Today was a shooting-star, twirl-around-in-a-field-of-daisies, sunshine-sublime kind of day. So naturally I'm going to tell you about it. Hellllooo, sunshine and semicolons?
8:30 am: I met one of my good friends for a cup of conversation at a coffee shop downtown. For a reason that I cannot remember, he owed me "one free trip to a coffeehouse of choice" so we got hot chocolate and sweet treats while talking about goofy stuff. It was super sweet of him to be so generous.
*the hours between 9 am and 1 pm were actually blah because of class, me being tired, and getting pissed about something, but that's just the way things go*
3:00 pm: Over the weekend, I emailed a girl I used to have playdates with in kindergarten but haven't seen in over 10 years. She's now a freshman at my school so I thought I'd reach out and see how her first weeks at college have been going. We met at the rival coffee place of the one I visited this morning and had a really good chat about college experiences. She's basically the ideal child -- outgoing, responsible, kind-hearted, and gorgeous. I hope to see more of her soon.
4:00 pm: Ms. Bubbly had taken over! I texted my boyfriend really sweet thoughts and I offered my roommates chocolate from my personal stash. Just lovely vibes coming from my soul.
5:00 pm: I work in my library's writing center where I help students through all stages of the writing process. An adorable freshman came in looking for help with formatting a paper. His positive attitude was contagious and he was so eager to hear my suggestions; so precious, this boy! It's moments like this when I really love my job.
6:30 pm: Dinner time! I can't eat dinner with my friends on Thursdays because I get out of work so late. I decided to treat myself to a dinner alone by sneaking in to the better dining hall (clarification: My college has two dining halls. One is awful in atmosphere and food while the other one is spectacular and delicious and basically all things wonderful. Rules are, only upper classmen can eat in the good one, and I have not attained that status yet.) I had the best college food I'd eaten in weeks and it was so nice.
7:00 pm: I recently got hooked on the blog, A Beautiful Mess. It's basically a magical place for inspiration and DIY loveliness. I was mesmerized for hours by all the creativity! Their blog makes me want to fast forward to life out of college where I'm able to sew my own clothes, open my own sweet shoppe, and be a mom. There really is no reason to not dream big.
9:00 pm: I had myself a Dove milk chocolate, the kind with inspirational or happy quotes on the inner wrapper. Mine said "Discover yourself." Today, it was clear what makes me most happy. I love being kind to others and seeing their kindness ring back. I love dreaming as if nothing was holding me back. I love chocolate, helping others, and appreciating good food. When you consciously realize these things, why focus on anything else?
On Repeat: Pandora's Frank Sinatra station (because Frank Sinatra-esque music makes me happy!)
Number of Froyo trips I've made this school year: 2
Number of specialty coffee drinks I've had this school year: 4
One more thing! It's my best friend Erica's birthday today! Well, only for a couple more hours. Drop her a sweet message in her ask or leave a comment on this post. She'd love to hear it, even if it's past today's date.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING! I INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED LIFE TO URGE YOU TO WATCH CRABSTICKZ' NEW INTERNET ANIMAL IMPRESSIONS VIDEO.
Crabstickz is a comic genius on youtube. If you have not watched his videos, you are missing out on one of our generation's most gifted. I cannot say enough good things about Chris without outright professing my love for him.
If that wasn't your style, try my favorite, "I'm single and I LOVE it!" which is for anyone with a sense of humor. Or if you're interested in internet culture, watch "Fangirls!" Then there is the best of the best: "Internet Animal Impressins 2!"
98% of inside jokes between my friend Erin and I are quotes straight from Crabstickz videos and I honestly think we're closer because of him. (Erin, if you're reading this, hi. I read your email and laughed a billion times and smiled profusely. It took me a half hour to read though, so it will take me several days to reply. I love you!)
You may return to your usual obligations. And if that includes doing stats homework on the p-value and null hypothesis, go watch a movie and eat chocolate instead. Ain't nobody got time for that.
Monday, September 2, 2013
#VidCon2013 Day 1
So VidCon happened. Actually, it happened a month ago almost exactly. You might think that makes this post a bit late compared to most reviewers, but the entire trip was so perfect and dream-like that I couldn't possibly get all my thoughts on the subject into words so soon. Now that I'm at a significant distance from the weekend and I can safely drown in nostalgia, come with me down VidCon Lane!
