Nothing lasts forever...

Finally, I got a night I really, truly needed. K was in town tonight, and thank goodness she called me. I needed a night like that. We went to Barnes and Noble, had intelligent conversation, drank coffee, and looked at all the books. We talked about life, and every time we get together we find out we are at exactly the same place in our lives. It's refreshing to have someone so similar, but with little differences. We are both extremely content with every little thing in our lives. And I am the best I've ever been, at least that's what I think. I feel so completely happy without anything added. It's nice, really nice. Hopefully it stays like this for me for awhile.
I got out of work an hour early today! Thank goodness! And I only have 3 more days at work. It is not the place for me, sorry guys.
Other than that, life is the same...but wonderful! :)

"The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well." –Joe Ancis

I don't think I could ever live in L.A.

So, I was watching some mindless television this evening, and a new show on the E! channel came on. Being too lazy to change it, I began to watch Sunset Tan. The first thing I see is some woman bringing in her elementary-school aged daughter to get a tan for her school picture. The mother seriously told the cashier that last year her daughter was pretty pale in the picture, so this year she was going to make sure she looked prettier. So, the cashier tells them that the little girl should get the same tanning treatment that Lindsay Lohan gets. After spending $1,200 on tanning stuff, the little girl is ready to be tanned. She is ready to go in to get spray tanned, but she looks at her mom, and says she doesn't want to do this. Her mom asked her if she wanted to be pretty, and then said that she didn't have a choice she needed to be tan or she wouldn't be pretty. Come on people. First off, a young girl should not be looking up to Lindsay Lohan. She is in rehab for a second time, and she does not act the way anyone should want his or her daughter to act. Then, to tell your daughter she has to be pretty in her pictures and that entails tanning? How can we expect women to get further along if we constantly put such a high price on beauty and tanning and being like celebrities who aren't independent, intelligent, strong women? How can you honestly shove your daughter into a tanning bed then a stall to get sprayed even though she asked you not to? Since when should an elementary-aged child be worried about being tan enough for her school picture? Elementary pictures were always the fun ones - you blink, you squint, you have food in your teeth, you sneeze, your hair isn't combed - that's the beauty of those pictures. They aren't supposed to be glamour shots. I don't remember ever being judged by my elementary school pictures, and I sure don't remember a competition for the prettiest girl. Beauty standards are completely off in this situation. The mother is wrong, and she is setting her daughter up for a mindset of completely low self-esteem. We should be moving forward. We shouldn't be putting each other down. Everything starts with how you raise your children. Why should we have more Lindsay Lohans running around town with their spray tans and party girl antics?

"I'm not going to deny the fact that I've tried pot. I hated it." -Lindsay Lohan

Whose house? Run's House!

I've officially decided that Rev. Run's family is my family. Honestly, the way everyone acts in that family is pretty much how it is around my house. And his two daughters are exactly my sister and me...exactly. Anyhow, that's my favorite show right now since Idol and Grey's are over. I could watch re-runs of Run's House all day long, and I do whenever it's on.
I learned something interesting about myself the other day at work. I learned that I am not scared of spiders, bugs, or snakes. However, I am really weird about slugs. I honestly freak out when there is a slug on me. I think it all goes back to the fact that I have a phobia of stickers. Because slugs stick to you, and even if you try to fling them off, they still stick to you. I bet you I'd be really scared of leeches. Ewwww...sticky things.
Well, this weekend was actually a lot of fun. I hung out with a bunch of different friends, including one from UD. It was really nice to have someone from college to hang out with for a change. It's like high school friends and college friends all have different experiences and jokes with you, so it's nice to have a balanced mixture. Then I went to Columbus for my cousin's graduation party. It was super weird that he's graduating because I still feel like I shouldn't be 20. I'm happy for him, and I'm happy he's going to Miami because I will hopefully get to see him a little bit.
While I was at the grad party, some lady asked me what grade I was in. She said, are you going to be a senior next year, or a junior, or a sophomore? Honestly, people, do I look that young?! Could I actually be 15 years old? You know, I understand I'm short and I do look young, but is it really that bad? I'm going to be carded until I'm 40 at this rate.
I also realized at the grad party that I only have two more years of messing around and having fun before it's actual real life stuff. It really scared me a little bit because I don't want to grow up. I never think the fun will end, but one day it will, at least in the sense of fun I have now. So, I have decided to take advantage of everything I can do fun now. I'm going to do everything I can do because I'm not in the real world yet. I feel like now I've been wasting time being way too worried about the future and being way too serious about everything. Now is the time to let loose and do all the crazy things you'll never be able to get away with again. I think my summer has finally started with this new outlook! Haha.
This week I work 52 hours. Yipee! It's my last week of work though. I can do it, and the paycheck will be amazing. Then I'll only have two more weeks until I'm in Spain. Woo hoo! I really can't wait.

