Anything > Studying

Finals, Finals really suck,

and I think I'm out of luck.

History of jazz is bor- to the- ing,

and I really don't feel like studying.

hah. poetry.

Yesterday was a great day. I found out I got a job for the christmas break, which means I will be slightly less broke and that I got forced into a class I really wanted to take. WHOOP!

now I had something sassy to say, but I really need to get back to my futile attempt to listen to jazz music and figure out what style it is. SUUUUPER.

so, I leave you with this video some lovely pi phis shared with me. It's funny, cuz it's true.

Giving Thanks

At breakaway last night we talked about 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, "Be joyful always, pray without ceasing, and be thankful in all things; For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Ben Stuart talked about all the statistics that say people who are grateful live longer, are happier, and just have better lives in general. A group of college kids was divided into three: one group had to write down 5 things they were thankful for everyday, one group had to write down 5 things that annoyed them everyday, and the others just had to write stuff that happened. The kids that wrote about things they were thankful for were in better health, made better grades, and were less depressed. Cool, huh? So, in honor of this and (belatedly) of the post I was going to write for Thanksgiving, here I go.

the 17 things I am thankful for in honor of the fact that A&M beat t.u. 24-17 (WHOOP!!) in no particular order:

1. Pumpkin spice lattes from starbucks. It's thanksgiving in a cup.

2. Friends. I have THE greatest friends in the entire world. Whether it's a latenight Fuego run after songfest practice, or driving out to Norfolk Manor at 12am on a monday for my boys to cook me breakfast, I am so SO grateful for the people that have come into my life this past year and a half.

3. the fact that I am lucky enough to attend Texas A&M University. I don't ever want to be anywhere else.

4. the fact that winter weather is FINALLY here! break out the uggs and scarves cause it actually feels like November...now that it's December.

5. laughter. My friends Katie and Lauren had a ridiculous night the other night where we were just sitting in their room around 3 in the morning laughing at ridiculous things. We were so loud we got yelled at to shut up, but it was a good ab workout nonetheless.

6. Good music. Nelo, Bart Crow Band, Emory Quinn, and (don't hurt me) Taylor Swift have been playing on my ipod for the past few months and they're GREAT.

7. My family. they drive me crazy, they make me laugh, they make me cry, they stress me out, and yet somehow they still love me.

8. Aggie Football. even though we didn't get to go to the Big 12 South Championship...WE'RE GOING TO THE COTTON BOWL!!! what started out as another lackluster season ended in a way I never would have expected.

9. the fact that college does not mean you have to grow up yet. I went to the Harry Potter 7 midnight premier and I think I saw more kids dressed up there than I ever did at a midnight premier in Houston. College to me is about rediscovering your inner child.

10. Home cooked food. Debra Sears is the greatest cook in the entire world. Fact.

11. I may be double dipping but... WE BEAT THE HELL OUT OF t.u. this year. Happy Thanksgiving, longhorns, guess it's a good thing I had beef tenderloin.

12. Disney Movies. Beauty & the Beast gets me through.

13. Advil. 3 at a time, don't tell me about my liver, Advil liquigels will fix whatever ails you.

14. Pajama pants. weird? don't care.

15. people that believe in me. To all the people who have assured me I will not be a hobo living under a bridge and to all the people who have assured me they will be under that bridge with me --Thank you.

16. books. I don't get to read for fun nearly as much as I would like to/used to because of this silly thing called school, but over thanksgiving I got to catch up a bit.

17. the times I remember that I'm not alone and that He has it all figured out even though I never will

-"Be strong and courageous! do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you WHEREVER you go." Joshua 1:9

-"Yes, you came when I called; you told me 'Do not fear.'" Lamentations 3:57

-Storm -Lifehouse (I don't even know if this is a christian song, but it gets me every time)

I wouldn't quite say I'm an eternal pessimist, but I tend to look at the world with a (what Ithink is) healthy dose of cynicism and, according to my parents, "glass half empty" attitude. So hopefully this can become a little pre-new years resolution to be at least a little more thankful for the overwhelming amount of blessings I have.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all, and for all us college kids, IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS! hang in there!

Can't Think of a Clever Title Cause I Have a Cough and Pinkeye Post!

Excuse the epic melting pot of topics that will be this post. I can't help but think of all those history of america classes where they call America a "melting pot of cultures," that and the fondue place in Houston that I hear is great but at which I can't afford to eat.

1) I love words. English major, words? weird, I know. But like some people get really excited about science or even, bless their hearts, math, I just get excited about words sometimes. For example, I used the word "penchant" in a sentence this week and was way too fired up about that fact.

But I digress.

ANDDDDDD rant time. Get excited.

In my favorite class (here, italics = sarcasm), people are doing presentations on jazz and jazz related things, people, places, crazes, animals, food products, ok some of those are made up but you get the point. First of all, there are just so many ways group presentations can go wrong. And, for someone who, unfortunately, thoroughly (also, have the hardest time spelling this word, but love it anyway) enjoys any chance to have sarcastic fodder for my blog, today was a great day. This girl gets up to give her presentation and, boy oh boy, is she fired up. First of all, picture a class with about a fourth of its normal attendance because people have realized by day 3 that you don't need to show up for presentations because you're going to sit there and play bubblebreaker and solitaire on your droid....er, phone. (sorry mum)

So she gets up and gives a shriek of excitement and asks the 20 comatose people if they're excited too. Despite our lukewarm reaction, she precedes to hijack the presentation once it is her turn and read off of her novel of notecards. As if this weren't enough, she pronounces improvisation, improviNasation along with a few other words you should probably make sure you know how to pronounce if you're going to use them MULTIPLE times in your presentation. So we, in the back row, are cringing. Then, she tells us that she, in fact, used to be a dancer. What a coincidence that she happens to be speaking about jazz. I kid you not, she breaks out multiple dance moves. Now, this girl seems very nice and very fired up about jazz's influence on dance, but we can't help but wince in embarrassment.

Which kind of made me think, this girl wasn't embarrassed at all. She managed to turn this presentation project that everyone else is using as a chance to boost their sagging grade into something she could get fired up about. As much as I wanted to take her aside "for her own good," I actually think, looking back on it, that it's pretty great that someone can take a lame project for an equally lackluster class and have the courage to get up in front of a bunch of other college kids and express her excitement and even break out some dance moves. While I didn't appreciate it at the time, kudos to you, tap dancing girl in History of Jazz.

