Friday Five (On Saturday)

1. I only just discovered that British people say "ladybird" instead of "ladybug". My world is shattered.

2. I also just realized that it means the same thing if you say, "That isn't yours," or "That's not yours." Contractions are fun! Think of all the possibilities! 

3. The Cocoa Almond Spread from Trader Joe's is one of the best chocolatey non-chocolates I've ever had. It's basically Nutella but made from almonds and it tastes sooooooo much better. No need for you to fret about what to gift me for holidays because this treat will be just fine until I'm old and have no teeth, in which case you can give me double.

4. The vintage Lisa Frank collection from Urban Outfitters is a total scam because I went to Meijer today and picked up some rainbow-tastic folders with smiling dolphins and big-eyed tigers on them. They're not vintage, but they're just as cute and didn't cost me any vital organs.

5. If you're a fan of both pizza and Subway, try Subway's new Flatizza. Add bacon for 50 cents* extra and OHEMGEEZLES IT IS THE BEST THING ON EARTH. Also, I frown upon you if you pass on parmesan cheese and oregano powder (who doesn't like free cheese AND extra flavor goodness?).


On Repeat: "A tout a l'heure" - Bibio
Currently Reading: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Days Until California: 3. *gulp*
Days until I no longer have to work at Subway:  20!!!!!!!
 

*holy crap, I also just discovered that there is no symbol for cents on the keyboard. God, Erika, what is your life.

Spit-Speckled Suicide

Today, I was assaulted.

I was just doin' my thang, gathering the necessary supplies for a hyped up version of rice krispy treats when  THE WORST THING EVER happened. As I used both hands to bring down a pan on the top shelf of my kitchen cupboard, I felt something on my left hand. I didn't have time to register what it was before I screamed and flung my hand away from a black something that was most definitely not supposed to be on my body.

But that wasn't the worst part. Oh no, sir.

After my scream, I felt a new weight in the back of my throat. Immediately, I had no doubt that the thing on my hand was a bug and it was currently in my mouth. I hurled that sucker out of my mouth, spitting all over the kitchen floor even after the bug dropped to the ground. I spit some more in the sink while swallowing water from the tap. Then I did the same in the bathroom sink, willing myself to throw up.

Only after a good 10 minutes of cleaning out my mouth did I have the guts to go back to the floor and take a look at what had violated my facial cavity. A beetle. A metallic, multicolored beetle as tall as a nickle is in diameter. You have to be really skilled to fling a bug from your hand into your mouth.

When my brother got home, he asked me who was more violated, me or the beetle? I thought about it. The poor guy must have been pretty freaked to have the little home he made in our cupboard vandalized by a giant. The short trip in my mouth probably wasn't that pleasant for him either. Still, I was not easy to make peace with Mr. Beetle. He was still alive and struggling to get out of the puddle of spit. I watched him suffer. I watched him crawl a yard to the rug under our kitchen table. I watched him disappear under the rug, where he suffocated himself to death. Suicide.

Mr. Beetle's one and only picture. R.I.P. ? - July 16, 2013

A google search told me it was a Japanese Beetle, which is a highly destructive plant pest. They were first found in the US in New Jersey in 1916. Thanks a bunch, New Jersey.


On Repeat: "When They Fight They Fight" - The Generationals
Days Until California: 14 (2 WEEKS!!!)

MySpace Reminiscence

Remember five or so years ago when Myspace was everyone's obsession and everyday there'd be dozens of personal question bulletins? For the lucky few who were never sucked into the website, I'm talking about lengthy surveys that people took and posted on myspace for all their friends to read. I loved those quizzes. No matter how dumb the questions were, I always felt like I knew the quiz-taker better after reading his or her answers. Sometimes deep and always laugh-worthy, those surveys defined the times for me. So let me take you back to a day where everyone knew the lyrics to Fergie's "Glamorous" and plaid bermuda shorts were of highest style...

1. What did you eat for breakfast?
plain nonfat greek yogurt with half a Stevia packet and a cup of mixed blueberries and raspberries

2. Someone you care about needs your help at 3AM, what do you do?
I'd help them as best I could or else I'd be tortured with guilt and worry. My friends know I'm the logical one, so hopefully they'd call me first.

3. What's the nearest furry object?
My kitty Mickey!!! :) 

4. What does the last text you received say?
"Haha ok stay safe :) I'm coming home to get some stuff"

5. Do you wear your seat belt in the car?
Yes. I feel so weird if I don't wear one.

6. Who was the last person you hugged?
My friend Erin. She gives great hugs. 

7. If you were on Death Row, what would be your last meal request?
The Beaumont Gourmet Burger from the Beaumont Grill in Ouray, CO (unffff)

8. If you could have any super power, what would it be?
The ability to read minds...or to go back in time to the first day I met some of the important people in my life, just so I could remember the moment forever.

