Semi-Charmed Life

"You Should Date an Illiterate Girl" by Charles Warnke

2011-10-05T09:20:00.002-04:00

"Date a girl who doesn’t read. Find her in the weary squalor of a Midwestern bar. Find her in the smoke, drunken sweat, and varicolored light of an upscale nightclub. Wherever you find her, find her smiling. Make sure that it lingers when the people that are talking to her look away. Engage her with unsentimental trivialities. Use pick-up lines and laugh inwardly. Take her outside when the night overstays its welcome. Ignore the palpable weight of fatigue. Kiss her in the rain under the weak glow of a streetlamp because you’ve seen it in film. Remark at its lack of significance. Take her to your apartment. Dispatch with making love.

Let the anxious contract you’ve unwittingly written evolve slowly and uncomfortably into a relationship. Find shared interests and common ground like sushi, and folk music. Build an impenetrable bastion upon that ground. Make it sacred. Retreat into it every time the air gets stale, or the evenings get long. Talk about nothing of significance. Do little thinking. Let the months pass unnoticed. Ask her to move in. Let her decorate. Get into fights about inconsequential things[...]. Let a year pass unnoticed. Begin to notice.

Figure that you should probably get married because you will have wasted a lot of time otherwise. Take her to dinner on the forty-fifth floor at a restaurant far beyond your means. Make sure there is a beautiful view of the city. Sheepishly ask a waiter to bring her a glass of champagne with a modest ring in it. When she notices, propose to her with all of the enthusiasm and sincerity you can muster. Do not be overly concerned if you feel your heart leap through a pane of sheet glass. For that matter, do not be overly concerned if you cannot feel it at all. If there is applause, let it stagnate. If she cries, smile as if you’ve never been happier. If she doesn’t, smile all the same.

Let the years pass unnoticed. Get a career, not a job. Buy a house. Have two striking children. Try to raise them well. Fail, frequently. Lapse into a bored indifference. Lapse into an indifferent sadness. Have a mid-life crisis. Grow old. Wonder at your lack of achievement. Feel sometimes contented, but mostly vacant and ethereal. Feel, during walks, as if you might never return, or as if you might blow away on the wind. Contract a terminal illness. Die, but only after you observe that the girl who didn’t read never made your heart oscillate with any significant passion, that no one will write the story of your lives, and that she will die, too, with only a mild and tempered regret that nothing ever came of her capacity to love.

Do those things [...] because nothing sucks worse than a girl who reads. Do it, I say, because a life in purgatory is better than a life in hell. Do it, because a girl who reads possesses a vocabulary that can describe that amorphous discontent as a life unfulfilled—a vocabulary that parses the innate beauty of the world and makes it an accessible necessity instead of an alien wonder. A girl who reads lays claim to a vocabulary that distinguishes between the specious and soulless rhetoric of someone who cannot love her, and the inarticulate desperation of someone who loves her too much. A vocabulary [...] that makes my vacuous sophistry a cheap trick.

Do it, because a girl who reads understands syntax. Literature has taught her that moments of tenderness come in sporadic but knowable intervals. A girl who reads knows that life is not planar; she knows, and rightly demands, that the ebb comes along with the flow of disappointment. A girl who has read up on her syntax senses the irregular pauses—the hesitation of breath—endemic to a lie. A girl who reads perceives the difference between a parenthetical moment of anger and the entrenched habits of someone whose bitter cynicism will run on, run on well past any point of reason, or purpose, run on far after she has packed a suitcase and said a reluctant goodbye and she has decided that I am an ellipsis and not a period and run on and run on. Syntax that knows the rhythm and cadence of a life well lived.

Date a girl who doesn’t read because the girl who reads knows the importance of plot. She can trace out the demarcations of a prologue and the sharp ridges of a climax. She feels them in her skin. The girl who reads will be patient with an intermission and expedite a denouement. But of all things, the girl who reads knows most the ineluctable significance of an end. She is comfortable with them. She has bid farewell to a thousand heroes with only a twinge of sadness.

Don’t date a girl who reads because girls who read are the storytellers. You with the Joyce, you with the Nabokov, you with the Woolf. You there in the library, on the platform of the metro, you in the corner of the café, you in the window of your room. You, who make my life so god damned difficult. The girl who reads has spun out the account of her life and it is bursting with meaning. She insists that her narratives are rich, her supporting cast colorful, and her typeface bold. You, the girl who reads, make me want to be everything that I am not. But I am weak and I will fail you, because you have dreamed, properly, of someone who is better than I am. You will not accept the life that I told of at the beginning of this piece. You will accept nothing less than passion, and perfection, and a life worthy of being storied."

Where I'm From

2011-09-26T14:38:00.001-04:00

I am from the house on the corner with the fenced backyard
and bicycles, scooters, and rollerblades strewn all over the driveway,
where the sound of children laughing fills your ears.

I am from the sweet pink crate myrtles,
the tall pines, smell of magnolias,
and ravishingly suffocating kudzu.

I am from church on Sunday morning and a firm foundation in faith.
From John & Gayle, from Stan & Alice, from Johnny & Margaret.

I am from the crazy sense of humor,
and from those who know the only thing more important than family is God.

From “I love you Foo-Foo”
and “You are so beau-ti-ful… to me...”

I am from God,
who knew me before he formed me in the womb.

I am from the South,
from Maw Maw’s chicken casserole, banana pudding, and fried green tomatoes.

From the high school sweethearts who have loved for 26 years,
the grandparents who worked hard and made sacrifices to pursue their dreams,
and the baby sister that I love more than she knows.

I am from the scrapbooks in the closet,
one for every two years of our lives,
that my mother created with love to preserve the memories of our journeys through life.

I am from love.

Teaching has taken over my life.

2011-09-13T22:59:00.000-04:00

Seriously. But I'm loving it. I've been slacking here because I have to keep up with a teaching blog for one of my classes. It's set as private, but if you'd like to be able to view it, leave a comment with your email and I'll invite you! I thought about adding posts here, but I figured if anyone was as nerdy as me to want to read it, they could read it on the other blog.

Promise I'll try to add a life update sometime this weekend.

Love love.

Kids These Days

2011-08-25T11:11:00.002-04:00

As I’ve been student teaching the past few weeks, I’ve had a lot of time to observe high school students. I don’t feel like I graduated from high school that long ago, but kids these days are different. Maybe they’re not so different; they just enjoy different things and follow different trends.

The things I immediately noticed on the first day of school were that there are tons more kids with facial piercings. It was rare when I was in school to see someone with something other than their nose pierced. Here there’s lip piercings, monroes, eyebrows, etc. It’s interesting. Although Livestrong bracelets were popular when I was in school, they’ve been taken to a whole other level. Most kids have at least one on, and it usually color coordinates with their clothes. There’s also a lot of really wide ones- what are these called and where do they get them?? I never saw them until I started teaching. I wish they’d bring back silly bandz; those were a trend I could get into. Also, what’s up with the jocks that wear hike up athletic socks with their sandals?? I understand it’s easy to slip your tennis shoes on for practice, but still. Not attractive.

Just some observations. Have any of my other teacher friends noticed this, too?

Life Lately

2011-08-23T20:31:00.003-04:00

To put it simply, it’s been busy.

I started preplanning at Winder Barrow High School the first week of August, followed by the first week of high school student teaching the next week. I’m now there every Monday and Wednesday from 8am to 4pm. God has blessed me with the best mentor teacher I could ask for! We’re on the same page with our teaching styles as well as our personal beliefs. She treats me as a co-teacher instead of merely a “student” teacher, and this really makes me feel comfortable leading in the classroom. This semester we have a 9th grade class, a 10th grade class, and a class for students that have failed 9th grade one or more times (that one’s a little challenging, to say the least). I know I was born to teach because I actually look forward to getting up early and seeing my kids. I’m thankful that God has matched my passions up with a field where I get to help and influence young lives daily in a positive way.

Tuesday and Thursday I’m on UGA’s campus in one room in Aderhold for 7 hours straight. So far this has been a test of my patience and my discussion skills. There’s only so long I can talk about one subject, so this has been challenging for me. However, my teachers and classmates are wonderful, which makes spending that amount of time in one room more bearable. For one of my classes we have to read 40 young adult lit novels. Where most people would complain, I’m excited that I’ll get to read so much and add to my library. What can I say… I’m a nerd.

In addition to school and student teaching, I’m also serving as Secretary for SAO this semester. It’s a lot of work so far (exec meetings, emails, website, chapter minutes), but knowing I’m helping an organization and girls that I love is rewarding. Recruitment starts this week and I am SO EXCITED about meeting our new potential members. I’m excited about what God has in store for our sorority!

Earlier this month God told me to spend some time with his children... As in little kids children... As in that age group that stretches my patience. I hesitated but was obedient, deciding to volunteer in Waumba Land at Athens Church. I am so happy I did- knowing I’m helping the church without actually having to be on staff (I’ve already been through that once…) is wonderful. I’m looking forward to being there every Sunday this semester.

Life has also changed at home. Katie and I have two new roommates who are beautiful, wonderful, sweet women of God. We are super blessed that this housing arrangement worked out for us. It’s almost like we’re all soul mates. :)

With this busy schedule, I’ve had to really work on my time management. My weekdays have a strict schedule- up at six, work out, to WBHS/UGA, home for an hour nap, dinner, a few hours of homework, and in bed by ten. I’ve even trained by body to wake up around 6am on its own! Surprising for the girl who used to fall asleep at 3am…

And soon another addition to the schedule- football season!

My Thoughts- Alcohol and Christianity

2011-07-27T02:49:00.001-04:00

ollege is one of those times in your life where you often have to reevaluate your beliefs against the beliefs of those around you. Lately it has occurred to me that I have been around the same "type" of Christians my whole life, thus growing up with a set of beliefs that has been the norm for my friends and family. I now realize that not every Christian has the exact set of beliefs about how to live a Christian life as I do, and consequently I've had many encounters where my beliefs have been questioned.

It's not that I think my beliefs are totally right and others' are totally wrong. I was raised thinking that it was completely natural for a person to drink wine at their Sunday School's dinner party. Others were not raised around alcohol at all and therefore have no desire to drink. That's completely understandable. What bothers me is when Christians judge or look negatively on other people when they do choose to drink. The Bible is clear about this subject. Drinking alcohol itself is not a sin [Amos 9:14, Ecclesiastes 9:7]. Drunkenness is a sin [Ephesians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 6:12].

Excess of anything not expressly glorifying God is a sin. It really bothers me how much the Christian culture places a stigma on this one area.

Here's a better expression of my personal beliefs in C.S. Lewis' wise words:

[In the past,] temperance referred not specially to drink, but to all pleasures; and it meant not abstaining, but going the right length and no further. It is a mistake to think that Christians ought all to be teetotalers... Of course it may be the duty of a particular Christian, or of any Christian, at a particular time, to abstain from strong drink, either because he is the sort of man who cannot drink at all without drinking too much, or because he is with people who are inclined to drunkenness and must not encourage them by drinking himself. But the whole point is that he is abstaining, for a good reason, from something which he does not condemn and which he likes to see other people enjoying. One of the marks of a certain type of bad man is that he cannot give up a thing himself without wanting every one else to give it up. That is not the Christian way. An individual Christian may see fit to give up all sorts of things for special reasons- marriage, or meat, or beer, or the cinema; but the moment he starts saying the things are bad in themselves, or looking down his nose at other people who do use them, he has taken the wrong turning.

One great piece of mischief has been done by the modern restriction of the word Temperance to the question of drink. It helps people to forget that you can be just as intemperate about lots of other things. A man who makes golf or his motor-bicycle the center of his life, or a woman who devotes all her thoughts to clothes or bridge or her dog, is being just as 'intemperate' as someone who gets drunk every evening.
- C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

What are your thoughts??

TWENTY-ONE!!!!

2011-07-19T17:19:00.000-04:00

It's my birthday. I'm 21. I'm excited.
Took myself shopping this morning, had lunch with the girls, then came home to a wonderful surprise of 18 roses and a dozen chocolate covered strawberries. :) Off to dinner at Agua Linda soon, then going downtown later tonight!
I'm blessed.

The End of an Era

2011-07-14T20:41:00.001-04:00

Tonight the last Harry Potter movie premieres at midnight, and I'm equally excited and sad. All of the Facebook, Twitter, tumblr & Pinterest hype these past few weeks has just illustrated the lasting impression the world of Harry Potter has left on our generation.

I remember going to the Book Fair in the library at school when I was in 4th grade, and a woman read aloud to us from the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I was hooked. I bought the book, brought it home, and devoured it. I remember telling my mom how amazing it was, and convincing her to read it as well. For the next 10 years, I was that person that would buy the book the day it came out and finish it within the next 24 hours. I remember many a beach vacation with the Beasley's when I would lock myself in my room until I was done with the newest book. Everyone knew not to disturb me!

One of the reasons I love the Harry Potter series the most is because it exposes the magic of literature to an audience that normally would never discover that phenomenon. It's the perfect example of why I LOVE books- you can become so entranced with its characters that you feel as if a part of you has died when it's over... but they always stay with you.

For those of you that don't understand, I beg you to at least read the first book and find out for yourselves.

This is Harry Potter.

