilight for Christmas. I just have to see what all the buzz is about. So far I have been casually walking behind the vampire-obsessed bandwagon, maybe one day, I will hop on and join the journey.. we will see. 

almost.

You know that you have been studying too much when your "breaks" consist of studying for a different class or working on a final project. I'm just one final away from my much anticipated Winter Break. This week full of finals, papers, hardly any sleep has been long and rough (and the  fact that I managed to catch a stubborn little cold doesn't help either) but it is almost over and I couldn't be more ready. I love my school, my friends, even the large course load (ok maybe not "love" but it's not too bad) but it's time for a break. I need it, and plan to take full advantage of it. I really just want to bake cookies and watch cheesy Christmas movies with my mom. 

Goodnight.... well I guess good morning.

Grateful

Happy Thanksgiving! I had a really great one this year. Usually my Thanksgiving is rushed. I typically wake up only to watch a few minutes of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, head to my Aunt's for lunch, then hurry back home to get to bed in preparation for my favorite shopping day of the year. This year was different. I was home, which in itself is something to be thankful for, I got to watch the entire parade, and enjoyed a leisurely meal cooked my my mom and finished the day constructing our "battle plan" for tomorrow. It was great, just what I needed. The day even managed to keep my mind off the two papers and countless journal entries that need to be done. Wow, I have a lot to be thankful for. 

Side note: The fact that Anderson Cooper is just as obsessed with the Real Housewives series as I am only make me like him more. 

November?!

I feel like I missed out on Halloween this year. I was feeling sick all day so that kind of put a damper on the whole evening. I hadn't planned to wear a costume, so instead of doing the typical Halloween activities, I stuck to my normal Friday night line-up with the addition of a carmel apple and some candy corn. I think it came too fast this year, much like a lot of other events, and now it's November..geez.  All I have to say is next year it's going to be good. I already know what I am going to be.. it will impress.. you just wait. 

About 3 weeks til Thanksgiving break. I say "break" with hesitation since it is really just a 3 day tease that comes before finals week, but I'm ready for it. I can almost smell the pumpkin swirl cheesecake and I almost have my Black Friday battle plan completed. 

Is anyone else sad that Joaquin Pheonix is done with movies? I really liked him, he is one of those versatile actors who you can watch over and over again and still be surprised. He made me enjoy listening to the twangy tunes of Johnny Cash though, so if music is his next move then I guess it's a good one.  

:)

I find myself excited lately. This could be attributed to a number of things. Perhaps because it's been cold the past few days, Thanksgiving is about a month away which means that it's almost Christmas season, or maybe the fact that the only assignment I have due this week requires me to watch my favorite TV shows. Actually, it's all of the above. 

So, I found out over my fall break that my beloved Hops closed for good. Not only was this my favorite Ocala restaurant, it was home to some of my most cherished memories. It may seem odd, but that neighborhood eatery held memories of many pre-game meals,countless summer lunches, after church dinners, and even my 18th surprise birthday party. Not to mention the delicious jamaican chicken and those awesome little croissants. But alas, since I was probably the only person who really ever went there.. I guess that is what happens when I leave town. 

all I can muster is a list...

I had four midterms is three days. One took two class periods to finish, one was a dance performance, and two were essays.. and I had a random quiz in the one class that did not have a midterm. Because of this, I will have to settle for a mindless list, rather than a paragraph or so of my thoughts on a subject. Here we go...

Current Obsessions:

• fall (quickly becoming my favorite season)
• pumpkin flavored things (has always been an obsession)
• Jim Halpert (I need someone just like him in my life)
• chocolate brown nail polish
• the idea of visiting Greece after graduation
• rice cakes
• cardigans 
• Gossip Girl
• British actors who play American characters (Ed Westwick anyone?)
• flavored water
  
• Smallville's Lois Lane (never thought I would say it, but she is growing on me)

Now on to a much needed Fall Break.

Despite the lack of morals, I watch Gossip Girl

I have a weekend full of studying ahead of me. I will be gearing up for midterms. Midterms- I cannot believe that my first semester of sophomore year will be half over by the end of next week. It's exciting and also worries me. I have so many things I want to do this year, goals I want to reach, things I need to learn. When I think about this for a long period of time, my head starts to hurt, but then I realize that's just part of the experience. I have so many dreams and goals, that to achieve them will bring some headaches, maybe a few stressful days, even an occasional "breakdown" but it's all worth it. 

