This Week's Reading

This week, I've been reading away! So far, I've read two books, one good, one ok.

The first:

This book was supposed to be a classic. I'm not really sure why. I read it in one day and it was not they best book I've ever read. I would not recommended it unless you have a thing for reading all classics, like me.














The second:

This book, which I also read in one day, was fantastic! I highly recommend this to anyone who likes mysteries.















I think I might take a break from books for a few days since I've read about 700 pages in 3 days.

Best Night Ever

Tonight, I had the pleasure of spending the evening with my favorite family, the Hobbs. They are amazing, not to mention, hilarious. Kenny and Kay crack. me. up. Tonia and Brad...basically the cutest couple ever. Add in 3 beautiful kids, two movies that were supposed to be love stories, and an abundance of spicy food, dollar press on nails, and you have yourself a night with the Hobbs! I'm so glad that they let me come over and share a little bit of their life with them tonight. Seriously, it the best evening I've had in a long time.

A Future Trip

I don't know why, but Romania has always fascinated me. The language, the culture, but most of all, the people have sparked my interest for years now. I want to go there so bad, with someone who will appreciate the long sad history of the people and their stories. The country is beautiful, the culture, colorful. One day, I hope to learn the language, visit, and perhaps adopt a child. Until then, reading about it and pouring over beautiful pictures of this mysterious place will suffice.

Victorian Reading Challenge

I'm very excited about this new blog I found today! I am participating in their Victorian Literature reading challenge, and there are four levels, 

Sense and Sensibility: 1-4 books.
Great Expectations: 5-9 books.
Hard Times: 10-14 books.
Desperate Remedies: 15+ books.

I think I am going to try for the "Desperate Remedies level. I am taking a Jane Austen class next semester, so I will be required to read several books within just a few months anyways and I have TONS of Victorian period books on my shelf that  I have yet to read, or would like to read again. I am planning on reading: 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1847)

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (1847)

Emma by Jane Austen (1816)

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (1890)

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Ann Bronte (1848)

Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte (1847)

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (1814)

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1811)

Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1852)

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman (1860 edition)

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (1895)

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850)
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1866)

Whew! That seems like a lot, but the challenge is for an entire year! I hope I can keep up!

This is my first reading challenge, and I know I am aiming high, but I read a lot anyways, so I think I can do it! 

Present Wrapping Attempt

Last night was my first attempt at wrapping presents "pretty." I went to walmart and got all sorts of shiny ribbon and tried my hand at bows. Let's just say I should not become a professional present wrapper. When I finished, I was very tired, so I left my wrapping supplies in the living room floor and went to bed. No big deal right? Wrong. My mom's dog got into the ribbon and Ate. A. Huge. Piece. I just hope I'm not around to clean up after her when she "gets rid of" it.

The Loves of My Life

I know we aren't supposed to have favorites, but this little guy steals my heart. 

I love all of these kids. 

Even though they push their friends down. 

Are still learning how to share. 

Sometimes only want to be picked up to ask you face to face where mom is. 

Like the bucket better than the toys I spend hours cleaning every week. 

Like to read the books for themselves, or when they bring you a book, they only want to look at the pictures. 

Craft time turns into the adults coloring for their moms. 

They spit on me, cry on me, pee on me, and I change their dirty diapers. 

I still look forward to every Sunday and every Wednesday with "my" kids. 

I hope one day to have a child as beautiful as these smiling faces. 

I also love their fearless leader! 

Party Success!!

The Christmas party was tonight, and I must say, it went fabulous!! I think Cameron had a really great time, and we got to share in some really good fellowship and of course, food! I even got a gift certificate so that I can take a dear friend out to dinner! I am proud to say that the ministerial staff behaved themselves, and I only had one awkward moment with Cameron being there.

I am not getting to spend some precious time with my beautiful friend Tonia. I love her, and I do not know what I would do without her!

My Christmas break is starting off wonderfully, and I am sure the wonderfulness will continue on into the next month!

Anticipation

Tomorrow night might be the most interesting night of my life. I will be going to the annual Church Staff Christmas Party. And yes friends, the party will be full of married people. But this year, I will be accompanied by a someone. A boy someone. Is it a date? Absolutely not. Is that going to be believable? Absolutely not. Will the church staff behave themselves? Maybe.

Cameron is my "date" for tomorrow night. My dear friend. I hope this isn't awkward.

On the bright side, at least I had an excuse to buy a new sweater for the party.

I am also done with finals! And I think I made an "A" in all of my classes! Let Christmas Break begin!