[via]

When the closing credits roll, I'm going to feel as if I've just destroyed the last horcrux of my childhood. Guess I'll have to look forward to sharing the magic with generations in the future-

One step at a time

2011-07-11T21:10:00.001-04:00

ne of my goals this summer was to spend more time concentrating on my promo and modeling jobs. If modeling is something I want to really pursue in the future, now is the best time for me to start investing time in it... it's the last free summer I'll have before becoming a "real" adult (aka graduated- ick). In order to do that, I've vowed to jump at every opportunity I meet to gain experience. Last night I had my first "real" photo shoot and it was SO MUCH FUN. The photographer was a sweetheart and I learned so much that I can use in the future.

Why is this one of my dreams? Photography is one of my mom's favorite hobbies, which means that as her oldest daughter I've been posing for pictures practically since I came out of the womb. It's kind of funny because I'm a complete introvert in all other areas of life except when it comes to pictures. My best friends know my dream job is to be a Victoria's Secret Angel... which is quite the opposite of my other dream jobs- an English teacher or a librarian. Ha!

I also see the industry as a challenge. It's definitely not a Christ-centered career path, but I want to show that I can be successful by being myself and following Him instead of doing literally whatever it takes to get to the top. I've met some girls at jobs who will only have boyfriends that understand they're going to sleep with who they need to in order to get further in their careers. I was shocked. I want Jesus to shine through me instead of being successful because I've been surgically altered or slept with the right people. I don't know, maybe this is too much to hope for. Who knows, this may just be a fun hobby for now! We'll see where God takes me.

Happy 4th! (or so...)

2011-07-07T01:22:00.001-04:00

I'm a little late, but I still feel like writing my intended 4th of July post.

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays, because I am reminded of how incredibly blessed I am to be born in the land of the free. There are so many things in our lives that we take for granted that we would not have if we didn't live in this country. It's weird to dwell on the fact that because I live in the United States I am of a small percentage of Christians that are not persecuted for their faith. What a blessing to have that freedom! (On the other hand, at times what a hindrance for our faith... but that's another subject.)

Last week there was a group of protesters gathered at the Arch in downtown Athens speaking out against Georgia's current immigration laws. Some friends and I sat and watched them as we ate our Ben & Jerry's. And I thought- Although I may not agree with what a group is protesting, it is freaking awesome that they are given the right to voice their opinions without risk of persecution. If a group was gathered like this in many countries overseas, they could be arrested or worse. Freedom of speech is another right that we really take for granted as Americans.

I hope you enjoyed spending this holiday with family and friends. I got to spend a wonderful day with some great friends back home- watched Wimbledon, went to the lake, cooked out, watched fireworks, and played games at home.

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God Bless America. :)

90s Nostalgia

2011-07-01T15:51:00.001-04:00

Lately my internal clock has been waking me up at 7am, despite the fact that I fall asleep sometime after 2am. Maybe it's getting me ready for student teaching in the fall. Because of this early wake-up I discovered that Boy Meets World still plays on ABC Family at 7:00 and 7:30am, So I've started watching an episode or two every morning and falling back asleep.

Watching Boy Meets World makes me nostalgic for the tv shows of the 90s. Boy Meets World, Saved by the Bell, Full House, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch were my favorite shows. I always wanted to be just like Topanga and Kelly Kapowski when I grew up- probably more like a mix between the two. They always had such GREAT hair! :P

The boys of Saved by the Bell weren't so bad either... ;)

Books Read 2011- Halfway!

2011-06-25T11:11:00.000-04:00

Every year I try to read 75-100 books... Looks like I'm on track so far! At the end of the year I'll add my comments about them. To see my list from last year, click here.

1. 100 Demons by Lynda Barry
2. Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud
3. Black Hole by Charles Burns
4. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
5. The Amazing Spiderman
6. The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
7. Radical by David Platt
8. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
9. Almost Silent by Jason
10. Flood!
11. Maus by Art Spiegelman
12. Maus II by Art Spiegelman
13. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
14. Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
15. Sandman: A Doll's House by Neil Gaiman
16. Brick Lane by Monica Ali
17. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
18. White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
19. Shame by Salman Rushdie
20. Cracking India by Bapsi Sidhwa
21. Left Behind by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
22. Tribulation Force by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
23. Nicolae by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
24. The Mark by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
25. Assassin by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
26. Indwelling by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
27. Appolyn by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
28. Soul Harvest by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
29. Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell
39. My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
40. The Lais of Marie de France
41. Christina of Markyate
42. Christine de Pizan
43. The Paston Letters
44. Julian of Norwich
45. The Book of the City of Ladies
46. The Book of Margery Kempe
47. The Camera Never Lies by Elizabeth Goddard
48. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
49. Bangkok 8 by John Burdett
50. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
51. The Examinations of Anne Askew
52. The Third Twin by Ken Follett
53. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
54. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
55. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
56. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
57. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
58. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
59. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
60. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling [currently reading]
61. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis [currently reading]
62. The Reason for God by Timothy Keller [currently reading]

I'm a Wildflower

2011-06-24T15:23:00.001-04:00

[images via http://southernbellesecrets.tumblr.com/]

"I Will Wait for You"

2011-06-11T20:08:00.001-04:00

Watch this. She's amazing.

This was my life:
"So it seemed, that it was cool, for everyone to be in a relationship but me… So I took matters into my own hands… and ended up with him. Him who displayed the characteristics of a CHEATER, a LIAR, an ABUSER, & a THEIF. So.. why was I surprised when he broke into my heart? I called 911, but I was cardiac arrested for aiding and abetting, cause it was ME who let him in…
...So I was gonna make him ‘The One’. He had a… form of Godliness… but not much. But hey, hey I can change him! So (honey) I’ll TAKE him, I mean he’s close… enough. Ready to sell my aorta for a quarter, not knowing the value of its use to me… Arteries so clogged with MY will, it blocked HIS Will from flowing through me."

Now this is my prayer:
"We were all created in His image,
But you will have the ability to reflect, project & even detect the Son.
If I were to explain what you looked like,
You would have to look like a star,
A son of the Son…
I would gain energy simply from the light on me.
I would need you, in order to complete my photosynthesis
I await your revelation, but once again from the genesis, I will wait for you ♥
And I will know you… because when you speak I will be reminded of Solomon’s wisdom,
Your ability to lead will remind me of Moses,
Your faith will remind me of Abraham,
Your confidence in God’s Word will remind me of Daniel,
Your inspiration will remind me of Paul,
Your heart for God will remind me of David,
Your attention to detail will remind me of Noah,
Your integrity will remind me of Joseph,
And your ability to abandon your own will, will remind me of the disciples,
But Your ability to love selflessly & unconditionally will remind me of Christ.
But I won’t need to identify you by any special Matthews or any special Marks,
Cause His word will be tatted all over your heart.
And you will know me, and you will find me,
Where… the boldness of Esther meets the warm closeness of Ruth.
Where the hospitality of Lydia is aligned with the submission of Mary,
Which is engulfed in the tears of a praying Hannah.
I will be the one, drenched in Proverbs 31… waiting for you.
...
I WILL WAIT."

Favorite movie quote!

2011-06-08T11:11:00.001-04:00

My favorite movie quote comes from one of my favorite movies of all time, It Takes Two. Who doesn't love a good Mary Kate & Ashley escapade? This has been one of my most loved quotes since I was a kid, and consequently, it's how I think of true love.

"I want that can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars over the fence, world series kinda stuff."

(Start at 5:00)

A girl's gotta have her standards. ;)

What's your all-time favorite movie quote?

I already love my future job

2011-06-07T11:11:00.001-04:00

Forbes rated Education as the 3rd happiest job field in America, right behind Biotechnology and Customer Service. Why? Because helping others is rewarding.

See, Daddy? I can be happy without a high salary! :P

Baby sister is college-bound!

2011-06-06T21:27:00.002-04:00

This weekend we celebrated my baby sister's graduation from Lexington High School. I can't believe she's going to college in the fall!! I feel so old... I can only imagine how old my parents feel. It seems like yesterday that she had her little bowl-cut and cute baby face.

then & now
Saturday a bunch of family came for the day. We ate cake, opened her presents, and enjoyed spending the day with one another. Alyssa graduated at the Columbia Colosseum at 6pm, along with 600 other graduates! I of course kept myself occupied until the S's with a Harry Potter Book.

I'm so proud of her- she has grown into such a beautiful Christian woman, making the most of life and learning from her experiences. She'll be attending Johnson & Wales in the fall on multiple scholarships and will be studying Baking & Pastry Arts. If you haven't checked it out before, like her facebook page- Bella Dolce Creations. She started her own baking & decorating business a few years ago and she has been so successful! Hopefully this explains why I can't cook- all of the genes were saved for her. ;)

The state of my heart

2011-06-05T21:33:00.002-04:00

[via vi.sualize.us.]

[via quote book]

[via the berry]

[via tumblr]

sigh...

Happy Birthday Marilyn Monroe

2011-06-01T17:47:00.001-04:00

The style icon would have been 85 today. What classic beauty. Glad curvy women like her are coming back into style. :)

[via weheartit]

[via etsy]

[via google]

[source unknown]

[via lesuicideblonde]

[source unknown]

Paradise is the beach, a good book, and a great friend.

2011-05-30T23:11:00.002-04:00

y reward for finishing the semester strong was a week long trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica with my bestie Jonna and her family! Her brother couldn't go last minute, so I filled in as part of the family. It was a couples resort, so Jonna and I stuck out like sore thumbs. Everyone thought we were sisters...

I was reminded of what I learned last year- Jamaica is my heaven. Unlimited food, drinks, sun, water, and relaxation = paradise. Miraculously I convinced Jonna to spend a lot of our time just laying around and reading. But she did get me up and going for snorkeling (we held a sea urchin!) and kayaking.

We also hiked Dunns River Falls- SO FUN! I highly recommend checking it out next time you're in Jamaica.

The last night Jonna and I made it out to Margaritaville. Suffice it to say, fun times were had by all. :)

Date a girl who reads.

2011-05-11T19:48:00.000-04:00

By Rosemarie Urquico via The Monica Bird

"Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag.She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes."

Love this.

Life Update- Yay SUMMER!

2011-05-11T15:51:00.002-04:00

ords cannot describe how wonderful it is to know you have absolutely nothing you need to be studying for. It's so nice not feeling guilty that I'm reading a book for pleasure when I need to be doing something for school. Or feeling guilty for laying by the pool for hours on end. Or feeling guilty for being on Pinterest for an obscene amount of time. Summer= laziness, which is why I love it.

Two Saturdays ago I had my sorority's formal on a riverboat at Stone Mountain. It was fun to do something different for formal, and we got lots of pretty pictures by the lake. Danny was my wonderful date, and we went with Katie and Jake.

I had fun... when I was awake. It turns out that 5 hour energy shots have the complete opposite intended effect on me. Instead of waking me up, it put me to sleep. I was exhausted after getting three hours of sleep the night before and working from 7-3 in the sun all day at the Spartan Races.

I love my job. I got to meet some awesome people and hang out all day with some great girls. The Spartan Race was a 3.5 mile obstacle course- really intense. Everyone came out at the finish line covered in mud. The guy who won first place has won the past 5 races, and if he wins all of them he gets $100,000. Wow.

Yesterday was the last day of the semester- I'm officially a senior in college. Holy cow, where did the time go? I'm working Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the racetrack in Commerce. My friend Kevin comes home from Japan on Friday after being gone for far too long, and I'm so excited to see him! Then on Tuesday I'm leaving for Jamaica with Jonna and her family. It's a good start to the summer so far...

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-08T19:35:00.001-04:00

to my wonderful Mommy.
Who gave birth to me, loved me, prayed for me, raised me, and shaped me into the woman I am today.

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
My Mommy you'll be.

DIY: Glitter Pumps

2011-05-05T01:05:00.003-04:00

If you've walked in a shoe store in the past 6 months, you know glitter pumps are in right now. I actually gave in (surprise surprise) and bought a pair of gold glitter pumps because they were on sale and it was buy one pair get the second half off (Thanks, Rack Room Shoes!). But of course, one pair of glitter shoes is just not enough. Instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars for the Louboutins I want, I decided to make my own-

from a pair of scratched up black patent peep toe pumps I've had since high school and never wear because I have 389 other black-based shoes that are a lot prettier...
ANYWAY, these shoes + Mod Podge + fine silver glitter were all I needed to end up with a great new pair of shoes!

All you need to do is mix Mod Podge with glitter then paint it on the shoes with a paintbrush. I ended up using a small tube of glitter with a little less than half a cup of mod podge. Keep in mind this is me estimating in retrospect- you should use your own judgement. The concoction needs to be thicker than you think. The more glitter, the better covered your shoes will be. I ended up doing two coats.

Surprisingly, the glitter doesn't rub off when you touch it. I wore them this past weekend to my sorority's formal (pics to come), and only a bit of paint chipped off from the side of one because i scraped it on the concrete. All in all, pretty good for such a cheap pair of shoes! Maybe I'll paint the bottoms red next so they'll look more like Louboutins. :)

Let me know if you make your own- I want to see!

Now Reading: My Name is Memory

2011-05-04T18:50:00.001-04:00

By "now reading" I mean "just finished reading." Sigh. Such a good book, recommended by a great friend, Emily. It is now one of my favorites. Nicholas Sparks has nothing on Ann Brashares.

Consequently, I'm feeling a little romantic. Any break-up results in a bit of bitterness about love for awhile, but thank goodness- I'm over it. I'm finally confident that God will bring me someone to love that much again. And while I'm waiting, I can enjoy His love.

