Chaos Theory

District 12, Panem

2012-01-23T08:00:00.003-05:00

I really hope most of you got the reference from the title of this post, rather than the image seen above. Really. If not, get out from under that rock you're living beneath, and go buy the Hunger Games series. I'll give you a hint, you won't stop with the first book. So, go ahead, buy them all together. It will probably save you some moolah in the long run.

But this post isn't about the series in general, or a book review. Though, when I reread them here soon (or listen to them in the car, which seems to be my M.O. these days) I will probably do just that. Not that there aren't a bazillion other such reviews on the internet, but I digress. This post is, perhaps, best described as being about the Hunger Games Phenomenon and my apprehensions about the upcoming movie.

I'm not worried that they'll ruin it, not even a little. It'll be a hard story to ruin. And, I understand, like with most books-made-movies out there, no one will be 100% satisfied with the movie because their favorite or a scene that they thought was so SO important got left out from production. I could take a year and list all such issues with the Harry Potter franchise (oh god, don't get me started. little things! LITTLE THINGS, Harry Potter Franchise! Would it have been so hard to have Harry repair his wand with the Elder wand at the end of DH.2?!) and still not be done with the list. I'm not worried about the crazy merchandizing or the cast members thrust into a fame they may or may not handle with the same dignity that the HP cast did.

No, I'm most worried about is that first moment when the opening credits are over and Katniss becomes the Katniss of Jennifer Lawrence and not the Katniss who exists within my mind. Or Peeta, the boy with the bread, when he becomes something other than the boy in my mind. Or Gale, the handsome and loyal best friend. These characters, at this moment, are mine alone. Because, I'd bet, that my Gale looks nothing like your Gale, and they both probably don't look all that much like the Gale who will be gracing the movie theaters later this year. It's the greatest downfall of the books-turned-movies in my opinion. Harry Potter is proof enough of this to me, as Harry will forever be Daniel Radcliffe in my mind - not the scrawny, disheveled Harry who was there before him. Same thing with Hermione, Ron, Draco, the Hogwarts grounds, etc.

Really, it's not a bad thing, per-say. But I like letting my imagination take the words of the printed page and create the worlds and characters in my mind. I like that my Katniss was my Katniss. You know?

What's your opinion on books-made-movies? Have you read the Hunger Games? Are you as excited as I am for the release of the movies? Are you (like me!) dressing up in Capitol Couture for the midnight showing of the movie? (Yes, I am still 26, and not 12).

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Frivolous Fridays

2012-01-20T20:13:00.000-05:00

You know you can't resist.

It's stuck in your head now, isn't it?

Happy Friday

Courtney, Lately

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm growing restless. Incredibly restless.

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I've been going to Bikram yoga again. At this point I'm able to fit in at least 2 days a week - but I really want it to be more than that. I didn't realize how much I missed having it in my weekly routine. How much more calm and centered I feel within my own skin when I walk out the door of the studio. It puts my head in a good place [thank god for endorphins!], and for that I appreciate its presence in my life. It's also seriously still the most intense workout I've ever had - mainly because you don't realize how hard you've been testing your body until the class is over and you have a chance to really examine how you feel.

[via]

There are so many things I want to do, so many places I want to go. But my days revolve around working at the restaurant and getting work done at home. I guess that's adult life, right? But this job is just a job for me. It's a way to occupy my time during the day and a way to put a little extra money in my pocket for a rainy day. Some days I enjoy it for the most part, other days I'm ready to walk out the door and never look back. Sadly, a lot of the people I actually enjoy working with have quit. But again, that's most jobs, right?

I also have grad school looming in the future - it's grey and hazy and incredibly uncertain if I will get in or not, but it's there. Just out of reach and teasing me with its possibility. I've realized over the last few weeks just how much I miss being in school - being academic. I've learned that I like writing papers and researching and reading. I like when my brain is challenged to make sense of new ideas with old ideas. I like learning new facts and contextualizing them with what I already know. I like that environment, not ones that require you have little to no brain to get ahead. That's just not how I operate.

All of the grad programs I've applied to are in cities. Who would have thought I would want to find myself back in a city? I'm a country girl - I love the wide open skies and the endless acres of nature that come with that lifestyle. But after Budapest? I kinda miss the city life - having things I love to do readily available. I could start fencing again in earnest in one of these cities. I could pick up aerials again in these cities. I could ballroom dance again. I could keep practicing Bikram. And I'd be enrolled in a school studying something that interests me. It seems like life is very well centered for me in a city. I still want to eventually end up back in the country, but for now I think a city suits me best.

Basically, I feel like I'm in some sort of limbo. I don't want to be where I'm at right now, and I don't know where I'm going to be in the future. But I can't make that change just yet. I've got so much else that needs to be determined before I can figure out that future.

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January HodgePodge

2012-01-18T09:00:00.003-05:00

I know I say this every single time I link up to the HodgePodge with Joyce, but, I really should do this more often! I Love these questions :)

1. A new Miss America was crowned. Did you watch? What would your talent be?

I did not watch, it's not really my cup of tea, if you will.

But, if I were to be a contestant my talent would have to be the aerial acrobatics I loved: either on the silks or the trapeze. What Miss America has done that?

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?

Real, but not that many.

Not that I can't take care of them,

I actually don't know why I didn't have that many.

3. What type of student were you in school?

An obnoxious one that knew all the answers

and wanted to ask the teacher a million questions.

Seriously, I was (am?) Hermione Granger.

4. What Chinese food is your go-to?

General Tso's.

Hands down.

5. How do you define a miracle?

When the odds are seriously not in something's favor,

and it happens anyways.

6. What is your favorite Disney song?

Seriously Joyce?

You want me to pick just one?

Fine:

7. I should have ____ yesterday!

gone to bed earlier

8. Random Thought

I have an addiction: buying books.

The newest sub-genere of this is cooking magazines.

I am a sucker for them, especially if:

- they're specifically for crockpots

- they're themed for a holiday

- they're hearty and healthy

It's kinda becoming a problem.

Explore.

2012-01-11T09:05:00.000-05:00

[via]

This is kinda how I want to spend my days living my life. There is no experience too small or no thing too insignificant to make an impact on your life. I need to constantly remind myself of this. Keep it as some sort of mantra in my head: explore your world.

I live in a pretty interesting part of our great country. New England has so much to offer, and sometimes I feel like I'm stagnant in my tiny corner of it. I need to get out - to visit places that are 15-45 minutes from my house because, why not? There is plenty to see if you just open your eyes and take the time to go and do.

Anyone else in on this boat? It's one on my 'resolutions' for this year. To explore.

Ps. In the NE area? Want to meet up somewhere fun and explore with me? Drop me an email :)

On A Quest

2012-01-10T16:00:00.002-05:00

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I'm in such a blogging rut.

There. I've said it. It's out in the open and therefore now I can deal with it rather than hiding behind a lack of posts.

But I'm still here, promise!

Seriously, I may as well be in a self imposed blog-witness-protection program. I get frustrated with having nothing exciting to write, so I shut down my online footprint. It's silly, I know. But it's what happens.

You see, a year ago I was frolicking happily around Europe (okay, freezing around Europe and complaining about the lack of sun, but still - that was exciting). And now? Here I am, back at home waiting tables and just living day-by-day. With nothing really that exciting to write about.

I'm the girl that needs big!things! to be happening all the time. I crave the excitement of living a life less ordinary. Of doing fun and exciting and different things. Not waiting tables and getting so.dang.frustarated. with the crap that goes along with waiting tables (that's another post entirely, maybe Sam (who has another new blog, by the way) and I can tag-team that later. goodness, it's worse than a high school).

But, there are big things in the works.

I've sent out all my PhD applications - so hopefully (and cross your fingers!) something will be coming of that in the next few months. I've applied to three pretty big schools. I don't want to talk too many details right now because a) I don't want to jinx it, and b) I don't want to get too excited/attached to the idea of going for my PhD if it's not going to happen.

I also want to start some sort of regular posts - something to keep up with. Something that ties this whole 'blogging' thing together more than just 'the life of Courtney.' Who knows. My life is kinda awesome, so maybe that's theme enough!

Basically? I just need to get out of the country again. I'm missing Budapest (except for the grey skies, I will never miss those grey skies) and the people and life I left there like woah lately (but not the crazy government crap that's going on there right now. Nope, am glad to be away from that!).

"let each new year find you a better man"

2011-12-31T22:29:00.004-05:00

Be always at war with your vices,

at peace with your neighbors,

and let each new year find you a better man.

[Benjamin Franklin]

[credit]

Since my New Year's Eve won't look like this:

[credit]

...I'm going to be chilling at home with my mom (and dad by phone since he has to work!) in my PJ's. A nice relaxing beginning to the new year? That sounds amazing to me. I really hope 2012 follows suit on the amazing department.

Because, really?

2011 was pretty sweet.

I rounded out my two years living in Europe

(and, yes, miss it like crazy)

I went to:

- Madrid to eat

- Venice for Carnival

I presented a paper at a conference at Cambridge University,

then visited Dublin,

and London,

both with good friends!

I GRADUATED WITH MY MASTER'S DEGREE

(and realized I NEVER WROTE A POST ABOUT IT!

SILLY COURTNEY!)

I traveled to Poland and Prague with my family

(and still need to write about those too, oops!)

I worked at camp again.

And LOVED it.

I celebrated my 26th Birthday,

and recounted 26 lessons for 26 years.

I took an impromptu trip to Boulder, CO & Washington DC

Basically? 2011 was pretty cool to me,

and I hope it was to you too.

In closing:

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Keep those you love closer to you than ever.

Remind those you love that you love them often.

Have meaningful relationships.

Smile.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You Better Watch Out...

2011-12-22T22:11:00.004-05:00

[credit]

Christmas is almost here! I can hardly stand it!

It's honestly my favorite holiday of the year.

I love everything about it:

- lights

- goodwill towards all

- christmas music (yes, still, even now!)

- decorating the tree(s)

- shopping (i'm a masochist, i know)

- everything

I mean, I have been a little late in the shopping (I work too much, I can't help it!) but it's all almost done - for at least the people I will see on/at Christmas proper. There is still shopping to be done for those I will see after. And (oops!) I still have some cards to send out! (Bad Courtney! Bad!)

If only I could get rid of this blasted cold that has been lingering for about a week now. That would totally make this Christmas a better one for me!

How about all of you? How has the season been treating you?

Adventures in Waitressing {1}

2011-12-11T12:04:00.003-05:00

Remember that time I started a new job waitressing at a sports bar and forgot to write on the blog?

Yeah, sorry about that guys.

But here, I've got a post for you! It'll probably become some sort of regular venting session about things that you (as non-serving folk) should know about us (the servers), which might inform you about what it really means to go out and eat.

So, here we go:

1) While we (at our restaurant) hate to throw the kitchen staff under the bus... if your food comes out cold it's not the server's fault. Really. Don't punish your server (ie. leave a bad tip, or no tip) because of something that is not their fault. You can't hurt the kitchen by pissing off your server.

2) Don't come to a restaurant with a plan to get drunk. Particularly a big-name, corporate sort of place. We have rules about serving which involve cutting you off if it looks like you're getting a little too close to tipsy. That being said, don't get mad when I card you - take a tip from most people, be flattered. Because when you get mad when I ID you? I automatically assume you're not 21 and have a fake. Just saying.

3) Tip off of the food you ordered. Did something on your bill get comped because it came out wrong? Or a manager was being nice? Or for any other sort of reasons? Just because you don't have to pay for the food doesn't mean that the server didn't do all the work for that food - taking your order, putting the order in, bringing it to you, etc.

