30 DBJ Day 7

Sorry for the short hiatus! We went camping this weekend up in the mountains, but I’m back no worse for wear! It was kind of lame because I spent a lot of time studying for the final I have on Tuesday, but that’s the life of a responsible college student I guess.

Today’s blog challenge is a picture that makes me happy, and like usual there were a few contenders. Unlike the norm, I managed to narrow it down to one. That special photo is:

Adventure Husband and Frankenstein

This photo perfects sums up my husbands over zealous love of Christmas. His childlike joy truly makes it a magical and special holiday for me, and I have to admit that before him I was a SCROOGE. I didn’t particularly like Christmas because I thought it was a overly commercialized present grab, but he reminded me it’s about being around friends and family, and sharing in the joy of generosity of spirit as well as wallet. This is one of the many many reasons I love him.

Update! Also, 30 DBJ Day 6.

Hello all! Sorry I’ve been MIA for a while (2 weeks?) Life got super crazy hectic, I had 3 finals and several papers all hit at once, then the Adventure Hubs and I had lots of family commitments to attend to! Here I am, no worse for wear (except for my sanity!). I’m finishing up summer classes, all that’s left is my Writing Intensive Course (WIC) on Psychometrics and Testing and I’m done until fall term. I know, not very exciting, sorry darlings. It’s hotter than heck today, so I’m taking a homework break and updating for you.

Honestly, the most exciting thing that has happened is we bought a fountain for our cats. Seriously. We’ve turned into those people, and God help us. To be fair, the two little monsters recently decided that they only wanted to drink water out of the bathtub faucet, and would sit next to us or in the bathroom and scream their heads off until we met their demands. A-holes. Not only is it annoying, but when they get going at 3AM, they’re awfully hard to love. So, we dropped a lot of money ($50 for a freaking cat accessory!) on this fountain, which they were very unsure about. But 3 days later, and they’re in love. So, apparently it was worth it and if you want I’ll totally tell you all about it. At this point, because I’m now sleeping (mostly) uninterrupted, it was worth every damn penny. I’ll get on with the 30 Day Blog Journal.

I’ve been dreading this one, I’m not great at making lists about myself, i’m indecisive and I usually can’t think of enough or have too many (as you well know by this point).Today’s Journal is 20 of my favorite things.

1. When animals are sleeping and their tongue is sticking out between their front teeth. OMG. It’s so cute it makes me want to explode.

2. The way adventure hubs rubs my back when I’m not feeling well.

3. The smell of tomato plants that are warm from the sun.

4. When I go home for the weekend, that first hug from my dad is the best.

5. Snuggling on the couch during a storm.

6. Waking up to the sound of rain.

7. A cool breeze that cools me off when I’m running. That’s the best.

8. The laughter of the 3-year-old boy who lives across the hall. He makes me want kids so bad my uterus hurt.

9. On that note, my IUD. (Sorry if that’s a overshare, but I love it. It’s so easy! I always forgot to take my pill!)

10. Making lunch for my husband everyday. It’s the only good domestic thing I accomplish most days. I don’t really clean, and I’m often self involved, but having his lunch ready when he comes home makes me feel like the best. wife. ever.

11. Sleeping in a really cold room so I can pile on the blankets and sleep in my little nest!

12. Hot strong coffee on a cold morning.

13. Cooking! I could cook forever, it’s so much fun!

14. Watching old musicals alone so I can sing every word and not annoy anybody.

15. Reading my favorite blogs every morning, before I make breakfast or coffee.

16. When the weather get’s cold enough you need a sweater.

17. October (The leaves are pretty, it’s rainy season, school starts again, it’s my birthday and it’s Halloween, which is the best holiday of all time.)

18. Long conversations with my best friend over a glass of wine. They don’t happen often enough, so I love every minute when I get to see her.

19. Cooking with my mom.

20. Waking up next to my husband. I love how the whole bed smells like him, how he always cuddles me in his sleep, he always keeps me warm. Everything about it. It’s the best.

That’s all today my chickadees!

30 DBJ Day 5

Today is going to be short and sweet, I’m taking a break from studying for my darn finals to write this! Also, heads up I’m going to be M.I.A. this weekend, so I’ll have to do days 7-10 on Monday. Oi, that’s going to be a lot of writing! In unrelated school news, I totally got a 100% on one of my term papers I was frantically pounding out last week! Yay! Alright, lets get on with this horse and pony show!