Numero Dos:

Bus people. ARGH. While I thoroughly enjoy the convenience and free-ness of the college station bus system, it has its DEFINITE downsides.

1) there's this thing, I THINK we learn about it in the womb in fact, and it goes by a name I like to call "personal space." Mine is mine, yours is yours. Imagine it's a giant steel plated bubble with diamond tipped spears on the outside that you really do not want to be impaled upon. Add a moat of piranha (learned how to spell that as of...now), lions, adders, black widows, and whatever other creepy crawlies you can think of and that's my personal space.

yeah, see if you sit next to me on the bus now.

2) This is a non-smoking bus. Dousing yourself in bath and body works something-vanilla-and-flowery-and-nauseating will not change the fact that you smell like an ashtray or The Hall and will attract the token fly on the bus to buzz around and land on you and your unfortunate seat mate. I kid you not, happened to me this afternoon. Also, get out of my space. I can feel the carcinogens leaching into my blood stream.

3) Can't your phone conversation wait? To be honest, I have my headphones in and therefore couldn't hear someone yelling at me from 3 inches away, but, if I could, I don't think I want to listen to you fight with your boyfriend or tell your mom all about your week. Maybe it's just because the idea of sharing anything more than the oxygen on the bus with the people on said bus terrifies me/makes me feel like showering and drinking emergen-c, but seriously, it's only a 20 minute ride. You can wait.

I went to one of my favorite places on earth that I can get to without leaving my state yesterday.

Barnes and Noble. Words can't even express how great this place is.

Interesting things I found/learned:

1)Christian fiction is always depressing- my friend Julia has a point. Authors for some reason feel the need to lead us through a painful although cathartic journey of tears as an altar call in every book. My friend just wanted something to read, not something to make her question her entire life. I mean, it was a wednesday, leave the life questioning for mondays.

2) a book of "The World's Most Interesting Tattoos"

1) it was a picture book

2) I flipped through the whole thing which was surprisingly brief.

3) the title lied

4) some people be CRAYZAYYY. You would not BELIEVE the things people had inked on to them. Now, before you go off on an "Oh my giddy aunt, tattoos! Just the thought makes me reach for my smelling salts! Those things are the devil's work, anyone who so defiles their flesh should burn in a special part of hell reserved for tattoo artist, tattoo-ees, and people with crazy piercings" rant, I have a tattoo. It's small, it's discreet, and it says 'beloved.'

I know, I know, offensive and edgy, I'm a rebel what can I say?

Now, lots of people have differing opinions on tattoos that we don't necessarily need to address in this post, but since my mother reads this, I just had to leave you with this last bit.

I was introduced to a blog/site called stuffchristianslike.net which also has a book. There was a post about tattoos which had me in tears, you will have to read it for yourself and my next post will actually be about this blog and the book it birthed, Stuff Christians Like. BUT, one of the comments on the post led me to this particular verse:

Romans 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

and that's from the NIV, not the Message version; look it up. So, say what you will, I will now quote this at anyone and everyone who condemns tattoos and say, "Hey, yo, Jesus was inked, too."

bolt of lightning?

With Hope

Is it really only monday? geeze. I started this post on Friday and never finished, so here it is...

It's strange that it's friday night and the first real chance I've had to sit down and have a little peace and quiet. My roommate is out of town for the weekend so I have my own room for a change which feels very odd. Not that a house of fifty girls is ever quiet for long. This blog is going to be rant and joke free, so if that's what you're looking for come back another day. I wanted to write about something that I actually have been thinking about off and on for the past few weeks.

A week or so ago, I found out that a girl in my sorority's brother had died. He went to my high school and was only a year older than me. While I never met him and only briefly knew his sister, I attended the funeral. Funerals are never easy, but there is something about funerals for people my age that hits so close to home. The ceremony reminded me how many funerals I have been to for people my age or close to my age, and I'm fairly certain I have been to more funerals for teenagers than older people. A month or so ago, I found out that another girl from my high school's older brother was diagnosed with lymphoma. He is only 21. When I found this out, I couldn't focus on the reading I needed to be doing or the homework yet unfinished. I have never met this guy, but I completely stopped in my tracks at the thought of someone my age being diagnosed with cancer. Things like this aren't supposed to happen to people our age, and both of these young men have been described as being so full of life and so vibrant. The contemplation of the end always leads me to wonder, when I die, will I have accomplished everything I want to? Will I have lived life to the full, will I be proud of the choices I've made? None of these are particularly easy questions to answer, and none of them are particularly comforting. But, they are, in their own way helpful. These questions remind us to attempt things in spite of the fear of failure, to do something rather than just sitting around wasting time.

As the young man whose funeral I attended said, "The only way to keep the candle from going out is to outrun the wind."

I think this is a fantastic quote, and, though I didn't know him, I feel like I gained a small glimpse into his passion and his love for life. I always find it interesting to see how God places little things in your life that stick with you. Two thursdays ago at Breakaway, Ben Stuart talked about the end (death) and The End (revelation and the end of the world). One of the verses he focused on was 1 Thessalonians 4:13 which says "And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope." (NLT). The part of this verse that stuck with me the most was "so you will not grieve like people who have no hope." I had to look up the entire verse again because that was the only part of the verse that has been playing over and over in my mind. It isn't one of those normal clichés that people quote at you. It doesn't tell you not to grieve, it says that it is ok and normal to grieve, but that, even through your sorrow you have hope. I have been slowly realizing how important hope is just in general, but especially in dealing with hard times.

So, after waxing somewhat philosophical, I leave you with another verse that got me through my freshman year.

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are fading away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

And, just to be cheesy, there's nothing like a little passion and HOPE for those fightin' Texas Aggies who BTHO OU 33-19. And are now ranked. Thanks, gig 'em, and God bless.