Finals Week

Yes my friends, it is the dreaded week for all college students. Finals week. However, I am almost done with finals and I feel really good about all of my classes! Today, marked a very sad day in the history of the friendship between myself and Cameron. Ever since high school we have hung out in the mornings before school. I was ecstatic to be able to continue this tradition in college also. Next semester, however, we do not have classes at the same time, so there will be no more car chats. It's sad really, almost like the ending of an era. Cameron is one of those friends that you hope will be in your life forever, and I feel lucky to have met him 4 long years ago. Mornings will never be the same.

Fact:

I will fail my German test today.
Another fact: I don't care! :)

A Weight Lifted

These past two weeks have been some of the most stressful in my life. I have written a total of 30 pages of papers, and have one more paper to go. I have been so glad to turn these assignments in! Christmas break really cannot get here fast enough. I have learned a lot this semester:
1. A true friend is a friend always, not someone who will abandon you at the drop of a hat because you messed up.
2. I'm on the right track. School is my passion and my love, I may complain, but it really is so fulfilling.
3. There are many things I have left to decide in my life. Graduate school is quickly approaching and I have no idea what I want to do for a career.
4. I am not ready to be in a relationship. I have a very strong opinion on dating and marriage, and I have yet to find anyone that I want to spend the rest of my life with. For the first time in my life I'm completely ok with that.
5. I have a rekindled love of politics.
6. I have learned not to care about what people think of me. I will always do what I believe is right, no matter if people think I'm ignorant.

I'm sure I have learned a lot more than this, but that's all I can think of right now. This semester I have acted more like myself than ever, and I love it. I am thankful for my friends whom I know will be there forever, and I am learning to accept that some people are only supposed to be in our lives for a short period of time. Life is hard, but God gives me strength to carry on and learn from every situation in life. I can't wait to see what he has for me next semester!

Itunes Pick of the Day

What is playing on my itunes this evening? Brandi Carlile. She is AMAZING!! The only way I can think of how to describe her is an acoustic, refined, version of Janis Joplin. You should check her out! Her first album, The Story, is on sale today on Amazon for $5.

This is one of my favorite songs by her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5D0fkkerus

My View Never Gets Old

I love what I see when I walk out my front door. It will never get old. This will always be home.

My New Friends

For the next week, these guys are what I will be spending the most time with. After this week, I am home free, almost. Finals will be a breeze compared to the three papers, 2 presentations, test, and bibliography that is due this week.

If anyone wants to know who Barry Goldwater is, which any conservative should, I'll be an expert by Friday.

Pappy

Yesterday would have been my grandpa's 73rd Birthday. He was my best friend. He taught me how to fish and grow things, but most of all, he taught me how to love. He was my perfect companion. He was ornery and coarse, but so gentle and kind. After his death, I started writing about him, and I really can't sum up my feelings about him in any better words than what I wrote a few years ago. So here goes.



They say a career makes a man, but it’s character. The kind of character that runs to the bone, radiates from a laugh, and penetrates the soul. That kind of character gets lost along the road of money, power and selfish desires. Few men are able to attain this kind of character, but when a man does, he finds himself loved above all else and capable of living a life and leaving a legacy that he can be proud of. He is not distracted by excess, corrupted by money, nor does he succumb to the overwhelming need for power. There existed such a man in my life, and he changed me. He caused me to believe in all men, that there is generosity, love and fierce devotion still left in the world. His story is one of hardship, as many are, but he was not broken by it, only made stronger. He was the kind of man who made you believe there were still those out there willing to die for those they love. He stood at the ready to give anything he had, even though he never had enough for himself. He was neither educated nor refined, yet he was the most intelligent man I have ever stumbled across.  I spent seventeen short years with this man, only a fraction of what some were granted, but those seventeen years were the best years of my life.

This is one of the last pictures I have of us together. I think about him every single day. 

A Beautiful Thanksgiving

 This year for Thanksgiving, we had a huge crowd. And by huge, I mean it was just the four of us. That really used to bother me, but this year it was different. We had good food, watched a good movie, and had some stress-free family time. My dad made the most delicious fried turkey! If you've never tried it, you are in for a treat! I did not brave the crowds for Black Friday, instead I relaxed, watched season 4 of Friends, and VH1's 100 greatest artists of all time. I hope you had just as great of a Thanksgiving as I did!

Mom was a little excited. 

Dad and Kayla

This is Molly, she is the most spoiled dog you will ever meet. 

Let me tell you, that thing was delicious!!!

This is my perfect weather! I love clouds and rain! 

Our huge spread!

Pumpkin pie is my favorite!! 

~A Sister is a Forever Friend~

This weekend was my sister's birthday. She turned 18...it's so hard to believe. I remember when she was born! Next year she will be leaving for college, so I've been trying to spend as much time with her as possible. Last night I took her to see Harry Potter, which was fabulous!

Also...I kind of liked my hair like this? I'm not sure if I can bear to cut it that short again though, what do you think? 

You Never Know...