Also- I'm gonna try to explain why all girls are obsessed with Kate Middleton and the Royal Wedding in just two pictures:

...Any questions?

My thoughts on Osama

2011-05-02T02:53:00.003-04:00

irst of all, what a momentous occasion- yet another one of those moments along with 9/11 that I will remember for the rest of my life. History was made today. The man for whom America has been searching for 10 years has been found. Loved ones of those who died on 9/11 can now feel some amount of closure, and we should be thankful for this.

I was sitting in the living room watching tv with Katie, Valerie, Emily G & KR when someone told us to turn on CNN. At this point all the information being given was that there was “BREAKING NEWS” concerning national security and that the president would be addressing it shortly. With all seriousness- I was kinda scared it was going to have something to do with aliens (my only irrational fear, if you didn’t already know). Ha. Maybe I’ve seen too many movies… Luckily CNN managed to break the news before Obama’s speech and informed us that Osama Bin Laden is dead. Wow.

It’s been interesting to see the responses to this news on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blogs, etc. Within seconds we saw a live stream of people’s thoughts and feelings on the event. It’s crazy to think about how freaking cool it is that we can be connected to people in that way. But, I digress. It upset me to see some of the reactions.

Yes, let’s celebrate.
Yes, God bless America.
Yes, thank you to our troops.
Yes, I’m thankful for this country’s leadership.
And no, I am not happy that Obama is suffering in hell.
-HOWEVER
We need to appreciate how blessed we are to live in this country and show our pride every day, not just when we’re “#winning.” We need to be thankful for and pray for our troops every day, not just on a momentous occasion. We need to keep in mind that it was not one person’s leadership that brought us to this point… it was thanks to the hard work of individuals in two terms over a ten year period. We should be saddened by any lost soul in hell. But we should also rejoice in the justice of our God. Both are biblical.

Personally, I’m happy. Now, I’m not excited about someone suffering eternal damnation in hell- that’s never a cause for celebration. However, I believe in godly justice, and I believe in rejoicing in it. I believe in the death penalty, and I believe in war. My friends are stationed overseas for a reason and I stand behind them. There is a spiritual battle between good and evil, God and Satan, raging on this earth. Unfortunately, until Jesus reigns again on earth, not everyone is going to be on his side. “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” –John 1:5. Satan will continue to deceive people in order to use them as his instruments, and God will continue to use us for his glory. It has really upset me tonight that some Christians are calling others out for rejoicing in Osama’s capture and death. Of course I would never want to condemn someone to hell. But let’s be rational- when you find someone that is responsible for the death of 3000 people, they don’t deserve to live. (And yes, I understand that I too do not deserve to live, but I believe in Jesus and have thanked him- therefore, this means I am on God’s side now… This argument is not the point.) Can we really believe we could just pull Osama aside and tell him about Jesus? When someone has declared physical and spiritual war on our country, I don’t think you’re going to change their mind.

Also- publishing this viewpoint to the world makes people dislike Christians for taking a “holier than thou” attitude. But that’s another rant for another day.

Like I said, I’m celebrating. However, the battle is not won just because we caught Osama Bin Laden. He’s a symbol for our anger about 9/11. But just because the face of the tragedy has been taken care of does not mean that terrorism will come to a halt. It may be a sobering thought, but in the big scheme of things, one man’s death is not going to change the mindset of a group of people who believe in the same things. I think we just need to remember that. Pray for our country, pray for our leadership, pray for our troops.

Creeper Whistle

2011-05-01T22:15:00.001-04:00

Today Emily and I laid out at the pool and read our books, trying to relax. The following conversation really happened. Imagine me giving every answer as sarcastically as possible without looking up from my book.

Creeper sitting three chairs away: Is that water dirty? Haha.
Me: Um, yeah.
[3 minutes later.]
Creeper: How long do you think it takes to tan?
Me: Excuse me?
Creeper: How long does it take to get tan? An hour? Two?
Me: Uh... I mean it takes me a long time...
Creeper: So you think about an hour?
Me: Um... sure?
{What I want to say: WTF kind of question is that?}
[3 minutes later.]
Creeper: What are you reading?
Me: Angels and Demons
Creeper: Is that Dan Brown?
Me: Yes.
{What I want to say: And I could finish it if you would LEAVE ME ALONE!}
[3 minutes later.]
Creeper: I'm gonna be modeling in a magazine next week.
Me: ...
Creeper: So I've gotta hang out here at the pool a lot this week when it's crowded. Because the people from the magazine are gonna come by and look for a few girls to be in it with me.
Me: That's nice.
{What I want to say: I highly doubt that.}
[3 minutes later. Creeper rotates onto his belly with his head facing towards me and will not stop staring.]
Creeper: Do you ride?
Me: Excuse me???
Creeper: Do you ride? Like motorcycles?
Me: No.
Creeper: Why? Because you're afraid or you just haven't?
Me: Uh... I don't know.
Creeper: Because I have one. A blue ______ (like I really care enough to remember). If you ever see a blue one and a guy with a black jacket with a blue stripe on the back and blue helmet -that's me!
Me: Awesome.
{What I want to say: And I care because...?}
[3 minutes later.]
Creeper: My name is ____. (Again, like I really care enough to remember)
Me: I'm Ansley. This is Emily.
Creeper: Are you in school, Ansley?
Me: Yes.
Creeper: What are you studying?
Me: English & English Education
Creeper: So you're going to teach?
Me: Yes.
Creeper: That's wonderful. What age? High school?
Me: (Sigh) Yes.
Creeper: You know English is the hardest language to learn. I'm bilingual. Spanish is a lot easier. English's rules don't make sense.
Me: Yeah, I know.
[Creeper gets in the pool and alternates between pushing water around and doing pull-ups on the fountain. Awhile later Valerie gets there and we get in the water.]
Creeper: Are you guys going to do water exercises?
Valerie: NO, that's not attractive at ALL...
[Creeper finally leaves.]

...Leave it to Valerie. :)

HE IS RISEN!

2011-04-24T01:33:00.001-04:00

I hear the Savior say "Thy strength indeed is small.
Child of weakness watch and pray. Find in me thine all in all"

And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save!" my lips shall still repeat.

Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow .

Oh praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!

Good Friday

2011-04-22T20:47:00.000-04:00

ere's another great note written by my mom's friend Margie Doolittle. Because sometimes someone else's words are just better than your own-

"Do you know what is wrong with you Christians?"

I stood waiting for the homeless man to continue his tyrade. We had been having a civil conversation until he had asked me why I was there and I had mentioned the "J" name....that name that seems to stir peoples passion, whether it is love or hate.

"The problem with you Christians is that you are always talking about the BLOOD and Him hanging on the CROSS..." At the word "blood", he made a snarling, disgusted look on his face. And when he said "the cross", he flung out his arms in a mocking manner.

He continued, "If you Christians would leave the blood out of it and just do the good things Jesus did, like helping the poor, then the world would be a better place."

Copper John is his name. He is called that because he makes copper jewelry which he sells on the corner of a parking lot down Euclid Avenue a little ways off the square in Little Five Points in Atlanta. While you wait for him to fashion a bracelet, he will also give you his brand of wisdom. He once told me that a thousand people can walk past him but that he knows which one needs a word from him. Many young college age people who frequent that area for shopping, or eclectic entertainment, think of John as a wise man...a man who understands the trappings of materialism and has chosen to reject that life in order to live day by day off what his hands create. But as they sit in awe of his peaceful words of wisdom about rejection of posessions to pursue true freedom, they are unaware that ealier in the day he had gone into a rage up on the square, fighting another man over a stolen rolling luggage rack...finally getting the rack from the man and swinging it wildly, nearly hitting an elderly lady in the head. They are also unaware that one of the real reasons he is on the streets is that he is a crack addict. Ah, but sometimes the young seek wisdom in the most unwise of sources.

What I gained from my conversation with John that day was not wisdom...well, at least not wsdom from him.

As I was standing there listening to him, I realized that I had heard this message before. "Don't preach about the blood and the cross...just do what Jesus did." I remember attending one large church for the first time and it happened to be communion Sunday. I was surprised though that they were using white grape juice instead of the red, since the juice represents the blood of Jesus. I was pondering why they would do this when I bowed my head and saw that their carpets were a very light beige. Could it be that they wanted to avoid the red stains of any spilt juice? Yes, the spilt blood of Jesus was messy and there are those who would rather remove it from their theology than deal with the mess. I have heard that same message preached in churches all across Atlanta. A social gospel, it is called. Many ministers have embraced the same theology of this homeless prophet.

Coming from a ranting, mocking homeless man, it sounded different than the rational, reasonable, voices of the ministers though. I could easily see the flaw from the obvious hatred over the very mention of the name of Jesus which caused this tyrade. What is humorous to me is that I did spend a lot of time feeding, clothing, and otherwise helping the poor...along with other social activist groups like "Food not Bombs". See, without the message of the blood and the cross, is our social "help" any different? And is it really help? I can feed a man a meal and it will fill his belly for the day...but it doesn't have the power to free him from the addictions that have brought him to the place where he is in need of someone else to feed him.

There is a reason that the cross of Christ divides and causes such passion in the hearts of men. It was forever illustrated by the veil that was torn at the moment of His death...the veil which separated man from God. On one side of the veil was the requirements of innocent blood, the blood of a lamb. On the other side was a Holy God, who desired so greatly to be with His people in spite of their sin, that He chose to meet with them by placing Himself in a box called the Ark of the Covenant. Everything the blood was placed on was then considered "clean". On Passover (the Jewish celebration of their being saved from the angel of death that plagued their Egyptian oppressors by placing the blood of a lamb on their doorposts), Jesus was crucified. More than likely as He was dying, you could hear the bleating of the lambs who were about to be sacrificed.

Jesus giving His life as the ultimate innocent blood fully satisfied the requirements of a price for sin, and forever removed the dividing wall between God and man.

If you accept that payment, you are able to walk cleansed and new past the veil that once divided and into a very real relationship with God as a loving Father. But those who stil desire to cling to their own sin and reject the messiness of the blood and the cross, have a hard time understanding why we find it so beautiful to be covered in blood.

Life is carried through our blood. And we are able to receive the very life of God Almighty through the blood of Jesus.

Today is Good Friday. When I was young, I didn't understand why it was called "Good" since it is the day that is set aside to celebrate the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ. Anyone who has seen "The Passion of the Christ" movie, or who has read the medical explanation of the unbearable suffering that He must have endured through the beatings and hanging for hours on a cross held only by nails driven through hands and feet, would have a hard time saying it was "good". It is only through understanding the significance of what His sacrifice means for me and anyone else who chooses to believe, that I can see Gods goodness in that brutal day.

A Good Friday indeed.

On Repeat: Don't You Wanna Stay- Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson

2011-04-20T18:05:00.002-04:00

Addicted. Probs about to make it my ringtone.

Pinterest = Love

2011-04-16T15:16:00.001-04:00

If you haven't played on Pinterest yet, you need to check it out. It's where I collect all my favorite pictures I find online- like these! You can follow me here.

Wishful thinking... won't be at the beach for another month. Now back to those papers I'm supposed to be writing...

Now watching: When Harry Met Sally

2011-04-16T00:38:00.000-04:00

I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

"The sweetest thing you will ever see

2011-04-14T00:29:00.001-04:00

...in the whole wide world is a happy girl." -Martina McBride

I'm finally in a place I know God wants me to be, and I couldn't be happier. Proof of this is the fact that I haven't blogged in for-ev-er. Instead of staying in bed being depressed like I typically do during the cold months, I've been out in the sun enjoying life, friends, and His creation. It's really amazing how much 75 degree weather can increase my mood. :)

Katie's 21st

Mardi Gras Masquerade

Caroline's 21st

Crush Party
I'm super excited about what's in store for the next month or so.. Here's a sneak peak:
-Girls' weekend in D-town
-White Lily Formal with my beautiful SAO sisters
-Finals (yeah, not so exciting)
-Kevin gets leave from Okinawa!
-Panama City with my besties
-NGHS graduation
-My little sister's graduation

It's getting down to crunch time in the semester- I only have 5 days of being on campus until finals! Prayers for time-management and motivation are greatly appreciated!

Soar on wings like eagles~

2011-04-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

Quote Therapy

2011-03-27T11:11:00.004-04:00

SB at the happiest place on earth!

2011-03-25T00:41:00.002-04:00

Yes I'm almost 21. And yes I spent my college spring break at Mickey Mouse's house. When I asked my daddy if he'd rather me go on spring break in Destin or Disney he replied, "Disney. It's less likely that Mickey Mouse could knock you up." Wow. Thanks, Dad!

I probably had more fun at Disney World with Katie, Katie and Valerie than I would have if I had spent all week at the beach! It was nice sorta being a kid again and enjoying everything Disney has to offer. Katie Hemby has been practically a million times, so it was also nice to have someone that knew all the secrets and where everything was. I definitely recommend it!

We left Atlanta Saturday night and drove down to Orlando, with the plan to get a cheap hotel until we could check into our Disney resort the next morning. Here we learned an important lesson: every room in every hotel in Orlando is booked on the Saturday between spring breaks. Literally. We drove to every. single. one. and asked. Luckily we found a room a little over our budget online at around 11pm (Thanks, Expedia!!!) and settled in at the Double Tree.