TGITHURSDAY

Whenever I ask myself why I bother going to class, I remember. It gives me a chance to blog. (Mom, don't worry, I go to class.) But, as anyone who has ever taken a class with me knows, I often use the time to hone my facebook procrastination skills. If only I could make a career out of that...

moving on. I thought it would be a genius idea to take History of Jazz in order to get a humanities credit. I thought way wrong. I discovered the first week of school that this was to be my only class without anybody in it that I knew. This meant that I had to go to class at the same time it increased my desire not to go. Whomp, whomp. To make matters worse, my teacher likes the excuse to show off his piano skills and goes off on musical tangents. In addition, he is one of those sneaky professors who doesn't post any of his notes online and uses chalk to write on the chalkboard and then gives paragraph definitions for his one word he writes down. I didn't know they even still made chalk. Welcome to the 21st century, please.

Also, I have discovered that jazz is REALLY not my thing. At least not the things we are learning. And of course, on the days when my desire for a nap/to watch SVU begins to take over, I always push past it and come to class...and then we watch a movie. Thanks, Doc Pete.

However, I did start paying attention in my psychology class due to the fact that my computer battery died. Who knew classes could actually be interesting? Wish I had some deep psychological insights to offer you, but the most interesting class so far basically just talked about the differences between the way men and women think and it was stuff we pretty much already know. Guys are all about looks, Girls are all about money. Whoop.

Last night, I finally got the opportunity to dress like one of my favorite musical artists. Yes, you guessed it, Ke$ha. Oh...you didn't guess? well...I did. She is a psycho and her songs are ridiculous but they just get so stuck in your head!!! I think that I did pretty well....

And my outfit was free, whoop!!!! One of my friends was giving me a hard time for the fact that I plan on dressing up as something different every night, but I told her I had to make up for 19 years of not celebrating Halloween. I do have to admit though, I had a great time being Ke$ha at our date party and I kind of wish I could pull off that kind of make up every day. However, if you see a ke$ha out this weekend, it's not me. I'll be changing it up, ya know, keepin' everyone on their toes.

BTHO TECH!!!

TWELFTH MAN FOR TANNEHILL!!!

and....dare I say it?

GO RANGERS!! WORLD SERIES CHAMPS 2010

Would You Gleefully Eat Bevo Burgers?

So, I feel that it's about time for a little rant about glee. I am not a Gleek, although I do watch the show after succumbing to all the hype about it last year. (Sidenote: I think our generation is responsible for an entirely new language. I thoroughly enjoy the fact that everything can now be a verb. Anyway.) I feel like I enjoyed Glee a lot more last year. Sorry in advance if you eat, sleep, breathe Glee, but in all honesty, the show's plot line is kind of inane. I like the singing but I feel like the drama is getting EXTREMELY repetitive.

Things that are wrong with this season:

1) Sue Sylvester's extreme lack of snark. She wasn't even in this week's episode!! without her making fun of Dr. Shue's hair the episode suffered from a severe dearth of humor.

2) WHY THE HECK IS PUCK GONE!??! the one and ONLY element of hotness in the show is now completely gone. Sure, new blonde guy is adorable, but Angelina Jolie might want her lips back at some point.

3) Really can't stand Rachel. or Finn. The fact that they're together just ups the cringefactor that much more.

4) the Grilled Chesus episode was ridiculous. and fairly offensive. and just plain wrong. which was probably the point, but I feel like whatever was supposed to be the redeeming message at the end just didn't really come through.

5) Santana and Britney's lesbian thing is just strange. They need to pick a team and stick to it.

Let's just say I am getting a little bored with the Glee kids and their never-ending teen angst. But maybe Puck will come back and it will all get better.

This week in recap: Three tests, whomp whomp, very little sleep, and a parking ticket last night. Thanks, and gig 'em.

also, just learned that in the 1960's when those hippies over in austin had to retire their mascot, they sent out a formal invitation inviting the Aggies to come share in a little barbeque with them. WHOOP. Apparently the bevo burgers were a little on the tough side. No surprise considering he spent his life in Austin. I wonder if they invited the hobos for a free meal too?

That said,

BTHO MIZZOU!!

WHOOP!

Oh hey there, blog.

It's been a month. Apologies. I'm doing this thing called college. It tends to suck up your spare time, your money and your soul. So, since it's 2 am and I have a test tomorrow...and another on wednesday...and another on thursday...this is just a little bitesized blog post. Since I know everyone has been sitting here day after day refreshing this page and hoping there will be a new post.

mini rant:

today a girl said sporadically. the correct word she should have used was spontaneously. ARGH.

this is what I did in french:

it's a little song by a dallas rapper called Tha Joker. with doodles by yours truly. and some editing. cause I keep it classy like that.

en fin.

Hump Day

A&M recently made the stellar decision to switch to Pepsi as our sponsor. Personal foul on the offense, TERRIBLE decision making. I already ranted about how one of my pet peeves is going to a restaurant, ordering a Coke and being asked if "a Pepsi is okay." No, I believe I said COKE. If I would have wanted a Pepsi, I would have asked for one. This being said, I walked up to a vending machine, wanting a Coke to boost my energy and maybe bring a little brightness to my day. I stared at the giant Pepsi symbol mocking me for about 30 seconds, then stomped off. Flag down on the play. Someone told me that the reason Coke ended their contract with us is because our football team sucks. As if putting up with the years of aggie jokes wasn't enough, they have to take away our beverage of choice. Not cool, Coke, not cool.

On a slightly brighter note, the chick behind me that talked about her drunken friendship making techniques was discussing her dinner date with her ex boyfriend the other night and how wonderful it went. Huzzah. And she really enjoys Buffalo Wild Wings.

I'm addicted to Texts From Last Night. Unfortunately, they never seem to post any of the ones I have tried to submit. So, here is another installment of TFTM: Texts From This Morning, the A&M edition.

(214): How do you feel about large dragon tattoos on one's shoulder?

(832): I'm getting one tomorrow. Why?

(214): Great. Ours can match. Mine can say dragon. And yours can say slayer.

A Case of the Mondays

I hate Mondays. I always have, I always will. To make this Monday even worse, it's Labor Day...and I had to go to class. This is after spending a lovely two days on gorgeous Lake Travis in amazing weather. Then, I got mud all over my white toms and it is currently pouring down rain. Super. I also enjoy the superior pleasure of riding the Aggie Spirit Bus (number 22 excell if you want to stalk me) to class everyday.