4) INTERACT WITH US. Seriously, most servers are doing their job because they like people. When you ignore us or don't talk to us much? We get sad. Really. The tips are nice, yes. And we judge you if you're a lousy tipper, but I'd take a table full of awesome people who leave me 20% and make me laugh all night over a table of stuffy people who don't want me around that leave me 20+% - okay? Get it?

So, that's it for now.

Questions? Comments?

Happy Christmastime everyone!

Date A Girl Who Reads

2011-12-04T21:55:00.002-05:00

I stumbled upon this gem a while back (either on Pinterest or Facebook or some other fabulous internet venue) and have been looking for the right time to post it. It's perfect, beautifully written, and oh so true.

If you've come to know some things about me over the course of this blog, you know I love to read. I'm the girl who always has her nose in a book - I am Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Boys should learn to date girls who read, not the ones who could care less about cracking the spine of a brand new hard0back book. Books carry more weight and importance than a new pair of shoes or the new pallet of a season's make-up.

Those can be fun, but books are forever. Books make your mind come to life. The imagination gets to flex its muscles and you are transported to a thousand new places - both real and fantasy.

Yes, boys should date girls who read. We're way more interesting.

--------------

Date A Girl Who Reads by Rosemarie Urquico

[in response to: You Should Date An Illiterate Girl]

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 with 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 a book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of and 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 becuase 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 if 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 bool. 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 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 2AM 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 kids 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 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 half0baked promises, 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.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

2011-11-29T15:20:00.005-05:00

Finally!

CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE!

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It's okay to listen to Christmas music!

It's okay to put up your tree!

It's okay to put up Christmas lights!

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I LOVE this part of the year :)

Watching new houses every night light up with the magic of Christmas,

and hearing Christmas Carols on the radio,

and buying new Christmas CDs.

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I just love it all!

Is anyone out there as excited as I am?

Plenty To Be THANKful For {SWAP REVEAL}

2011-11-28T17:50:00.003-05:00

First of all, thank you all SO MUCH for joining us with this swap and challenge!

It was seriously an amazing two weeks - and I loved reading all your posts!

This blog swap was so SO much fun.

I was paired up with Alex from Ruffles, Ribbons, & Bows Oh My!

She's from Virginia and has the CUTEST blog,

I am so glad to have 'met' her through this swap,

I love making new blog friends,

and she's seriously amazing,

go read her blog now!

So, as for the AMAZING package she sent me?

Have a look for yourself:

Isn't it amazing?

The sweetest card ever!

A travel coffee mug, coffee, reese's minis,

three mini notebooks, a 'C' ornament,

and some BEAUTIFUL earrings.

This girl spoiled me.

Alex?

Seriously - THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I hope you enjoyed your package as much as I'm enjoying mine!

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 10: Black Friday}

2011-11-25T07:00:00.002-05:00

Today's Topic?

I'm THANKful for Black Friday & Leftovers

Black Friday for me this year?

Involves serving Wings & Beer from 9am - midnight.

You know what, I'm excited about it.

I may even go to Target at 7am before work,

just because I can.

And just because Thanksgiving is over,

doesn't mean the sentiment of the holiday has to be over too.

Be THANKful everyday of everything you have.

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 9: THANKSGIVING}

2011-11-24T20:24:00.004-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

I hope you are all stuffed to the gills with turkey and all your favorite fixin's!

We're about to sit down for pie in a few minutes,

but I wanted to check in and post my Thanksgiving table pictures :)

So, there you have it.

Thanksgiving at my place :)

Again,

I'm thankful for so much this year,

and all you guys?

SO a part of it!

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 8: Special People}

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today's topic is:

I'm THANKful for the Special People in My Life

What is more important aboutThanksgiving than the people you share it with? Or the people you wish you were sharing it with? If there's anything (non-academic) I learned in my two years in Budapest, it's that people are what matters most in life. Especially on holidays. Especially on holidays where you want more than anything to be at home with your people.

So, my people? The ones that I'm most thankful for?

My family.

I LOVE these guys.

(We're in Prague in this picture, if you were wondering)

Growing up an only child made my bond with these two so strong.

My parents, honestly, are my world.

And I am so THANKful that they're mine :)

Who are you THANKful for this Thanksgiving?

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 7: Thanksgiving Traditions}

2011-11-22T07:00:00.003-05:00

Did I mention I LOVE blog challenges?

Because I do!

I'm seriously STILL so hungry from all your recipes yesterday!

I am going to need to have a second Thanksgiving

just to try all those amazing foods you've teased me with!

Today's topic is:

I'm THANKful For Thanksgiving Traditions

Mine are pretty simple: there are three!

1) MACY'S Parade - cannot wait to see Santa come down on his sleigh! I LOVE curling up under a blanket in my PJs while the smells of Thanksgiving start to swarm the house.

credit: pinterest

2) Leftovers - almost better than the meal itself. Enough said. :)

3) Breaking the wishbone - Mom and I do this every year. I think I'm winning in the number of wishes won over the years on Thanksgiving Turkeys. We do it with other chicken/turkeys we eat through the year, but Thanksgiving is the most important!

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 6: Thanksgiving Recipes}

2011-11-21T07:00:00.003-05:00

Welcome back for another week of the

Plenty To Be THANKful For Blog Challenge

hosted by: me, Caroline, Kristine, Sam, and Meghan!

Last week was so much fun - I cannot wait for this week!

I can just tell today is going to be a delicious day in the Blogoverse!

Today's topic is:

I'm THANKful for my favorite Thanksgiving Recipe!

I don't have one favorite recipe for the day itself.

Nothing quite tops my mom's stuffing or sweet potatoes.

So, what I have for you is a delicious, delicious cookie recipe.

Perfect to snack on between slices of Thanksgiving pie :)

Ingredients

Dry
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

1 to 2 cups chocolate chips*

Wet

1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick)

1 egg

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract (i usually use 1-2 tsp though, I love vanilla)

* experiment here - I've used: nestles swirl chips - amazing; half white chocolate half regular chocolate chips - amazing; peanut butter chips - amazing. Use what you want here, it will taste good.

Directions

heat oven to 375 degrees

grease cookie trays

1. whisk/stir together dry ingredients (except for the chips!) in a medium sized bowl

2. in another, larger bowl stir (or use a mixer) together butter & sugar until it's creamy & yellowish. then mix in the egg and vanilla.

3. slowly stir in the dry ingredients into the bowl of the wet ingredients

4. DO NOT OVER MIX

5. stir in the chocolate chips*

6. scoop equal sized balls onto the cookie tray and space them apart

7. cook for about 8-11 minutes depending on size of the cookies

yields: 1-2 dozen cookies (depending on size of cookie)

notes:

- for divine cookies, let the dough (once you've mixed in the chocolate chips) sit overnight. I know, it sucks, a lot and requires so much patience. But it's so worth it. Trust me.

- these freeze very well. Double or triple the batch and then freeze. To freeze: place cookies in a single layer on a cookie sheet and then freeze over night. In the morning move them into an air-tight freezer bag. They last about 4 months, on average, in the freezer. To eat after frozen: let thaw about a half hour or heat oven to 375 degrees and cook about 10 minutes.

So, what's your favorite recipe for this time of year?

UPCOMING TOPICS

Tuesday November 22^nd – I’m THANKful For Thanksgiving Traditions!

Wednesday, November 23^rd – I’m THANKful For The Special People In My Life!

Thursday, November 24^th – I’m THANKful For Thanksgiving! (Post a picture of your table... if you have time!)

Friday, November 25^th – I’m THANKful for Black Friday & Leftovers!

Monday, November 28^th – BLOG SWAP REVEAL

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 5: The 21st Century}

2011-11-18T16:07:00.003-05:00

I'm a little late in posting today, cause I slept past noon. Opps :)

But today is the last day of the first week of the challenge! So, thanks for playing along so far!

Today's topic is: I'm THANKful I Live in the 21st Century!

My reasons include:

- i love my car

- i love my phone

- i love indoor plumbing

- i love electricity

and most of all, i love...

- being able to make decisions about my life

(as a woman, this is awesome to me.

I can't imagine living any centuries ago,

being bartered for family status,

with my only major purpose being producing an heir)

How about you?

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 4: The Blogoverse}

2011-11-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Okay you guys! Seriously! I am loving hosting this Blog Challenge with Sam, Meghan, Kristine, and Caroline.... I am having SO much fun reading all your blog posts and reading all your sweet comments! Which is why today's topic is SO simple for me:

Day 4

I'm THANKful for the Blogoverse!

Why?

YOU ALL ROCK!

No, really:

- you guys always there (here or on Twitter) with a quick answer to a random question

- everyone seems to rally behind each other in both tough and joyous times

- it's a great place to meet new friends

- there's always some interesting or funny stories to make a bad day good

- recipes!

- and so, so, so much more!

So, again:

YOU ALL ROCK!

I'm so THANKful for this community :)

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 3: My Hometown}

2011-11-16T07:00:00.001-05:00

Oh my word, you guys? The last two days have been SO much fun! Let's keep the party rolling, what do you say?

Day 3

I'm THANKful for my hometown!

I live in a small town in New Hampshire.

About 20 mins from the beach,

(I LOVE the beach)

an hour or two from the White Mountains,

(I LOVE to climb things)

and an hourish from Boston.

(I LOVE Boston)

It's the perfect location,

if you ask me :)

I like the small-town feel of this place,

I love that there's country,

and wildlife randomly in my back yard.

I love that I have a back yard.

I'm SO THANKful to have grown up here!

How about you?

What do you love about where you grew up?

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 2: YOUTube & Internet Fun}

2011-11-15T07:00:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was AWESOME! I seriously LOVE reading all your fun posts - I want to comment on all of them, and will soon! Work is just crazy right now - I need more hours in the day so I can sleep! But seriously, you guys?! Your Guilty Pleasures? SO much fun to read :)

Today's Topic Is:

I'm THANKful For YOUTube & Other Internet Fun!

I'll start with three of my favorite websites,

and then leave you with some amazing YouTube Joy :)

if you have Pinterest, you know what I'm talking about.

Follow my boards and I'll follow you back!

If not, sign up!

I Waste So Much Time

Dear Blank Please Blank

THESE ARE THE FUNNIEST WEBSITES EVER.

Is that enough incentive?

yes, you can thank me later :)

So pretty, no?

Zidane may be a soccer player

(and a royal jerk)

but, this is my sport,

and he looks pretty in it :)

This is my state :)

So, what do you love out there on the internet and YouTube? Link up and let us all know!

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 1: Guilty Pleasures}

2011-11-14T07:00:00.005-05:00

Hey Guys!

I'm super exhausted - my new job started this past week. I'm waitressing and our training was all week long! It's a new opening of a restaurant, so it's kinda crazy intense around my life! I've already worked 7 straight days of training and now I'm working 6 straight days of serving! CRAZY! But I get Friday & Saturday off - which, despite being the 'busy' nights - I'm SO excited about!

I am also SO excited that today is the first day of my, Sam, Caroline, Kristine, and Meghan's Plenty to be THANKful for Challenge! SO many of you signed up for the swap, and this is going to be JUST as awesome - I know it! Remember - anyone can join the challenge, even if you didn't get a chance to participate in the swap! So, spread the word!

So, let's not waste any more time!

Today's topic is {Day 1} I'm THANKful For My Guilty Pleasures!