 

In other news, it's fall. I love it when the seasons change and to pick a favorite is almost impossible for me, but fall is pretty high on the list. It's the season when everything starts back up. The weather becomes enjoyable, my favorite shows start their new season, and most of all pumpkin is the featured flavor in just about every eatery I go to. I also think that my college campus thrives during the fall. The grassy area in our quad is lined with students reading, the classes are comfortable, and everyone is really into the swing of school. It's time to pack up my flip flops and buy some cardigans because fall is here! 

Hockey anyone?

My first paper assignment of the year is based on my family tree. When I first read the prompt, I chuckled a little, not sure how I felt about the whole thing. At first thought, the idea of a family tree seems a bit elementary. I also thought of  the fact that many people in my family simply think that because there may have been someone from this country maybe once somewhere along the line in our ancestry then we are 100% from a certain country, I worried about accuracy.  But after just a short phone call, and some time spent on youtube "researching" common stereotypes for the people I call my own I noticed some interesting things.  Although I have British and Canadian influence along with some West Virginian (but we won't go there) I never realized that some of these "stereotypes" describe me perfectly. I mean, I don't know the rules of cricket, I would  opt for an iced tea to-go rather than sitting down everyday to enjoy a scalding hot cup with some crumpets on the side but I am quite fond of a British accent and always in the mood for some pure maple syrup when eating pancakes.  But these are things I already knew about myself. I knew where they came from and who they came from, but there were some things I didn't know. Scotland. It turns out I am part Scottish. I wasn't aware of this until last night, and after reading about the commonalities of the Scottish culture I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. I discovered that little tidbits of my personality can be directly attributed to these people. Example: I would love to live in a castle, I think plaid is rad and I love my TV shows just like the lovely Scots!  Needless to say, I have added a few new places to my " I have to go there one day" list.

It's here!

This school year had a bit of a whirlwind start.. literally. Fay decided to set up camp in my quaint little college town for about a week, causing classes to be cancelled and providing time to catch up with good friends. The days spent indoors without a strict agenda provided much needed adjustment time. Something I never look forward to, but seem to be doing alot lately. I am not the biggest fan of change but I have come to realize that I am in a continual season of it. I am constantly adjusting to new surroundings,  and when I have a little extra time to do it, I feel more comfortable. So, even though it brought some rain and a few bad hair days and thankfully nothing worse, I think this little visit from Fay was a bit of a blessing in disguise. Now back to classes, homework, and 90 degree weather! 

Note:

 Jason is newest Bachelor! So, he wasn't my favorite this past season, but to see 25 women around my Jeremy may not be as entertaining to watch. Can't wait til January!

give me five

Five days left. Just five short days until I trade in my TV shows and pilates for classes and food that is not the best, I move from my comfy Parisian bedroom to a small (but bigger than last year) dorm. Five days until my sophomore year of college begins. I'm ready, but not yet. Just let me have my five days. I haven't begun to pack, and I don't have the yearning to learn thoughts in my head. But they will come, in five days... hopefully! 

On a lighter, less stressful note, my September Elle came in yesterday. Ok, so I know no one really cares, but hey, it's my blog right? It is over 600 pages long, aka, the biggest issue ever and Jessica Simpson is on the cover (of course I liked her better 3 years ago when she was the star of my favorite show and was still a pop princess but I'm not giving up on her completely) needless to say, I'm super excited. It will take me awhile to read it..hmm.. maybe around five days?

Dreams really do come true!

I don't even have words to express how perfect this is.

It's down to the last bits of summer. This means that these next two weeks will be spent making lists, re-organizing drawers, movie marathons, and scheduling final summer hangouts with "home friends".  The last parts of breaks are always bittersweet for me. I am ready for the news school year, but not quite ready for summer to become nothing more than a memory.

I watched a preview for The Real Housewives of Atlanta the other day. Not sure what I think. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am quite a fan of The Real Housewives of Orange County. One could call it a guilty pleasure show. Personally, I find the materialism and obsession with physical appearance a bit repulsive, but at the same time find myself admiring the strength of the independent Californians. Naturally, I was very excited when I heard there would be a New York version, but was utterly disappointed when the women offered nothing more than the same materialism and appearance obsession as OC, but without the independence and strong work ethic. So now we are going to Atlanta. This could be good, I will give it a chance. Although I have a feeling I will be singing "wish they all could be California girls" the whole time.

pointless

New favorite quote:

"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

-Henry David Thoreau

I saw Mama Mia! a couple days ago. I am sad to say that I was disappointed. I am not a huge fan of musical movies. Hairspray was funny, Grease is a classic, and I could always watch some HSM, but other than that, musicals aren't really my thing. At least not in movie form. If I was dressed up and sitting in a theater that didn't allow popcorn  watching people break into song every few seconds I think I would appreciate it more. Although it wasn't the best movie I have ever seen Meryl Streep's performance was inspiring and I admire actors who learn to sing for movie roles.