Day 1
The VidCon schedule is so jam-packed with events, that it's impossible to be a part of everything that's going on. From panels to meetups, and signings to concerts, you can find your favorite youtuber in almost any situation. For my friends and I, the signings were our greatest interest since it allows you to say a few words to someone you admire and get a picture with that person (if the admin is nice enough to let you!). Because of this, we spent the first nine hours of our day in the expo hall.
After waiting in line for FOUR HOURS to meet internet cult leaders Dan and Phil, here are the highlights:
- I handed each of them a note, to which Dan grabbed and set down on the gift table a few feet away. This gave me the perfect opportunity to admire his entire backside. Let me tell you, that boy fits a lot into those dark wash skinny jeans. He had love handles and I wanted to scream. *overcome with Dan feels*
- After Dan said he liked my hat, we had a conversation that went like this: ME: See that girl in the Doctor Who shirt right there? *points to my friend* Well she's never kissed a boy and I was wondering if you would be her first kiss. DAN: Ah, you know, I would, except there's like a pedophile law that says we can't.
- When my friends and I exited the queue I started crying. Legit sobs were coming out of me, I was so emotionally unstable from meeting them.
Whoa, this post is longer than a Zoella video and I haven't even mentioned half of the people I met on the first day of the convention. Other really cool things that happened were:
On Repeat: "Best Friends" - Dave Days ft. Chris C and MatthewDaMC
Currently Reading: The Triggering Town by Richard Hugo
Day 1
The VidCon schedule is so jam-packed with events, that it's impossible to be a part of everything that's going on. From panels to meetups, and signings to concerts, you can find your favorite youtuber in almost any situation. For my friends and I, the signings were our greatest interest since it allows you to say a few words to someone you admire and get a picture with that person (if the admin is nice enough to let you!). Because of this, we spent the first nine hours of our day in the expo hall.
First stop: Strawburry17! Meghan Camarena has been the female youtuber I've watched the longest, so naturally I headed to her line first. When she and her affiliates walked to their table, I waved at her brother David and he waved back and I cried...yeahhhhh I'm a professional fangirl. Meghan was so nice and I basically spewed my love for her and she listened to all of it. I hope her and Jimmy get married.
Winner for Most Dedicated to her Fans is Brittani Louise Taylor. She stood up to to hug her fans instead of sitting behind the signing table. I ran into her later happily talking with people in the bathroom, then at night she was saying hi to fans in the hotel lobby. Even more, I saw her meeting fans in the sponsor section of the expo hall the next day. She never stops!
Believe it or not, a friend of mine didn't know who Rebecca Black was until I told him about her a few days ago. To think he's never contemplated the options of what seat to take! Anyway, I discovered ol' Becky Black was very chill, despite her immense popularity at the gathering. When she went to sign my VidCon shirt, I told her there was vacant space next to a cat graphic and she got really excited.
I heard Danielle Fishel was going to make an appearance somewhere, so I got out of line for Dan and Phil and found the Popsugar booth (the YT channel she's on). Not even two minutes later, she sat down behind the desk, lookin' perf (Do you see that hair!?!) and answered some questions from viewers. Guys, I was less than six feet from Topanga!!!
- I handed each of them a note, to which Dan grabbed and set down on the gift table a few feet away. This gave me the perfect opportunity to admire his entire backside. Let me tell you, that boy fits a lot into those dark wash skinny jeans. He had love handles and I wanted to scream. *overcome with Dan feels*
- After Dan said he liked my hat, we had a conversation that went like this: ME: See that girl in the Doctor Who shirt right there? *points to my friend* Well she's never kissed a boy and I was wondering if you would be her first kiss. DAN: Ah, you know, I would, except there's like a pedophile law that says we can't.
- When my friends and I exited the queue I started crying. Legit sobs were coming out of me, I was so emotionally unstable from meeting them.
My friend and I ran into iamchrisc, and you'll see in day 2's post that I am his biggest fan.
One of the most hilarious and entertaining people on Youtube was filming a vlog when we saw her, so you can check out that epic moment here. We're doing her post-tea-sip-face, duh.