Now, public transportation always has its interesting moments. While the bus usually has a full quota of sorority girls, there is definitely a good number of interesting people to entertain me on my transit. This afternoon I got to see the typical guy-with-long-nasty-hair-that-needs-to-shower and sat next to the girl-who-wears-too-much-perfume. Now the whole perfume thing is always annoying, because it's never something that smells good and refreshing but always seems to be something that smells like Febreeze gone bad. Today it was definitely Febreeze/dryer sheet all up in my business. And I have a cough so this whole thing was not helping the situation. Unfortunately I haven't found any regular bus riders to see everyday and to entertain me in my people watching endeavors, but I guess the variety is interesting in itself. I love the people that answer their phones and talk really loudly about their personal business though, those are always fun.

And speaking of eavesdropping, this girl in my class today was telling all about her crazy weekend to someone sitting next to her. Did I listen? of course. I wish I remembered all the details but Libby Sue from EJN (that's east-Jesus-nowhere) was teaching her friend-making techniques: she either passes out wherever the party is or makes friends with the random people that pass out at her place the next morning. Classy.

and to make your monday a little less sucky....here's why Landon Donovan's Monday sucks.

http://search.espn.go.com/commercials/videos/6

School Shmool

You may not have known my life was in mortal peril for the past two weeks, which is why I haven't posted in so long. However, having survived the two weeks of hell and having welcomed the new baby angels into the Pi Phi house, life can return to normal. Or at least, as normal as life ever is in this little college town I like to call home. Unfortunately school starts tomorrow (hiss), but luckily this smart college student doesn't have class until 12:10 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Be jealous.

After being here for only two weeks, I can already tell it's going to be a great year. Life in college station is nothing if not eventful. It's also a year of firsts: first year of recruitment, first year to live in the pi phi house, first time to camp out for football tickets, first time trying to figure out how to get to campus for classes (unnecessary) and many other firsts that haven't happened yet.

Camping out for football tickets: done. Disclaimer: camping is probably not the right word for my experience. For some strange reason, the weather has actually been in the 80s here in good ol' CS, which made our nighttime vigil much better than it could have been. Unfortunately, someone couldn't do simple math and only brought 1 air mattress for four people to fight over. Did the three gentlemen I was with offer it to me? HAH. One of them passed out on it at the early hour of 4 am leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves with 2 lawn chairs, one of those round chairs, a snuggie and one sleeping bag. This was all AFTER we had to relocate our campsite because Old Faithful in the form of a broken sprinkler decided to go off, soaking my blanket, pillow, and t-shirt. Thanks and gig 'em. I found myself wishing for the Weasley's tent from the Quidditch World Cup...not for the first time. Or at least another air mattress. However, the night was successful because we ended up with all of our tickets for the Arkansas game! Whoop!

There also seems to be an interesting tradition of me needing to rescue some friends on my first weekends back in college. I am SUCH a good friend. (mean girls reference). Driving around at 2 am on friday nights in College Station always gives you some interesting glimpses into people's lives. Example: seeing some guy passed out in his car at the light at the intersection of George Bush and Texas. At least he was wearing his seatbelt.

Even though I'm not so thrilled for home work and school and class and responsibility and all that other nonsense for which people think they go to college, I am inexpressibly excited for this year and everything that it will bring.

Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2013 A-A-A-A-A, it's gonna be one helluva year!

The Boy Who Sucked at Life

So, if you couldn't figure it out, this little post will be about Harry Potter or Harry Freaking Potter, if you will. AVPS reference. If you don't get it, you should go google it. I recently re-read the 7th book because a) I have no life b) I only read it once and c) I wanted to read it again before the movie comes out.

Firstly, this book should be called Harry Potter and the Extended Camping Trip With About 10 Pages of Action and Everyone You Like Dies. Obviously that wouldn't fit on a book jacket, so J.K. Rowling copped out and called it Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Silly. Oh, yeah, spoiler alert. Harry, Hermione, and Ron spend 3/4 of the book sitting in a tent trying to figure out what could be a horcrux, where to find one, and how to destroy it. Granted, they don't have a whole lot to go on. Why? Because Dumbledore, the Son of a Basilisk, decided to not tell Harry anything remotely important until they hang out in limbo while Voldemort's soul is screeching and dying under a bench. Coincidence that Voldemort is represented as a screaming child? I think not.

Voldy doesn't like screaming children either.

THEN once the book finally starts getting interesting and all of the kids at Hogwarts want to start helping, Harry decides to be all noble and try to keep anyone from helping. At this point you are sitting on the edge of your chair biting your finger bones because the book is going so slow and they are spending way too much time standing around. The idiot finally lets his friends help (kind of him after they managed to set up and underground resistance without ANY help from the Boy Who is Lame). Harry, Ron, and Hermione still have to battle Death Eaters as they search for the diadem of Ravenclaw and after all 6 years of school and that intense year of the D.A., Hermione is still the ONLY one casting any sort of useful spells. Harry is like that one kid in public school that manages to fail the TAKS. Finally, he goes and fights Voldemort and realizes he is a horcrux. Seriously, he is the only one who hasn't figured out yet that the reason he speaks parseltongue, sees inside Voldy's twisted head, and has survived all these confrontations is OBVIOUSLY because he is a horcrux. Huzzah.

Harry and Voldy fight, which means Harry stands there and talks to the ghosts of all the awesome people Rowling decided to kill off earlier. Harry dies and goes to La La Land where he sees good ol Dumbledore, who decides to fill him in on EVERYTHING that he should have known in his first year of Hogwarts. Way to be a heartless user, Dumbles, you Son of a Bezor. Harry comes back to life, after letting everyone think he's dead for about 30 minutes, kills Moldy Voldy at last and hooray everyone wins. Except all of the people that died. Like Fred, Lupin, Tonks, and any other characters to which you might have been attached. Thanks, J.K Rowling. Way to be a downer. What spell does Harry Potter use to fell one of the greatest wizards of all time? Expelliarmus. EXPELLI-FREAKIN-ARMUS. 6 years of instruction at Hogwarts and that is literally the only spell this kid knows. That, and "Accio Firebolt." Maybe it's just because I'm a republican, but I think that if I was facing my mortal enemy who had tried to kill me for my ENTIRE life, then I would be morally and ethically okay with using Avada Kedavra. But that's just me. Oh, and I wouldn't have named my kid Albus. Way to set the stage for another kid to go through his life at Hogwarts being made fun of, gotta carry on the family legacy.