This one is pretty easy for me :)

I'm THANKful for:

Starbucks

Chipotle

Criminal Minds

90's BoyBands

My Justin Beiber Pandora channel

(don't judge until you've tried it,

I thumbs down most JBeibs songs,

and the station ROCKS)

I'm not sure how many more I can admit to today! HAHA! I just have so many guilty pleasures :)

Remember to add your link below - and then go check out and comment on some new blogs! I think link-up challenges are awesome, because you can meet so many new blogging friends this way! I know that's how I got to know most of my amazing co-hosts :)

10 Unknowns

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to figure out fun & interesting things to post about when my life is going through a phase when it's neither fun nor interesting. Today? You get 10 facts you may not know about me:

One of my most embarrassing memory of High School was the time I had conjunctivitis and had to wear sunglasses around school all day. I don't remember if I wore them because the light bugged my eye or if it was because my eye looked gross. Either way, every time someone saw me for the first time that day I was immediately the center of attention with the gross eye.
My favorite book ever is The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. If you've never read it - or your kids/significant other/cat have never read it - go, buy it, and read it now. Your life will be the better for it.
I played the flute in elementary though middle school. In middle school me and my best friend switched to trumpet with my best friend. Our reasons were different, but the decision to switch was joint. I was sick of the flute; it was pretty, but I found the trumpet a lot more intriguing. She had a huge crush on one of the trumpet players. We loved the switch to trumpet and kept with it through high school. Her crush on the guy fizzled very quickly, as middle school crushes do.
I was obsessed (and still love waytoomuch today) with *NSync. I loved BSB. And enjoyed the rest of the 90's BoyBands. I'm a total 90's girl, and I LOVE IT. I will marry JC one day, mark my words.
Working at a Girl Scout summer camp gave me two of the most meaningful summers of my life. The events there and the friends I made have impacted my life in ways I could never have predicted. Please, if you have kids? Send them to an overnight summer camp (but wait until their at least 10, or mature enough to handle the extended time away from home and can therefore appreciate their time there)
I LOVE Broadway musicals. I've seen Phantom of the Opera and Cats more times than I can count; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat a bunch of times (including once with Donnie Osmond playing the title role), 42nd Street, A Christmas Carol, and Avenue Q. I can't wait to add on to that list.
I can start a campfire with one match.
I seem to collect random hobbies and then fall madly in love with them: Fencing, Ballroom Dancing, and Aerial Acrobatics are just a few of my loves.
I will make random references to Harry Potter and other books I love all the time. I get really, really excited when people get them. Other books/movie references/song lyrics can be added to this category as well, but HP is my favorite.
I'm a huge tomboy. I'd rather be in jeans & a Carolina tshirt than anything else in the world. I hate hate hate tights with a passion. I hated them every time I had to put them on for ballet class (13 years of it!) and still do to this day. They itch! How can they be comfortable to anyone? Please, try and explain this to me. But? On the other hand? I love getting dressed up all girly every now and then (but I REFUSE to put on tights).

And that's a little more random about me :) You know, because I am sure you were dying to know about my nerdiness and weirdness a little more than I've let on already. What can I say? This girl? HUGE nerd. I've come to embrace it. Can you?

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Challenge Topics}

2011-11-10T09:00:00.007-05:00

Hey everyone!

First and foremost, we’d like to say THANK YOU to all of you who signed up for our blog swap

and link-up! We hope you are just as excited as we are!

If you have any questions about the blog swap, be sure to contact any of us hosts (Me, Kristine, Meghan, Sam, or Caroline) via comment, tweet, or email. We’d be more than happy to answer your questions. Be sure you send out your blog swap packages no later than November 17^th!!

REMEMBER: if you choose to send anything liquid (nail polish, etc) PLEASE wrap it up and secure it in a zip-lock bag. No one likes a spill!

So, without further ado, here are the link-up topics you’ve all been waiting for:

Monday, November 14^th – I’m THANKful For My Guilty Pleasures!

Tuesday, November 15^th – I’m THANKful for YouTube (and other internet fun)!

Wednesday, November 16^th – I’m THANKful For My Hometown!

Thursday, November 17^th – I’m THANKful For The Blogoverse!

Friday, November 18^th – I’m THANKful That I Live In The 21^st Century Because…!

Monday, November 21^st – I’m THANKful For My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe!

Tuesday November 22^nd – I’m THANKful For Thanksgiving Traditions!

Wednesday, November 23^rd – I’m THANKful For The Special People In My Life!

Thursday, November 24^th – I’m THANKful For Thanksgiving! (Post a picture of your table... if you have time!)

Friday, November 25^th – I’m THANKful for Black Friday & Leftovers!

Monday, November 28^th – BLOG SWAP REVEAL!

Remember, there’s PLENTY to be THANKful for!!

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Swap Partners!}

2011-11-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hey gals!

I AM SO EXCITED FOR TWO THINGS:
a) Sam has power, internet, and cable back :)
b) That she got all you ladies paired up for the swap so quickly!

We had thought about trying to pair you up based on location, but with her lack of power that was not such the easiest thing to do. Plus, postage is pretty similar within the US (especially if you use a flat rate box!). So, this way you guys now get to make new friends! And if you happen to live close together - you can meet up instead of mailing! Cause that would be super fun, no?

And, Oh my god! I cannot wait to get to know all of you guys' blogs! The names? SO SWEET! I love them all already! I really hope you all come back tomorrow to get the topics for the challenge too!

Anyway, without any further ado...

Meghan (The Perfect Compilation Tape) & Neely (A Complete Waste of Makeup)
Sam (A Careless Man's Careful Daughter) & Ainslee (First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage)
Courtney (Chaos Theory) & Alex (Ruffles Ribbons & Bows, Oh My!)
Kristine (Living a Barefoot and Crazy Lifestyle) & Melissa (Nashville's Melrose)
Caroline (Simply Smithwick) & Adventuresome Wyomingite
Meghan (Shine On) & Stacy (Cardigans & Crayons)
Caitlin (Done & Done) & Krystal (It's Krystal....with a K)
Erin (Everything According to Erin...) & Christy (25 Before 25)
Leeann (Join the Gossip) & My Own Little Corner
Jenna (Step by Step) & Simply Mily
Joanna (Dance and Dream 4 Ever) & Southern Belle
Megan (Chicago Girl) & Faison (Fat to fabulous... and everything in between)
Michaela (my world in a paper cup.) & Kit (Life of a Scott)
Michelle (Stuttering Shell) & Jess (Pretty Physicist)
Carly (Carly Chubby Cheeks) & Michelle (Snapshots)
Marcy (Marcy's Mazin' Moments) & Kattrina (Maple and Mud)
Meghan (little girl in the big world) & Sar (Life of Love)
Jenn (right where i should be) & Christine (Fancy Function)
Kristen (KristenDanielleXO) & Kimberly (Kimberly's Korner)
Kate (Dancing in the Minefields) & Lori (a crazy walk on the safe side)
Cait (Fit, Fierce, and Fabulous) & Megan (Sweet Serendipity)

Now, go forth and get to know one another! And, remember, the DEADLINE for Swap Gift send outs is Thursday, November 17th!

xoxo,
- Sam, Courtney, Kristine, Meghan, & Caroline

Book Review {Matched, Ally Condie}

2011-11-08T09:00:00.005-05:00

It's been a while since I've written a book review on the old blog. I've done a lot of reading in the past year, what with writing a thesis and all that. But I've also done a bit of reading for pleasure; something I love and value so much. So, I'm going to try and go back and review some of them for you, my lovelies, so you can either gobble them up or pass them over.

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Title: Matched

Author: Ally Condie

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian Fantasy

Pages: 400 (paperback)

Date Completed: 21 October 2011

First Sentence: Now that I've found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night?

Favorite (main) Character: Cassia

Favorite (non-main) Character: Grandfather or Xander

Rating: ☆
☆
☆ 1/2

This book is a dystopian fantasy set around a girl named Cassia who lives in 'The Society.' The main focus of this society in this book is the 'Matching' ceremony - the time in a citizen's life when they are matched with their spouse. The system is considered to be perfect - created to optimize a member's life. Cassia is both excited and nervous for her ceremony and is thrilled when her turn comes and she is matched with her best friend, Xander. However, there's a glitch in the system and Cassia, later, when reviewing her materials suddenly sees a flash of the face of another boy she knows. Now unsure about the system - is there really only one perfect match for a person? - Cassia begins to wonder about the Society she had been raised in.

Fans of The Giver and The Hunger Games trilogy will see many elements of both books within Condie's pages. This frustrated me at first; it's always hard for me to see ideas so obviously borrowed from other books. However, this book and it's characters grew on me easily and I was able to see things I had not thought of before. Condie didn't take the whole Giver or Hunger Games in her novel. Instead she took an idea or two which were only slightly hinted at and created a whole new world and story around them. The worlds are similar, but the premise of the story is quite different.

I love a good dystopian fantasy. I think they do a good job of reminding us which direction that we don't want our world to go. And while I loved this book and found myself thinking about the story long after I had turned the last page, I still only give it 3.5 stars. I think Condie has set a good foundation for a great series; I just think it has room to grow.

My recommendation? Read it. It's an easy read and a good book to have a discussion on. Book club anyone?

Monday Moments

2011-11-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Have you entered my, Sam, Kristine, Meghan and Caroline's Plenty To Be THANKful For Blog Swap? You have until November 8th to sign up and get paired with another blogger to send each other presents! Then make sure to check back on November 9th for the Challenge prompts! We are all SERIOUSLY excited about this, so sign up quick!

Can you all spread the word? Blog about it? Send out a tweet? ( @cakrolik, @ccmithwick @acarefuldaughtr & @CompilationTape are hosting a Blog Swap&Challenge, have YOU entered yet? tinyurl.com/67ehdy5 )

Also, if you've signed up - email Sam (carefuldaughter{at}gmail{dot}com) the state you live in so she can match you with someone close by - saving on postage is nice, no?

Thanks ALL!

---

I made a blog button & it's respective grab button all by myself! It's over in the right hand column of the blog. Grab it, okay? And then put it on your blog or wherever. Because, why? I'm so dang proud of myself for actually making it!
I've started my new job. Last night in fact. Waitressing. Yes, something I said I'd never do. But, hey? The place? It seems really fun - high energy, loud, and 73 TVs to watch games on while working. I can see a lot of Carolina games worked in my future. And, I'm looking forward to having something to do and money in my pocket.
I don't like daylight savings time. Yes, the extra hour of sleep was nice. But I miss my daylight. I hate when it's dark at 3:30 in the afternoon.
THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS WAS ON TBS LAST NIGHT! I'm so miffed about this I can't even explain. You do realize it's not even Thanksgiving yet, right? I mean, yes, go start your Christmas shopping, get your red cups (I know I have), whatever. But this is going to make me sick of Christmas before the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.
Writing personal statements & statements of purpose for PhD programs? I hate it. It's like selling yourself on purpose to the Devil. Well, maybe not that. But you have to figure out how to brag about yourself without sounding like you're bragging about yourself. It's a test in patience & fortitude if I've ever gone through one.
I want to start Ballroom Dancing, Fencing, and Aerial Acrobatics again soon. Or at least 1-2 of them. Really. I miss them.
I've been going to the gym 3-5 times a week since I joined 3 weeks ago. I love it. I love testing my body, expanding what it can do. And to be honest? I miss the way I felt about my body when I was in college (who says that, really?). Being a varsity athlete at UNC meant 3+ hours of practice a day - it was intense, and I miss the way I felt then. I'm not sure I can fit 3+ hours into my schedule at the gym these days, but I want to put enough time in to get the results I want. Yaknow?
I need a haircut. Bad.
There are a killer pair of red platform velvet pumps at Target that I am lusting after. Anyone want to get them for me?

Liebster Love!

2011-11-05T09:00:00.001-04:00

Thanks ALL!

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So, about a week ago Sam nominated (gave? awarded?) me for the 'Liebster Blog" Award! It's a fun award to be given to bloggers with less than 200 followers. 'Liebster' is a German word meaning 'dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.'

