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. 

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"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.