Whoa, this post is longer than a Zoella video and I haven't even mentioned half of the people I met on the first day of the convention. Other really cool things that happened were:
- Seeing The Boy Band Project perform. Check out their Cody Simpson cover; it's so good!
- the DaveDays concert! See the iPhone in the middle of this video? My friend and I are the ones below it hyper-jumping like major corn balls. I just really have a soft spot for Dave...
- GIVING DAVE A HIGH-FIVE!
On Repeat: "Best Friends" - Dave Days ft. Chris C and MatthewDaMC
Currently Reading: The Triggering Town by Richard Hugo
Sunday, August 25, 2013
A Year Ago Today #2
That was a year ago.
This time around, getting ready to go back to college was less big of a deal than deciding where my family was going to eat for a goodbye dinner. This time, I didn't worry.
Because I got a job in my school's writing center, I had to move in early for training. The only other people on campus until today have been students with jobs. Then the freshman started arriving, and I've been wishing I were one of them. I walked around the central spot on campus while all the freshman were gathered in groups for ice-breaker activities and I wanted so much to be in their shoes. Freshman year oozes a sense of possibility and wonderment. When you immerse yourself into something so new so quick, you believe anything is possible. My 18-year-old self discovered right away, however, that the longer you wait to pursue new things, the harder it is to make a change in yourself.
I wanted to be the girl who could stay out late with large groups of people, but my introversion and need for sleep got the best of me. I wanted to be the one who started conversation with classmates, but I was easily intimidated. I wanted to be someone that people eagerly asked to be partners with, but I believed I was boring, so others did too. Soon enough, my freshman year became a sort of death sentence. I had more anxiety and depression than any other time in my life. I also lost any relationship I had with God even though my school is know for being Christian.
So seeing the freshman in a place where I was a year ago gives me a new sense of possibility. I can still be all the things I wanted to be last year. I can be anyone I want. The good thing about being a sophomore is that college isn't a surprise. I know what to expect, so this time I don't need to be so nervous. I have friends, a job, and considerably less anxiety than last year. I can do anything I want and I can't wait to try.
 |
| A message my friend wrote on our last day of freshman year |
On Repeat: "Shiver Shake" - Royal Hoax
This is me filling up space where other countdowns and things should go, but I have nothing to put so here are words...do you have any suggestions for new endnotes?
Also, fun fact: I met my boyfriend a year ago today, even though we didn't start talking until the end of January. I like him; he says things like "I imagine so."
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Baking Adventures: July
July has been the baking adventure of all baking adventures thus far. With the help of some pretty cool people, I became a baking rockstar and now feel confident to try any far-fetched recipe I find on the internet.
Dinosaur Cake: My brother's girlfriend was born on the fourth of July, so I wanted to do something special and not red-white-and-blue themed for her birthday, which brought me to...the dinosaur cake! My boyfriend and I spent hours on this masterpiece, but the secret is that it's actually the easiest thing ever. Creativity and an open mind is key, since the spikes, sprinkles, and smile were all last-minute touches that ultimately made the cake more fun. The only stressing part was frosting the body because the cake kept crumbling and sticking to the frosting knife. Overall, super delicious, even if the frosting stained our mouthes a monstrous blue.
Neopolitan Cupcakes: Strawberry brownie cupcakes, we meet again! Instead of Betty Crocker's fudge brownie mix, we tried Duncan Hines and it didn't make as much batter since it was a lot thicker. For some reason, they didn't turn out as great as the first time we made them. Then to kick the fun up a notch, we used special frosting tips to make cool designs. Which one is your favorite? I like the seashell looking one on the middle right.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs: If you want to be a rockstar in the kitchen, make these! Though they are extremely time-consuming, the effort is well worth it. First, you make cookie dough balls (without egg!) and freeze them, then bake brownies and cut them into one-inch squares. Next, you gently flatten the brownie squares in your palm and wrap them around the dough balls until they are completely covered. They are GIANT! Then you freeze them again to firm them up before dipping them in melted chocolate. Garnish with chopped white and dark chocolate for a gourmet effect. Heavenly.