And really? I love getting these things, even if they're just fun things passed between bloggers. Because, what else is the blogoverse for except meeting new people and sharing fun stories? So, thank's Sam! Your little note on your blog was so sweet, and you know I love your blog too!

The Rules:

- Thank & Link Back to the blog who gave you the award. done and done.

- pass it on to 4 other Liebster bloggers :)

1. Emily @ Cream Colored Ponies & Crisp Rhubarb Strudels

I'm not sure when or where I found Emily's blog,

but it's so fun - and she's awesome :)

2. Heather @ The Kimchi Chronicles

Heather and I went to UNC together,

and she's living & teaching in Korea right now!

And you thought I went on adventures!

3. Shannon @ Sincerely Shannon

Shannon is the daughter of Joyce - who does the Wednesday HodgePodge,

and that's how I found Shannon's fun blog :)

4. Observations of A Token Yankee

As a once misplaced Northerner myself,

I totally love everything on this blog :)

- paste the award on your blog. done.

- have faith that your readers will pass on the love :)

Friday Fancies: Jungle Fever

2011-11-04T17:11:00.007-04:00

Thanks ALL!

---

So, that post I just posted?

About Friday Fancies?

About Lilly Pulitzer?

By {av} at {long distance loving}

Let me remind you...

Well, here's exactly what I'd get if I could.

(PS. OMG - have you seen the collection?

I mean, really?

Cause I WANT ALL OF IT!)

(click to enlarge)

As you can see,

though the contest said we only needed 2 Lilly pieces,

I couldn't help but make the whole outfit out of it.

I mean, how precious is all of that?

I like it cause it really hase that 'jungle' feel to it -

with the print of the dress (1) & the elephant(3) for luck.

I had to add a little sea in too, with the coral necklace (4),

becuase, well, I LOVE the ocean,

and can't stand to be too far away!

And those shoes (2)!!!

Those need to be mine, now, thank you.

1. Joy Tunic Dress

2. Swingin on a Star Heel Glam

3. Tusk Tusk Cuff

4. Coral Siesta Necklace

Leave me a comment with a link to your Friday Fancies!

I want to drool at all your combinations too!

Friday Fancies: GIVEAWAY

2011-11-04T16:54:00.005-04:00

Thanks ALL!

---

So, this week {av} from {long distance loving}

has an extra special Friday Fancies!

And, while I think you should all enter,

I really don't want you to.

You know why?

You can win Lilly Pulitzer items for your wardrobe!

Just for playing along with Friday Fancies!

So, GO! Play along!

Look at all the pretty clothes!

And cross your fingers that I win!

Unexpected Travel Plans

2011-11-03T09:00:00.001-04:00

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A few weeks ago on a Wednesday I posted something along the lines of "I MISS YOU! WHEN DO I GET TO SEE YOU!?!?!" on my old college roommate Morgan's wall.

You see, it's been two years since I had seen her. Which is far, far too long in either of our books. She was my roommate. We had scheduled nap-times most days in college. We had the best dorm room I had ever seen (hello holiday decorations, cozy blankets and pillows everywhere, and year-round Christmas lights to give the room a soft glow). And she and I just all around had (and still have!) and amazing bond - a friendship that can go two years without much contact and still be rock-solid. Needless to say, I love the girl, and I missed her!

About 20 minutes after posting that on her wall, I get a phone call.

"Want to come to Boulder tomorrow?"

It's important to note here that Morgan is a flight attendant, so she could do crazy things like fly me out to Boulder from New Hampshire for about $100 at the drop of a hat.

And just like that I flew out to Boulder on Friday (so, it wasn't the tomorrow we had hoped for, but I had stuff to get done on Thursday). It was an AMAZING adventure, an experience in the toils of flying standby, and a seriously awesome way to spend a weekend with an old friend. Things picked up like they had never been put on pause, and we just giggled and hung out for three days.

Here's the evidence:

what else says fall like a good corn maze & pumpkin patch?

Sunday morning Mimosas & Breakfast

Did I mention just how beautiful this place is?

Leaps of joy in Red Rocks :)

Roomies Reunited :)

So, on the way home it was almost impossible to get on a flight back to Boston. So I routed through DC and decided (well, the airlines decided for me, really) to have a day extra layover in DC. Where I got to see my other college Roommate and one of my favorite friends from the fencing team at UNC. It made an already awesome vacation simply amazing.

I really, honestly, love this city.

finally made it to the Korean War Memorial

love this girl too!

And there you have it! How a weekend of no plans becomes a whirlwind tour of visiting both of my old college roomates. It's great to have such awesome people in your life. It's really hard when people start to spread out and get immersed in their new, busy lives. But it's so wonderful to have the chance to drop in and have a visit.

Friends and Family are, in fact, what makes life meaningful.

Wednesday Hodgepodge: Autumn Lives On

2011-11-02T14:38:00.003-04:00

Have you entered my, Sam, Kristine, Meghan and Caroline's Plenty To Be THANKful For Blog Swap? We're SUPER excited that Caroline is joining us in hosting this event! You have until November 8th to sign up and get paired with another blogger to send each other presents! Then make sure to check back on November 9th for the Challenge prompts! We are all SERIOUSLY excited about this, so sign up quick!

Thanks ALL!

---

I'm SUPER excited to be linking up again today for Joyce's HODGEPODGE :) I Love doing these things but yet seem to be slacking on them (or, blogging in general...) lately!

1. Who taught you to cook?

1/2 my mom

1/2 a curious nature & a love for cook books

2. Think too much? Perfectionist? Too sensitive?

If you could have met me when I was fencing in college,

you would know that I was

(and probably still am)

all of these things and so much more.

I like doing things, and I like doing them right.

I'm probably all of these to a fault.

But hey, it's me,

and I've learned to live with it :)

3. As a child, did you have a favorite blanket or toy?

I had (and still have!) both!

First, my blanket:

it was knitted by my maternal grandmother and it's awesome.

Seriously, it's survived 26+ years and looks like new.

My toy?

Pink Kitty.

Creativity with naming was not a strong suit as a child...

she's pink, and she's a cat.

Who is, sadly, no longer so pink.

She's more of a grey/well loved color these days.

She was given to me by my aunt & uncle,

and I love her.

And yes,

both still reside in my bed :)

4. What 'institution' do you have the most faith in?

This is really hard,

but I'd probably have to say Academia.

Degrees aside,

it's just one area which is constantly evolving and developing.

There's not much to hold it back,

and without it, we'd have quite the uneducated population.

5. Favorite in an Autumn garden?

First of all, I love that Joyce is from the NorthEast and uses 'autumn'

you only really ever hear 'fall' in the rest of the country :)

As for the plants? I think the burning bush is probably my favorite.

It's just so pretty.

6. What Superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posess

Sadly, no kids in the neighborhood.

So, invisibility maybe? :)

7. Cranberry? Yea or Nay?

Yea.

I love Cranberries.

Juice, fruit, sauce, etc.

8. Random Thought

there IS a holiday between Halloween & Christmas,

just in case you forgot,

it's called Thanksgiving.

Now, I LOVE Christmas.

Probably more than most people.

But, Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving have always bothered me.

But before Halloween? Really America? Really?

This is simply ridiculous.

I mean, Santa is already in the Mall.

What the heck?

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Blog Swap & Challenge}

2011-10-31T09:00:00.003-04:00

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to announce an awesome Blog Giveaway & Challenge that me, Kristine, Meghan, and Sam are hosting!

We're super excited about this! The challenge will be awesome - we'll announce the topics for the challenge on Friday, November 9th. The challenge will run from November 14 - November 25 (But not on the weekend days) and then on the 28th we'll post a link for you to post the reveals of your swaps :)

As for the swaps!

Please sign up on the link below by November 8 - and post (blog, tweet, etc!) about it so we can get more people involved!

The limit is $20-5 (not including postage) and should include things you're THANKful for :) After the partners are posted come back, find the link to your partner's blog, get to know them (this is really the most fun part!) and then make sure to mail your package out by November 17.

If you send anything that's liquid - like nail polish, lotion, etc - please make sure to put it in a zip-loc bag or wrap it real well! :)

What are you waiting for? Sign up now :)

HAPPY NOVEMBER!

- Courtney, Kristine, Meghan, Sam

Gone To Carolina...

2011-10-26T14:05:00.001-04:00

This weekend is Homecoming at UNC...

AND I'M GOING WITH MY DAD!

I cannot wait to walk on campus,

eat NC BBQ,

have a ballroom lesson,

eat NC BBQ,

wander around Franklin Street,

and just enjoy being home.

Happy Birthday, MOM!

2011-10-23T13:07:00.003-04:00

Today is a very important day!

It's my mom's birthday!

My mom is amazing!

She's my travel buddy,

my sounding board,

my [sometimes] Devil's advocate,

and so many other things.

But most importantly,

she's my best friend!

I LOVE YOU MOM!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

So, What You Doin' For The Rest Of Your Life?

2011-10-18T17:57:00.003-04:00

Guess who doesn't have an answer to that question just yet?

Yeah, me.

I don't feel so bad about that, actually

(sorry, mom and dad!).

However, I'm actively looking many directions,

PhD, Post-Bacc Pre-Med, etc,

and sending out emails to professors, coordinators, and students.

But today I sent the scariest email of all:

an inquiry to some professors at Cambridge.

Yes, Cambridge.

As in England.

As in the University of Cambridge.

As in one of the first and best universities.

As in:

Holy Crud!

Who am I?!

Also, if you have a moment,

please send out a prayer/good thought/good karma/etc

to a family friend Mr. U,

who is 94,

who is in essence one of my grandfathers,

and is strongly loved by many.

He had surgery today,

so if you could lift him up in your thoughts,

I'd be grateful.

Fall Favorite Swap Goodies!!

2011-10-14T15:38:00.005-04:00

So, a few weeks ago I entered to participate in the Fall Favorites Swap!

It was hosted by Caroline, Molly, and Mateya,

I was so lucky to be paired with Janna, from:

And let me tell you,

she SPOILED me rotten!

In my AMAZING package I got:

- ADORABLE slipper socks (they're mary-jane style! SO CUTE - I've been wearing them non-stop!)

- A 'Life is Good' Tshirt - in a beautiful green-blue (which I LOVE)

- Burts Bees pomegranate lip balm (MY FAVORITE!)

- Pumpkin hand lotion (smells AMAZING)

- A beautiful shade of nail polish!

- and a sweet SWEET card!

I LOVE Swaps,

and it's been SO fun to get to know Janna!

Go check out her blog, okay?!

The Blog Is Back In Town!

2011-10-04T10:19:00.005-04:00

Thank you,

Blogger Gods,

For reinstating my blog.

So,

what's new with all of you?

[credit]

Friday Fancies & Fall Blog Day 5

2011-09-23T15:50:00.005-04:00

First up:

Lon Distance Loving's Friday Fancies

I've missed linking up here,

sadly my program to make this really pretty is on the fritz

(and I'm too lazy to make it work).

So here's my look for the first day of fall:

Dress:

Boots:

Coat:

Seriously?

How perfect would that be for a day just running around town?

I'm in love.

Now,

who wants to buy them for me?

And now:

What are you looking forward to this fall?

Carving Pumpkins,

Decorating the front porch,

and stuffing myself silly at Thanksgiving.

How about you?

HodgePodge & Day Three

2011-09-21T19:54:00.005-04:00

I love a good HodgePodge :)

With Autumn really filling the air,

these questions are the perfect compliment

to the fading days of summer.

The Fall Challenge Day 3 is answered in Question # 8,

so if you're here from that,

read on :)

1. Chili?

I LOVE CHILI.

Yep, I said it. Almost all chili.

Red beans, white beans, no beans,

spicy, not spicy,

whatever.

On top?

Sour cream and cheese,

please.