It's all greek to me

I've spent the last few days reminiscing. Part of the time was spent lying in my bed, just thinking about where I was this time last year, who I was, how much I have changed, etc. The other part of the time was spent with dear friends, talking of times spent in high school and everything that went along with it. Both are things that I do often and, if I must say, enjoy very much. I just love to re-live good times. This could be partly because I am blessed with a vivid memory or because I find time to just take a break and look back. Either way, memories are gifts. They offer entertainment, comparisons, and dashes on time lines- all things that I take pleasure in often.

In other news- I am on a Greek kick. I'm not about to join a sorority or anything but make me a salad with feta cheese (hold the olives), get me some gladiator sandals and a toga-esque sundress and I'm all there.

Superman still has my heart.

Ok, so I just saw The Dark Knight. I had been anticipating the experience for awhile, not knowing exactly how I would feel leaving the theater, but couldn't wait to find out.  I had my worries, since I know nothing about Batman. Sorry, but if your real name isn't Clark Kent, and your alter ego doesn't wear an 'S' on his chest, I don't really have the time to follow you. It turned out all of my worries were just wasted time. The experience was great. Batman is pretty cool if I must say so, Heath's performance couldn't have been better, and Cillian Murphy makes a two second appearance. 

I'm down to a few weeks left of this lazy mornings, online community college class, mini vacations filled time I call summer. I'm ready to return to all things school, but at the same time I'm not in a rush to get there.

I wish we had a pinkberry.

With the new school year quickly approaching (okay, so I still have a month) I find myself getting more anxious by the day. I am not the biggest fan of change, but I think I am even less of a fan of the humdrum that can sometimes accompany long breaks. I have big plans for this next year, and thinking of all the possibilities that there are, now that I actually know what I am doing, excites me.  But for now I will settle for simply entertaining thoughts about the new season that is to come while enjoying the rest of my summer.

In other news- I have decided I love green tea (iced of course, I don't enjoy hot beverages). I have shied away from it for awhile, picturing it only in the hands of those who do yoga, and burn incense, but this week I decided to give it a try. It was more than worth it. Hmm... yoga is sounding pretty good right now.

watch.

Summer TV. Usually pointless and only on to fill time while the "real" shows are on hiatus, but of course, I still find something just about every night to watch. Here are my current obsessions:

The Bachelorette- By far my favorite summer show. I always watch The Bachelor, but I have never seen the girl version. I must say I find it tons more entertaining to watch ultra-competitive men try to win one girl's heart rather than stupid women constantly ogle over a guy hoping to get a few seconds of his attention. I do strongly believe that DeAnna did make the biggest mistake ever by sending beautiful Jeremy home last week. I wasn't sure there was a such thing as a perfect man, but he comes pretty darn close.

Tori and Dean Home Sweet Hollywood- The closest thing I have seen to Newlyweds:Nick and Jessica, so already appealing. Plus I find myself laughing out loud, something that doesn't happen too often with TV shows.

Wipeout- I know I know. I thought the same thing. It is as stupid as it looks on the commercials, but that is why it is so funny. And the commentators might just be the best part. 

Since I have been home, countless people have asked me the same questions. The typical questions anyone would ask a girl who has been in pretty much the same place all her life until she went away to college and is now home for summer. Questions that I don't mind in the least bit. Questions that I will happily answer.  But I feel like I don't give fully accurate answers to these questions.  When asked "how I feel with one year of college under my belt", I usually just say "good". This could be because I am not a big fan of belts, or cliches that metaphorically use the word 'belt', but because I just don't think to say anything else but the first thing that comes to mind. But when I really think about it I do feel more than just 'good' about this first year. Maybe next time I am asked, I will respond with "more mature", "stronger", "cultured". Plus, "good" might just be the most over-used word ever. 