We awoke bright and early Sunday morning, contemplated going to church, but decided Jesus would understand us wanting to spend time with Mickey just this once. We checked into our hotel at Disney's Pop Century Resort (Thanks Katie's parents!!!)... our room was in the 90s section. How fitting.

After spending all day enjoying the gorgeous weather by the pool, we went over to Downtown Disney for dinner, dancing, and shopping. Definitely just as fun as the parks!

Monday morning we trucked it over to Animal Kingdom for the first half of the day. I was reminded how much I don't enjoy roller coasters after riding Expedition Everest. Just don't like those tummy drops!

After lunch we rode the monorail over to the magical Magic Kingdom where we ran around trying to do and see as much as possible. Katie H and I ended up riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad until 1 in the morning when the park closed. :)

Tuesday morning Katie H and I went to Epcot while the other girls went on to Hollywood Studios (formally MGM... I didn't know that)! I lovvvve Epcot even though there are not that many rides... I enjoy the atmosphere more than exciting rides anyway. There were topiaries of all the Disney characters so we made sure to see ALL of them!

After meeting up for lunch at Epcot, everyone else went on to MGM while I went back to the hotel to "recharge my batteries." (If I have too much excitement or spend 24/7 with people, I need some time to be by myself or I get cranky... lol.) The next morning we had breakfast in the resort food court, bought a few more souvenirs, and headed back to Atlanta! It was a short but sweet vacay!

lust: a passionate or overmastering desire or craving

2011-03-07T00:55:00.001-05:00

Jesus is my boyfriend.

2011-03-03T22:32:00.001-05:00

an I just testify to how awesome our God is? He blows me away with something new everyday.Obviously transitioning from being in a 3 year relationship to being single is a major struggle in my life right now, and it's something that I have to take day by day. When you're in a relationship that long you start to convince yourself that you are valuable only if you're valued by that person... which is not true at all! I think the hardest thing about this transition is just being lonely. I miss having someone there for me all the time. I miss the things only a boyfriend can do for you- late night talks, cuddling, sending sweet texts, buying you dinner,etc.

So around Valentine's day I started praying about it a lot, especially after reading a post by one of my Mom's good friends. I posted it on facebook so I won't rewrite it, but you can read it here. Why can't God be my boyfriend? He's been waiting for me to give him that kind of attention and need that kind of attention from him. So I started praying about it.

Let me tell ya'll, prayers were answered. Things I didn't even realize I need, God provides.

Nights in the beginning sucked. Then my parents suggested I take our cat bag to Athens with me... and now I have someone who is always willing to cuddle with me while I sleep. It's nothing big but having a a kitty that loves you unconditionally is such a comforting thing! Prayer answered.

Monday it was beautiful outside, so I went and laid out by the pool to get some sun. I was praying and thanking God for the weather, and he said, I'm glad. This was for you. Blown away. My love gave me my favorite thing to enjoy to show me that He loved me. Prayer answered.

For one reason or another, I was really missing my ex today. Either him or his company, I can't decide which. I asked God to take those thoughts away. Then I got to class and my friend asked to take me on a date. Totally unexpected, but I knew it was God. Prayer answered.

I was sitting here awhile ago feeling down again wishing I had someone to talk to that understands what I'm going through, besides just God. One of my best friends and favorite people in the world texted me from overseas because he's finally back in cell range and wants to talk. Prayer answered.

I know some of those things might sound silly or coincidental, but I know that each and every one of them were from God in order to show me His love for me, and that I really don't need anyone but Him. He knows exactly what I need at specific moments and what will make me happy and he gives those things to me when I have a real need. What man can do that?? :P

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33

Whatever happened to chivalry?

2011-03-02T11:11:00.003-05:00

Whatever happened to chivalry? Does it only exist in 80's movies? I want John Cusack holding a boombox outside my window. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey. I want Jake from Sixteen Candles waiting outside the church for me. I want Judd Nelson thrusting his fist into the air because he knows he got me. -Easy A

The Academy Awards Fashion Re-cap

2011-02-28T01:46:00.001-05:00

Natalie Portman is totes adorbs in her preggers formalwear, I'm glad I finally got to see my husband on the red carpet this season, and obviously I really need to see The King's Speech. As far as the fashion goes, I can't say I was as impressed with it as much as I have been with the dresses at other shows this season. But I guess you don't have a ton of creative liberty with something as formal as the Oscars. Here's a re-cap if you missed it-

LACE PASTIES MADE CLASSY

Mila Kunis
The perfect combination of sexy and classy. It kinda looks like she's wearing lace pasties, but I'm okay with that because she has the body for it. Someone like me would make it look slutty.

WEIGHT WATCHERS TO WAIT! WATCH HER!

Jennifer Hudson
Dang, homegirl's lookin good. Weight Watchers has totally paid off for her and she looks GREAT. She wasn't a presenter, a nominee, or even a winner, but I like that she rocked a beautiful dress because she could.

MIRROR, MIRROR, ON MY CHEST

Cate Blanchett
A ton of people have voted her best dressed, but I don't get it. The color and beading is beautiful, but that's about it. What's with the futuristic shoulder pads? And the random yellow at the top? Not a fan.

GOLD & GRANDMA'S DOILIES=????

Melissa Leo
Again, I think I have a different opinion from most people. I definitely wouldn't call this best dressed, but I do like the texture, pattern, and color of the dress. I thought she looked great accepting her award. Maybe if it was a different shape...

PLAIN JANE JEN

Jennifer Lawrence
She's gorgeous and this dress looks great on her, but DANG could it be more plain?? Get a fancy up-do, get a necklace, some big earrings, a bangin clutch, SOMETHING.

RAVISHING RED

Sandra Bullock
Love her. 45 years old and gorgeous.

HAVEN'T CHANGED MY HAIR IN TEN YEARS

Halle Berry
Yeah she's sexy with the short hair, but I think it's time for something different. Good thing her beauty distracts from her dress. Because I can't decide if I like it or not... I think the bottom is just too random.

PREGGERS IN PLUM

Natalie Portman
She might just be the most adorable pregnant woman I've ever seen, & props to her for going through this whole awards season being that pregnant and still looking beautiful. She (or her stylists) really know how to pick out flattering dresses. However, can we just draw the eye to her toes... WTF?

WASHED OUT

Nicole Kidman
I understand that she let her daughter help pick out her dress, but REALLY. Awful color for her. Yay for red shoes but add some more red accessories if you're gonna do that. And the flaring hip thing is not flattering on anyone.

OSCAR BARBIE

Reese Witherspoon
Although her dress kinda looks like a plain prom dress, she really pulls it off. And that ponytail is adorable. Classy classy classy.

TRASHY TRASH TRASH

Scarlett Johansson
I'm already biased because I'm jealous that she got to make out with my hubby in his What Goes Around music video. But this is just not pretty. Not the shade of red to wear on the red carpet. Bad silhouette. What the heck is up with the neckline? No. She looks like she woke up with a hangover in a LA hotel room and stitched up a quick dress out of the curtains.

SEX ON A STICK

Justin Timberlake
Speaking of my husband... Lookin good as always. Wish they would get him to host the Oscars next year. Although probably not a good idea, as I made the whole room stop and be silent anytime he appeared on screen. Sigh...

What do you think???

Paris in Springtime

2011-02-26T11:11:00.005-05:00

DIY Magazine Envelopes

2011-02-25T00:10:00.001-05:00

So simple to make, and you can even mail them! I made most of these in one night while watching the All-Star basketball game. I'll be selling them at my sorority's Classic City Showcase on April 2nd (more info about that later), or you can follow the instructions to make your own.

Fold the corner of the page to make a square. Cut.

Fold the top corner of the triangle down and glue.

Open the triangle and glue the two side corners so that the triangle doesn't open when you fold it back.

Fold the right side of the triangle in and glue. Do the same with the left side.

Fold down the top of the triangle to finish your envelope. You can seal it later with tape or a cute sticker.

All from just a magazine page, scissors, and glue...

"I wish the real world would just stop hasslin me."

2011-02-24T00:02:00.001-05:00

If I had my way
I would take off a semester of school
and travel.
By travel I mean just go somewhere pretty and stay there.
Turn my phone off.
Leave my computer.
Give up all of my responsibilities.
And sleep
and read
and craft
a lot.

Alas, there's no pause from the real world.

Friday Favorite Things- Nerdy Version

2011-02-19T01:59:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share some of my latest favorite websites for those of ya'll that are as nerdy as I am. (Thank you StumbleUpon!)

1. Knoword

Want to increase your vocabulary? Or just do better on those crosswords in the newspaper you do instead of paying attention in class? Play Knoword. The game gives you a definition and you have to fill in the word as fast as possible. Get an account and rack up points. Knowing you're increasing your vocab will make you feel better about not actually doing your homework.

2. The Book Seer

Ever need a good book to read but don't know how to find one you'll actually like? Besides picking from my list, you can use The Book Seer. Type in the last book you read (that you liked) and the search engine will suggest similar books. Genius.

3. oneword

You have sixty seconds to write as much as you can about one word. I've discovered this is very therapeutic... Only having sixty seconds to write makes you get to the point about whatever is on your mind that is triggered by the word. It's also interesting reading what other people have written because everyone has a different style or take on the word. & there's a different word every day.

Enjoy!

Grammy 2011 Fashion Recap

2011-02-13T21:31:00.001-05:00

Currently writing this while watching the Grammys instead of doing the homework I've put off ALL weekend. Don't judge.

BEST DRESSED

Selena Gomez
GORGEOUS. She can teach Miley Cyrus a thing or two about how to look your age and be classy at the same time. I would totally wear this.

Kim Kardashian
I know I'm biased cause she's my idol, but she rarely looks bad. Love this dress, love her hair, love her.

Matthew Morrison
Class and style. Also probably biased because his style reminds me of my husband's (Justin Timberlake).

Julianne Hugh
Gorgeous colors and looks so good with her hair and skin tone. She is so pretty. Ryan Seacrest is a lucky man.

Keri Hilson
Fun. Like it with the asymmetrical hair, too.

Mario Lopez
You can't be Mario Lopez and not look good. SEXAYYY. Love that gray shade with the white.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Mya
Love this dress, but I feel like she could have worn it better. Different jewelry? I dunno, it's lacking something. But I would wear it.

Anna Nalick
If I look to long at this I start not to like it. I love the skirt, not much of a fan of the sheer top. Maybe if it was just a corset sweetheart top? However, let me just draw your eye to the shoes. Need I say more? WANT.

Rihanna
Told Katie I couldn't decide if I liked it or not. I would have definitely liked it if I couldn't see her crack. Not classy.

WORST DRESSED

Lady Gaga
[Arleta, this is the part you should skip over. ;)] This is a given. I always think she's the worst dressed. Let me preface this by saying I respect her as an artist- she's definitely talented, can sing, writes her own music, and is not afraid to be different. However, I think it's incredibly rude to show up at a black tie event in an egg with an entourage. And then to come out in what looks like cheese skin? Um, no. Also, way to steal from Madonna with not only your new single (which sounds like parts of Express Yourself and Vogue... which is why it's the only Gaga single I've ever liked), but with your ponytail and second wardrobe change (Gaga version of the cone boobs). Ok, done with my rant.

Nicki Minaj
I love her music, but someone needs to tell her she's not the black Lady Gaga and to stop trying so hard.

Hayley Williams
You have to try hard to actually look this stupid. Everyone knows if you're going to dye your hair a bold color you need to at least not wear a clashing color with it.

John Mayer
What happened to the sexy John we all used to know and love? He looks like an ugly version of Johnny Depp.

Snooki
Love you, Snooks, but you're too stumpy to wear a dress this short with shoulders that big. Not flattering.

Maybe next time I'll post on just the shoes. Lol.

Who do you think were the best and worst dressed??

Bible face palm.

2011-02-10T11:11:00.001-05:00

In case you can't already tell, I'm a perfectionist. Part of what comes with that kind of personality is the need to have everyone like me. I take it really personally if I think or know that someone just plain doesn't like me. I just don't want to be that girl that you're always talking about because you don't like her. I think I have conditioned myself into believing that if I do the right things and love Jesus and am a nice person to everyone I come in contact with, then everyone will like me. But if you think about it... chances are that if I don't like certain other people, it is just as likely that the same amount of people don't like me. Right? To be honest, this all stemmed from someone I used to be really close with de-friending me on Facebook. I know, LAME, but it really hurt my feelings because this is someone that I used to admire and who I hoped might be in my life for a long time.

I've been trying to convince myself not to care so much about what other people think about me. Then I was reading Radical last night, and David Platt made a really good point:

"All men will hate you because of me" (Matthew 10:22). We don't think like this. "If we would all just become like Jesus, the world would love us," we say. The reality is that if we really become like Jesus, the world will hate us. Why? Becuase the world hated him... The reason we know that we will be betrayed, hated, and persecuted is because Jesus himself was betrayed, hated, and persecuted. The more our lives are conformed to his, the more we will receive what he received in this world.... The world likes us when we are pursuing everything they are pursuing, even if we do put a Christian label on it. As long as Christianity looks like the American dream, we will have few problems in this world. But if we identify with Christ, we will lost much in this world.(p.167-168)

Just because I have good intentions with my life and other people, doesn't mean people are entitled to like me. Actually, if I'm living like Jesus the way I'm supposed to (aka "radically") they're probably not going to like me. I should be more concerned with what Jesus thinks about me than other people. BIBLE FACE PALM

Sometimes I just need to state the obvious to myself.