"College is something you complete. Life is something you experience. So don’t worry about your grade, or the results or success. Success is defined in myriad ways, and you will find it, and people will no longer be grading you, but it will come from your own internal sense of decency…love what you do. Get good at it. Competence is a rare commodity in this day and age. And let the chips fall where they may." –Jon Stewart

cats in your stuff doing things

This is absolutely hilarious. Thank you J and Aro for finding this and enlightening all of my blog readers. Enjoy, but I know you will! This video comes with a guarantee of satisfaction.

And it's two bare feet on the dashboard...

Today it finally actually felt like summer. The weather was hot and sunny, I got to have the whole day off, and I got to see some amazing friends. You know, I hate to keep repeating myself, but I honestly think that right now I have the best friends anyone could ever ask for. They are just above and beyond anything. And they all make me so incredibly happy. Most importantly, however, I can be me around them...and I finally know the real me! Yes!! It's like the friends from home have high school memories still, but all the high school drama and stupid stuff has gone away. So, it's just smooth sailing and memories from here on out I think.
Well, today I got a new bathing suit!!! I was really excited, and it's super cute. And then I got to finally ride my motorcycle. It felt so good being back on it again. I missed my little bike so much. Now I'll have to ride it more often since I only have three weeks until Spain. Then I'll only have three weeks when I come back. This summer is already flying by, and now I'm getting sad that it's going so quick because I honestly do have some amazing friends here that I would love to spend more time with. College life is so completely not permanent, and sometimes that takes a toll on me. Oh well. College life is fabulous all at the same time too.
Well, work tomorrow then a nice visit from another great friend. I must get some rest.

"It is good to be without vices, but it is not good to be without temptations." –Walter Bagehot

Chris Daughtry - I walk the line

In light of the American Idol season finale, here's my favorite performance ever! Enjoy.

So...I have this thing for Joe Perry...that's why I'm excited for the Idol finale

Wow...I just wrote an entire post, but it got lost in cyberspace. How sad. This is the first time this has ever happened to me. Wow. Ok, well here I go all over again.
So, Joe Perry is hot and amazing...but he sang with freakin Sanjaya. Honestly people, can I please have something I like without Sanjaya being involved because he's such a stinker. Remember on Latin night when I wanted someone to sing in Spanish and Sanjaya did? Well, tonight is like that.
Today I read an article in the newspaper that compared women to cats and men to dogs. Apparently women are like cats because we shed and we are picky eaters, and men are like dogs because they eat whatever is in front of them and slobber all the time. I don't know what the writer was trying to do - maybe SHE was trying to be cute or funny. All it did was make me mad. First, the writer is obviously intelligent and educated. Second, the writer was a women - a professional woman at that. You would think she would have the decency to not stoop to the level of comparing the genders to animals. Do we really need anymore of that crap? I think not. And you shouldn't get that from a newspaper; it's already everywhere else. I am thoroughly convinced the only differences between the sexes are physical. All the other differences are socialized. Socialization is a huge part of every facet of being human, let alone becoming gendered. How dumb.
On a lighter note, in fact, on a light green note...if you are a John Mayer fan like I am, you should check out his Web site. He has a blog, and he is one of the only famous musicians to actually write his own blog. And you can tell it's his. Just like his lyrics, his blog is funny and weird but intelligent and thoughtful. You'll like it, I promise. :)

"There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound." –Diana Cortes

I would never wish bad things but I don't wish you well...

