Fabric Softener Crystals

OMGOMGOMG I love this stuff.  So you have to be careful not the throw the cap away.  The top closes so at first you may think, "Why do I need this cap."  The answer is- it tells you how much you need for your laundry!  I really like that this is so much cleaner than the liquid fabric softener... when I use the liquid stuff, I forget to rinse the cap out and when I put it on, the part that didn't come out when I attempted to pour it into the washing machine does come out all over the bottle.  But more than that it makes your clothes smell ridiculously good. 

The Virgin Suicides

A language arts teacher I worked with at Global Outreach writes a blog about books that she's read and what she's learned from them- The Virgin Suicides was one book she wrote about.  I got it at Barnes and Noble and read it in two sittings.

If you might read this book, don't read any further.  Well you kinda know what happens with the first line: "On the morning that the last Lisbon daughter took her turn at suicide..."  There are five girls and they all commit suicide.  It tells you up front the youngest one goes first by slitting her wrists in a bathtub (that ends up being a failed attempt but, no fear, she succeeds soon enough).  This is a strange family.  The father is a teacher and the mother is a homemaker and the girls are severely restricted as to where they can go especially after Cecilia (the first to go) dies.  The story is told by a male peer of the girls who watches the family fall apart from across the street.  The skanky sister, Lux, starts "dating" a guy even though she's forbidden to do so and he talks Mr. Lisbon into letting him and his friends take Lux and her three surviving sisters to the homecoming dance.  After having curfew and other rules drilled in his brain, he surprisingly gains Mr. Lisbon's permission.  With this new development, there's hope that the girls may get to live a real life but Lux misses her curfew and all hope vanishes.

The narrator and his friends can't just sit back and watch the deterioration of the house and those inside of it and so they decide to call their house.  They get to talk to them and through several secret conversations, the girls convince the boys to come help them escape.  One night, after the signal is given, the boys travel across the street in their car that will soon be filled with them and the sisters.  They wait outside but then, after waiting for what seems an eternity, they go inside.  Lux tells them the rest of the girls are finishing packing and she's going to go wait in the car.  They walk around the house and find Bonnie hanging from the rafters, Therese with an empty bottle of sleeping pills beside her and Mary with her head in the oven.  They rush out to find Lux but she has already died from the fumes of the car in the closed garage.

So yeah.  I liked this book.  What a downer.  But the whole time I was reading, I wanted to know what happened to each one.  As I was getting to the end I was concerned that there wasn't enough room for Eugenides to give enough space for each sister so I was surprised with the mass suicide.  I liked it because it was interesting to read about four sisters from the point of view of a boy who was just discovering his feelings towards females.  Also, it was a quick read and so I got to feel the satisfaction of finishing a book without putting in a lot of time!

Candles

 

I love candles.  My favorite candle is the Woodwick mistletoe one.  It makes a neat sound like you're sitting at a fireplace and it smells amazing.  However, since it's June (almost July!) now I try to avoid burning Christmas candles.  I really like Yankee Candle's Fluffy Towels.

The Hangover

I love the movie the hangover.  Having watched it last night with four of my absolute favorite people in the world- I'm a little more familiar with my favorite parts of it.

1.  When the water fountains go off at a really cool part in the music.  It's my favorite part of the movie.

2.  I love when Alan gives his speech on the roof- completely cutting off Phil... "I would like to say a few words..." and his laugh after he says "How about that ride in, I guess that's why they call it Sin City..." The laugh is so funny.

3.  I like Stu's song while they're waiting for the roofies to take its effect on the tiger

4.  Who's baby is that- I don't know, check the collar or something

5.  Alan wanting to know if the hotel was pager friendly... he wasn't getting a "sig on his beeper." And his outfit.

6.  Oh and Phil trying to get away from the school as quickly as possibly so the nerds couldn't ask him any more questions.

I have seen this movie so many times it's embarrassing because when Zachary and I were bored at home we would try to think of things to do and would ultimately decide the watching the Hangover again would be the best decision.

It Gets Better Project

So during lent, I decided instead of just giving something up, I would do something good too.  So I gave up shopping for stuff I don't need like clothes and books and... other things that I don't even notice the day after I buy it and donate it to organizations I had so much fun picking out.  The first few were just so coincidental it was creepy.  So the first Monday (I made all my donations on Monday...) I was downloading music and wanted to get some music from Adam Lambert on his season of American Idol.  I'm still a little bitter that Kris Allen won but it's fine.  Anyways, I was watching this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fizkZsAe3dU

because I thought this was such a neat idea.  He had to sing country so he did this crazy version of Ring of Fire (which I will never forget Katie Lorenz's Joan of Arc's rendition at our best concert ever).  Anyways, on the side, I saw his video for It Gets Better.  And I was like ooo what's that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_QVknV-M6U

I love Adam Lambert and I like that he took the time to make this video.  I like that he points out that people that bully others are ignorant and that he acknowledges that his situation is a little bit different because he has come into success but that he still gets harassed for being gay.  It infuriates me that people can be so mean to others over one aspect of their lives... that aspect being none of their business.  So then I went to itgetsbetter.org and this is what it says under the about section.