I need to hear it

2011-02-09T11:11:00.001-05:00

DIY Rosette Frame

2011-02-08T11:11:00.000-05:00

There are a bunch of plain frames lying around my apartment, so I thought I'd have some fun with them. The following is project #1-

Found this idea at The Secret Stitch Club. Cute and easy. Watch out roommates, I just may be gluing rosettes to everything...

Instructions here!

You make beautiful things

2011-02-07T00:25:00.002-05:00

You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of dust...

You're beautiful.

DIY Egg Carton Roses

2011-02-06T11:11:00.001-05:00

I love making things pretty / making pretty things. Especially when I can make pretty things out of stuff I would normally throw away. So I was nerd-ily excited when I saw this idea from Homemade Mamas to make roses out of egg cartons.

All I needed was an egg carton, scissors, food coloring, water, a hot glue gun, and boredom.

The result? Pretty freakin cute in my opinion. I have no clue what I'm going to do with them yet, but they're nice to look at!

Instructions here.

DIY Mother's Day Window Pane Frame

2011-02-05T01:11:00.002-05:00

I thought I'd finally share what I made my mom for last Mother's Day. Yes, I realize it's February, but here's a head start. ;)

It's a... window pane frame? I dunno what to call it. But it was fun to make and I think my mom would rate it as one of the best gifts I've ever given it. It was meant to hang outside on the back porch. Unfortunately, it's still sitting in the floor in the kitchen because Daddy is afraid to drill holes in the siding of the porch because it will "decrease re-sale value." Sigh.

I found the window frame and Scrabble letters at a thrift/antique store in Buford. I used spray adhesive to attach the pictures and super glue to attach the letters. However, I would recommend using a non-acidic adhesive to attach the photos to the glass... I was just in a hurry and therefore the quality of the picture is going to suffer over time. I added glass paint flowers and was done!

I was super excited about finding the Scrabble letters, because my mom is a big Scrabble-r and I thought it'd be a cute touch!

Rainy Day = Shoe Shopping

2011-02-01T17:46:00.000-05:00

I rewarded myself for spending all day in the yucky weather by shoe shopping once I got home. The following are the ones I ~~need~~ want:

Charles David- Nurture = brown wedge for spring. I already have some brown wedges, but these are higher and have more detail.

Charlotte Russe- Knotted Rufia Wedge = tan wedge for spring. I have Banana Republic tan wedges but they're years old and have footprints in them & that looks tacky.

Vince Camuto- Milsey 2 in true red patent. Can you believe I go to UGA and do not own a SINGLE pair of red heels? I know, it's sinful. I just haven't been able to find the perfect classic ones. Here they are:

Kelsi Dagger- Tiffany in grey suede. I don't have grey pumps I don't think? And I'm on a bow kick.

Guess- Hondola in lace. Cause I'm also on a lace kick, and aren't these sexy?!

Guess- Atense in light natural suede. They're cute & sophisticated. More work than party.

Jessica Simpson- Gobow in black. YUM. I have wanted these since last May when I saw them in Macy's. They remind me of old Michael Kors ones but a tiny bit cheaper. Love the zipper.

30DC#27- Something I Miss

2011-01-30T11:11:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 27- Something I Miss

"You know that point in your life when you realize the house you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? All of a sudden even though you have some place where you put your shit, that idea of home is gone. You'll see one day when you move out it just sort of happens one day and it's gone. You feel like you can never get it back. It's like you feel homesick for a place that doesn't even exist. Maybe it's like this rite of passage, you know. You won't ever have this feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, you know, for your kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle or something. I don't know, but I miss the idea of it, you know. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people that miss the same imaginary place."
-Garden State

30DC#27- My Favorite Place

2011-01-29T11:11:00.000-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 27- My Favorite Place

My favorite place in the whole world is on the stretch of beach in Panama City Beach where our condo has been for the last 25+ years. My grandfather bought it when my Daddy was in college. It was where my parents vacationed with their college friends when they were my age. It was where my Daddy proposed to my Mommy. When Big Daddy died, he passed it on to Daddy. I was first on this beach when I was only a few weeks old, and have been every summer since then. It was where I went on my senior trip with my best friends when I graduated from high school. It's where I vacation with my college friends. It's where I hope to vacation with my future family one day.

Most people think PCB is tacky, but it's my favorite place in the world because it holds so many memories for me and my family. My favorite place is the weathered pier at the end of the beach where the sunsets every night. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, and God paints it just for me. It's my favorite place to sit and pray.

30DC#26- My Fears

2011-01-28T11:11:00.000-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 26- My Fears

I should probably start with the "irrational" fears. "Irrational" because I know that as a logical person I should not be legitimately afraid of these things, but unfortunately, I really am.

Irrational Fear #1- Aliens

I am terrified of aliens. I'm blaming it on my preschool playing ET for a room full of 3-4 year olds. One of my earliest memories (vividly!) is sitting in a chair in my preschool classroom as ET came on, and covering my eyes because I knew what was going to happen. Which means they played it more than once. It wasn't until I was about 16 years old that I could stand to actually watch the movie, much less be able to sleep by myself that night. When Signs came out I didn't see it, but my friend told me the creepy things that happened (aliens on the roof, in the cornfield, sticking their fingers through the vents) and I was scared to go to sleep for weeks. To this day I can watch pretty much any scary movie except for ones that have aliens.

Irrational Fear #2- Rollercoasters/Fear of Falling

I hate that falling feeling you get in your stomach on rollercoasters. I think as a result I have gradually become afraid of heights because heights are associated with that falling feeling. When I was 11 I got off the Atlantis ride at Sea World in the middle of the ride. Literally got superhuman adrenaline strength and got out of the lap bar and jumped out of the boat as it paused at the top of the ride. I don't recommended. They have to shut down the whole ride and your parents will hate you for the rest of the vacation and remind you of it every time you consider going on another rollercoaster-esque ride for all of eternity.

Rational(?) Fear #1- Failure
I'm a perfectionist and slightly OCD. It comes with the territory of being a straight-A student/first-born/goody-goody your whole life. However, over the years I've gotten better about not being so afraid of not being perfect.

Rational Fear #2- Being Alone
I'm afraid of being alone for my whole life. As in romantically alone. Some people laugh at that, but I don't just want attention from anyone. I want it from the right person.

Rational Fear #3- Dying Without Glorifying God With My Talents
I know we are put on this earth for a purpose- to glorify God. As much as I try to do this day to day, I feel that I am meant to do more with my talents and blessings. I hope as I get older God reveals this to me more. I hope I never forget why I am here!

30DC#25- A First

2011-01-27T23:35:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 25- A First

Drumroll please...
My first casserole! (It tasted better than it looks.)

Layers of tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, and a mix of cream of chicken soup, enchilada sauce, & green peppers.

Mission domestic takes another large leap.

It's All Proclaiming Who You Are

2011-01-27T00:05:00.001-05:00

I see Your face in every sunrise

The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes

The world awakens in the light of the day

I look up to the sky and say

You're beautiful

I see Your power in the moonlit night

Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright

We are amazed in the light of the stars

It's all proclaiming who You are

You're beautiful

I see You there hanging on a tree

You bled and then You died and then You rose again for me

Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne

Soon we will be coming home

You're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity's shore

Where death is just a memory and tears are no more

We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring

Your bride will come together and we'll sing

You're beautiful

I see Your face, I see Your face, I see Your face
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

What Are You missing?

2011-01-23T11:11:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine sent me this article from The Bold Life. It's scary how we get so into the habit of going through the motions of life that we don't stop to notice the beauty around us.

Notice Anything?

[Cliche Title About New Years Resolutions]

2011-01-22T11:11:00.001-05:00

But seriously, I am looking forward to the rest of 2011. It's already been great so far and I know God has some great things in store for me. A new year means new beginnings and I'm hoping to have a massive revamp of my life this year.

My 2011 Goals:
- Read 75 books.
- Go to the gym for 30min 30 days a week. (I know, right?! CRAZY!)
- Blog on a regular basis.
- Actually do all the crafts I've bought supplies for.
- Rely on myself for my happiness instead of other people.
- Write papers ahead of time instead of the day before. (Yeah right...)
- Work more promos.
- Actually try to pursue modeling. Cause what other time in my life will I have this time?

I should have lots of free time for these goals since I only have Tuesday & Thursday classes. I'm really excited about that. I've always scheduled classes so I have Friday off, but somehow I worked only TT out for this semester. The only problem with this is I'm tempted to sleep all day MWF. That's why I'm making myself go to the gym those mornings!

Class Schedule
Tuesday & Thursday
9:30 AM- ENGL 4890 [The Graphic Novel] with Pizzino
11 AM- ENGL 3300 [Midieval Women's Lit] with Camp
12:30 PM- ENGL 4695 [Post-colonial Lit] with Santesso
2 PM- LING 2100 [Linguistics] with Wenthe

I'm most excited about my Comics class with Pizzino because he's my favorite professor... and who wouldn't want to take a class about comics?!

Books Read 2010

2011-01-21T22:52:00.000-05:00

Remember my post about my goal to read 100 books in 2010? I didn't exactly reach my goal, but I did get close. Here's the books I did read, and a short review for each. Hopefully this list will come in handy next time your'e looking for something to read...

1. Taliesen by Stephen R. Lawhead (One of my best friend's fave books so I had to read it. King Arthur type fantasy.)

2. The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday (Native American Lit)

3. Emma by Jane Austen (How do you have a story about a heroine who's already "perfect"? It's a classic.)

4. The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

5. Richard III by William Shakespeare (What a creeper. Love it.)

6. Blue Horses Rush In by Luci Tapahonso (Native American poetry. No me gusta.)

7. The Truth About Stories by Thomas King (Different perspective on Native American culture. Enjoyed it, wrote a few papers on it.)

8. Villette by Charlotte Bronte (A good novel if you like bitchy heroines.)

9. Faces in the Moon by Betty Louise Bell (Native American Lit)

10. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

11. From Sand Creek by Simon J. Ortiz (Native American poetry about the "Battle" [more like slaying] at Sand Creek. Also Vietnam Veterans if I remember correctly... Pretty intense stuff.)

12. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (One of my favorites of all time!!!)

13. Macbeth by William Shakespeare

14. Shell Shaker by LeAnne Howe

15. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (19th Century British Lit Mystery)

16. Beats, Rhymes, and Classroom Life: Hip-Hop Pedagogy and the Politics of Identity by Marc Lamont Hill (Hill taught a Hip-Hop Lit class to inner-city Chicago teenagers... Used hip-hop lyrics to teach elements of literature- SUCH A COOL IDEA!!!)

17. Bug: Deaf Identity and Internal Revolution by Christopher Jon Heuer (Deaf culture from a deaf man's perspective- really humorous. Read it even if you don't care about the subject because he's hilarious.)

18. King Lear by William Shakespeare

19. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (Not a favorite of his...)

20. Dracula by Bram Stoker (I remember liking this more the first time I read it. Maybe Twilight has ruined the classic vampire...)

21. Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton (Cliche pirate adventure novel, but entertaining. Sad it's his last.)

22. Rant by Chuck Palahniuk (Palahniuk is so freaking cool. I don't know how he comes up with these things.)

23. The Rez Sisters by Tomson Highway (Short Native American play.)

24. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

25. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (Classic! A must-read if you haven't.)

26. Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

27. She by H. Rider Haggard

28. Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich (Native American Lit- enjoyed it.)

29. Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson

30. Othello by William Shakespeare

31. The Winter Tale by William Shakespeare

32. Ledfeather by Stephen Graham Jones (Native American Lit- very different/interesting, going back and forth in time.)

33. School Kids/Street Kids: Identity Developement in Latino Students by Nilda Flores-Gonzales (So freaking boring.)

34. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (2nd time reading it, and even better than the 1st.)

35. Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger (Good guilty mindless read.)

36. The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve (Raises the question- how well do/did you really know someone?)

37. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (LOVED this one! Terrorists take a presidential dinner party hostage, and the terrorists and hostages develop a close bond over time. A book about music, language, culture, and love.)

38. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (An obvious classic. My sister had it off my bookshelf for her English class & I wanted to read it again.)

39. The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks (I thought I had read it before, but turns out I hadn't. Pretty good- needed an easy Jamaica beach read.)

40. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (About a family of women living in Salem, Mass. who create lace and "read" their futures in them. A lot of Salem history, which was nice. One of those "things are not what they seem" stories. Thrilling.)

41. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet (Cathedrals, knights, lords, kings, etc. in English in the 12th century. My review here.)

42. Songs on Bronze by Nigel Spivey (A rewriting of the most well-known Greek myths, in chronological order. It was really cool to see how the different characters of Greek mythology are related to one another and their stories... all in one place.)

43. The Fiction Class by Susan Breen (One of those books that makes me think it was written for me. A teacher learns about life, love, and how literature affects our lives as she teaches a group of adults how to write a novel.)

44. The Boys in the Trees by Mary Swan (Loved her writing style. Breezed through it in a day or two. One of those I'll probably have to read again to catch things I missed. She's a genius.)

45. Majestic Descending by Mitchell Graham (Semi-predictable thriller, but I enjoyed it because the main character was from Atlanta and the author included a lot about the city.)

46. And My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You by Kathi Kamen Goldmark (About a girl singing in a bar band in her hometown. Cute/humorous narrative voice but the plot's not too interesting.)

47. Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig (Gone With the Wind from Rhett's perspective. Of course not nearly as good as the original, but still interesting.)

48. Carrie by Stephen King (Creepy classic.)

49. The Girl from Charnelle by K.L. Cook (Creepy in another way- as in babysitter having an affair with the kids' dad. Well written but awful premise.)

50. Falling Boy by Alison McGhee(Hated it.)

51. Mergers and Acquisitions by (LOVED it. Behind the scenes look at Wall Street and New Yorkers. Very fun.)

52. Heavenly Days by James Wilcox (It sucked.)

53. What is Mine by Anne Holt (Good missing-children thriller.)

54. The Nanny Diaries by Emma Mclaughlin(Read for the second time cause I missed it. Really good.)

55. For Women Only by Shaunti & Jeff Feldhahn (If you are a woman in a relationship, BUY THIS BOOK. I totally understand why guys act/think the way they do. So valuable.)

56. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Classic, love it.)

57. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (Liked it a lot better this time than the last.)

58. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (She's amazing. Another classic.)

59. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (A heroine who loves books = obviously my fave.)

60. The Hours by Michael Cunningham (SUCH A GOOD BOOK. Read Mrs.Dalloway, then this. One of those "woah" endings.)

61. The History of Pompey the Little by (The adventures of a lap-dog. Adventures is a loose term.)

62. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (The series that True Blood is based on. She's a great writer, I love her sense of humor and style.)

63. My Antonia by Willa Cather (Anything set in the Midwest is boring to me.)

64. The Female Quixote by Charlotte Lennox (Just like it sounds.)

65. Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko (Eh, I've read better Native American lit.)

66. The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing (Creepy postmodern awesomeness. The fifth child is not normal, just a hint.)

67. The Man of Feeling by Henry Mackenzie (Boring sentimental narrative.)

68. Oroonoko by Aphra Behn (History of a royal slave. Boring.)

69. Fantomina by Eliza Haywood(A woman uses disguises to hook up with a guy multiple times. Scandalous for the 18th century. lol.)

70. A Sicilian Romance by Ann Radcliffe (Adventure romance. Really good.)

71. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbbert (I hated it. She gets so close to God but doesn't ever actually get there, just makes up her own. Sad.)

72. The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole(Another adventure romance, but with more supernatural stuff.)

73. Mao II by Dan Delillo (Not a fan of DeLillo, had to read it for class.)

74. Country of Origin by Don Lee (Mystery- a girl goes missing in Japan searching for her birth mother. Interesting racial conflicts.)

75. Where Are You Now by Mary Higgins Clark (My first of her books, and I was unimpressed. Her characters are flat, the writing is juvenile. The plot wasn't even that surprising. Disappointed.)

76. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse Book 2)

77. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris(Sookie Stackhouse Book 3)

78. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris(Sookie Stackhouse Book 4)

79. For Men Only by Shaunti & Jeff Feldhahn (Like For Women Only. Explains why I'm so crazy. Lol. But seriously- every man needs to read this.)

80. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse Book 5)

81. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhosue Book 6)

82. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse Book 7)

83. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse Book 8)

84. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse Book 9)

85. Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud (Like a textbook for how to read comics. So cool.)

86. Cosmic Christmas by Max Lucado (Christmas from the angels' point of view.)

Books I have been in the process of since 2010:
Radical by David Platt
Believing God by Beth Moore
Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge
The Amazing Spiderman

I think I'm gonna leave my goal for 2011 at 75. Any recommendations?

30DC#24- My Favorite Books

2011-01-16T02:36:00.000-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 24- My Favorite Books

The Bible. No explanation needed.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I'm a Southern girl through and through, and I love the history surrounding the story set in my home state. I want to be Scarlett O'Hara. I love what a strong woman she is and wish I could be that way all the time. My daughter's name will be Scarlett, and if I have a second she will be Melanie.

"After all... tomorrow is another day."

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Most people can't stand Sylvia Plath because she's a tad depressing. Which is true- it's about a neurotic depressed woman who goes insane. But I love her because she literally writes the way I think. Which probably isn't a good thing considering she killed herself. Lol. But ever since I read this in early high school I have adored it. When I'm feeling a little Plath-ish I flip through it and remind myself that I'm not the only person that has ever felt that way. It's oddly comforting.

"If neurotic is wanting two mutually exclusive things at one and the same time, then I'm neurotic as hell. I'll be flying back and forth between one mutually exclusive thing and another for the rest of my days."

"I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn't quite make out. I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet."

"I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, 'This is what it is to be happy.'"

Also, most anything by Michael Crichton. But especially Prey, Jurassic Park, and Timeline.

30DC#23- Something That Makes You Feel Better

2011-01-14T03:53:00.000-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 23- Something That Makes You Feel Better

Revelation

2011-01-14T03:37:00.000-05:00

used to think that love was always enough to get you through anything. Today I learned that love cannot do all the things that books and movies tell you it can. I'm not trying to be cynical. I think it's just a basic fact that I have finally come to realize.

Love is not always enough.

There has to be things other than just a super strong physical/emotional bond/feeling towards one another along with a commitment to always love each other forever. Love takes work and sometimes the things that surround it don't add up despite love's presence. No matter how hard you try to fix things.

Like I've said before, I believe there's a difference between true real love and the kind of love between people that go through partners like I go through hair spray. And I have always known beyond a doubt that I have had this first kind of love. That's why I've struggled so much over the past year... I know it's real and God-given and I don't want to let it go no matter what logic is telling me. I have always really believed that if people separate there was never any true love there in the first place.

But I guess I have finally come to realize that I'm wrong about this. True love isn't as ideal as I'd hoped. Yes, God gave me this love, but he can also take it away. Who am I to question His purposes? As much as I want to make things work, for whatever reason, it's just not. I'm a control freak, and God convicts me of that daily. I can't manipulate things to get what I want. It's His story.

One thing I do still believe? You can't ever stop loving that person. I really don't think I ever will stop.

So where do I go from here? New year, new beginning. Out with the old, in with the new. Literally. I'm trying to keep my mind reeled in as much as possible. So besides getting out my thoughts on this, I really don't want to talk about anything pertaining to this subject.

God,
Grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
The courage to change the things I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.

Attention Guys: Before You Try, Read This

2011-01-12T22:38:00.002-05:00

revious relationships as well as general life experience and learning have taught me that I deserve the best and should wait until I get it. I could be waiting for awhile, but I'm willing to do that. I'm not going to settle. Therefore, before you even think about asking me out on a date, please review the following and make sure you can handle my standards.

My future boyfriend will definitely:
- Be a Christian. This includes sharing my basic values.
- Have a really good sense of humor and make me laugh a lot.
- Have a drive for his career and goals for the future.
- Be romantic. This includes planning surprises, doing sweet things spontaneously, sending me cards, buying me flowers, sending sweet texts, writing sweet things on my wall, etc.
- Understand and accept that I am slightly high-maintenance.
- Think I'm beautiful no matter what I'm wearing or how much make-up I have on.
- Attend and be involved at church.
- Love the Word as much as me and be a spiritual mentor for me.
- Make me a priority after God.
- Be athletic & play sports. And love watching football.
- Be taller than me (I'm 5'6" but wear 4" heels. Do the math.)
- Be happy with not getting any until there's a ring on my finger.

My future boyfriend will probably (meaning it's not imperative):
- Dress nicely.
- Have an athletic build.
- Have short, dark hair.

My future boyfriend will not:
- Party too much (more than a couple times a week).
- Curse in everyday language (I let one slip now and then...).
- Be disrespectful toward other people.

I feel that this is the person that God has put on my heart for me, and I'm willing to wait until I find him.

iPhone, Please?

2011-01-12T16:38:00.002-05:00

Wishing I had an iPhone4 so I could make this:

What a good idea.

Cabin Fever

2011-01-11T19:39:00.002-05:00

e're on Day 3 of snow, and I think it's official- none of us in the 124 are ever going to pray for another snow day ever again. Class was cancelled for yesterday and today, and is cancelled for tomorrow as well. Hopefully the sun'll come out tomorrow (cue Annie music) and the snow will melt enough to get us to the mall down the road.

It all began Sunday night around ten. By eleven Katie, Valerie and I were outside getting a taste of the falling flakes.

By yesterday afternoon, we were so bored that we had resulted to movie marathons, coloring books, and trying to get the cat to play outside with us.

Today, Katie and I took a walk through the woods behind our apartment building (aka Narnia). Later Val and I got all the snow off of my car and ventured down the road to Choo Choo's.... finally some real nourishment (by the college students' definition). Needless to say, we're about ready for this snow to melt. I have began checking eLC obsessively to see if my professors posted homework to keep me busy. I have even considered working out at the clubhouse gym... but let's not get crazy.

Here's hoping you've enjoyed your snow days and aren't going as crazy as the girls in the 124!

30DC#22- Something That Upsets Me

2011-01-09T13:40:00.002-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 22- Something That Upsets Me

This is probably going to end up as a rant... lol. You've been warned.

-I'm a really sensitive person, and unfortunately, my feelings get hurt very easily. It upsets me when I don't get enough attention from the person I love. Sometimes I just want to be the priority after God.
-It upsets me that apparently skinny girls don't have big boobs. No store but Victoria's Secret and mayybe Macy's in the mall has my bra size. This means I can never have cute cheap bras from Target.
-It upsets me when people intentionally disrespect others.
-It upsets me when people drive too slow in the left lane. Did everyone not get taught that the left lane is the fast/passing lane??
-It upsets me that I let things upset me.

That's all I've got on my mind right now...

DIY Magazine Gift Wrap Bows

2011-01-09T13:26:00.002-05:00

Several people have asked me how to make these so I thought I'd share with ya'll! It's easy, but if you don't want to make them yourself I sell them for 50 cents each and donate the proceeds to charity.

First, find a colorful magazine page. One with a uniform color over most of the page or multiple colors spread evenly works best.

Cut the page into 9 equal strips. Leave three strips the size of the page, cut an inch off of three, two inches off of two, and cut the last one in half.

Turn the first strip over and twist the ends while bringing them together to meet in the middle. It's hard to explain, but hopefully the picture helps. Staple the ends together to the middle. Do this with all of the strips except the shortest.

Make a loop with the shortest strip and glue in place. Use a dot of glue to stick the similar strips together into bow shapes.

Then use glue to stick these three bow parts together. Finally, add a dot of glue to the center to add the small strip loop. And you're done!

30DC#21– How I've Changed in the Past Year

2011-01-05T01:10:00.002-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 21- How I've Changed in the Past Year

How fitting, seeing as a new year just began. I think this would be best in list form...

-My awful daily/sporadic headaches-too-painful-to-be-described-as-migraines are GONE. PRAISE JESUS!
-I'm a more positive person, but I still need to work on it. This goes along with why my headaches went away... changing the way I think about things so they don't stress me out.
-I'm having far less panic attacks. Again, PRAISE JESUS!
-I actually experienced what it's like to not have a boyfriend and act like I'm single for the first time in three years. This included dating different guy and actually experiencing kissing (gasp!) people other the only guy I'd ever kissed.
-My hair is black right now...
-I've read 86 more books. Lol.
-I am far less tightly wound and am more willing to take risks and have fun.

Looking forward to seeing how I change for the positive (hopefully!) in 2011!

30DC#20- Bible Verse

2010-12-31T00:19:00.001-05:00

30 Day Challenge- Day 20- Bible Verse

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It's my favorite verse. I love it because it commands me to do three things that I sometimes have a hard time with. ALWAYS be joyful, CONTINUE to pray, ALWAYS be thankful... in every circumstance. Because the circumstance is God's will and he has a far greater plan than my own.

30DC#19- Something I Regret

2010-12-29T17:34:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 19- Something I Regret

I regret not cherishing my first year or two of college as much as I could have. Now that I'm closer and closer to graduating, I'm starting to realize how freaking AWESOME Athens is and I really don't ever want to leave. Or maybe I just want to be young forever. ;)

Along those same lines, I kind of regret being such a goody-goody in high school. I think I probably could have had a little more fun and taken a few more risks than I did. While still making good decisions!

30DC#18- My Favorite Birthday

2010-12-28T23:25:00.001-05:00

My favorite birthday so far was my 16th birthday. It's a big milestone and my parents threw me and my friend Collin a joint birthday party. We had it in the church Collin and I attended at the time, Sugarloaf Community Church. We had a pinata, tons of yummy food, slideshows of the both of us, volleyball, a giant blow up jump-around thingy, and ALL of our friends. Collin and I have had a few joint birthday parties because in high school we had similar friends, and it was always nice getting everyone together in the middle of the summer to chill for a few hours. They are definitely a few birthdays that I will never forget.

Our crazy friends

30DC#17- My Favorite Memory

2010-12-27T22:24:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 17- My Favorite Memory

My favorite memory is of the times my Big Daddy took me out on the Seadoo on Lake Martin. My grandfather was one of my favorite people in the world, probably because he is my Daddy's Daddy and like him in so many ways. My family would go to Nanny & Big Daddy's house on Lake Martin most weekends in the summer and fall when I was young and when Big Daddy was alive. My favorite part of the weekend was always when Big Daddy would take me out "in search of... WAVES!" I would sit in front of him on the Seadoo and he would always look for the big waves because I liked to be splashed. It wasn't the same if somebody else took me- Big Daddy's waves were the best.