It is so late for me, and I am incredibly exhausted. However, I had a yearning to blog, so here I am.
I watched American Idol tonight. I don't like Blake, but he's definitely going to have a career, and I'll probably have his album. I really like Jordin, and I think she deserves to win. Hopefully she pulls it out. She did absolutely amazing tonight...especially in the last song. I don't know how big of a career she'll have, but she is a great singer for being only 17 years old.
So, I was thinking today...this is always interesting and this time is no exception. There are quite a few people who had a really big impact on my life at some point that I don't talk to anymore. So, then I thought, if I died tomorrow, would those people come to my funeral? In fact, would those people even find out in time to come to my funeral? Because some of them I am completely not in contact with anymore, but still, they held a really important part of my life. Then I thought, wait, if they died tomorrow, would I find out in time to go to their funeral? Or would I even go to their funeral? Life is funny. Really funny. It moves so fast, and to look back sometimes messes with perception completely.
Another thing kinda hit me today as well. I was outside sitting and talking. We were talking about normal things...Spain, family quirks, our jobs. Then we were talking about the future for a little bit. I was thinking big. I was thinking about a really amazing beach house in the south or living in Europe or somewhere far away. Then I said something about it, and she replied in a ho hum, "ok whatever you say" kind of way. At first I was completely upset because how can she dare to not think what I do is amazing and great! But she didn't mean it in that way. I realized that no matter what I do, they will be happy and proud and love me through it all. It wasn't about me having too big of dreams, it was the fact that even now, I am just fine in their eyes. If I live in Europe they'll be happy, but if I live in Finleyville in a mediocre house they'll be happy too. That makes me happy. I have free reign with no expectations, well no expectations within reason. Whatever I want for me, my family wants for me too.
Maroon 5's new CD came out today. Do I have it yet? No. Will I have it tomorrow? I better dang it. I sampled it, and it sounds completely incredible! It will probably be my summer CD. Do you ever realize that music can create a perfect time line of your life? That's what is so special about music. Out of anything it can easily take you back to the exact moment, the exact feelings, the exact essence of any part of your life.

"Sex appeal is 50% what you've got and 50% what people think you've got."

Like you mean it like you mean it like you mean it like you do...

I'm in Carrie Underwood mode. The title is from one of her songs in case you wondered.
So, this weekend has been a fairly decent weekend considering I've been working all weekend. Friday night I went to the Pirate game with two lovely old friends. I had fun. J caught a foul ball over my head. Pirates won. And there were fireworks. Who can beat that, honestly. Today I worked all day then T came over and we hung out. Quality time. Goofy fun. I make a fool of myself every time I hang out with him. It's kind of ridiculous, but refreshing that I have friends I can actually be me -weird, unedited, out there me-around. It makes me happy. I just cannot believe how lucky I am to actually be at a place in my life where I have friends who are just completely amazing. It makes me really happy. I just get a good feeling when I think about all of them.
Anyhow, I officially leave for Spain in four weeks. It's going to go so fast. I have lots to do and lots I want to do before I go. I talked to G today, and it doesn't look like we're going to be able to see the running of the bulls. All the hotels and hostels are booked there for it. Oh well. We both decided we might enjoy visiting a different city, perhaps on the coast, for the weekend. Maybe do some shopping and laying on the beach. That sounds much better to me than watching stinky bulls chase people down the street.
I dunno what else to write really. No big news. No exciting things. No strong opinions to write about today. So, there was a nice, short, sweet update on life.