2 Favorite Fall Color?

Don't make me pick!

I REFUSE.

I'm from New England,

this question is sacrilegious!

Fall isn't one color,

it's the combinations that create the magic.

3. Who did you idolize growing up?

I'm going to consider this the "Celebrity Crush" section,

and just post some pictures.

I loved the 90s!

4. When did you last do Arts & Crafts?

You do remember I worked at a summer camp, right?

I am a BEAST at Friendship bracelets.

5. What's a place that makes you really nervous?

Nursing homes.

I honestly cannot stand them.

And I really love old people.

But the smell? The look? The overall whole thing?

CREEP ME OUT.

Nervous is an understatement.

6. Horseback Riding?

YEA/YAY

Sometime soon,

when I get caught up on all those travel posts I owe you,

I will write about last weekend

when I went to the Jumper Classic.

I LOVE PONIES.

And really, really need to get on one again soon.

7. Favorite Cliche?

Everything is okay in the end:

If it's not Okay,

It's not the End.

Why?

Because it's so true.

Every Bad Thing has an end.

You ARE strong enough to wait it out.

8. Random Thought:

I'm gonna use this section to complete day 3 of:

Day 3: Favorite Halloween Tradition/Memory

I used to ALWAYS,

without fail,

dress up as a ballerina kitten.

Which meant:

ballet clothes,

cat face paint and ears.

However,

if you remember,

I live in New England.

Which means that the end of October?

FREEZING COLD.

Like, there were a few times there was snow

when I was out trick or treating.

COLD COLD COLD

What are your Halloween Memories?

all images from pinterest

{Fall Challenge: Day Two}

2011-09-20T21:05:00.003-04:00

Linking up again, though a bit late in the day.

Day Two: Fall Fashion

I'm not a huge fashionista these days,

what with no real reason to stray from sweatpants, jeans, etc.

But I do LOVE fall clothing.

So, here are somethings I love to wear in the autumn:

- Knee high brown leather boots

- Scarves

- Sweaters

- Autumn colors: deep oranges, scarlets, etc

- Pretty trench coats

- Vests

How about you?

What comes into your wardrobe

as summer goes out?

{Fall Challenge: Day One}

2011-09-19T09:00:00.003-04:00

I totally love blog challenges.

Which is why I am linking up with Neely and Amber for their Fall Blog Challenge. I particularly love these things when my life is uninteresting and I am wading through the blogger badlands, as I am now. So, this is the perfect remedy for my stint in boredom land.

So, here is Day 1: Fall Traditions

This is a tough one, because my falls always look so different.

Things I look forward to in the fall?

- Cute sweaters with jeans and boots

- Pumpkin flavored everything

- Decorating the exterior of where I live with Halloween things

- Transitioning to a more general fall/Thanksgiving decoration

- Sending silly cards to people I love

- Sweatshirts

- Crisp weather with bright, warm sunshine

- Apple Picking

_ Pumpkin Picking

- Apple Cider Doughnuts

- Jumping in piles of leaves

- Enjoying the random summer-like days that come around

So, there you have it, my "Fall Traditions"

What are yours?

43 Years Strong

2011-09-14T22:51:00.005-04:00

Today is my parent's 43rd wedding anniversary.

Yes, you read that right.

Forty-Third.

This picture is of them in Prague,

at the beginning of the day,

(the 24 hours we spent in the city, mind you)

after an over-night train ride in the tiniest sleeper-car ever

(are all sleeper cars tiny on trains?

i mean, this one had a bunk-bed, with three bunks)

So, you can tell why dad's not smiling that big

(but really, it's hard to get him to smile for a picture,

as in this picture from Paris is one of the only pictures

I have of him with a real, honest-to-goodness smile:

what's funny about that is that he's one of the funniest,

happy-go-lucky, constantly-making-jokes guys i know.

go figure about the pictures, right?)

Mom on the other hand, always smiling in pictures:

even when it's freezing and i'm making her try deep-fried foods.

Well, she's either smiling,

or making funny faces at the camera:

She's gonna kill me for posting that picture,

but you know what? I love it.

It's so my mom, if you know what I mean.

So, what you need to know:

they've been together forever.

Forever.

As in, they were high-school-sweethearts

(they'll both probably laugh when they read that),

but that's kinda cool.

I mean, really?

In a time when everyone and their brother seems to be divorcing,

here they are showing people that love exists.

Take that divorce rates.

They've lived in really random places together:

Freezing North Dakota,

Middle-of-the-Desert California,

Middle-of-Nowhere New York,

Pony-Land Kentucky,

and now Beautiful New Hampshire.

They've got me,

which makes them super awesome in my eyes.

They're partners.

Marriage is difficult, for sure - you're with someone forever.

In case you forgot,

that's a really, really long time.

You'll get on each other's nerves, for sure,

and you'll learn exactly which buttons to push to royally tick the other off,

and you'll push those buttons both on purpose and without realizing it,

but it's the getting over it and moving on to the next day that matters.

That's how 43 years happen,

and how 43 (or more!) more years will happen.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

I love you more than words!

Remember For Always

2011-09-11T20:21:00.002-04:00

I've sat all day trying to sort out what to write today.

Ten years later and sorting out how I feel -

what I think, words of consoling or hope, anything -

it's all still so impossible.

So, on that note,

all I can honestly say is:

Every moment of 9/11 will be in our hearts, always.

HodgePodge & All That

2011-09-07T09:15:00.006-04:00

It's been a while since I've linked up with Joyce @ From This Side Of The Pond! Seriously, it feels like AGES! So, here are my answers for this week's HodgePodge - why don't you go link up too? The questions are pretty awesome this week :)

1. What is one piece of advice you would give a 'just turning' 21 year old adult?

you don't need all the answers right now.

enjoy where you're at and where you're going,

it will all fall into place eventually

(but you WILL have to help it on its way, too)

2. One thing you're looking forward to fall.

the colors:

trees, clothing, decorations, etc

3. What sound lulls you to sleep?

the ocean.

4. Emergency kit/Disaster plan for your home?

get the people out,

get the pets out,

grab what you can that's important to you.

5. How has your/Has your blog changed since you started?

i've grown up,

it's grown up.

i've 'met' people through blogging,

which have altered posts

(ie. given me things to write about)

i moved to europe,

i blogged about it,

now i'm bored,

and blogging about it :)

6. Something you've recently learned how to do on the computer.

write a 98+ page thesis.

7. Is a picture really worth 1,000 words?

yes.

if not more.

they can bring you back to an exact moment,

remind you of specific people,

and they tell a story all on their own:

you wanted to capture that moment,

and you did.

8. Random:

things i like least about fall include:

rain, cold days, and ants invading my house.

also, i hate cover letters.

Better Late Than Never {Vol. 3: London}

2011-09-06T14:43:00.005-04:00

So, back in April I went on that crazy trip around the UK&Dublin.

I've told you about Cambridge.

I've told you about Dublin.

Here's my post on London!

(yes, FINALLY!)

It's going to be a bit picture heavy,

which I tend to like more than a rambling account,

but there's gonna be some talk too,

so don't you worry.

I went to London

a) to see it & experience it

and

b) to visit a friend, CE, from camp last year

It was worth every second on both accounts,

I really, really love England:

a lot more than I expected.

CE and I just wandered around both days that we had together.

Saw things I wanted to see, saw things she wanted to see.

Went to the British Museum,

ate Fish & Chips,

went on a "Jack the Ripper Walking Tour" from a company that Joyce @ From This Side of the Pond suggested to me (which was awesome, btw, thanks again Joyce!),

took way too many pictures,

and had SO much fun.

way too expensive for a ride,

but quite nice for a picture

our first day was the London Marathon

which meant streets were closed to traffic

it was amazing.

be warned,

this is the Tower Bridge,

NOT the London Bridge

a double decker bus,

with a HP promo?

how perfect!

me & CE

and Parliament

Big Ben & A Bobbie

for the record,

THAT'S the London Bridge

These are a few of my favorite things:

FiveFingers, Starbucks, and Einstein

Just a week before

the Royal Wedding :)

On the Jack the Ripper Tour

Basically, it was an awesome two days.

and for someone who never really planned on a trip to England,

I would totally recommend taking the time for a trip.

I LOVED Londontown.

(And later you'll get Serbia, Poland, Prague, and much, much more!)

26 Lessons For 26 Years

2011-08-26T10:00:00.001-04:00

Today I'm turning 26 - it's not as exciting a number as 25, but it's still a big deal to me. I love birthdays. I love that you get a whole day about you. Not for the presents or the attention. I could do without those on most days. But mainly because people you love - and often haven't talked to in a long while - call, stop by, email, whatever. Birthdays bring people together. And for that, I'm grateful.

Last year I posted 25 things I had learned over the course of my 25 years.

Today you're getting 26 more life lessons I've gathered over the years.

1. Take Risks - What's the point of living your life constantly surrounded by a safety net? You get one chance at this life. One chance to see all that you can see, do all that you can do. Can you do that without a risk or two?

2. Keep a Journal - Looking back over all the good (and not-so-good) times reminds you where you've come from. It shows you how you got to today. And knowing your past - appreciating it for all it's worth - is the key to growing and moving forwards.

3. Own a Pet - There is just something about the love of an animal that changes you. Everyone should experience that unconditional love, and try to emulate it.

4. Always Kiss/Hug Goodbye - You never know if it's the last time you'll see someone, make sure they know how important to you they are. (note: this isn't necessarily only considered on a morbid note. Rather, it comes from my leaving Budapest for the 'last' time. I left plenty of friends behind who I don't know if/when I will ever see again. But it's also about the morbid side of things too. I'm SO thankful that I got to kiss my great aunt goodbye a final time. That's something that she and I will have forever.)

5. Build Snowforts & Snowmen - Enjoy every moment of childishness you can. It keeps you young. Playing in the snow is FUN. Yeah, it's a pain and makes driving a pain, but it's fun and beautiful and should be enjoyed.

6. Unplug - We spend so much time plugged into something (computer, phone, television, etc). The world really does exist outside of the electric. Which is funny, writing on a blog on the internet about how much better the real world is ;) But really, life took over this summer - I got off the internet and ENJOYED it. Turn it off, see people, see the world.

7. Don't Text At The Table - This is directly tied to the previous one, but I think it merits being highlighted on it's own. If you're out to dinner or eating in, you're at that table to be with the people that you're with. Actually engage in that moment - listen, talk, laugh, whatever. But be there, in that moment, and enjoy life.

8. Cook - Sure, going out to dinner is fun. But what's more fun for you (and your wallet) is having people over for a meal. Flex your culinary prowess and show off what you can do in the kitchen. Nothing brings people together like a meal in your home.

9. Smile Even When You Don't Have a Reason - You DO have a reason. You're alive. If you're in a bad mood, a blah mood, or no mood - a simple smile can change everything around.

10. Don't Be Friends With People On Facebook You Aren't Friends With In Real Life - Do you really want them knowing everything that you post there? Staying 'friends' with people to stalk their ups and downs isn't that great - 'cause they get to do the same with you.

11. Send Your Kids To Summer Camp - Though I don't have kids, working as a counselor has taught me just how important those experiences are to kids. Send them somewhere that they have to unplug and live outside for a week. It will change them in ways you will never understand (and they will change their counselor's lives in ways they/you/the counselors will never understand).

12. Go Outside - Camp. Hike. Swim in the Ocean. Swim in a lake. Stargaze. Whatever. Enjoy the nature that surrounds you for all that it's worth. This planet? This Earth? It's quite the amazing place when you take a few minutes or days to just soak it all in.

13. Do Something Every Once & A While Just For You - Pedicures. A movie by yourself. Reading a book in a cafe. Anything. Treat yourself to some 'me time' and enjoy your own company.