S'mores Graham Krispie Treats: A super yummy twist on regular rice krispie treats, these are a chocolate lover's addiction. My family devoured this entire pan in less than a day which is no surprise considering I made them extra delicious by adding more chocolate chips than the recipe called for. If you were wondering, these were the treats I was trying to make when the beetle incident happened.
Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes with Oreo Frosting: My friends and I were just hanging out in Kroger like usual when we found this Oreo frosting for 85 CENTS!!! Duh, it was cupcake party time. I made chocolate cupcakes from scratch, but I suck and over-baked them. The most disappointing part, though, was that the frosting tasted like PLASTIC! It was awful; don't buy it. But after putting the cupcakes in a container over night, they got really most and delicious and I regained my baking status as queen.
Cherry Chip Brownie Cupcakes: It has now become a tradition to make the cupcakes with brownies on the bottom every time my boyfriend comes over. We didn't have strawberry cake mix though so we used Betty Crocker's cherry chip cake mix. The result? Not as good as the strawberry kind, but c'mon, they're cupcakes so I still ate them...multiple times a day.
Bonus: Some fancy-pants bake shop in Manhattan has invented the Frozen S'more. Must try.
On Repeat: "Pretty Brown Eyes" - The Boy Band Project (Cody Simpson cover)
Currently Reading: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Days until I no longer have to work at Subway: 9
Dinosaur Cake: My brother's girlfriend was born on the fourth of July, so I wanted to do something special and not red-white-and-blue themed for her birthday, which brought me to...the dinosaur cake! My boyfriend and I spent hours on this masterpiece, but the secret is that it's actually the easiest thing ever. Creativity and an open mind is key, since the spikes, sprinkles, and smile were all last-minute touches that ultimately made the cake more fun. The only stressing part was frosting the body because the cake kept crumbling and sticking to the frosting knife. Overall, super delicious, even if the frosting stained our mouthes a monstrous blue.
Neopolitan Cupcakes: Strawberry brownie cupcakes, we meet again! Instead of Betty Crocker's fudge brownie mix, we tried Duncan Hines and it didn't make as much batter since it was a lot thicker. For some reason, they didn't turn out as great as the first time we made them. Then to kick the fun up a notch, we used special frosting tips to make cool designs. Which one is your favorite? I like the seashell looking one on the middle right.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs: If you want to be a rockstar in the kitchen, make these! Though they are extremely time-consuming, the effort is well worth it. First, you make cookie dough balls (without egg!) and freeze them, then bake brownies and cut them into one-inch squares. Next, you gently flatten the brownie squares in your palm and wrap them around the dough balls until they are completely covered. They are GIANT! Then you freeze them again to firm them up before dipping them in melted chocolate. Garnish with chopped white and dark chocolate for a gourmet effect. Heavenly.
 |
| The leftover chocolate inspired us to make chocolate-covered pretzels |
S'mores Graham Krispie Treats: A super yummy twist on regular rice krispie treats, these are a chocolate lover's addiction. My family devoured this entire pan in less than a day which is no surprise considering I made them extra delicious by adding more chocolate chips than the recipe called for. If you were wondering, these were the treats I was trying to make when the beetle incident happened.
Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes with Oreo Frosting: My friends and I were just hanging out in Kroger like usual when we found this Oreo frosting for 85 CENTS!!! Duh, it was cupcake party time. I made chocolate cupcakes from scratch, but I suck and over-baked them. The most disappointing part, though, was that the frosting tasted like PLASTIC! It was awful; don't buy it. But after putting the cupcakes in a container over night, they got really most and delicious and I regained my baking status as queen.
Cherry Chip Brownie Cupcakes: It has now become a tradition to make the cupcakes with brownies on the bottom every time my boyfriend comes over. We didn't have strawberry cake mix though so we used Betty Crocker's cherry chip cake mix. The result? Not as good as the strawberry kind, but c'mon, they're cupcakes so I still ate them...multiple times a day.
Bonus: Some fancy-pants bake shop in Manhattan has invented the Frozen S'more. Must try.
On Repeat: "Pretty Brown Eyes" - The Boy Band Project (Cody Simpson cover)
Currently Reading: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Days until I no longer have to work at Subway: 9
Saturday, July 27, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
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.
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!!!)
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 |
On Repeat: "When They Fight They Fight" - The Generationals
Days Until California: 14 (2 WEEKS!!!)
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