I’ll be displaying 2 quotes today, one that radically changed how I interact with others, and one I turn to in times of despair. The quote that changed the way I viewed others and literally made me rethink how I spoke about myself, others, and the words that people use around me is this:

“I have learned that once a person is labeled anything, she becomes a caricature rather than a full-fledged human being with both talents and flaws.” -Slut!

Slut! is a book I had to read for a Women’s Studies course, and it talks about the language used to describe women and the overall effect it has on individuals and society. Before this quote, I would not think twice about the derogatory language used to put women down and to keep individuals “in their place”, and I’m not talking only about women in this instance. Anytime anybody is labeled, it makes it that much harder for them to break out of the bonds society has placed on them. I might go into this in more depth later and why this strikes so close to home, but suffice it to say we don’t often think about the impact of our words before we let them leave our mouths, and maybe we should.

The quote I turn to when I need to be reminded to forge on, even when the going gets tough is:

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I know, everybody quotes Eleanor! But there’s a reason! That woman rocked, and she said always seemed to know exactly what she was talking about. I’m going to make my future daughters read a biography on this great lady so they have some awesome female hero’s/role models. I don’t care if I’m causing social suicide for my future off spring, they’ll be well grounded, wise social lepers.

That’s all folks, I’m diving back into the book stack.

P.S. So much for short and sweet, huh?

30 DBJ Day 4

Hello All! Popping back in for a mini breather from finals week hell (all papers complete, 20 pages later…, 3 finals to go before quasi freedom!) with another 30 Day Blog Journal, and today is one of my favorite subjects! Books! I’ve been a bookworm/huge freakin’ nerd for as long as I can remember! During the winter, there’s nothing I love more than curling up inside with a cup of hot liquid (hot toddy if I’m on break from school, hot cocoa if I’m in a term. I chose not to drink often (occasional glass of wine not withstanding) when I’m going to school, it helps me concentrate and I feel better overall) while a storm rages outside. Oh man, it’s almost fall and I’m so excited for the crisp days to return where I can where my boots and sweaters again.

Anywho, back to the subject at hand! Books, glorious books (sung to the tune of Food, Glorious Food from Oliver)! Anyways, because I’m an indecisive fool I’ve decided to run with my top 3 theme again today.

1) Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett

This is a beautifully written novel about an unexpected romance that blooms during a hostage crisis at a vice presidential home in South America. Go buy/borrow it and read it, immediately. I was handed this book on a plane coming home from France, my seat neighbor was crying and I asked her what was wrong. She handed the book over and insisted it was now mine. When I finished the novel, I passed it on to my Mother In Law and told her to give it away when she was done. I love this story.

2) Outlander Series, Diana Gabaldon

Outlander

This is a history/romance novel, and I never ever thought it would be something I would enjoy. But the characters are so awesome, and my favorite Women’s Studies Prof recommended it. I highly suggest the first two in the series (Outlander & Dragonfly in Amber), they’re fun, full of love, war, jealousy, revenge. All the interesting stuff (that you don’t want to deal with in real life, except for love. That’s always fun and interesting!)

Finally,

3) Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen

I’m a sucker for the romantic novels (not to be confused with romance novels), and was greatly disappointed when they announced that Robert Pattinson would be the lead in the movie adaptation (I’m not saying he’s a no talent ass-clown. I’m just saying he’s not much of an actor, sorry twilight fans. Can we still be friends?). But, despite that major movie faux-pas, you need to read this. Seriously. Go buy it and read it. Now. Beautifully written and very compelling, I finished it in 2 days because I couldn’t put it down. This book made me not sleep, and I love my sleep.

Honorable mentions (because I love books): The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, anything by David Sedaris, Pride and Prejudice (I wanted to marry Mr. Darcy in High School), Dogs of Babel, Brave New World, anything by Truman Capote, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night, Siddhartha, The Other Boleyn Girl and anything by Amy Tan or Michael Crichton. And these were only the ones that came to my mind immediately. Told you I’m a nerd!

30 DBJ Day 3

Hello lovelies! Popping back up for air so that I don’t drown in Psychology school work. 2 out of 3 papers are completed, and I have 3 finals at the end of the week. So keep sending me the good juju, it’s greatly appreciated!