"Unless it’s mad, passionate, extraordinary love, it’s a waste of your time. There are too many mediocre things in life – love shouldn't be one of them." –“Dream for an Insomniac”

Today is a great day already!

It's raining!!!!!! Usually I don't like rain, but when you work outside and have 52 hours of work this week and need a break to be normal for a day, I LOVE YOU RAIN! I have the whole day off; yes, the entire day. What am I even going to do? I don't know what to do with myself, so I decided to blog. Haha. I think I may go shopping, or to a movie, or rent some movies...or I'll be productive and start booking hotels and hostels for Spain. Who knows.
Anyhow, I was reading an away message, and the lyrics in it looked really familiar. I couldn't figure out why, and then it hit me. It was a Julie Roth song. Haha! I just thought that was kind of ironic and interesting. Maybe today will end up being a little weird instead of so great.
Well this was a nice, short, happy little entry. I miss my friends from UD a lot!!! And hopefully I'll get to see some of them before I leave for Spain. By the way friends, my friend from here is going to throw me a going away party I do believe, so if you love me and want to come, you are more than welcome. I'll let you know dates when I know.
Well, enough for now. Have a lovely rainy Wednesday!

"Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain."

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain...

So, today is my first kinda day off in 6 days. Even though I have to go in for four hours this evening, I have the day off. I never realized how important a day off is - no, not to relax, but to get stuff done. I have so much to do for Spain. Last night I was thinking about all the stuff I have to do and I became a little overwhelmed. So, today I get to make a massive list of stuff I need to bring and things I need to do. This list could go on forever.
Well, I'm working 52 hours this week. You know, it's really not too bad. Besides the fact that I'm missing two different parties this Saturday night, I could do this every week. Well, maybe I shouldn't talk until Sunday, after I've actually worked the entire week. However, as of now, I feel alright with the hours. I only have 2 more weeks to work after this one. Then I'm taking off 2 weeks before I leave. I need that time to get myself prepared.
Anyhow, the other night I fell asleep at 9:30. I am being such a bum because there's really nothing else to do. Well, wait, I shouldn't say I'm being a bum. I've worked out pretty much every day since I've been home from Dayton. It feels great to have time to really work out. Hopefully I actually keep this up into next year. ES, if you are reading this, you have to make me work out this next school year. :)
Idol is on tonight; there are only three contestants left. It's weird that next week will be the finale. It goes by so fast every time. Also, the season finale of Grey's Anatomy is on Thursday. I am pretty excited!! Then, after next week, I'll have absolutely no shows I need to watch. That's when you know summer really begins - reruns.
I need to start taking time to look for internships for either the fall or winter or next summer. I really, really want to get one with a professional sports team. I think that would be absolutely amazing!!! We'll see. I'm going to start to look into it now. The early bird gets the worm.
Well, this is sufficiently long for really not saying much at all.

"Personally, I think if a woman hasn’t met the right man by the time she’s 24, she may be lucky." –Deborah Kerr

Whoa! That noopy is flying!

So, I don't really have much to say. Just thought I'd write a lil sumthin sumthin while I had a day off of work. My back is super sore from working...stupid manual labor. I don't know how my daddy did it for about 20 years now. Crazy.
Summer hasn't picked up at all, except that although a couple good friends are leaving tomorrow, a couple more have come home from college. Good stuff.
Lala...my sister and I are both at our computers side by side clicking away. I am usually playing solitaire, and she is usually frantically checking away messages. If you are wondering how I'm spending my summer, this it is. Working and clicking.
At least yesterday at work I got to talk to an old man who knew UD...he was like "Ohhhh the Flyers! That's a good school!" That made me happy.
Ok enough boredom for now.

"True friends, True hearts – That’s all you really need in life." –Uptown Girls

I tried counting the days until Spain on the doctor's office calendar, but I decided it was just too far away...