-----------------------------------------------------------

"I don't believe that old cliche that good things come to those that wait. I think good things come to those who want something so bad they can't sit still" - Ashton Kutcher

Motivation. Another reason I love this guy.

There's a stillness in my heart

And a quiet in my soul

That I'll never stop to hear

There's a whisper crying out

Through a silent microphone

And it never disappears

Speaking silence

We just play the music loud

We listen to the crowd

We laugh to numb the pain we share

And we know that talk is easy

It's the loneliness we fear

We could listen but we're scared

Are You there?

Coming down to the ground

Kneeling down I can hear the sound of Your voice

Here to find the time to realign 

Quiet the deafening lies

Lord, I need you now

Whisper softly

Hold me gently in Your arms

And cradle me with love

Hold me close

Let me feel You breathe

Overwhelming love

Come speak to me

Take my love rid me of my hate

Still my beating heart

Lord, kiss my face

Take these tears

You got to set me free

Raise new life to all the dead places inside me

Hold me close

I need to feel You breathe

Calm these storms that rage inside of me

- "Speaking Silence"

Tenth Avenue North

life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Interesting day. I woke up about 5:30 only to get into the car to embark on a sleepy, Ipod filled journey to downtown Tampa for my Mom's citizenship ceremony. The ceremony was actually better than I thought. There were times when I wished I had brought a book or knew of someone that was awake at 8 am that I could text, but the new citizens made the whole trip worth it. To see people so excited to finally be part of a country that I sometimes take advantage of was inspiring. I dress in red white and blue on 4th of July and I get chills every time I read/ listen to the "I Have A Dream" speech, but after seeing what I saw today, I left with a real sense of patriotism, and the tune of "I'm Proud to be an American..." in my head. 

On a side note- I was in a city today. Being in "the city" where there are buildings that have more than a few stories, parking garages, and professional looking men with briefcases just does something to me. I love it.

no real subject here.

I was once told that the advertisements on the side of Facebook profile pages are somewhat personalized. Although I never click on them, I find some of them amusing, others annoyingly accurate, but most just pathetic attempts to highlight what seems to be missing from my profile. I don't mind glancing over to see an ad for Superman T-shirts or the latest trend report but when I start seeing: " find your perfect summer guy", "meet a cute date", "need a boyfriend?", I start to cringe. Come on Facebook, seriously?!

I finished Anderson Cooper's Dispatches from the Edge today. I didn't think that it was possible for me to gain more respect for this guy, but after reading the book I was proven wrong. I think I will name my first son Anderson.

Tomorrow I am off to Orlando for a little Disney get-away. I don't think I will ever outgrow that place, and I like it that way.

reminisce.

I am always taken when I see changes in things that I have known to be a certain way for so long. I made a trip to Ocala today. I haven't been "in town" too much this summer, so seeing the town that holds many of my memories from the past 12ish years of my life was nice. The entire day felt like one big recollection. I drove the same drive I drove every morning for my last years of high school. I discovered my "short cut" to my church/school was under construction and no longer of much use. I visited the Panera that I sipped countless I.C Mangos at. I Starbucked and caught up on the life happenings of one of my dear friends. (Also tried a new drink- Mint Chocolaty Chip Frap- very good) I noticed that traffic is now a five o' clock staple. Target was the same. It took me right back to senior year, when Amy and I would waste our mid-days visiting the same five spots before practice and games. It was a nice trip down memory lane. Not everything was the same, but for the most part, it was there.

I came home to find my Macbook had returned safely home from it's trip to Cali for repairs. 

OK- "What Happens In Vegas". Amazing. I always have a slight feeling of nervousness when I am about to see an Ashton movie. I am always excited, but the hope that he doesn't disappoint me is there as well. ( I mean come on, "A Lot Like Love"?- seriously) He did not disappoint. The movie was awesome. I will be counting down the days until the DVD release. 

Final Note: The Mole returned tonight. Much better with Anderson as the host, but I haven't given up.

summer...

Summer is in full swing. I have been "summering" for 3 weeks now and I must say it is getting comfortable, normal, and at times, kinda old. I find myself sometimes having to invent new things to do to pass the time. With my job search still not producing much, and sky high gas prices, I have been spending much of my time at home. This time at home has enabled me to re-organize my room (which I completed the second I got home) and catch up on movies. I watched 27 Dresses last night. It was on my movies- to- see list, but I expected it to be typical and predictable. It was, but I ended up liking it just the same. And I have decided that I am a James Marsden fan. He could be a long lost cousin of Tom Welling, and he has good hair. 