So, day 3 of the 30 Day Blog Journal is my favorite TV show. Again with the picking favorites! I exaggerate, but seriously, I’m terrible at just choosing one. So again, you get my top 3. Fair warning, every show but Golden Girls has serious adult content.

Golden Girls

I love this show, it is so. friggen. hilarious! I think I’ve seen every episode at least twice! I wish I owned the the whole darn series. Love it!

Sex and the City

This show has literally made me shoot liquid out of my nose! My old roommates and I used to have a designated girls night, we would get all dressed up, mix cocktails and watch an episode (or 4). I am obsessed with this show. Too bad the last movie was dang terrible.

Oh man. This was an awesome show. It was quirky, hilarious, serious, dramatic and amazing. Also, it has the best final episode I’ve ever seen. Ever. Awesome show.

That’s it darlings. Be back tomorrow! Leave me love (I’m blatantly whoring for comments today), the pick me up will keep me trucking through my week of summer school hell. Blergh.

30 DBJ Day 2

Hello all! Popping in really quick as a break from my Psychometrics and Testing studying/homework madness. The many papers are going swimmingly, and the stress level has only jumped a few times. For example, on Thursday in a moment of panic I attempted to eat the kitchen. Whoops. I’m now back on the “Not eating until I can’t feel feelings” wagon and attempting to control my stress eating by taking much needed breaks more frequently.

So, day 2 is your favorite movie. Crap, I have to pick just one? I’m breaking the rules and posting 3, although I could go on and on about movies. I love them, they allow a break from school and require no additional thought process, which during highly stressful college terms is exactly what I need. So, since I decided to take 17 credits this summer (during advanced class speeds, 4 weeks of class = 1 10 week term of class.) so that I can graduate this fall (YAY!!!!), I’ve been spending more than the normal amount of time vegging out with a movie. My top 3 movies are:

Jeux D’Enfants (Love Me If You Dare)

Jeux d'Enfants

It’s terribly romantic, and terribly terribly French. I love it. Be warned, it has the obligatory French random sex scene.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille

Growing up (from about 8 on) I wanted two things in life, to be a Chef, and to move to Paris. This movie lets me live that dream through a rat.

Finally, Casablanca:

Perfection!

Adventure Hubs found out I hadn’t seen this, he sat me down on the couch and put it on. Oh. My. Goodness. Best movie EVER! So romantic and brilliant. Even if they did steal the idea from Pepe Le Moko! It just added to my obsession of France/1930′s & 40′s/All things beautiful.

30 Day Blog Journal

With finals coming up, and my writing intensive course wrapping up in the next few weeks I think I’m going to participate in the 30 Day Blog Journal, it’ll give me the chance to get in the habit of blogging, and it will give you a chance to get to know me a little more. I found this through the ever fabulous Happy Hour With A Housewife, if you aren’t one of her readers you should go check her out, she’s hilarious!

The 30 Day Blog Journal goes as follows:

Day 1 – your favorite song
Day 2 – your favorite movie
Day 3 – your favorite television program
Day 4 – your favorite book
Day 5 – your favorite quote
Day 6 – 20 of my favorite things
Day 7 – a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 – a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 – a photo you took
Day 10 – a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 – a photo of you recently
Day 12 – something you are OCD about
Day 13 – a fictional book
Day 14 – a non-fictional book
Day 15 – your dream house
Day 16 – a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 – an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 – my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 – a talent of yours
Day 20 – a hobby of yours
Day 21 – a recipe
Day 22 – a website
Day 23 – a youtube video
Day 24 – where I live
Day 25 – your day, in great detail
Day 26 – your week, in great detail
Day 27 – my worst habit
Day 28 – whats in my handbag/purse
Day 29 – hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 – a dream for the future

Day 1: My Favorite Song

This is a hard one, I have so many songs that I love. If I had to choose 1 (or 3) it would be as follows:

Crazy Little Thing Called Love- Queen

This song literally puts me in a good mood every time I hear it. Oh my goodness! How can you hear that and not want to dance? Love it.

Another happy, dancing song. I’ve spent hours of my life hopping around a room like a spaz to this song. I know every single lyric.

Finally:

The White Stripes. Love. Them. I own all of their CD’s, but this is by far my favorite song of theirs. They rock, Jack White is a supremely talented musician. I’ve even converted Adventure Hubs to be a White Stripes fan.