This week I can handle summer, but I don't know if I will be able to next week. My best friends are leaving me, and it's actually incredibly sad. I think this is the first time I've really realized how much I've grown up.
Also, for the first time ever, I'm really on my own. It's kinda sad at some points, but for the most part I think this summer is going to be really good for me. I will be able to entertain myself and be alright with just being by myself. Then my trip to Spain will really change me I think. It will open my eyes up to a lot of other things.
Speaking of Spain, I had my first dream in Spanish the other night. Also, I find myself thinking in Spanish as well as almost talking to customers at work in Spanish. :) What can I say, it makes me happy! And if I'm going to accidentally have babies, they will be bilingual at least.
Pues, esta chica necesita dormir porque ella tiene que trabajar manana.

"Would the girl be proud of the woman you are?"

There's no place like home...there's no place like home...

One weekend done out of the summer. Not too exciting. I got to visit my K at her apartment. That was fun. It will be my hideout for the summer I think. I start work tomorrow. It will not be fun at all. The only thing is that I get paid really well, and I should be able to make a decent amount of money before I head off to Espana.
So, I'm really missing Dayton and all my UD friends. I keep trying to not think about it because when I do I get really sad. This feels like it's a short break, but I know it's not and then I get sadder and sadder.
I have realized that I really don't have too many friends here anymore. Like for week-long breaks I can fill in the days with friends, but right now, it is looking pretty dull. I guess a lot of people aren't home yet. So I should be patient.
I was thinking today about stuff. And I decided that everything in life is based on timing. If you think about it, everything that happens is accidental at least at some point, usually the beginning point. If the timing is good, it works out, and if it doesn't, it's usually because of the timing. Then I start thinking about what a weird thing time is. Who controls time, why does time keep going? Did you ever really think about time? Cuz for some reason I have been thinking a lot about time lately. Time really can make things better or worse. For instance, when you want more time, you can't have it. But when you are doing something you want to end, like working, you can always depend on time continuing. It's weird. I'm being weird talking so much about time, but I can't help it. I think time is a key factor in every aspect of your life. And remember, time keeps moving, and life is too short. I guess you should seize the moment, right?! Right! Unless the timing is off...

"Time goes by so far, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you." -Cheers

I JUST GOT REALLY EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I was sitting here bored on my second day home...but then I got really excited about Spain. Here's a picture of the city I'll be living in. Yes...be jealous...very jealous.

"Every time you wake up and ask yourself, 'What good things am I going to do today?' remember that when the sun goes down at sunset, it will take a part of your life with it."

Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.

Here I am only a couple days away from the end of the semester. Endings are sad, and this ending is quite sad. This year has been interesting. If I thought I grew a lot last year, I'd say this year I learned even more...more about myself, about friends, and about people in general. Life is interesting; that's what I've learned. Life throws you curves, and life tests you...constantly. The semester ends. Classes end. Relationships end. Friendships end. Even lives end. But life's lessons keep on coming. Sometimes I could just bask in the amazingness of life - all of its surprises and take-my-breath-away moments. Then there are other times where I wonder how the heck I got where I am and why everything just won't fall into place the way I want it to. The only answer I can come to is that maybe it's not supposed to be the way I want it to be. But I still get sick of it.
Anyhow, the most important thing I've come out of this year learning is how great, incredible, real friends are supposed to be. I have finally...yes FINALLY...been able to say I have the best friends I could ever imagine. I feel so blessed and lucky and happy to be able to have people I can count on. People who truly understand me, and even if they don't understand me they are by my side trying their hardest. Thank goodness for those people...they are what makes life worthwhile even in the most confusing times, and I love them for it.
Tomorrow is my last final of my last science class for the rest of my life! I guess that means I should retire soon.

"We do not know the true value of our moments until they have undergone the test of memory." -Georges Duhamel, The Heart's Domain