14. Call Mom & Dad Daily (If Possible) - They're the most important people in your life. The ones that will love you NO MATTER WHAT. So many kids these days think they're too cool for their parents, or too busy. You're not. You are who you are and where you are because of them. You love them, they love you.

15. Read (& Find A Book That Changes Your Life) - There are so many worlds out there (fiction & non; fantasy & non; etc) that can change your perception of the world you live in. So many books have moved me, shaped me, changed me. Some have (literally) saved my friends lives. And some stay with you forever (The Phantom Tollbooth). But you have to open a book to find them.

16. Don't Text & Drive - It's stupid and pointless and dangerous. Both to you and anyone else on the road that you're driving on. Whatever it is you want to say CANNOT be more important than your life, or any other life that's within your proximity.

17. Don't Buy 'Stuff' - If you're on vacation, a photograph is the best memory you can have. There are certain things that you want/should buy when traveling (Sweater in Ireland, Glass in Venice, etc), but if you think it will end up in a drawer or closet, don't waste your money. The same philosophy can be used when contemplating almost ANY purchase.

18. Don't Keep Stuff - If it's important, keep it. If it's not, toss it/sell it/donate it/etc it. Clutter is clutter. You don't need it.

19. Have Hobbies - Otherwise you sit around bored. We were made to DO things. So find the ones that you enjoy, and do them.

20. Stick Up For What You Believe In (But Listen, Too) - You have your own beliefs and dreams and opinions and ideas. Share them. Debate them. It's only when we compare and discuss ours with others that the world can grow; that we can grow. Our evolution as humans depends on this.

21. Follow Your Dreams - Don't give up on things because you think you can't do them. You only can't do them if you let yourself stop trying or give them up. We are capable of so much, if we only try.

22. Pay The Toll For The Car Behind You - Or, try to do a good deed every once and a while, just because. Doing something nice and unexpected for a complete stranger may just be the thing that changes their (or your) life.

23. Take Your Vitamins - Seriously. It's good for you. Just do it :)

24. Support Your Troops - You don't have to support the war if you don't want to. But support the people who are already over there, risking their lives and happiness and futures, so that you can have yours. Take a second every now and then and just think about what that means.

25. Love Your Friends - They're the family you get to chose. Appreciate them, never take them for granted.

26. Be YOU - Dr. Seuss had it completely right: "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." Embrace it, enjoy it. Don't try to change it or adapt it for anyone other than You.

Back To Reality

2011-08-23T15:31:00.003-04:00

Oh. My. Word. Hello Blog World!

It's been a while, hasn't it? I cannot believe how far off the hypothetical blogging-map I've fallen. Seriously. Grad school ends, I graduated (that will get it's own post sometime soon, I hope), I traveled to Poland and Prague (both will also get their own posts), came home to the US (with no return trip booked, yet), and then worked at camp for a full summer.

And now? It's almost fall (seriously, I had an iced Pumpkin coffee at Dunkin's today). The weather is getting cooler (though I love fall weather, truth be told). And I have a road-trip to potentially plan.

Oh, and I turn 26 on Friday!

Wait, did I just type 26?!?! What. The. Heck!?!?! How did that happen? Well, there will be my "Top 26 Things I've Learned By 26" post on Friday, hopefully. So, that's that.

How are you all? I promise to really write some updates and real posts soon. I've got all the time in the world now :)

I'm Alive!

2011-07-11T12:17:00.001-04:00

...and back in the US! annnnnnd at camp!!!!!

here's why I'm too busy to post a real post right now:

I'll try to get back to you all soon! MISS YOU!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-06-12T16:14:00.002-04:00

I haven't been the best blogger as of late, sorry. The end of the school year - finishing and turning in my thesis - kind of got in the way of writing on much of anything other than my thesis topic. And now I've been focused on defending that thesis (4pm, tomorrow). But, that aside I wanted to get one important blog post written, that I should have done last week.

You see, June 7 was my daddy's birthday! It's days like that - holidays, birthdays - that I miss being home SO much. I really just wanted to be home last tuesday and enjoy some birthday pie with my parents.

You have to understand - I'm an only child. That means (among other things) that my parents are my world. And, me? Daddy's little girl. Totally. My dad is amazing. He's my rock. He's not only an amazing father, but an amazing person all around. He was in the Air Force, he now is a nurse in the NICU (and is AMAZING at his job), and he just has the biggest heart of any man I've ever met.

And, on top of that - we have a great time whenever we're together. Be jealous. I have the BEST family.

Happy Birthday Dad!

I LOVE YOU!

Friday Fancies #2

2011-06-10T03:25:00.004-04:00

S0, I'm trying this again :)

linking up with {av} for another week

and it's nautical themed!

I love the ocean, so this was both easy and hard for me!

1. Porthole Necklace - GwenDelicious

2. Polka-doted Slides - Franco Sarto

3. Sailing into the Sunset - Mod Cloth

4. Pyramid Mesh Convertible in Gold - Whiting & Davis

5. Original WayFarers in Red - Ray Bans

Doesn't that just make you want to be on a sailboat in the middle of the beautiful ocean?

I know it does for me!

cover-letter-hell

2011-06-05T14:55:00.003-04:00

I, as many of you all know, have been planning on going back and going to med-school when all this crazy Budapest life is over. I like that idea. I like the idea of going into a field where my life becomes less about me and more about helping the people in the world around me.

However, I have recently found out that a dream job of mine is open. One which I think I'm specially made to be in. Essentially it's a fundraising job for a charity which I adore, and that? That I could see myself doing for a career. Same thing: helping the people in the world around me.

The point that I hate: Cover Letters.

I am in cover-letter-HELL right now. Seriously. This is how they phrase things they're looking for in an applicant:

"You have an innate social intelligence. You can relate to all types of people -- from bankers, fashionistas, techies, janitorial staff, to entertainment executives -- and you’re a skilled conversationalist. You enjoy meeting new people; developing and maintaining relationships is a natural tendency. You are likable, engaging, interesting and interested. If you walk into a room of 50 people, each would be excited to invite you to dinner at their home. "

"You’re comfortable asking for money and are not afraid to say no. You possess a keen ability to sell ideas and close deals. "

Yes, these things? They're me - to a T. But? How do you write a cover letter that expresses these things without saying: LOOK AT ME?!?! LOOK HOW AMAZING AND AWESOME AND SOCIALLY PERFECT I AM?!?!?!

Anybody?

Bueller?

{friday fancies]

2011-06-03T16:14:00.004-04:00

I've been so scared to link up with {av} because,

seriously, everyone always has such pretty layouts for their ideas.

And me?

I'm computer dumb. I'm also somewhat 'high end fashion' dumb.

Or so I thought!

So, here goes nothing for my first Friday Fancies!

"Summer Stroll"

[click to enlarge]

1. Whiting & Davis - Slouchy Hobo

2. Yves Saint-Laurent - Palais Peep Toe Pumps

3. Elie Tahari - Resort Collection 2012

4. SimpleDaisy - Nautical Navigation

Seriously, what says summer more than an outfit inspired by the beach?

The warm yellow of the dress combined with the teals in the shoes and the hint of it in the necklace. This look is all about subtle chic. Kinda a bohemian summer vibe, don'tya think? Throw in a cute bag for fun, and you have a perfect look to stroll down the boardwalk this summer!

The In Between

2011-05-31T07:19:00.004-04:00

I just realized I have less than a month left in my Great European Adventure. Is that crazy to anyone else? As cliché as it sounds, I really feel like I was writing this post yesterday, excited about the possibilities, just getting started on this new segment of my life.

And now? I'm about to say goodbye to that part of my life. I'm honestly at a loss for words over the whole thing. It's crazy. Time flies faster and faster very day that I get closer to leaving. It's really weird to think I won't be going on another transatlantic flight come September. Those long trips have become part of my routine, so even that's strange!

I do know I'm going back to camp this summer. That's going to be totally awesome, and I honestly cannot wait for that to begin. A lot of my friends are coming back, so I've got a good group to hang out with all summer. It's nice to have a healthy dose of nonsense in your life once in a while!

I still am not quite sure of where I'm going next with my life after camp. But I'm pretty sure whatever it is, it'll be awesome. And I'm pretty sure you'll be reading all about it (and the decision making process to get me to there!)!

So, here's to doors opening and closing, and the life that comes in between!

We Find In The Sea

2011-05-30T07:17:00.004-04:00

maggie and milly and molly and may

went down to the beach(to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang

so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles, and

milly befriended a stranded star

whose rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing

which raced sideways while blowing bubbles: and

may came home with a smooth round stone

as small as a world and as large as alone.

for whatever we lose(like a you or a me)

it's always ourselves we find in the sea

- e.e. cummings

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

I can't wait to get home and find a me in the sea :)

Silent Sundays: Trip To Dublin

2011-05-29T16:16:00.003-04:00

So, remember I went to Cambridge?

Next stop after that on my whirlwind trip of the Islands was Dublin.

Here's what that looked like:

Spring!

The most delicious Crepe ever at Lemon

(avocado, cheese, other deliciousness)

Christ's Church Cathedral

Outside the Jameson Distillery

Oh My Goodness! My Guinness!

At Trinity College Dublin

Dublin :)

Guinness Factory Tour!

Sain Patrick's Cathedral

Dublin Castle

Guest Blogging

2011-05-27T09:11:00.002-04:00

I may be living a really boring life post-thesis.

Oh wait! I forgot to tell you all:

I FINISHED MY THESIS!!!!!!!!

Overjoyed doesn't even begin to cover it!

But now, I'm enjoying every single moment of boredom.

So, in light of nothing to say at the moment,

please, go read my guest post today over at Meghan's blog:

The Perfect Compilation Tape

xoxo

Saturday Pretties

2011-05-21T04:48:00.003-04:00

My thesis is due Monday,

at noon.

I'm actually not as freaked out as I thought I would be.

That's a win, right?

But, I still have a lot of work to do,

and should not be blogging...

but I needed a break!

So, I'm just gonna share some pretties,

and some inspiration.

What's inspiring you this Saturday?

all images we[heart]it

Better Late Than Never {Vol.1}.

2011-05-17T12:56:00.003-04:00

So...

a while back i took a whirlwind trip of the UK.

Well, Cambridge, Dublin, and London.

(note, Dublin? Not part of the UK.)

(which I knew, but it still confuses me.)

And I promised for eons that I would write a post about it.

And since I have a few minutes

(and I finished a ROUGH rough draft of my thesis

and decided to reward myself)

I'm gonna tell you a little about it!

Up today: Cambridge

If you don't follow me on Twitter,

I'll catch you up a little on the backstory

I went to Cambridge to present a paper

at a conference I was invited to

(on my exact thesis topic, nonetheless!).

Needless to say,

I was SO nervous the whole time I was preparing for the trip.

THE people who wrote THE books in my field,

they were going to be there.

My external advisor/reader?

Yeah, he was there too

(and is also one of THE people).

It's the first conference I've attended,

let alone presented at!

What a way to start, no?

At Cambridge?

Anyway,

when I arrived at Heathrow

(via Munich from Budapest)

I made my way to the Underground

to King's Cross to get a ticket for the train to Cambridge.

For all you Harry Potter nerds out there like me,

my train left from Platform 9.

SO! CLOSE!

I still had hopes the train would get mixed up

and take me to Hogwarts instead.

But, to Cambridge I went.

The train trip was lovely,

The English countryside is beautiful.

When I got to Cambridge I hopped in a Taxi to take me to King's College.

And my taxi driver?

Most AWESOME dude ever.

He talked to me the whole way,

told me where to eat,

what to see,

and where to get the best pictures of King's

(though, I've decided it's impossible to get a bad picture of the place!)