The night before I watched Cheaper by the Dozen again. I just love that movie. I enjoy watching Steve Martin, not to mention the original version featured Lucille Ball. Also, Tom Welling and Ashton Kutcher in the same movie- what more can you ask for?

I am also reading an AMAZING book. Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper. The author is what drew me to the book, and after reading the inside cover I was even more drawn to it. Once I finished the first chapter my already strong admiration for this man grew exponentially. The book is half autobiography, half journal entries during his coverage on the worst disasters to hit our county in the past few years. And best of all, I can almost hear his voice inside my head as I read. The book is that personal. I can't wait to finish it, but at the same time I wish it was double in length. 

So for now my summer consists of 9am mornings, movies, pilates, and reading books I actually enjoy, which is ok, but I wouldn't mind a little more excitement.

Picture Perfect

 Yes it is. Pictured here are the two best looking men in the world. Ashton Kutcher and Tom Welling, in the same picture. Although Tom's hair is a little too long for my liking, this picture is perfect. Maybe just as perfect as the fact that the two modeled together before becoming actors, and have remained good friends. Perfect, just perfect.

I watched Atonement for the second time a few days ago. I have to say I love everything about this movie. I love the scenery, the actors, the story-line, but most of all I love the music. There is something about a soundtrack filled with the sounds of a typewriter that keeps your eyes on the screen at all moments.  Definitely worthy of the many nominations and awards it scored. 

I have decided to add reading to my "summer to- do list". I have never been a fan of reading, but I want to be. I read quite a bit this past year, but I want to read books for fun, and learn to love reading. A trip to the library is in my future. ( I prefer not to buy them, that might be just too much of a stretch)

I have recently discovered The Paper. Another silly MTV reality show, but one that I find extremely entertaining. The amount of drama that surrounds a high school newspaper amazes me but yet offers a good way to waste time while internet- surfing.

"Nothing can atone for the lack of modesty; without which beauty is ungraceful and wit detestable" - Richard Steele

I stumbled across this quotation while on one of my google journeys. I fell in love with it the moment I read it, and continued to read it over and over with a smile of appreciation on my face. When I saw the author, it took me back to high school English and the days of studying famous authors. I still remember: Addison and Steele, a duo who frequently wrote together- thank you Mr. Wilson. 

Listen up girls, Steele said it best, modest is hottest. 

In other news, I am quite pleased to see Ashton Kutcher everywhere I turn. It seems he took a hiatus to move to Idaho with his cougar wife, but now he is back and better than ever. Nikon commercials, producing shows, hosting SNL, a Cameron Diaz movie(which I have still yet to see), even an upcoming jean ad campaign. Welcome back Ashton, I always knew you would return.

The third full week of summer is about to begin, and I must say I don't feel like I am completely in the "summer mode". I have been able to watch Regis and Kelly, and catch up on my shows with the help of online TV ( both summer staples), but my mind isn't always on the break that I am in. I find myself checking for open spots in waitlisted classes, thinking of my junior year plans (yes, 2 years in advance), and wondering if I have chosen the right career. But I don't mind it, I like my mind full, and if I can relax at home and entertain thoughts of my future, summer will turn out just fine for me. 

Final Note: On Thursday, Anderson Cooper pronounced "Wii" incorrectly, it made my night.

nola

My summer has had a bit of a "whirlwind"start. I was home for a week, which was spent unpacking my college dorm and ridding my bedroom of things that were just too "high school" to keep around. After the room renuvation, it was time for a trip that would change my view on things forever. I went to New Orleans for a community service with a group of amazing Stetson students. We were only there for 3 days, but in those days my eyes were opened to things one can only imagine unless they are able to experience them with their own eyes.

We stayed in the Lower Ninth Ward in a house made of drywall, no air conditioning, and cots with rips that was a mansion compared to the other houses that were just outside our door. To call these abodes houses is a serious understatement. Our neighboring living spaces were not houses, but abandoned squares with nothing left but steps that once lead into the houses. There was a unheard of silence in the area. Not a calming or peaceful silence, but more of an absence of noise, only to reiterate the fact that the area that received the worst of the hurricane was still not even close to being rebuilt.  There was also a sense of being carefree among the locals. This sense was one that was found all over New Orleans, but in the Ninth Ward, this carefree nature seemed like more of a "I gave up years ago and now I'm just going with the flow" attitude. 