Growing up isn’t easy. Many young people face daily tormenting and bullying, leading them to feel like they have nowhere to turn. This is especially true for LGBT kids and teens, who often hide their sexuality for fear of bullying. Without other openly gay adults and mentors in their lives, they can't imagine what their future may hold. In many instances, gay and lesbian adolescents are taunted — even tortured — simply for being themselves.

Justin Aaberg. Billy Lucas. Cody Barker. Asher Brown. Seth Walsh. Raymond Chase. Tyler Clementi. They were tragic examples of youth who could not believe that it does actually get better.

While many of these teens couldn’t see a positive future for themselves, we can. The It Gets Better Project was created to show young LGBT people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach – if they can just get through their teen years. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone — and it WILL get better.

I think this is such a great message because it is a tragedy that teens are taking their lives rather than face their peers on a daily basis.  So I decided to donate to this organization and they sent me a t-shirt that I love wearing around Mebane where ignorance and prejudice runs rampant.

Megan Meade

I love me some Megan Meade.  So she auditioned for Cadence my last semester and was drunk at the audition.  Both the audition and the call back or just the call back?  Can't recall.  Anyways, I had the joy of riding in the backseat of a car while she was in the back back of some vehicle- wow my memory is fading... Lisa's?  Anyway, we were on the way to Bski's (?) and she was so drunk and I was telling her I would take care of her and she was so sweet.  And that's when I knew our relationship would be just great.  So at retreat, we took tallies of how many shots we had taken and the fact that our tallies were in the same ballpark means I probably should have died but whatevs.  

Best. Retreat. Ever.

Uhmmm I love Megan because she is always so nice to me and always tells me I'm cute/pretty and she LOVES my voice and I just LOVE that.  I've noticed by facebook stalking her that she is really complimentary but not in a way that you can't take what she says about you seriously- she wouldn't say something if she didn't mean it- trust.  But she finds positive things in people and lets them know what she feels.  She also gets so excited when she sees me and that always makes me feel so so good.

About right.

And I have I mentioned she's HILARIOUS.  Like she seriously may be... yeah, the funniest person I know.  I laugh 90% of the time we're together which makes conversations hard to carry but she's probably speaking another language anyway so ... we just feel the love, and that's alright.  Speaking of love... she says no tears.  She says she can't handle tears, but she does just fine if forced to deal with them.  Example: My birthday dinner at La Cocina in Mebane.  I know this is a terrible picture but bear with me- You can see Kim and Megan reacting to my tears caused by seeing these wonderful Cadence loves surprising me- Megan looks blurry and horrified.

Love you doodle.  So glad you live in boom-town (we don't ask) and that I get to see you all the times!  Also thanks for your twitter lessons... I'll get it one day.  

Facebook Reminders

I love how facebook reminds you of birthdays and such.  This is more of a sarcastic blog entry but it is something that makes me happy.  Facebook has been nice enough to remind me that my first anniversary is this Sunday.  It also offers me the option of sending my husband a message on this special day.  Facebook must know that he is on the other side of Africa and therefore will need to send him a message to wish him a happy anniversary.  Otherwise they would assume that I would tell him happy anniversary rather than send him a message via facebook, right?

Herbal Essences

I remember the commericals used to make me really uncomfortable because women would be making strange noises in a shower... on tv... and my mom always bought either suave or tresseme shampoo/conditioner, usually the two-in-one.  Now that I buy my own shampoo and conditioner, I go "all out" and get the herbal essences.  When I have long hair I go for the Long Term Relationship red kind but typically, I use the Tousle Me Softly.  I don't really style my hair... ever.  Like the last time I put effort forth towards my hair was for my wedding.  Actually, someone else did that for me, so I don't recall the last time.  But the reason I use this kind is because it smells amazing!  Also I like the little design that makes them easy to put next to each other in your shower.

Polite People

So today at Mitchell's Michael's, my day didn't start off well.  I worked from 1:30-6:30.  Near the beginning of my shift, this lady comes in and asks for a flyer.  Why would someone ask for a Michael's flyer?  For the coupon.  Michael's has some pretty epic coupons just btw.  Anyways, I said, we may but I know we don't have any coupons here... and she goes "Oh, I'm sorry, did I ASK you for a coupon?"  And I looked at her like, huh?  And said, okayyyy let me check.  So I find a flyer and I'm bringing it back to her and notice it is for next week so I said, "Well, I found this one but it doesn't start until next week so..." and was interrupted by her saying, "So is this going to help me this week if it starts next week?  Yeah, didn't think so."  And walked off.  Mmmmmk.  So immediately I'm called to the register.  This adorable family is at the register, buying two vases.  I wrap one, put it in the bag... get the other one, go to wrap the other one and the bag falls off its little holder and the vase shatters.  After flyer lady was so rude I was expecting the worst so I apologize profusely and call someone to find another one and she goes "I think that was the last one... but it's okay!  It's okay!  It was an accidence!"  I think the "ce" instead of the "t" was her accent but I loved it and it makes the story better.  So the moral of the story is I really, really like people who are so very nice when they have a reason to be mean... especially in contrast to those who are rude for no reason.