Big Daddy died in October of 2002, just 3 months after taking me on my 12th birthday trip to New York City (he didn't know he was sick then). I'm glad I was old enough to remember spending time with him... it makes me sad that my younger cousins will not have as many memories with him. I'm looking forward to seeing him again in heaven, though. I hope Jesus likes Seadoos...

30DC#16- My First Kiss

2010-12-23T21:03:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 16- My First Kiss

"My first kiss went a little like this..."

I was 17. All of my friends knew I had never been kissed. Several of my guy friends offered to take care of this for me (haha), but I wanted to wait for someone I really wanted. In April 2008 Matt and I had been "dating" (see My First Love for what this means) for a few months and I had been waiting for him to try to kiss me. I found out from his friend that he hadn't because he was afraid of us getting too attached (again, see the past post). But I decided it was worth the risk.

I decided I was going to kiss him the day of his 18th birthday party. I thought about it the whole night, but never got him alone long enough. After the party when everyone had left, he walked me up the street to the elementary school where I had parked my car. I remember looking at the full moon and being able to see so many stars. He hugged me by my car and I told him I wanted to give him his birthday present. "What is it?" he asked. "A kiss" I said, and gave him a quick peck on the lips. I guess it was too quick because he asked me for another one.

Needless to say, his fear was right. We got attached. :)

30DC#15- My Dreams

2010-12-22T20:08:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 15- My Dreams

Here's my bucket list that I've had going since high school. The items shown in BOLD I have already completed! The others are what keeps me motivated...

1. Get a beagle puppy 11/01
2. Design, build and decorate my dream home
3. Vacation in Hawaii
4. Spend a day at a spa with the works(facial, massage, haircut, etc.)
5. Attend the Olympics
6. Go on a vacation to Italy
7. Own a convertible
8. Vacation in Disney World 12/97 & 5/02 & 2/04
9. See Justin Timberlake in concert 2/07, 8/07
10. See Justin Timberlake in concert with VIP seating
11. Meet Justin Timberlake (haha)
12. Take dancing lessons (ballroom, salsa, etc.)
13. Take golf lessons Fall/10
14. Vacation in Las Vegas 2/05
15. Attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York
16. Renew marriage vows on a beach – 20 years
17. See UGA play in National Championship
18. Learn how to water ski 9/97
19. Learn how to wakeboard
20. Learn how to surf
21. Go on a cruise 5/06
22. Take a hot air balloon ride
23. Ride in a helicopter
24. Get my teeth whitened
25. Win a jackpot while gambling
26. Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans
27. Go on a mission trip. 08/06
28. Have children
29. See my children graduate from college
30. Tour the great sites of ancient Greece
31. Go on a cruise in the Mediterranean
32. Go behind the scenes at Disney World
33. Shop on Rodeo Drive
34. Learn a foreign language (Spanish) 2002-2009
35. Swim with the dolphins
36. Get married.
37. Learn to play the piano 1995-2001
38. Own a baby grand piano
39. Ride through Central Park in a horse-drawn carriage
40. Visit NYC during Christmastime
41. Go parasailing 2006 in Bahamas
42. Own a hot tub
43. Vacation on all continents except Antarctica
44. Celebrate my 50th Anniversary
45. Witness the change of a century 2000
46. Visit Madame Tussard's Wax Museum (NYC & Las Vegas) 2002 & 2005
47. Graduate from college
48. Ride in the back of a stretch limo
49. Drive cross country with someone I love
50. Own a Coach purse
51. Kiss in the pouring rain
52. Sit on a rooftop
53. Skinny dip
54. Read & write notes in a Bible to give to my children
55. Fall in love 6/08
56. Have a job I love
57. Not have to worry about money
58. Have my own library in my house
59. Receive a love letter
60. Be there for a baby’s first step
61. Receive a dozen roses from someone I love 8/08
62. Get a tattoo
63. Find a four-leaf clover
64. Stand on the equator
65. Read every book on my list of 1000 books to read before you die
66. Write my name in the fresh concrete of a sidewalk
67. Take pictures in a photo booth 1/09
68. Wish on a falling star and have the wish come true
69. Spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square
70. Attend my 20th high school reunion
71. Witness a miracle
72. Ride on an elephant
73. Catch a bride’s bouquet
74. Learn to play the guitar
75. Win the lottery

30DC#14- Three Wishes

2010-12-22T19:59:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 14- Three Wishes

If I rubbed a magic lamp and a genie granted me three wishes, I would wish for:

1. A date with Justin Timberlake. (This is a given)

2. To have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life. Not have to worry about bills & live paycheck to paycheck, be able to help the poor, give to the church, etc.

3. Make me be not so OCD/able to be spontaneous/able to go with the flow/not have to have everything planned out/not get stressed out so easily. This more than anything would make my life so much easier.

30DC#13- This Week

2010-12-22T19:51:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 13- This Week

This week was a lot different than my normal week, obviously because of Christmas break. Last Tuesday I took my last final (which I probably didn't do my best at, as it was my class with the lowest grade...) and then drove to Suwanee on Wednesday to visit with my high school friends. Wednesday's weather was disgusting... freezing and rainy, which resulted in ice on the road that night. Ice=plans ruined because everyone stays inside.

Thursday I met my friend Tony for lunch to catch up (War Eagle!), then Matt took me bowling at Dave & Buster's. It was nice to spend some time alone together and get treated like a princess! Then I caught up with Mandy at O'Charley's and we went to see Tangled. SO CUTE! Go see it!

Friday I had lunch with Matt, Jake, Laura, Rebecca & Whitney, then watched the boys play basketball. (Y'all know I'm not about to join in.) Then Jake and I drove down to Atlanta to meet Allie and her church friends for dinner at a yummy Asian restaurant, then to a Christmas concert at Grace Midtown. My childhood crush, Kristian Stanfill, played. Sigh. He's married now so I tried to control myself. Then I stopped by game night at church to see some of my favorite people.

Saturday we had a birthday party with all my old friends for Matt (a different one) and Jillian. It was sooo good to just relax with everyone and catch up. And dance!

Sunday morning I left for Hiawassee to visit my grandparents for Christmas. We played card games and went to look at Christmas lights. I taught myself how to crochet a hat and made a couple for Matt. My mom and sister met us the next day and we had lunch at the country club and then opened presents. My favorite gift from my grandparents is a sleep shirt that says "So many books, so little time" and has a picture of a girl sitting on a stack of books reading. :)

Yesterday we left Hiawassee to go BACK to Suwanee (for me, anyway). Once again I went bowling at D&B with Matt & friends (Thanks, Byron!), then Matt and I went out to dinner, followed by movie night at Allie's to watch Inception (another friend reunion).

Today my family hung out with the Beasleys, and tonight I'm going to see Tron with my friend Tim! In the morning we're having breakfast with Matt and then we're off to Atlanta to see my mom's best friend.

BUSY BUSY but so enjoying spending time with the people I love. :)

30DC#12- What's in My Bag?

2010-12-14T20:46:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 12- What's in My Bag?

I bought my bag on Black Friday at Belk for half off. Go me. Here's what's in it, in case for some reason you're interested:

my makeup bag. (Not even about to go into detail about what's in there. Another day, another blog.)
to-do list from Monday
checkbook
hand sanitizer
camera
sunglasses
mints
toothpick
a bunch of spare change
lipgloss
three pens

Here are some bags I found that are more interesting than mine:

30DC#11- My Siblings

2010-12-12T15:51:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 11- My Siblings

I have one little sister, Alyssa Jaclyn Stephenson.

She'll be 18 in February (I feel old) and will be graduating from Lexington High School in June. When we were younger we played together all the time, although we would also fight just as often. As we've gotten older we've appreciated each other and our time together more. She's lived in another state since I've been at UGA, so we don't see each other very often, which makes me a little sad. But I love how excited she is to see me when we do get to see each other. My mom didn't have a good relationship with her brothers, so she always stressed that your sister will always be your best friend.

We may look alike (people have started asking if we're twins), but we are completely different people with different personalities and interests. Alyssa is taller, has hazel eyes, naturally straighter hair, and less curves. I'm a bit shorter, have blue eyes, naturally curly hair, and I'm curvy. Lol.

Alyssa is going to be at Johnson & Wales studying culinary stuff in the Fall. She loves to cook, hates to read. I'm the opposite. She loves that she's going to be at a small school in the city. I would die if I wasn't at a big southern school with a football team and a million extra-curriculars. She's athletic (mostly volleyball), I'm obviously not. She has her own business (Bella Dolce) making truffles and decorating cakes, and has won a bunch of young business leaders scholarships. She's pretty dang cool for a high schooler.

For the first time (probably in our lives) we have something in common... We both just got out of 2.5+ year relationships. We're both learning from that and learning what it's like to date and be single, and that I think has made us feel more like friends lately than sisters.

I love her!

30DC#10- iPod Shuffle

2010-12-09T00:46:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 10- iPod Shuffle

I'm not gonna cheat and keep shuffling to get a good song. That way I guess you get the most accurate look at my music as possible...

1. L.O.V.E.- Ashley Simpson Yeah, remember when she made music? I loved her on 7th Heaven.

2. Part of That World- The Little Mermaid If you try denying you love classic Disney songs you sit on a throne of lies.

3. Crank Dat Soulja Boy- Soulja Boy I hate Soulja Boy. I think I just downloaded this for Matt because if it comes on I will change it.

4. If Love Was a Plane- Brad Paisley One of the greatest songwriters and most romantic men ever.

5. When You Were Young- The Killers Aw, I miss listening to them.

6. You Alone Can Rescue- Matt Redman Cause I love Jesus.

7. I'm Coming Back to the Heart of Worship- Sonic Flood Really old I love Jesus song. Early high school memories...

8. Vegetable Car- Joshua Radin A weird song but he's one of my favorite artists. If you've never listened to him, do it now. His voice is beautiful.

9. The Scientist- Aimee Mann Coldplay cover, and one of the view Coldplay songs I actually like. Her version makes me cry.

10. Believe- Cher Everyone needs a little Cher.

11. Fun, Fun, Fun- Beach Boys Classic summer music.

12. Majesty- Big Stuf Band Soooo many memories of summer in high school.

13. Just a Ride- Jem Really encouraging song for when I'm frustrated with life.

14. What Goes Around... Comes Around- Justin Timberlake My husband, and one of my favorite songs off the FutureSexLoveSounds album. Gives me shivers every time he performs it. This one's my favorite:

If you're not gonna watch the whole thing just skip to 4:25ish. AHHHHH.

15. Never Know- Jack Johnson This reminds me I needs his newest album.

30DC#9- What I Believe

2010-12-09T00:19:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 9- What I Believe

Already wrote about this here. :)

30DC#8- A Moment

2010-12-06T22:20:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 8- A Moment

Or this moment. Finals week in the 124.

I'm sitting in the chair in the living room being distracted by writing this blog post instead of writing the 15 page paper on my contribution to theory of the novel (the function of oral storytelling in novel form) which is due Wednesday afternoon. Probably because I'm burnt out from writing the 8 page paper on 18th century British literature that I just finished last night. Mrs. Doubtfire is on the tv, which is obviously not helping my productivity much either.

Katie is sitting across the room studying for her childhood & family development final, which means she is spouting out random facts about adolescence (the section she's on) every few minutes, probably only a third of which Valerie and I are actually hearing. Luckily she has stopped screaming every few minutes as well because luckily Latte is not attacking her feet like she normally does. Instead our beautiful little kitten is sleeping soundly under the kitchen table, exhausted from playing with her 23423 toys that are strewn all over the room. Which, I might add, is a mess. Finals means cleaning is at the bottom of the to-do list.

Valerie should be studying for her final tomorrow, but instead is crocheting a hat for Andre which is probably going to be too small. The hat is going to have a crocheted beard attached. She's also practicing her choreographed dance moves for the Wesley masquerade tomorrow night.

Now back to being productive.... Hopefully.
Oops, Katie just announced she's playing the Snake game. Productivity is officially gone.

30DC#7- My Best Friends

2010-12-02T14:34:00.002-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 7- My Best Friends

My top 3 girl bffs, in order of when I met them. Please don't be offended if you're not one of them.

Mandy Beasley My family bff.
See 30DC#3 for the origin of our friendship. We like to joke that we became friends even though she's two years older because I thought she was so cool and she liked that I thought she was cool. haha. Now she's a real adult with a real job and it's super weird, but I know she's loving it. Mandy is my sister. We have completely different interests and personalities, but for whatever reason, we're like peanut butter and jelly. I know that she will always support me and be there for me forever.

Allie Vallecillo My life bff.
We met in 7th grade because we were in orchestra together (she played the viola, I played the violin). We clicked and were pretty much attached at the hip until senior year of high school. Allie is my person. :) She gets me. No matter how much time goes by, we always have a special connection where we can talk to each other about anything we're going through I'm so excited to see what journey God takes her on because I know she's going to do BIG things for Him. I think we have more inside jokes than any of my other friends, and I love her random msgs and texts that remind me of our friendship.

Christina Hensley My college bff.
I feel like our friendship was SO put together specially by God. Haley Simmons saw me at the first SAO recruitment event my freshman year, told Tina "We like her," introduced themselves, and we instantly became friends. She prides herself on being a classy redneck. ;) Tina was one of my roommates last year and I miss living with her! She's my accountability partner, and we can talk about anything on a real level without judgement. Tina is funny, loving, & inspires me in my walk with God.