Now, all of this said, I love the Harry Potter series and am currently watching Goblet of Fire. However, I reserve the right to be frustrated with book 7 and Harry's ability to not learn anything in 6 years of school.

the moral of this post? public school > private school.

Guys Who Should Not Be the Next Bachelor

Sorry that these posts have been so lackluster lately. I guess I've just been pretty content with life and have had nothing to angst about (rare, I assure you). This is great for me, but not so great for my 1 1/2 avid readers. (Don't ask how you can have half a reader, just go with it, this is my blog). I have to thank a friend and fellow blogger of mine for the inspiration for this post. Go check her out, she is far more clever than I could hope to be! Anyway, she introduced me to a gem of a website called themansguidetolove.com. Naturally, with a title this catchy, I had to check it out.

This site features little video tidbits of men. The first four men -- winners. They are all over the age of 30 and are apparently experts in the love game.

Guy 1: Jorda (first of all what kind of a name is this? icelandic?)

His advice is good - "tell a woman she is beautiful." Ok great, I'll give him credit for that one... even if it is the oldest trick in the book. Also, I hope Jorda isn't expecting the favor to be returned. The 80's called, they wants their hairdo back. Oh, and of course the soul patch is always in.

Guy 2: Tim

Keep things slow... so that you can figure out the person is PSYCHO before you get in too deep and they rob you to pay for their heroine habit and stab you. Or you could just end up with a train wreck like Vienna Girardi. Makes you wonder if this guy has had first hand experience when he starts listing off different "problem traits." Should've listened to Tim, Jake. Just don't imitate his fashion sense. I mean, as if the baseball cap with killer flames running down the brim wasn't classy enough, Tim also rocks an Affliction t-shirt. Way to go, bro.

Guy 3: James

Sex. Does it come as a surprise that it's the third guy in and he wants to talk about doin' the dirty? Nope. This guy's advice? Communication. Normally a guy preaching communication would be God's gift to women. This guy thinks that lack of communication leads to problems in other areas, which is true. However, seems like if you're needing to have an epic discussion while in the middle of some other stuff... there might be a few more problems than just your lack of communication. Moving on.

Guy 4: Chris

I take it back, this guy is 25. He also is sitting shirtless on a street holding a "fishing pole" that has a sign hanging from it that says "fishing for beer and pot." He also has huge hoop/gauge earrings on that look like the weigh half a pound each. Now, maybe it's because I'm not from Austin, but I don't really think this guy is the expert on love, women, or anything else in life. Call me a snob, but I feel like if love ranks behind beer and pot on this guy's list of life goals, then maybe he's not exactly a well of wisdom.

Granted I didn't watch all of the testimonials on here, and maybe some of these guys did not just crawl out from under a Hooters, but I don't think I'd be taking any of these "love gurus" seriously. Especially since most of the advice for guys out there is more along the lines of this other site, which gives tips on how to be a playa. (Playa as in thug speech for player. Not spanish for beach. Vocab lesson for the day. You're welcome. )

This is advice from a guy named "Wood." Creative.

"3 days. Christ came back after 3 days for a reason. To teach us the 3 day rule. Once you hit three days call her up. Be ready for her to answer. When she does remember that you're calling her up to set up a date not to talk. Talking is for chicks and AFC's or girlfriends. Start off by asking how her past few days have been. Show some interest and then go in for the kill. Try not to let her pick the day, but its not the biggest deal if she does. Your best fatality move here is just telling her to come out with you on lets say Friday. Tell her 9 pm Friday, I know this great place. This kind of assertiveness is a weapon of mass destruction. After you set it up wrap up the conversation and tell her you'll see her soon. As for voicemails and texts...don't do it. DON'T DO IT."

winner. I'm glad this guy is using strategies and words he learned playing Call of Duty in his mom's basement like fatality and weapons of mass destruction to plan on getting girls. Congratulations, Private, you have completed your mission -- to become a total and complete jackass. Also this guy could use some serious grammar help. I can't explain how much I want to go back and punctuate this properly.

Now, I'm not saying this to be some sort of feminazi. I don't hate men, and while I think He's Just Not That Into You is one of the greatest movies ever and I need to read the book, I also know there are plenty of great guys out there. They just happen to be smart enough not to post jerky comments on websites like this or do cheesy interviews. This is merely for the purpose of amusement and maybe some good natured head shaking. Silly boys, games are for girls. Trying all the ninja mind tricks will just confuse you and make us mad. See Dane Cook: Brain Ninjas.

Cheers!

Things You Don't Care About

Now that I don't have summer school, I can't seem to keep up with my blog. I wish I could say that it's because I have a life, but I would probably be lying. I did get to return home for the weekend to College Station (WHOOP) but unfortunately, my immune system decided it would be a FANtastic idea for me to be sick for the three days I was there. Huzzah. It was still rull fun, because it is college station, and therefore, way better than Houston. While the boys were mowing the lawn, I took the opportunity to watch the Pirates of the Caribbean Marathon and annoy whoever happened to be in the room at the time with my incessant quoting. One of my hidden talents is the ability to memorize worthless information...like entire movie scripts (see: any Lord of the Rings movie). So this leads me to think of some other random/ridiculous/pointless facts about me.

1. Movie Quotes

yes, I am one of those annoying people that can quote at least one line from most movies, and used the opportunity to quote things in conversation on a regular basis.

2. I hate pickles

I don't want to eat them, smell them, see them, or be around them. They are DISGUSTING. However, I love cucumbers. go figure.

3. High Career Aspirations

When I was little, my grandmother asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. My response?

Wallpaper.

I wish I was joking.

4. I am awful at telling time.

Digital clocks? life saver. I used to wear a watch and be constantly embarrassed when someone would ask me what time it was because by the time I figured out what time it was, it was an hour or so later.

5. Batman

I love Batman. No idea where or when this obsession started, but my google is currently set to the batman theme, I own a batman hat and folder, and I am constantly on the lookout for a batman thermos and/or lunchbox. buy me one and I will love you forever.

now that I've ended on a nice odd number (sorry abby), here's a movie trailer that I am super excited about to alleviate the boredom you just experienced from this post.

