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.

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.