 

Astoundingly, just a 20 minute drive in our rented SUVs were the popular tourist attractions of New Orleans. I bought a t-shirt in the French Quarter, ate in a local restaurant, dodged those who were under the influence on Bourbon Street, and wished that I could spend the night in Jackson Square. But at the same time kept thinking of the devastation that was only a few miles away. The feeling of being in two different worlds had never been so strong. While walking around the popular streets and browsing stores in town gave the feeling of being on a vacation in a big city, the drive back to the Lower Ninth Ward brought on a feeling of depression that was inescapable. Visiting this city brought to reality that when something horrible happens, some things get rebuilt while other things get pushed aside. This may have been the only chance I will ever have to see mansions on one street and houses with boarded windows on the next, but the one chance was enough to keep the picture in my mind forever.

Summer has officially begun and I think it couldn't have had a better start.

"I get so emotional baby, every time I think of you"

Half  of my dorm room is empty, and tomorrow afternoon it will be completely empty. The walls are no longer covered with the Smallville poster and various fashion ads, my "I heart Jim" mug is packed away, and I have thrown away many of my "first draft" papers. My bed is de-lofted and sitting in the middle of the room, my roommate is safely back home, and I am here surrounded by boxes and empty shelves. 

I guess you could say the feeling of moving out of my dorm and ending my freshmen year of college is bittersweet, but I would say what I am feeling is more bitter than sweet...

I am anxious to see what the summer holds.

wouldn't it be nice...

Finals Week. Or should I say weekend is under way. This means the library is suddenly appealing, all nighters are necessary, energy drinks are helpful although still not good for you, facebook is only for "break time", I write until it feels like my hand is about to fall off, the only thoughts in my head are ones from textbooks...

summer seems so far, yet it is only a few days away. Only a few days until I pack all my things, say goodbye to friends that I could have never dreamed of having, and leave my little dorm room that started out as something that seemed as distant as a person passing by me on the street,  something I thought I would see and then leave behind without another thought, but ended up being the place I called home for a year and never want to leave. In a few days I will pack up my new life and return to my old one, but I don't expect it to be the same. I actually hope it is different and I expect it to be... in a good way of course.

none

I cannot believe it took me this long to find a picture as perfect as this one. 

Next week is finals week and I must say it scares me so much. It also brings sad thoughts of leaving, which I will choose to suppress for as long as possible. 

they go together like PB and J.

Disclaimer: This blog will contain nothing more than me raving about how much I adore a fictional character.

I watched The Office tonight. After last week's episode I was worried that I would be disappointed but oh was I wrong. This episode was amazing. It started off okay, I laughed a few times but then, then it was time. Time for the moment. The Jim/Pam moment of the show. My ears always perk up when I see Jim get up from his desk and walk over to Pam, because I know something good is about to happen.( also because I live my life vicariously through Pam) So he came over and they started talking about moving. The conversation ended with Jim assuring Pam that one day, he was going to propose to her! Then he showed the camera the ring he has had since the first week they were dating. I was SO happy. It was tonight that I decided my ultimate dream would be to marry Jim Halpert. I know, he is a fictional character, but there has to be a guy out there who has the same wit and charm just looking for a girl like me. He really is the perfect guy.. to me at least.  I hope so much that one day my Jim will come, and I hope it is one day soon.

I look forward to a weekend full of catching up on homework and feeling better.

Under the weather.

I am under the weather. I have always heard this phrase, and I have used it before but I realized that although I know it means "feeling ill", I had no idea where it came from. So, as I do with anything I don't know, I googled it. It turns out that the phrase was coined during Marine times. if a sailor was sick, he was sent to the lower decks away from, or under, the weather until he got better. I wish I had a lower deck to hideout in until I get better.

To try to win the battle with this sickness, I went to bed at 10:30 last night, which is way out of the ordinary for me. The Hills ended, I took medicine, and off to bed I went. I fell right to asleep only to be woken up a few hours later by a loud, booming, deafening, roaring, or any other word that describes an extremely noisy unwanted sound that comes at 1:00 in the morning. It was the fire alarm. Someone burned popcorn, causing my entire dorm to stand outside in the usually freezing cold night air, while my friends and I piled uncomfortably into a car to watch three fire trucks handle the problem. Needless, to say, it was not one of the best nights of my life. 

I look forward to the day that it doesn't hurt to speak, and breathing feels natural again.

"God only knows what I'd do without you"

I just love these guys.