9. Where's the most beautiful place you've ever been?
This place in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I totally forgot what it's called ahhhh, but it's like mountains...in Michigan...

10. What's your favorite kind of cookie?
White chocolate cranberry cookies from Subway

11. What do you wish to change about yourself?
my inability to stop eating food no matter how not-hungry I am, simply because it tastes good.

12. What's the worst thing about the opposite sex?
 how they get all the good graphic t-shirt options at stores like Target and Kohl's. They get like 30 choices and we get 10, if even that. Not fair.

13. Are you upset about anything?
No, although my neighbors are having a party outside and they're being super loud.

14. Can you fit your hand around your wrist?
I have stubby fingers and chunky man wrists, so no.

15. What is the worst mistake you made in your life?
Maybe choosing to go to a private college? I wouldn't trade my friends there for anything, but I didn't have the greatest first year and I don't really want to go back...or be in debt for the rest of my life.

16. What's your fast food restaurant of choice?
Subway or Tacobell

17. What's the most embarrassing song on your iTunes?
"Bake a Cake" - Lazy Town

18. When did you first kiss the last person you kissed?
March 27th

19. What was the last good news that you heard?
My mom was bringing home my favorite pizza for dinner

20. Have you done anything sneaky lately?
Yeah. Erika isn't so innocent anymore.

Tag! You're it! If you're reading this, you get to take this quiz and post it on your blog. I also tag neoleostory, the gvn syndrome, Palina, Sara, and Erika.

Book Review: Eleanor & Park

Every night, before I shut my eyes and drift into an innocent slumber, I pray to God that more novels would be published starring not-so-skinny teenagers who fall head over heels in love for Asian misfits.

Ok, that's total bologna, but after finishing the last book I checked out from the library, any story depicting average American teens with good looks is just...boring. I want deeper conflicts and unique characters with mixed ethnicities. I want a love story so real and beautifully written that my heart swells and breaks and grows three sizes that day. Friends, I found that book, and I want the rest of the world to experience it too.

cover art by Harriet Russell

"Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell (yes, Rainbow) is one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Unlike most of the young adult fiction I read, this one is written in third person and is limited to the two main characters, Eleanor and Park, as it switches between the thoughts of each of them. This particular narrative style connects the two protagonists in a way so special that you know the characters are in love without the author ever having to spell it out. It takes place in Nebraska in 1986 and focuses on the lives of two sixteen-year-olds who feel like outsiders compared with the rest of their class. Eleanor not only comes from a broken, abusive home, but is also mocked for having crazy red hair and being overweight. Park is half Korean, half Irish and likes to wear eyeliner. From the first time they meet on the bus to school, their lives are changed forever. As their friendship turns into a vigorous attraction that neither of them can deny, they realize that being in love doesn't rid them of their problems, yet they're still brave enough to try.

This book. This book.This book.This book. I cannot.

It's been over a year since I've read anything that has given me such immense feelings over every aspect of the book. This one grabbed tightly to my heart from the very first chapter and continued to turn it into mush as I faithfully turned the pages. I was so enchanted by the characters' story that my heart crushed near the end and I cried like I was losing a close friend. At the very last page, I literally cried out, hating the idea that I had to go on with my life without knowing exactly where Eleanor and Park ended up. I fiercely crave to read more, even if it's as uneventful as what Eleanor ate for breakfast or what comic currently took up space on Park's lap.

All other books seem bland and juvenile and poorly written in comparison. Reading Rainbow's writing is like getting to eat your favorite candy. It's addictive, pure, and intensely satisfying. As someone who aspires to be an author, this book is my gold. I want to study it, learn from it, and steal all her tricks. This is the type of book that will affect the way I write and change the way I think about teenage love stories. I cannot get enough.

The fun part? Park is the first crush I've had on a fictional character since Maximum Ride's Iggy in middle school. Every time he said something heart-felt, I died and wanted to yank Eleanor's sleeve when she rolled her eyes at him.

Look at this awesome fan art! ( c ) pbjsandwitch

So basically, read this book. It doesn't matter if you've never read in the young adult genre or hate romance or are biased against unconventional main characters. This book is worth every ounce of your time. It will teach you how to love and be loved, how to face your problems, and the meaning of family.

Need I coax you more? When I finished this book in bed around noon, the only thing urging me to start my day was knowing that I had to get my hands on my own copy. I went straight to Barnes & Noble and spent $20 on the hardcover. When the paperback version comes out, I'll probably buy that one too. With quotes like, "Holding Eleanor's hand was like holding a butterfly. Or a heartbeat," there is much highlighting to be done.


On Repeat: "Waiting For a Girl Like You" - Foreigner
Currently Reading: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Days Until California: 18