Tonight I was reminded just why we should always live life to the fullest. My best friend's father passed away this evening, very unexpectedly. I didn't know what to say, or do, or feel. She is a daddy's girl through and through. I cannot even imagine what she is going through. Please pray for her and her family. He was only 46...

Excited Cannot Even Begin to Express....

how I'm feeling right now! I got a call from one of my best friends, who moved to Utah this fall, and I wasn't going to get to see her until Christmas, but her parents got her plane tickets and she is on her way home as I type!!!!!!!

We have been friends since the first day of Kindergarten, and these last few months have been hard knowing that she's not just 10 minutes away. You never know how much you are going to miss someone until you can't just hop in a car and go see them on a whim. So, I am so excited to have her home again, even if only for a little while.

One of my favorite pictures of us, we used to take one like this at every award ceremony :)

Bedside Reading

My current bedside reading is:

Odd, I know. But it is for school; however, I read the introduction last night and it is gripping. I have a feeling I might shed a few tears as I read this one. You know you are a historian when you read about Vietnam before bed. 

I'm ready for my bedtime reading to be something of my choosing. What should I read second over Christmas break? My first book will be Decision Points, but after that I just can't decide. I think I will put a list up this weekend to enlist some help! 

Waiting for Mr. Darcy

Today I had the displeasure of listening to a middle-aged lady talk on the phone for 20 minutes about how she had been on drugs, screwed her life up, and got back together with this guy because he helped her get clean. Apparently their relationship wasn't going well and she said that if they got divorced she would just make an agreement to be room mates with him, because "it is too hard to find someone else, they are too much trouble."

When I heard this, I was so saddened. This lady has no idea what true love is, or what marriage is supposed to be about.

I want to wait for my Mr. Darcy. I know that he is a fictional character, but he represents so much. I would rather wait and him find me instead of being impatient and using someone else for my own personal gain. If he's out there then it will happen, but if he's not, then I would rather be alone than to disgrace the institution of marriage.

How can you even resist this?!

No Direction

I have recently realized that I have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life. I thought I knew. I wanted to work in a museum, a quiet place, never in the limelight. But now, I'm not so sure. Politics facinate me, but I am NOT a public speaker. What I would really like to do is write. Doesn't everyone say that though? I mean I feel kind of lame when people as me what I want to do with the rest of my life and the best I can come up with is "Oh, you know, I want to write a book." I can just imagine what is going through their head, actually it is the same thing that goes through their head when I say I'm majoring in History and don't want to teach. Basically I'm spending all of this money on an education that, to most, has no practicle application in life. Maybe an epiphany of sorts will come to me when it is time to find a career. Until then, writing a book it is.

Two of My Favorite Men...

Sean Hannity and George W. Bush were on my TV this evening. Together. It really just made my day! I cannot wait to read his book, but sadly I must wait till Christmas break. I have a feeling that I'm going to cry like a little baby, because I almost started crying when he was reading parts of his book on TV about September 11th.

On a lighter note,  my parents told me to make a Christmas list...and all I could think of to put on it were books? Something is wrong with me.

My First Razorback Game

Was so much fun! Even though it was freezing...and I was sitting by strangers. We had good seats, and I got free food courteous of my Aunt. All in all, a good experience!

A Night Out, Finally

Tonight, I was supposed to babysit, and to be honest, I was not looking forward to it at all.

What I really wanted to do was curl up on my couch, watch Pride and Prejudice for the hundredth time, and then work on my research projects that I've been stressing over for weeks.

Instead, babysitting was cancelled because of the rain.

So, I went to Olive Garden, which was spectacular.

And I went to see Unstoppable.

Good friends, good food, good movie. (Denzel and Mr. Pine were looking pretty fine too)

A night out was just what I needed. 

I promise, it would be much too easy for me to become a hermit if people didn't drag me out once in a while. 

For Veterans Day

How can you not feel pride when you see this?

Or this? 

Or not feel so thankful and blessed when you see this? 

So today, thank a Veteran that you are able to live freely in this country. Pray for our soldiers, former soldiers, and their families. Never forget their service. 

I Miss George

I cannot wait to read.....

which I'm sure will be a great book by a great American.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

Christmas tree is up at Walmart.

Lights and Garland are up on light posts around town.

It's 75 degrees outside.

One question: What happened to Thanksgiving?

A Story for Veteran's Day (Or in my blog's case, week)

The last part of this video really says it all.

P.S. Huckabee 2012!!

In Honor of Veteran's Day

I have a new layout in honor of Veteran's Day! I like it, so I think I'll keep it for a while?
More fun things for Veteran's Day to come this week!!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

Coca-Cola











Pride and Prejudice













Sean Hannity












Fall Days









and.....







Books









Which is good, because I have 19 required books on my reading list for next semester. I'm on the hunt for a bigger bookshelf.