He was hilarious, and I was laughing the whole trip!

The conference went well,

the people were lovely and SO helpful.

I didn't faint when I gave my paper,

and I didn't say anything stupid!

Go me!

They fed us constantly

tea, coffee, sandwiches,

dinners, desserts,

breakfast in the King's Dining Hall

(which really could have been in Hogwarts!)

It was amazing.

My room was in King's College Gardens,

which are incredibly beautiful,

and you can only get into them if you're a fellow or a guest

of the college, so it was a pretty awesome privilege.

I learned a lot about Cambridge University too.

As in there isn't really a "Cambridge University"

The University is essentially a collection of colleges

which act and function independently of the University system.

Cool, no? Oxford is exactly the same too.

So, Enough talk,

here's some pictures:

How NOT To Write A Thesis {Vol.3}

2011-05-15T05:09:00.002-04:00

COUNTDOWN:

(for those playing along at home)

1 week

1 day

Due: 23 May

-----

Volume Three brings us to an important topic:

Naps

They say that you only do good work when you're well rested.

Naps make you well rested, right?

I mean, my brain always feels more refreshed after a nap

(and then a cup of coffee, a snack, and some music to settle me into writing)

But it's that dang snooze button

(btw. 'snooze' ? strangest looking word ever.)

My half hour naps end up as hour-and-a-half naps.

So, the question is then,

to nap, or not to nap?

How NOT To Write A Thesis {Vol.2}

2011-05-12T03:20:00.000-04:00

Ah, procrastination may be the death of me

(or at least this thesis!)

So, in volume two of

How NOT To Write A Thesis

I give you: EMAIL

---

You know how sometimes when you have deadlines approaching,

you let emails sit in your inbox and say you'll get around to them

when you've finally turned in that project?

well, one certain way to take time away from your work?

Open up your inbox and vow to get it down under 20.

This is even better when it was over 50 before you started...

Even better when the emails that require a 1 line reply

wind up getting a few paragraphs about what's going on in your life,

and your "plans" for after you turn in your thesis.

Seriously.

Replying to emails is important, right?

...Right?

The Eclectic HodgePodge

2011-05-11T03:10:00.004-04:00

Another Wednesday,

another HodgePodge with Joyce!

Link up with her,

play along!

1. How many times have you moved house?

Six times to date.

I'm counting the move to my dorm in NC as only once

(I lived in the same dorm for 3 years),

Each move between apartments counts;

and I'm only counting the first move to Budapest.

2. What subject would you study if you had a year to devote it?

Cooking. In Italy. Tuscany, please!

I'd love to take a year

and just learn all their secrets.

3. What in this world breaks your heart?

SO many things.

Seriously.

Let's just see 2 charities that I think we should all donate to:

Charity:Water

having acces to clean water is something

everyone ought to have

ASPCA

animal cruelty is unacceptable.

there's no reason for it.

4. What is one thing that symbolizes the time in which you live? Why?

Laptops/Internet.

I was going to say cell phones,

but really - I think laptops are more prominent.

It's how people stay in contact with friends and family,

how people get their work done,

how people meet new people (dating websites, blogging friends, etc),

make plans for travel,

et.

You get my point?

5. Favorite bumper sticker/t-shirt slogan?

6. How do you like your spaghetti?

Made by my dad.

7. Advice for a soon-to-be graduate?

You've still got time to do the things you want to do.

Graduation doesn't mean 'freedom' is over.

8. Random Thought

11.5 days left until my thesis is due

Those Who Blog Together {Vol.4} Music

2011-05-10T12:53:00.003-04:00

You know what I've realized?

Having prompts once a week rock.

If you wanna play along either

email me

(to get the link-up codes)

or just play along & add your link at the bottom!

This week's topic: Music

Next week's topic: Travel

---

When I was in elementary school we had the chance to pick up an instrument and learn to play. I picked the flute because, well, wasn't that the instrument all little girls wanted to play? I actually don't remember this very much, sadly. I have vague recollections of private lessons on the flute at my music teacher's house and playing in some sort of performances that parents went to and clapped their hearts out no matter how bad we sounded. They are our parents, that was their job, right?

But anyways, that was how I started playing an instrument. Fast forward to 7th grade. Me and my best friend both played the flute. Band was horrible, really horrible. Our teacher was some sort of reincarnation of the Devil (no, really - I think at one point those of us that sat in the flute section were trying to sort out the most painful subsection of hell that he might have been sent to in Dante's world). Granted, he was nothing compared to the monster who we would have in High School. But that's another story.

8th grade was our one saving grace of Band in school. Our teacher was amazing. She wanted band to be fun, she wanted us to actually enjoy playing. Of course she wanted us to sound good at the end of the year concert, but she wanted us to enjoy the year between the first day of classes and that performance. That woman was amazing, and me and my best friend loved her.

She even taught us how to play the trumpet over our lunch breaks (mind you, aside from being sick of the flute and really wanting to learn how to play the trumpet instead, my best friend developed a crush on one of the trumpet players, and our band teacher thought us learning to play was an excellent solution to this situation).

The trumpet, for that year, was one of the best things to happen to me in Middle School. Or maybe the fact that we had a teacher that cared about us - someone who loved music and wanted to share that love with her students.

You see, music is something we all carry around inside us. It's why songs can trigger so many emotions, can bring you back to a place, and can push you to move, and feel, and live. To have a teacher that believed that was an incredible part of school for me. Honestly, my memories of Middle School are slim. It's not that I hated them or anything, but they just aren't that important to me. But hanging out, learning how to play a beautiful instrument with my best friend and a teacher that cared? Those are the memories that stick with you.

Music, as well as the teachers who teach it, can be influential - both positively and negatively. I'm glad to have had one teacher who showed me both how important music can be and how important it is to have the proper teacher to guide you through it. Thank your music teachers, sign your kids up for music lessons, go and clap at their bad performances. All those things? They matter.

To Put Into Words

2011-05-08T04:45:00.003-04:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!

It's impossible, really,

to put into words what my mommy means to me.

I tried last year,

that went pretty well

(and still holds true today).

But I'm really at a loss for words

on how to explain just how awesome my mom is.

I mean,

everyone says that their mom is the best in the world,

but really,

my mom is :)

So, I'm gonna just leave it at that:

Mom,

I love you!

You mean the world to me!

Love, Court

----

And just for fun:

all images from we[heart]it

Those Who Blog Together {Vol.3} DISAPPOINTMENT

2011-05-07T13:52:00.000-04:00

Synchroblogging is hard work.

For something that I deemed to be

'as laid back as possible'

ah, but i am loving having things to write on.

i'm loving going back and telling stories,

and i hope you're enjoying reading/playing along!

just as a note: if you want to join email me,

but you don't have to 'join' to play along.

all 'joining' does is get you emails from moi

with a huge list of topics in advance,

and the code to have the link-thing on your blog.

so, either 'join'

or simply play along, okay?

it's fun.

i promise.

and now? it's weekly! yay!

this week's topic is: disappointment

next week's topic is: Music

---

Way back when I was a senior in high school I spent much of the months of April and May waiting {del}impatiently for my acceptance letters from colleges I had applied to months before. I had applied to a large handful of them. The appropriate number of safety, attainable, and reach schools. The majority of them had fencing programs that I would have loved to have been a part of, great teams with wonderful records.

But, let's be honest, there was really only one school I wanted to go to: UNC-Chapel Hill. (For the sake of reading this, let's pretend that you don't know that I did wind up there, okay?) It was a reach school, for sure. But it had a fencing program that I meshed with, a campus I loved, and winters with less snow than my native New England. I was sold. In my mind I was already going to UNC in the fall. There were no questions about it in my mind.

Acceptance and rejection letters came in on various days. Each with their own set of happy and devastating emotions. I mean, who doesn't love being told that you're 'the perfect fit' and doesn't hate being rejected? No matter how little attachment I had to a school, I still got the butterflies in my stomach every time I got a letter from one of them in the mail.

That was, until one day a little white envelope came in the mail with the UNC logo in the return address space. Now, usually little white envelopes = heartbreak and disappointment. But days earlier I had gotten an acceptance letter in one (with a note that a large packet would be on its way shortly), so I had my hopes up for the same from UNC.

And then, well, I opened the letter.

Disappointment is perhaps a far too mild term for what I was feeling at that moment. I cried. A lot. You can ask my parents. I cried, and I cried, and then I shut down. I sent a short email to the fencing coach at UNC, thanking him for everything he had done for me, telling him that I was planning on going somewhere small and working my butt off so I could transfer to UNC the following year. I signed the email, I sent it and I cried some more.

When I calmed down again, I realized that I wanted out of the house. I wanted away from that white envelope with that "Dear Ms....." letter tucked neatly inside it. I wanted some air. So I grabbed my keys (thank God I was done crying...tears, anger, and driving would have been a bad combination) and headed to the mall with a paycheck I had just deposited.

Retail therapy was fun at that point, but it didn't help. I have very vivid memories of that afternoon at the mall. The shoes I bought for myself (totally impractical, but fun), the cute skirt I bought. I ignored calls from anyone who was trying to call me. I was in my own little world - a world where this Hermione Granger didn't get accepted to her Hogwarts (to keep up the metaphor from the previous post).

I was pissed.

Until I got home that is, when I (loaded down with bags of goodies) opened my email and the first thing staring back at me was an email from my coach that started:

"Dear Courtney, Don't worry. We have not yet begun to fight this."

All of a sudden there was my hope. A bright light shining threatening to burn up that stark white envelope with its impersonal rejection letter.

There was disappointment, but it was holding on for dear life at that point.

Work. It. Out.

2011-05-05T09:16:00.002-04:00

Ah, an excuse to take a break!

Thanks to Meghan (@ The Perfect Compilation Tape)

Is again hosting her "Top 5 Thursdays"

(which I love, because I love lists SO much)

and this week's topic is:

Top 5 Workout Songs

Now, if you know me at all,

or at least read this blog occasionally,

you know I tend to define myself, my moods, my phases,

my whatever, through two things:

quotes & music.

So, yeah.

Narrowing it down to 5 songs?

Next-to-impossible.

But I did it.

You'll note here that I'm a strange work-out-music-listener.

I can't stand the loud, techno, pumping beats

when I work out. Because, really?

It makes my eardrums feel like they're going to pop,

and that's one less pain I need when I'm already bustin'-butt.

So, my jams?

They tend to still have a beat,

but it's a little softer, and hidden a little.

I've also tried in this Top-5

to showcase some of my more eclectic tastes in music.

Hey, Meghan said she wanted new tunes to run to,

I didn't want to recycle the oldies

(but at least one did make the list!)

Have I talked enough yet?

Can you tell I'm the world's best procrastinator?

Fine, fine, fine!

My list:

1. "Home" Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

2. "I Run To You" - Lady Antebellum

3. "New Great Divide" Hanson

(seriously? Hanson on the blog twice in two days?

Alicia, you better appreciate this...)

4. "Snow is Gone (Hello Starling)" Josh Ritter

(ps. isn't he just the happiest performer you've ever seen?!)

5. "Get What You Give" New Radicals

(oh, the throwback!)

Hope that helps, Meghan!

...hmm,

maybe "How NOT to Write A Thesis {Vol.2}"

should be

"Play Along With Blog Link-Ups"

...

Nah.

How NOT to Write a Thesis {Vol.1}

2011-05-04T17:22:00.002-04:00

I really guess 'log into blogger' ought to be my first post,

but, let's just ignore that fact okay?

You know, that little fact,

that writing a blog post about procrastination on the thesis

is in itself procrastination?

Yeah, let's forget that one, deal?

-----

Things you should not do when trying to frantically write a thesis:

Log onto YouTube

You will get stuck in a cycle that looks something like this:

and, oh God,

it goes on and on and on.....