30DC#6- My Favorite Movies

2010-12-01T15:04:00.001-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 06 – Favorite movies

Fight Club
It makes you think. The storyline is genius. The end makes you go "oh my gosh!" Edward Norton as the narrator is amazing and does the character perfectly. It's based on a book and is actually as good as the book because quotes are pretty much word for word. You can watch it 10 times and every time you watch you will see something new. And Brad Pitt's abs are gorgeous. Need I say more?

It Takes Two
This has been one of my favorite movies since I was little. I used to LOVE Mary-Kate and Ashley. This is a movie I can quote literally 90% of, and if you ask me I can act out the first full ten minutes of it from memory. I've seen it that many times.

Ocean's Eleven
Genius plot. Love the music. Has some of the best actors ever, as well as three of People's Sexiest Men Alive. Again, Brad Pitt never gets old to look at.

Hook
Peter Pan all grown up starring Robin Williams- Captain Hook has kidnapped his children and he has to learn how to be Peter Pan again in order to get them back. I used to watch this movie every time I went to my grandmother's house, and if it comes on tv I will drop everything to watch it. It reminds me of my childhood.

30DC#5- My Definition of Love

2010-11-30T13:46:00.002-05:00

30DC- Day 5- My Definition of Love

The question is- what kind of love are we talking about?

Agape Love
"Love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." -1 John 4:7
"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." -1 John 4:16
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud..." -1 Corinthians 13
Friendship love is affection, personal attachment, concern for the well-being of others, and (should be) unconditional.

Romantic Love
"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away." - Song of Solomon 8:7
It's that "can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, World Series kinda stuff," to quote It Takes Two.
"Two lives, two hearts joined together in friendship united forever in love." -Unknown

I believe that romantic love to an extent is meant to reflect God's love for us. Saying that, I think TRUE love is very rare... It's a pet peeve of mine when people claim to be in romantic love but in reality are just infatuated with one another.I think true love is something you only experience once in a lifetime. Love is beautiful, but it's not always easy... it takes work because love is a VERB. If you think true love is perfect love, you've got another thing coming. It's meant to be difficult sometimes because the difficulties bring you together and make you stronger. They allow you to personally grow individually and together.

Real love endures. It's unconditional. It reflects God in us.

What do you think?

30DC#3- A Pic of Something that Makes Me Happy

2010-11-23T00:15:00.001-05:00

30 Day Daily Blog Challenge- Day 3- A Picture of Something That Makes Me Happy

Of course I couldn't pick just one... so here's two of the same thing!

Panama City Beach- 1999

Panama City Beach- 2009

What makes me happy? My sisters. Alyssa is my biological sister (the one that looks like me) but Mandy and Christina Beasley are as much my sisters as she is. We've known each other since they moved to Suwanee in 1997 (or 1998?) and our families have been best friends ever since. Growing up we were all attached at the hip... if they weren't at our house, we were at theirs. These girls are three of my closest friends and I know without a doubt we'll be together forever. :)

30DC#3- Something I've Learned

2010-11-18T13:35:00.002-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 3- Something You've Learned

A few important lessons I've learned recently...

Kissing (and any other intimate thing for that matter) is not as good unless it's with someone you love. I don't care how much you think you love kissing. Trust me. For the longest time I had only kissed one person ever, and now I wish I had kept it that way. If you haven't been kissed, wait for it to be with someone you love. Don't just get it over with. You'll be glad you waited.

On that note, not having sex until I'm married is turning out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm probably the last one left out of certain groups of my high school friends, and even they see the impact that has made on my life. I hope that because I am, people can see something different about me, and that difference points to God. Recently I realized that the decision not to made mine and Matt's relationship so different from our other couple friends, and I definitely respect him so much for valuing that, too.

Final unrelated word of wisdom- Do what God tells you to the first time and your life will be so much easier.

Love love <3

30DC#2- My First Love

2010-11-12T00:46:00.002-05:00

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 2- My First Love

"I am no one special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough." -The Notebook

God put Matt Wytanis in my life at a time when I needed him the most. In only a few weeks from Sept-Oct, 2007, I had lost my church home, my dad accepted a job in Columbia, we put our house up for sale, sold our house, moved into a small apartment, and my dog (my baby!) died. The next week, I met Matt through our mutual friend, Annelise. He was my type to a T- tall, dark, handsome, athletic, a musician, well-dressed, and a huge flirt (why must I always be attracted to the flirts??). Needless to say, we hit it off and began spending as much time together as possible. I have many memories of spending time with him in the park those first few months...

First semester of senor year is a blur, I just remember spending as much time with Matt as possible. We were "best friends." I think by January we were pretty much classified by everyone else as dating, but I was hesitant about getting into an official relationship since I was going to UGA after graduating. I feel like Matt was the same way. Our (and my) first kiss was on his 17th birthday- I told him it was his birthday present. Haha.

Long story short, we had some problems the last month of our senior year- both of us not knowing what we really wanted. However, we came out of it all much closer and realizing that we were meant to be together. We made it official May 20, 2008. The next 2+ years were heaven (most of the time. lol.)

High School Graduation

First Summer

Obviously, Matt and I are no longer together. I've been single since July, and I know that God has wanted me to have this time to take a step back and look at my life from a different perspective. I'm definitely learning a lot. I feel very blessed to have experienced true deep love, something many people never get. Although we've had our differences, I'll always love Matt, and nothing he could do could ever change that. We'll see what the future holds...

30DC#1- Me and 15 Fun Facts

2010-11-11T01:24:00.001-05:00

30 Day Challenge Day 1- Introduce yourself, recent picture, and 15 facts about yourself

h hey, I'm Ansley. I love Jesus, books, and Justin Timberlake. I live in Athens, am a junior at the University of Georgia, and am majoring in English and English Education. My dream job is to be an AP English teacher at North Gwinnett High School, or to be a trophy wife. I am most happy when I'm making other people happy. & I'm completely serious about all of these things.

With my biffle Christina.

15 Interesting (at least I think so) Things About Ansley:

1. I have dislocated both of my knees multiple times. This is the excuse I use for not playing sports. The first time my right kneecap popped out, I was at the pool and all I did was take a step. F'real. I screamed at my friend David to pop it back into place, and he did (I love you, David!). If you have never seen a displaced kneecap, picture no knee where it currently is, just flat. And a bony buldge on the outside of your leg. Yeah, it's gross.

2. Speaking of not playing sports, I didn't own a pair of tennis shoes until this April. The previous ones I owned were from when I was 12, and my sister was using those. I also don't own a sports bra.

3. I got off a rollercoaster in the middle of the ride once. Ever been on Atlantis at Sea World? It's basically a scary version of Splash Mountain, with a scary Medusa screaming at you to turn back now or face death. I thought this sounded like pretty good advice, so when the doors opened up at the top of the building before going straight down around the corner, I got off. Safe to say, my family hasn't let me hear the end of it.

4. I am a night owl. I would much rather be doing things at 3am than at 9am. If they had non-sketchy night jobs, I would have one.

5. I try to read 100 books per year. I have a list of 1000 books I want to read before I die.

6. I know all the words to Fight Club and It Takes Two (opposite ends of the spectrum right there).

7. If I don't get into the College of Education for English Ed in January, I'll be graduating with my English major in May. Woah. However, I really want to go to Grad school, so I'll still be around Athens.

8. I didn't have my first kiss until I was 17, and I've only had one boyfriend.

9. I stayed in the same school system from K-12. Suwanee Elementary, Lanier Middle, North Gwinnett High. Most people cannot say this, and I'm definitely aware of how blessed I am!

10. I play the piano and the violin. I can't wait to be able to afford a baby grand piano (hah, it'll be a few years on a teacher's budget).

11. I love Jesus (that was a freebie).

12. Speaking of Jesus, I am one of those people that does not feel called to missions. I know that Jesus said to "Go" and getting out of my comfort zone is part of that; however, I really do not think he created me to minister out in the wilderness. If you can do this, power to you. What I've realized lately is that my mission field are people like me, college and high school age (Another reason I want to be a high school teacher). Seriously, if I had a dollar for every time I have witnessed in a hot tub... Maybe God thinks this is funny.

13. My 3 life goals are : 1) Strive to glorify God in everything I do 2) Get married 3) Meet Justin Timberlake.

14. I'm the webmistress for my sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega (shameless plug!). I love love love designing websites, although I'm definitely sad I don't have enough time to put into it what I want to!

15. I love reading but hate writing unless it's for pleasure, like this. And I'm an English major. Figure that out.

30-day Challenge (Sort-of)

2010-11-09T20:28:00.002-05:00

I miss writing for the fun of it, so I'm going to do the 30-day Blog Challenge with questions taken from a bunch of different ones. Cause it's more fun that way!

Day 01- Introduce, recent picture, and 15 interesting facts
Day 02 – Your first love
Day 03 – Something you’ve learned
Day 04 – A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 05 – Your definition of love
Day 06 – Favorite movies
Day 07 – Your best friend
Day 08 – A moment
Day 09 – Your beliefs
Day 10 – iPod Shuffle
Day 11 – Your siblings
Day 12 – What’s in your bag
Day 13 – This week
Day 14 – Three wishes
Day 15 – Your dreams
Day 16 – Your first kiss
Day 17 – Your favorite memory
Day 18 – Your favorite birthday
Day 19 – Something you regret
Day 20 – Bible verse
Day 21 – How you've changed in the past year
Day 22 – Something that upsets you
Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better
Day 24 – Your favorite books
Day 25 – A first
Day 26 – Your fears
Day 27 – Your favorite place
Day 28 – Something that you miss
Day 29 – Your aspirations
Day 30 – One last moment
... all in great detail.

"She's got her Daddy's money, her Mama's good looks..."

2010-09-29T00:47:00.005-04:00

[Note- I'm not conceited; the title is Ricochet lyrics. My parents are my two favorite people in the whole world, so I thought they deserved a post. Also kinda following Lynn's Meme idea.]

y mommy and daddy (Yes, I still call them that. Alyssa calls them Mom and Dad and I feel like it sounds weird.) are high school sweethearts, and I think that's one of the things that I admire about them the most. They have been married 25 years and are just as in love as when they were 16/17. I love telling people this- especially ones who think the chances of this are slim to none. Love isn't just a feeling, but it is hard work and commitment. From them I have learned that if you truly love someone, you can always make it work.

My parents went to school together at Riverdale High School. They were acquaintances, but never really hung out. I think their mutual friend, Jerry, told my mom that Daddy thought she was cute... Daddy invited her to his pool party on the last day of school their junior year, and there he asked her out on a date. Their first date was at Red Lobster, and my daddy still has the shirt he wore (for sentimental reasons btw, we've finally gotten him to start dressing like it's the 21st century). :)

Senior Prom
Daddy went to college at Auburn studying mechanical engineering and Mommy went to Georgia State to study journalism & public relations. The distance was hard for them- I know Daddy hated leaving her at the end of the weekends he was home. I really don't know how they did that, especially with no cell phones, texting, or facebook. And I think I've had it hard... They were off and on a few times, I think because Mommy was really rational and wanted to see what else was out there. After being broken up for awhile, Mommy came home one summer and saw Daddy driving the convertible with his shirt off in the sun. She says the moment she saw him she knew she was going to marry him and wanted him back. I guess Daddy was pretty good lookin. ;)

Daddy proposed the summer before their senior year of college on the stretch of beach near his condo in Panama City Beach, FL. (This is one of the many reasons it is my favorite place in the world.) They got married on June 17th, 1981. Daddy says he graduated from college, married my mom, turned 22, and started his first job all within in a few weeks of each other. Intense.

And 5 years later came me! I am a Daddy's girl, which makes sense because we are 95% alike in personality. I have his brains, analytical mind, sense of humor, OCD-ness, etc. If I'm upset he can calm me down better than anyone because we think the same way. Plus, I look like a girl version of him in the face- same eyes, mouth, smile, ears. The things I share with Mommy are our interests and our body shape (haha). We both love books, movies, making pretty things, being organized, and pictures (she likes taking them, I like posing). I'm an English major and enjoy it because of her.

An example of having Daddy's sense of humor.

I love and admire Daddy because he works so hard to provide for our family, and I never take it for granted. I know it is not always easy, but he does it because he loves us and wants a good life for us. It is nice knowing I don't have to stress over things like money and can concentrate instead on my education. I also love him because he is the definition of a goofball. He can always make me laugh, and he still lets me sit in his lap and cuddle with him when I come home. I love how he always walks me to my car when I leave and watches me drive away.

I love and admire Mommy because she is one of my best friends. We don't always get along because we have completely different personalities, but we will always make up and have a good time together. I know I can call her anytime of the night and she will make me feel better. She has been so supportive to help me through my migraine struggle, and I really appreciate that. She is always so excited to see me and tries to make me feel at home in SC. She is also one of the best people to come to for advice.

More than anything I am so thankful for the way my parents raised me, and I will definitely be mirroring my parenting style after them. They had rules, but tried to let my sister and I be independent, and I think this made all the difference in the world. I am so thankful that they raised me in a Christ-centered home. I think I have avoided a lot of problems and heartache in life because they taught me from day one that Jesus loves me and that He should always be my number one priority.

That wasn't intended to be such a long post, but I just love my parents so much. :) I hope they know that even though I don't get to come see them much, I still love them and think about them all the time.