Favorite Films (in Five Seconds)

Movie Parody Monday

It has come to my attention that I have been failing at blogging lately. I wish I could say it was because I got a life. Sadly, no such luck, I just happen to not be chained to my computer as much. I can't really think of anything good to rant about, but I'm thinking something Harry Potter related might appear again soon, since I'm going to be re-reading book 7, so stay posted. Even though monday is almost over, and this isnt a music video...I'm posting this sort of in keeping with music video monday. Except this is more like movie parody monday. Enjoy!

also this post is dedicated to Jennifer Nix, Anne Mims, and Katie Heins. Probably my only readers. Love ya'll

Parking Police & Fashion Faux Pas - a day at the Galleria

Today my sister and I went to the galleria to run some errands. Now, I've gotten to the point where shopping just for the sake of shopping drives me crazy (probably in part because I'm broke). One would think that on a Sunday the mall might not be as crowded. One would also be WRONG. So, after cruising the parking garage, we finally find a spot. However, we had to go by several empty spots. Why? Because, for some reason, people with tiny cars think that if their car is a foot and a half into the other spot, someone can still park there. FALSE. If, for example, you drive a TOYOTA SOLARA, you might want to go back to remedial parking school. It is just so rude to park badly. Then, we passed at least 3 mercedes parked the same way, because heaven forbid someone park their chevy or ford within four feet of you. watch out, the ordinary might rub off.

After resisting the urge to decorate a few cars with the end of my key, we enter the mall. Holy Cow. Apparently no one informed me that today was "Bring your entire extended family/village/apartment complex to the mall day." Not only did every person have an entire entourage of people, but everyone also decided to walk as s l o w l y as possible. I realize Houston weather sucks, but please, for my sanity, find somewhere else to walk your 7 hooligan children. If they had moving sidewalks in malls, I would be ALL over that. It also terrifies me to realize that some of these people leave the mall and get behind the wheel of a vehicle. I feel like I'm playing cuberunner or something, some of these people seriously need turn signals attached permanently to their heads. And then, when someone who is staring at their feet nearly knocks you into the skating rink, they always glare at you like it's your fault. If you can't walk and breathe at the same time without running into someone, you MIGHT have a problem.

The Houston Galleria is also a great place to observe all walks of life. And, as such, fashion faux pas are EVERYWHERE. I realize we can now wear white without the fashion police doing whatever it is they do, but that does not give one the license to wear white see through sweatpants that are at least 4 sizes too small. I know way more about that woman than I ever wanted. Just a general rule of thumb, if it feels like it's cutting off circulation, it's too small.

if you're not a) Britney Spears b) a superhero or c) an "exotic dancer," you have NO excuse to wear clothes this tight. Please, keep an entire generation from gouging their eyes out with pencils.

In addition to sprayed on sweats, I actually saw a girl wearing those sandal boots. Hers looked less like she made them from trash, but I still just don't get it.

Jean shorts. Granted, it's summer, the time to show off your legs and hopefully your tan. However, if your butt is hanging out of the bottom of your shorts...they MIGHT be too short. I've seen swimsuit bottoms that cover more.

Sometimes less is more, sometimes more is more. with clothes, I tend to go with more is more. More is definitely less likely to make me vomit.

so cover up, try to bring only your closest 8 friends, and learn how to park. Do this, and you might survive the galleria.

HCC: the End of an Era

Today marked my final day in the hallowed halls of HCC. What will I miss, you ask? Is it rising every morning at 7:30 am? or is it the 4 hours of pure knowledge being poured into my soul? Actually...it's neither. I'll miss learning pigeon english from Dr. Chukwu and his ear splitting sound effects. But, somehow, I will find a way to amuse myself from the hours of 8 am -12. I might even get to stay up past 12 on week nights! The thing about HCC Northwest Campus is that the science wing is its own world of knowledge. We have the bookstore, Murphy's Deli, and...that's basically it. So, unfortunately, only the elite attend the Science Wing and the more interesting mass of humanity never crosses my path. I know one thing I will definitely not miss are the numerous new dings and dents my car has acquired. Maybe HCC should invest in a driving school...or valet parking. My car may be used and a toyota, but that does NOT mean you can just back into it and drive off. If you're out there, car damager, just know, karma is a biatch.

So farewell, HCC, you imparted many things to me...like that I spend too much time on facebook and if bored enough I will create a blog. Without you, I would not have watched nearly as many World Cup matches, nor would I have learned all sorts of fun facts about palm wine and that mangoes taste better in Africa. the lessons I have learned will stay with me for years to come, if you have the opportunity to attend this intriguing institute of enlightenment...don't.

What the Friday? II

So I was trying to sort of have a theme for fridays (shameless copying) and it actually is going to work out because all I have to say is WHAT THE FRIDAY IS WITH ALL THIS RAIN!? I do not approve of the monsoon that has been adding to the overall suckiness that is the city of Houston. Basically I have a problem with this whole hurricane vs. tropical storm business. I realize there's an intense atmospheric scientific explanation, but I really don't care. I feel like they call it a tropical storm because they don't want to scare anyone, and then as soon as New Orleans goes under water again they call it a hurricane...oh wait, about one bucketful of water would sink the Big Easy. Secondly, I am getting tired of all of these dull hurricane names. Alex? really? I think they should spice it up. Why not Alejandro? Oh, right because then we would be wondering Alejandro, Roberto, Fernando? WHICH ONE IS IT? (yes, lady gaga reference). So, in conclusion, rain is dumb, hurricanes/tropical storms need to just pick a team, and the people that name hurricanes should get a little more creative. Also, there's all these hurricane trackers on google. which might end up being the only remaining source of entertainment left if this rain keeps going.

Secondly, because I am self-absorbed enough to start writing a blog and have been bored enough to remember that I like being arty, here are some things I've done the past few weeks.

1. Love You Til The End: The Pogues

2. Storm: Lifehouse

These are just some paintings I did of random things and then some song lyrics I really like. If you like them and are interested in something similar, I am in serious need of some cash and would love to paint something for between $10-$15 depending on what size. Yup, shameless salesmanship. They're just on matboard too which is really light and would be super easy to hang, especially in a dorm room! anyway, hopefully this rain will let up. Don't let it put a damper on your 4th of july and please, for the sake of my sanity, NO RAINDANCES.