This Water Bottle

So this water bottle has a filter in it so I can get water from anywhere and it will be delicious. 

Places this comes in handy:
Michaels because the water from the water fountain is disgusting.

Well that's all I've got so far but since I spend a ridiculous amount of time there, it's worth it.  It doesn't spill because you have to bite it to make it open.  Like I can turn it upside down and it doesn't spill at all so it is welcomed in the abyss that is my purse.  Also I got it from Target.  And we know how I love target.  Wait, I haven't made a post about it- I should get on that because it is definitely one of the things I love the most.

Timmy T

I love Tim Tebow.  I have always pulled for the Gators because my grandfather went to UF but when Tim Tebow became the QB at UF, I had a new reason to pull for them.  I honestly cannot believe we're the same age- when I hear him speak, it blows me away.  He is flat out amazing.  I discovered, much to my dismay, there are people that don't like him.  But I don't think anyone can argue that he is so very talented.  

He gave us a preview in 2006, his freshman season but played behind Leaks.  Then, sophomore year, he won the Heisman.  I was so excited watching the ceremony- it was the first time I had watched and as they played all those montages of his success- I got the chills.  Okay, watching the video of it now (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kf16qExpZQ) these chills are embarrassing.  Me and Matt went around saying "I love Gator Nation" for a while haha.  

We took this and the next picture when we went to visit UF last August

And he didn't stop there!  I remember our junior year (ya know, because we're the same age)... I was infuriated because he had the most 1st place votes but didn't win.  Whatever- still a little bitter.  He was such an inspiration to his team- he was always getting them to rally and I will never forget watching this speech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sGv2Zw-WQw

Also, I cried like a baby when this happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPWqa2cqWM0

This all came about because as I was watching the Daily Show, Jon Stewart announced just before the moment of zen that Tim Tebow would be on the show tonight.  Absolutely cannot wait.

My Tickle Blankey.

I am 23 years old and I sleep with my baby blanket every night.  If I happen to sleep somewhere else (like Chapel Hill...) I can sleep without it but if it's right there, why not.  The blanket used to have a border of this material that used to tickle my hand.  Well the border has long disappeared but growing up my mom would sew on any pieces she could recover from the washing machine.  I'm now left with just one corner but it will suffice.  Yes.  I am 23 years old.  Whatever.  Don't judge.

Bubblemate

Alexandra and I met our freshman year of college.  Like the first week.  I had met Stephanie Finkbeiner who lived across the hall from me.  We connected really quickly and Stephanie was super outgoing and started talking to Alexandra.  We all went downstairs to do laundry... a few days in and laundry already had to be done (not by me of course because I went home every single weekend).  I had the worst roommate.  I'm sure someone in the history of the world has had a worse roommate... Megan Meade, for instance, has had a worse roommate.  However... Alison was pretty terrible.  This is a positive blog though so we're not going there.  One night, Alison was arguing with me (and at the time I was non-confrontational and someone else on the hall was sticking up for me).  Alexandra came out because of the yelling and asked me what was going on.  We went to the bathroom and I gave her a little summary of my year so far.  I could tell that she was intoxicated so when she offered the empty side of her room to me, I didn't take it too seriously.  I thought, "gah, that would be great" but I didn't get my hopes up.  Her assigned roommate had gone to Granville between being assigned and school starting so she had a room to herself but didn't care for it that much.  So the next day when I saw her, I looked at her and said hi but didn't try to get her to talk about her offer- but she did!  She told me she was serious and so I went to the housing department and asked them about it and weekend after fall break, I moved into 305.  This room would shape my life in a real, real way.

We listened to the same music... we played my iPod on an iHome every second we were awake.  Keith Urban, Michelle Branch and OneRepublic were played most frequently.  We would have nights where we would sit and make posters with our favorite lyrics.  We put them on the wall and during breaks, the dorm people would do inspections and we got an alert that over some percentage of our walls were covered with paper and it needed to be addressed.  I took most of mine down.  Alexandra did not.  What a rebel.

Junior year we spent apart which sucked.  Alexandra decided to live off-campus like most college students decide to do their junior year but I wanted to stay on campus.  We don't ask questions.  Anyway.  When something monumental happened (UNC WINNING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, THANK YOU) we found each other on Franklin Street in the sheer madness.  We are sports soulmates afterall.

Alexandra moved to F11 and we texted/visited but our senior year- we made everything right with the world and I moved in to F11 the bubble.  Oh the bubble.  Too many things.  Sunrise on Friday, Sunday... heck, all mornings.  Going to McAlister's in Durham as opposed to the one on campus.  Chapel Hill Bible Church.  Whoever woke up first, plopping on the other's bed... "what happened?!"  Getting ready... iPod game.  Grey's, football, O.C., music channels... crying.laughing.crying.laughingwhilecrying.laughing.cryingwhilelaughing.  And love.  So much love.  I would never be able to represent our friendship in a blog post.

Alexandra.  Thank you so much for your friendship, love, support, encouragement, advice, honesty and trust.  Without a doubt in my mind, I can confidently say, I would not be the person I am today without you.  I love you more than words can say.