For the past 3 days I have been listening to The Beach Boys music almost non-stop and reading biographies about my favorite band of all time for a paper. I found out so many things I didn't know, I feel like a true fan now.

The Office returned to tv tonight. I am sad to say I was mildly disappointed. Nothing would ever stop me from tuning in or cause me to change the channel mid show, but I expected more laughs and cuter jim/pam moments. There is always next week though. While watching tonight's episode I was greeted by a familiar face. Ashton Kutcher will be hosting SNL on saturday night, and you can bet your bottom dollar I will tape it. I haven't seen him do anything in awhile, I look forward to the laughter he will bring me.

Tomorrow is friday! 

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Good weekend. But I feel like I missed out on a lot.

My head is heavy with thoughts, my eyelids feel heavy, sleep would be nice right about now.

I almost skipped Espanol 102 today for a trip to the beach, but my "always follow the rules" mindset wouldn't allow me too. Therefore I ended up spending 50 minutes drowning out the sound of many spanish words I don't know with thoughts of my toes in the sand.

The Hills comes on tonight, yeah I am excited. 

Off to Zumba I go.

short.

I went to a free concert last Friday for the band Tenth Avenue North. I had never heard of them until I went. It was a discovery I am quiet thankful for. My favorite song of theirs is 

"By your side", 

here is a little sample:

"And I'll be by your side wherever you fall,

In the dead of night whenever you call

Please don't fight these hands that are holding you,

My hands are holding you."

So true. 

No subject

I am so glad it is Thursday. This week was one I thought would never end, I am beyond ready to say "TGIF" tomorrow morning.

I picked my room for next year on Monday. Sounds simple, but it was one of the most stressful 4 hours periods of time I have ever endured. It began with arriving an hour early to wait in line until it was time to choose your rooms, watching the best rooms on the best floors slip away from us with the swipe of a highlighter across a huge paper floor plan. We also had to politely fight off some not- so- nice girls who claimed "that by using their RA judgement, they were ahead of us". The night of stress and worry ended with my closest friends and I hugging each other in excitement inside of a one of the suites that we will claim as our own next year.  It was a miracle.

There will not be a new episode of Smallville tonight. Although it is one of my favorite things about Thursday, it will give me time to work on papers, and try to figure out summer classes.

FYI: The Office returns next Thursday! 

...

"Be honest about what you see, get out of the way and let the story reveal itself"

- Anderson Cooper

Since coming to college, I have made it a goal to become more cultured. I have started to occasionally google things other than celebrities and the latest trend reports, but the main thing I have been tryng to do in order to become more aware of my surroundings is watch the news. I am not a fan of the news. I don't know why, but it takes every ounce of effort inside of me to sit down for 30 minutes to watch clips of what is going on around me. But I have discovered a light at the end of this dark boring news tunnel- Anderson Cooper. I have always admired him, but now I really do. I have been watching him most nights lately, and I have enjoyed it beyond belief. I have also started reading his blog. He travels all over the world to cover stories no matter how dangerous the place may be. He does not come off as one-sided in any way, and he seems real, unlike most news anchors I have seen. Also, he is absolutely adorable, the white hair suits him, and his mother is Gloria Vanderbilt! 

Perfect? I think so.

Stress. 

It's something I have been running into a lot these past few days. I have to register for my classes for next semester tomorrow, but most of them are already filled and the wait-list numbers are growing by the minute. I had the perfect schedule ready to go, and now it has been reconfigured about 10 times. (no exaggeration) I am picking my dorm for next year at the last available time slot of the day next week. I have papers coming up that I have not even thought about and I did not get an acceptable grade on my Spanish test. I need to be thinking of the things that are going well in my life ( there are many) rather than these stressful things, but for some reason these things are taking up all the space in my mind.

I would give anything for a blanket, chocolate chip cookies, and an Office marathon... but for now I will just put everything in His hands.

thinking.

I went home this weekend. It started off nothing like I planned it would. I planned to return to my peaceful home to have a weekend full of much needed relaxing, but the relaxing didn't seem to start until Sunday. After a rough Friday and Saturday, I was ready for my relaxation day. It was on this relaxing Easter Sunday that I realized something. I don't take enough time to enjoy the simple things in life. There are so many simple things that I enjoy that I just don't seem to have time for anymore. It has been way to long since I have read Anderson Cooper's blog, my Elle magazine is still in its plastic wrapper it came in when I received it in the mail, and I haven't been to the beautiful beach that is just 15 minutes away from me in weeks. I miss these simple things.