Les Petits Choses Que J'aime

Firstly, the band Starfield. if you don't know them, check them out. Secondly, the song Storm by Lifehouse. Obsession.

I don't know if this post is really going to have a theme. But perhaps by the time I finish it will have some semblance of cohesion.

Lately in Houston, we have been having this amazing weather, due to hurricane season. Amazing in this sentence means: disgusting, humid, rainy, bleak, and dismal. Due to the complete lack of sunshine, the last few days have been kind of a downer. After a few complete downer days, I have realized that, as cliche as it sounds, the small, simple things can really make you feel better.

1. good music

the above listed songs, along with going old school for a bit and listening to some stuff I haven't heard in years

2. singing in the shower

sing loud, sing often, sing proud

3. reading

I used to read at least one book a week even during my busy high school week. During the college semester I can barely remember picking up a book other than a text book. Summer has given me time to bury myself back in a book.

4. writing

I am an english major, I want to be an author, I write stories for fun, I am a nerd. and I love it.

5. disney movies

Beauty and the Beast. You can have the Notebook, I will take singing cutlery and a giant fluffy man-lion-bear.

6. friends

this is basically self explanatory. I have the best friends in the world. When I'm down, they're there. whether it's listening to me rant over a facebook chat or making me laugh with funny texts, my friends are my lifeline. So often when someone is having a bad day, you accept their "it's fine" instead of really asking them what is wrong. The people that really want to know what you're thinking and how to help are the people that truly care.

7. laughter

laugh loud, laugh often, laugh so hard you cry.

I wanted to end this in an even number or something, but I guess my next number would be sleep, which I need to do.

Psalm 62:8 Oh my people trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

College Station by August, College Station on My Mind

I may be estimating, but there are approximately 7 weeks left before I get to go home. that's around 49 days. and that means 1176 hours. and yes, I just used my ballin' TI-83 calculator to do math. And if you haven't caught on, home in this sense, is College Station.

Since my few blog followers pretty much all go to A&M you all do not need a history lesson or a traditions discussion. so here are some of my favorite A&M moments/memories/traditions, etc

1. Bonfire: it was my first aggie bonfire this year and it exceeded my expectations. we squeezed 7 people in an avalanche (which normally seats 5) and I shared the passenger seat with one of my friends...which made things interesting every time we passed a cop. we actually got turned away at first and proceeded to drive through back streets trying to find a way in. Luckily, we decided to try the line again and got in. Despite having to sit on someone's shoulders to see anything and sacrificing a few northface jackets to the burning embers, that was a night I will never forget.

2. Pondhopping. this goes with tradition and memories. the saturday before finals week started, instead of studying, we had an impromptu s'more cookout in the Aston courtyard followed by some pond hopping. I don't care that it seems ridiculous to people that running around campus at night and jumping in (for the most part) knee deep water can be fun, but it was.

3. Wildcats. I really don't care if they are new and weren't an "original" tradition. the thing that makes A&M so great is that our traditions evolve and add on. Do you think at the original basketball games they did all those yells? No, so leave my wildcat alone. That said, loudest and proudest member of the fightin' texas Aggie class of 2013 A-A-A-A-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

4. Walking to Northgate for lunch. I never thought I would miss College Station food, but I am craving a sandwich from The Corner or a giant potato from Potato Shack. I also miss the fact that every restaurant in Cstat serves sweet tea.

5. Seeing people you know every time you go somewhere. I never really realized how small College Station was until I got back to Houston. Sure, there are certain places where you're guaranteed to run into your entire graduating class 9 times out of 10, but it's not quite the same. Even if you don't actually know someone, there's a good chance you have seen them on campus or they know a mutual friend. Either way, as a fellow aggie, they're family.

I don't have any clever words today or jokes to tell, probably because I skipped out on class today. Instead, I'll leave my few readers with something that has always been a good source of encouragement.

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

thanks, and GIG 'EM.

Music Video Monday

Remember when music videos used to be good? When they used to have a story to tell instead of just scantily clad girls grinding all over sweaty guys? (please, for the sake of mankind, someone tame this girl). Remember when music videos made you want to go jump on your chopper bike and ride through your neighborhood and just sing out all of your angst? oh...was that just me? I went through my phases, like any other kid, and let me tell you, middle school was great. I know, I know, everyone had an "awkward stage." My awkward stage? basically from about 5th grade to junior year of high school. Jealous? In 7th grade I decided to be a complete bad-a and started listening to 94.5. THE BUZZ. I went out, bought myself some black converse, a studded belt, and those awesome black and pink bracelets that apparently meant something naughty. (Which one of my so-called friends introduced me to Hot Topic?) Put these all together with some plaid pants (oh yeah, rocked 'em), those rubber spike earrings, and crank the Good Charlotte and Simple Plan. Voila, 7th grade me.

My fashion sense (or lack thereof) makes me cringe. Also, for some reason I thought wearing hot pink blush as eyeshadow was super edgy. With that said, I am not embarrassed by my middle school music taste. I drove to Florida (and by I, I mean my parents) in 8th grade to see Simple Plan and Good Charlotte and I still maintain that this particular concert was one of the best. So, in honor of my middle school self, here is a sample of one of the classics from my punk glory days (insert sarcasm here).

(insert HCC for "my high school")

What the Friday?

Fashion. Whether or not you love it or hate it, it exists. It can be bad, it can be good, it can be outright heinous. Here a just a few of my favorite trends that I love to hate. They say all trends die out and then come back to life. Some things should die, and stay dead. Like Harry Potter (the character, not the series. too soon?). Here are some 'fashion' trends that just should never have come into existence.

1. Sandal Boots (these are relatively new, but were obviously made by someone blind and living in a hole)

What, you couldnt decide whether you wanted to wear boots or sandals? Not only do they look awful in suede/pleather but the ones you see in the background are metallic. Making something silver does not make it classy. The sad thing about the girl pictured here is that she owns not one but two pairs. please, just say no.

2. T-shirts that share your entire life story

this is one of the slightly less obnoxious ones. The problems I have with this are: 1. thank you for announcing to the world that you are single, your lack of class wasn't obvious enough 2. now every guy who can read knows that you are psycho and probably clingy and every girl knows that you are... morally casual. Sometimes these shirts can be clever, this, however is not an example.