Quote-A-Saurus {Vol.2}

2011-05-03T16:19:00.010-04:00

I've been making a list of things they don't teach you at school. They don't teach you how to love somebody. They don't teach you how to be famous. They don't teach you how to be rich or how to be poor. They don't teach you how to walk away from someone you don't love any longer. They don't teach you how to know what's going on in someone else's mind. They don't teach you what to say to someone who's dying. They don't teach you anything worth knowing.

[Neil Gaiman, The Kindly Ones]

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I hope things are going BEAUTIFULLY with you

and Spring is surrounding you with her beauty

and her warmth and her promise of renewal

and things to come.

I'm stressed beyond measure,

honestly & truthfully.

But I'm trying to find time

to focus on all the things

which make me smile

and the things I'm thankful for:

- sunrises over the BP suburbs

- fun Disney songs coming up on my playlists

- silly tweets between bloggy-friends

(and future dates to see Hanson with said friends)

(don't you dare judge us!)

- coffee, coffee, and more delicious coffee

(but not at 8:30PM, thanks Sam!)

- stockpiles of mini Reeses PB Cups and Goldfish

- finishing an amazing book, whose memory is still with me:

The Name of the Wind (P. Rothfuss)

- runs in my Fivefingers

- that this too shall pass

What are you thankful for right now?

What is making you smile?

What do you know that I could add to my list?

Those Who Blog Together {Vol.2}

2011-05-02T03:40:00.008-04:00

Sorry I'm a little late to the Link Up Party!

I was in Serbia, and my access to internet was limited (at best),

and my time was monopolized by climbing up castles and such.

Rules are the same: no real rules!

Email me if you want to join: courtneyschaostheory@gmail.com

~~This week's~~ Last Week's Topic was: School

-----

Ha, the last thing in the world I want to be thinking about now, as I sit here in my tiny white dorm room writing my Master's Thesis. School. Where to begin? What story to tell?

When I was in elementary school I was probably the biggest nerd ever. No, not much has changed, but I feel like that title is something you grow into, not something which sits easily in your younger years.

Now, I wasn't the nerd with the big glasses that kids picked on (thankfully. nor did I pick on other kids, thankyouverymuch). Instead I was the nerd that raised her hand at every question, volunteered to do projects for the teacher, and loved everything that had to do with learning in school.

I was Hermione Granger.

Minus the cool magical prowess, sadly.

But I digress. I was a nerd. I didn't act out, I didn't misbehave (unless too much enthusiasm counted as misbehaving). I never, ever, ever got in trouble.

Except this one time, in second grade when I had this evil arch-enemy whose sole purpose in life was to destroy me (and the world, if we're going for stark over dramatic overtones of this story). We'll call her Emily, to protect the not-so-innocent.

Well Emily and I had to sit at a table together for quiet reading. I loved quiet reading. But Emily would notshutup! She kept whispering to me, disrupting my studious little self from whatever second grade book I happened to be reading. I shushed her many times, but she still kept talking to me. And the teacher, who was across the room, kept shushing our table.

Finally the teacher had enough with the shushing and came over and asked who was talking.

Without hesitation Emily pointer her gross, second grade finger at me. The teacher (believing Emily, thus making her judge and jury) sent me to the timeout table for a week.

A WEEK!

This table sat separated from the rest of the classroom, tucked in the back. And offered no ability to talk to friends during any time we sat at the tables.

I was horrified! How did I get in trouble? I was only shushing her just like the teacher!

Did I mention it was a WEEK of ostracization?! A WEEK!

That's forever in kid time, in case you forgot. I was so glad when that week was up.

This little nerd was not very happy at all.

But, I survived my little tale of non-crime & punishment.

Quote-a-saurus

2011-04-24T17:40:00.003-04:00

"Joy is sometimes a blessing, but it is often a conquest. Our magic moment helps us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes, we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments - but all of this is transitory; it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride and faith at the journey we have taken.'

[Paulo Coelho]

I don't know about you,

but I needed that today.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail!

2011-04-23T06:45:00.005-04:00

Happy Easter!

(okay, I'm a day early, I know)

but still,

HAPPY EASTER!

I'm a little melancholy this year about Easter.

Lent is over,

I can have a soda tomorrow,

but I don't really want to.

I have a giant box of candy & Rice Krispies Treats

that my parents sent for Easter,

which makes me so happy.

But I really want to be home,

having Easter dinner with my family,

rather than hanging out in my dorm room,

and writing my thesis.

Somehow, being here for Easter is a little harder

than being here for Thanksgiving.

I think it's because we had 'Thanksgiving"

with friends here, so it felt like it happened.

But Easter? There's no Easter dinner planned,

no big gathering. Nada.

I would just much rather be home.

But you know? I'll probably be home next year, right?

So, one year of Easter abroad I can do.

Right?

So, Happy Easter!

Remember the reason we celebrate, okay?

And he departed from our sight that we might
return to our heart, and there find Him.
For He departed, and behold, He is here.

[St Augustine]

all images from we [heart]it

HodgePodge: Project Procrastination

2011-04-20T05:08:00.003-04:00

You! Go link up! Play along!

Since I'm trying to get back into thesis-writing pretty hard-core today, HodgePodge is a perfect way to get a moment to blog. For those keeping score: I'm back in Budapest. My pockets are much lighter, but my heart, soul, and camera are quite full. It was an amazing trip, which I am trying to figure out how the heck I'm going to be able to blog it all! Seriously.

So, to procrastinate from both thesis and blogging I present.....

1. What are you plans for Easter?

Sadly they will probably only include writing my thesis. I hope to get out for a run though (if the weather cooperates), to enjoy the spring and everything that comes with Easter. Oh and gorge on candy. Because. I. Can.

2. Besides Jesus, who would you like the meet from the Bible? Why?

I was wavering on this one. Mary Magdalene? Peter?

Then I realized: Judas.

Not your typical answer, right?

But really, I'd like to hear his side of the story.

He's been the scapegoat for so long,

so recognized as the evil figure of the Bible,

so many phrases and superstitions rose up out of his bad name.

But was he a bad guy? Or just a guy with a bad rep?

3. One modern convenience that you didn't have as a child that was easy to live without?

The internet.

God, it's so nice, so convenient.

I'm so glad to have it,

to keep up with some friends I would have lost,

to make new friends (like you!),

to get answers in a snap.

But really?

Life pre-internet? So much easier.

Handwritten letters,

news on paper and on TV only,

etc, etc, etc.

I guess I didn't miss it,

because I didn't know it.

But now people cannot get off of it.

I hate when I'm at dinner and a friend checks their email

(though, i've been known to do that on occasion

when on vacation,

but mostly to alert my parents that yes, i am still alive and safe

and I feel bad every.single.time. i do it.)

4. More Left or Right Brained?

According to the Quiz Joyce posted

I am:

51% Left Brained

49% Right Brained

I like to think that means I am using both sides to their greatest capacity. But, it makes sense to me. I am an equal split in interests - Medieval History MA with plans to go to Med School? How else would that be possible?

5. Something you intended to do today, but didn't? Why?

It's too early in the day to fully answer that question,

but if I have to look into the future,

I think either finishing this paper or going for a run won't happen,

though I would love for both of them to.

6. Cadbury Cream Eggs or Reeses Peanyt Butter?

Reeses.

All the way.

Cadbury Cream eggs are gross.

(Though I did buy some Cadbury Caramel eggs in Heathrow yesterday;

I do love those)

7. Favorite cartoon character as a kid?

Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers

I loved Chip & Dale

and I don't think I can separate them out

to tell you who I liked better ;)

8. Random Thought?

I'm seriously trying to figure out how to get back to London/Cambridge.

I LOVED it there. So. Much.

oh,

and that thesis?

Due in about a month and 3 days.

EEEEEE!

first 4 images via we[heart]it

last image: via ME :)

Those Who Blog Together... {Vol.1}

2011-04-10T06:44:00.010-04:00

Welcome to the first edition of our Synchroblog! We're calling it "Those Who Blog Together..." If you want to get in on the party shoot me an email (courtneyschaostheory@gmail.com) - and I will hook you up (so you can get topics ahead of time, the codes to put the link up into your post, etc!). But also - anyone is welcome to just write and link up whenever they want too! It's totally a free form blogging party - you write at some point during the week, and then you link up. Simple! So, enjoy!

This week's topic is pets! So, if you want to join up, just link up at the bottom!

--------
Raising Phoenix

My senior year of college started out with mixed feelings of melancholy and elation. It was my senior year - three years of hard work were under my belt and I was going to graduate with a BA in Psychology and History. I couldn't have been happier with my academic life at UNC. My senior year also saw me and a good friend moving into our very first apartment. We had searched long and hard the year before and had finally found the perfect place to call home. We moved in August and were just starting to get our first taste of the 'adult world.' Life, in general, was good.

Fast forward to October. I was having a lousy day so, as I was driving, I made my way over to the local SPCA just for a look around to cheer me up. There were a billion people in there wandering around, adopting cats and dogs. And I realized, I want a cat! But I didn't know how feasible that was for me, with the apartment, with fencing every weekend, with homework, with, with, with. Moment of realization gone; I figured I'd wait and talk it over with a few people (roommate, parents, etc).

And then it happened. This tiny little grey ball of fuzz and legs walked right to the front of her cage, mewed this tiny little mew (once), and sat and cocked her head sideways and stared at me.

A million things started going through my head. Well, maybe if she's still here tomorrow.... NO! You idiot! That cat just picked YOU out! So, I did the completely nonsensical thing and asked to play with her to see how we got along. You know, why not, right?

And well, I was sold.

Not knowing anything about my apartment pet policies (but I knew they allowed pets - neighbors had dogs) or what my roommate would think, I put a deposit down on her. She was still too tiny to take home - they have to be over 2-lbs to be neutered/spayed and you can't take them home until they've been neutered/spayed. So I would have to wait about 2-3 weeks to take her home.

But I, somewhat haphazardly, had my cat.

Thankfully the roommate was on board. The parents were a little more apprehensive about me taking care of another living creature, but they were on board. And the apartment complex (after a little extra $) was on board.

And you know what? It was the best decision I've made.

Phoenix is the craziest cat with the craziest personality you'll ever meet. Having her has been one of the greatest things I've experienced. And she's pretty cute too. A little awkwardly shaped, yes. She's all legs and tail - long and skinny (or at least she was until she went to live with my parents these last two years - thanks mom & dad!). Her tail is seriously over a foot long!

But, no matter what, I seriously love this cat:

first night home!

Music Thursdays

2011-04-07T04:05:00.002-04:00

If you hadn't seen yet,

Meghan is starting

(and will hopefully continue!)

a pretty sweet Thursday link-up!

Today's topic?

Top five songs that take you back.

You should TOTALLY go link up!

1. *NSync - Tearin' Up My Heart

This list would be completely incomplete without *NSync.

To say they were my childhood is an understatement.

Either way, I love them. When they come up on my playlist now,

or on the radio, I can't help but dance & sing along.

2. Matchbox Twenty - 3AM

My BFF loved Rob Thomas, we both loved all of MB20.

This song has been with me for a while.

3. The Beach Boys - California Girls

True Story: When I was little (circa 1st Grade)

I totally believed that you could ONLY like either

the Beach Boys or the Beatles.

Not both.

Who knows where that came from.

Either way I Loved the Beach Boys.

4. The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony

This song has been in my life for a while,

and nothing screams 'HIGHSCHOOL' quite like it.

5. Kenny Chesney - I Go Back

It's funny to use a song that talks about music taking you back

on a post about music that takes you back.

But, this song is North Carolina,

and College all wrapped up in a song.