 I was sitting by my grandparents pool just thinking. It felt so good to just sit and think. I put the book I was reading for my English class down and just thought about my life.  I thought about how different it is now from just a few months ago. My life is different, but good different. I love my life. I love the college I go to, I love the friends I spend all my time with, I even love my smaller than small dorm room. I love the independence that comes when you do something on your own, I love pretty much everything about my life. I feel so blessed that I had the opportunity to experience a world other than the one I grew up in all my life. Don't get me wrong, the world I grew up in couldn't have been more perfect. My home will always be the place I came from, not where I live now. 

The Hills returns tonight! I cannot wait to see if Heidi and Spencer are together and if Audrina has moved out on Lauren. I know.. silly show about the lives of rich girls who seem to have everything...but I love it!

:)

The weather is yet again beautiful.

 

The new Bachelor takes my breath away. 

Ashton Kutcher is producing a new show and guest staring in the premiere. 

Smallville is coming on tomorrow night. 

I am going home tomorrow for a long and much needed, hopefully very relaxing weekend. 

Life is good. 

All I have left to do is write 1,000 words on the radio. How I will accomplish thinking of 1,000 good words to write about something I don't really listen too, I don't know...

spring?

Florida weather always amazes me. Today I walked out of my dorm to a chilly cloudy day, which is weird since it is the middle of March. It made me think that the spring weather would never come. But as the day went on, the chill tuned to warmth and the clouds gave way to a beautiful sunny sky. I love it when the weather changes like that. If you were to ask me what me favorite season is, I would have to say when all of them change from one to the next. I love the first real day of every season. The day when I pack up my one excuse for a winter coat and scarves I have worn twice, to make room for my many tank tops and flip flops ( Although in Florida, flip flops are a year-round staple) is coming... I can feel it. 

It's days like these that I realize how blessed I am to live only 15 minutes from a beach.. if only I had time to go. But that is what the weekend is for!

Smallville returns tomorrow and I am beyond excited! Tom Welling is the best looking man ever created.

early.

Happy Daylight Savings Day! I didn't feel the effects of it too bad since I slept in today. 

It was my last "sleep in morning" for awhile. I am headed back to SU today after a short but refreshing spring break. I am pretty sure that I had one of the earliest Spring Breaks known to man, but I was ready for it. I planned to stay home and catch up on school work that needed to be done. I was going to read a couple books, finish journals for my Mass Com class, and study Spanish, but I ended up reading the first chapters of the books, finishing the journals, and not even touching my Spanish book. I always make such big study plans for breaks and then get half of it done. I'm not worried too much about it though, it's not like the work is due tomorrow or anything. 

The whole not getting much school work done thing makes me realize something: when I am at school all I do is school-related things (classes, studying for classes, writing for classes, reading for classes, writing again for classes) and when I am home on breaks, I do break-related things (sleep in, get caught up on my shows, eat food I actually enjoy) there isn't really a balance of school and break stuff, but I guess that's okay for now, maybe I will work on it.

Now that break is over, I have to start making decisions for next year. First, I have to decide where I am going to live, due to the fact that just about EVERY dorm on campus is becoming an all freshmen dorm. So the girls and I are being kicked out of what I believe is the best dorm ever. I also have to pick my classes for fall semester, which is always a challenge for me. (well, I've only done it once, but it was hard that one time) All this decision making makes me wonder why everything is done so early..

I found this in my reading and I liked it:

"Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope."

Blogging is something I have been hearing about for awhile. Lately, I have contemplated doing it myself for a few reasons:

1) It was suggested to me by a friend who knows me really (or as he would say "real") well.

2) I want to be a journalist. (A fashion journalist to be specific. I know it sounds a tad superficial, but I can't help it. I love fashion, and I can't sew, therefore writing about what is already sewn is a good option.) Blogging is a good way to "practice" journalistic things ( I hope)

So I have decided that it is a good idea for me to blog. I have been saying for many years that I will start journaling. I have started many times only to stop a few days later. So here I am, starting again. But this time I will do better, I intend to keep up with this. I know I will always have something to write about, so it won't be hard.... hopefully.

One more thing- Thanks abc.com's full episodes online, I have started watching Lost. I am still on season 1, so I have a long road ahead of me, but I predict it is a road I will enjoy traveling.