3. Moon Boots

Moon Boots. Doesn't the name say enough? if you are not studying penguins in antarctica or aliens on the moon you should NOT be wearing these things. There is no excuse. they are ugly. and not ugly as in "so ugly they're actually kind of cute," no. These things are flat out nauseating and should not even be allowed to be called shoes.

4. Ed Hardy

these should speak for themselves. if you are not on the jersey shore, you should not be wearing these. You should not be wearing these if you are on jersey shore, but that's just a whole other issue. The thing with Ed Hardy is that most people who wear it tend to deck themselves out from head to toe. Guys wearing Ed Hardy - might as well walk around with a giant sign on your head that says "I am a douche." Girls - watch an episode or two of What Not to Wear.

5. Bedazzled ....anything

At the rodeo I see these walking around, sometimes there is actually a person attached. Usually the wearer also sports a bedazzled shirt, boots, or even a bedazzled jean jacket. the only thing that should have this many diamonds on it is nelly's grill.

Open up a copy of any magazine with pictures or invest in a mirror. Either one of these might keep you from committing fashion faux pas such as these. We all make mistakes, but just because someone wears something hideous does not mean you need to as well. Unless, apparently you are on Glee and think that Ga Ga is a fashion icon. Please spare mankind and our eyes and look in a mirror or any other reflective surface before venturing out into public.

Lyrical Geniuses, Musical Madness, and Ipod Adventures

I love music. Rap, country, punk rock, musicals, you name it. This said, songs with clever (or ridiculous) lyrics make my day. Especially when there are sneaky allusions or jokes thrown in there.

1. Lil Wayne, Weezy whatever he wants to be called, boy's got rhymes.

"Im so official all I need is a whistle" - Forever

"I'm so hot you probably catch a tan around this mutha--" -Steady Mobbin'

"Watch me like DVD VCR" -Run This Town

"I go to work on a beat call it employ" -Run This Town

"I'll erase you like I drew you b---" -T.O./N.O

2. Drake

"money flowin like a slit wrist no bandage"

"outta this world though, im so SciFi and i dont sit still

i keep it movin like a drive-by"

"me and Wayne lean like Kareem doin hook shots"

-I'm Goin' In

"Last name ever,
first name greatest,
like a sprained ankle boy I ain’t nuttin to play with

swimming in the money come and find me, Nemo,

labels want my name beside the X like Malcolm"

-Forever

(a guy in my summer school class introduced me to the Rikers Island Redemption mixtape...i'm obsessed.)

3. Nelly (not only is he a gorgeous specimen of man-hotness, grillz is probably one of my favorite songs. of any music.)

"I'm changin grillz everyday, like Jay change clothes"

"I got a grill I call penny candy, you know what that means?

It look like now and laters, gum drops, jelly beans"

"I might cause a cold front if I take a deep breath"

"Open up my mouth and you see more carrots than a salad"

"call me George Foreman 'cuz I'm sellin' everybody grills"

-Grillz

4. Casey Donahew Band

"You're kinda like a moped, fun to ride around, but if my friends should catch me then I'd never live it down

And you'll never hold my hand and I know we'll never kiss,

Cuz you're just the last phone number on my late night telephone list Well I'll be calling all my beauties from 2 o'clock to 3 Expect a call at 3 15 if none of those are free, And when that phone starts ringin' you best be on the move, Cuz I know if I'm callin' I've been drinkin' 90 proof"

-Late Night Telephone List

(horrible? yes. hilarious? yes.)

5. Bowling for Soup

"Troy Aikmen wants you back
Willie Nelson wants you back
NASA wants you back
And the Bush twins want you back
And Pantera wants you back
And Blue Bell wants you back"

-Come Back to Texas

(i think this wins for the most allusions)

anddd that's enough of that for now.

Now, there are certain artists that are in my itunes that will probably make you shake your head. But come on, everyone has those few guilty pleasure songs left over from the 90's or songs that you bought just to get them out of your head. These are the songs that when they come on shuffle when you're with other people you practically have a seizure trying to change the song, and often you are pleasantly surprised when your comrades (sorry, communist russia?) know/like the song.

1. Jesse McCartney- Leavin'

2. Miley Cyrus- Party in the USA, Can't be Tamed

3. Enrique Iglesias- Tired of Being Sorry

4. Jo Jo- Get Out

5. The Jonas Brothers- S.O.S (i just cringed)

6. Hawthorne Heights - Ohio is for Lovers

7. Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone

All of these songs are ones that you crank when you're in your car alone and they come on shuffle, you know it's true.

Speaking of cringeworthy tunes, songs that make me want to kick a puppy

1. Miley Cyrus- The Climb

2. U2- Vertigo

3. Los Lonely Boys- Heaven

4.Weezer- Beverly Hills

basically anything that was played ad nauseum in 8th grade.

now if you were to take a little Magic School Bus (if you were raised in the 90's you got that one) ride through my itunes how long would it take you? to get through all 4,084 songs would take you 10.6 days. wow. 1.1 days of that would be rap and 1.9 days would be country, 2. 4 days would be rock/poprock/punkrock/britrock/alternative. 2.6 hours would be disney. fact. and who knows how the rest would be classified.

This itunes library has been a work in progress for probably about 5 years now. besides the fact that it is contained on my laptop, losing this would be a crisis. almost as bad as dropping your 160 gig ipod classic into a rushing river of water on the street in the middle of one of houston's torrential downpours. Oh wait. done that. Apple won my undying loyalty when I went into the store with my deceased ipod after blow drying it, sticking it in a bag of rice, and doing whatever I could to revive it. (Note: Ipods cannot swim.) I had very little hope that Apple would be able to help me because my ipod was so waterlogged if you held it up to your ear you could practically hear the ocean. Nonetheless, I went to the Apple Store and decided to play dumb, while still telling the truth. I told the lady that it had stopped working and started freezing and making this horrible grating sound. My heart pounding as she held it to her ear and said,

"Oh, yeah that's the sound of your hard drive failing."

"Oh really?"

Maybe that's because it has water and small fish swimming around inside of it. Not only did she not hear the ocean, but she discovered that I had EIGHT DAYS left on my warranty. I walked out of the Apple Store with a brand new ipod. Apple: 0, Hannah: 1