I'm A Jokester

So, in the few hours since I said my goodbyes, I decided I WOULD be keeping up this blog, as well as my Tumblr (and my Twitter..and Facebook..and GoodReads profile..and who knows how many other social networking profiles...). Tumblr doesn't really allow me to separate things as much as I'd like, and there is no way to add my fave widgets there, so I am just shifting things up a bit.

This blog will now be much more devoted to book reviews, charity spotlights, and literary and education-related news. Tumblr will be for the fun reblogs and silly things, as well as my more personal bitching and moaning and day-to-day nonsense. Because of the changes, I probably won't be posting as much over here, but I expect to keep up a steady 2 posts (maybe even more) a week.

Put It In Writing (the original) will finally be what it originally set out to be- educated editing and reviews with a bit of snark.

Up And Running

So :((( super sad face, but I have my TUMBLR all up and running now. I'm still not entirely sure what I will be doing with this blog, but I know I won't delete it because I have lots of awesome old posts that I'm way too lazy to transfer over. But I do like how much easier Tumblr seems, and I like how easy it is to reblog stuff from your friends. Sometimes I just want to write a little tidbit, and that seems like such a waste on Blogger...to have some tiny baby post. It still takes some getting used to, and I still don't know how to add new posts on my other Pages (or why my Twitter isn't updating...not like it does here anywho), but I must keep up with the times.

For those that want to reach me without going all the way over to Tumblr (though you can ask me questions there...), just shoot me an email or tweet. I am super quick with all of that. I will still be around the Blogger world commenting and such, but for now, I bid you adieu

Only Goes To Show...

I tried to make a Tumblr. I think I succeeded...but I don't really know how to use it yet. I'm just tired of the layout here, and EVERYONE seems to be on Tumblr these days. Plus, I like how easy it seems to reblog things, and I like all the little pictures and stuff over there.

Naturally, I decide to do this at midnight with my headache still cranking. Sometime tomorrow, along with finishing up my applications, I hope to get it all up and running and figure out how it all works. Not sure what I will be doing with this blog, since it will depend on how much I end up liking Tumblr, but do not worry, I am not forsaking you yet!

And for any of those interested, here is the link to My Snazzy New Tumblr, which is actually kind of lame now because it's very basic and I haven't figured out how to even get columns in yet.


I told you technology and I don't mix.

Braaaaaaaains//Day 5

My brain hurts. I've had a nasty headache all day, which stinks. But I also got a great facial done today, and my face feels so nice. I ended up spending $100 (which was way more than the $20 I was expecting to spend), but it will hopefully help clear my skin up.

But in other brain-y news, I stumbled upon this article on Facebook by FoxNews (yes, I know, I was surprised too...), Spotless Mind? Erasing Painful Memories May Soon Happen, and it is pretty flabbergasting. I guess since I have been deep in The Hunger Games world, which has the huge undercurrent of memories running throughout, it really struck me. Granted, it seems pretty amazing to do for people that suffer from PTSD, such as war veterans and rape victims. Since it is drug therapy and behavioral therapy, it does seem like people could relapse easily, or become too reliant on the therapy.

However, I also don't know how you can remove just ONE memory, without completing effecting all your other memories. Or memories related to the "bad" one. Yes, terrible things happen. But what if you learned something great about yourself from it? Or met a new person that helped you through it or became a pivotal part of your life? What if that led you to volunteer or donate to an important cause? How can you separate a REALLY bad memory from a semi-bad one? Or from a good one?

Also, I feel like, after awhile, like with most things, people are going to take advantage of this therapy, and will ask for treatment to get over an ex or failing a test or not finding the boots they wanted in the right size and a whole myriad of stupid reasons. I think it is treading on such a fine line between being ethical and unethical that it's scary.

I don't think I would ever do this, though. I have gone through some awful times in my life, but I have learned from them. And I think dealing with problems is the only way we can truly grow as people. I think I would feel like I am cheating at life if something bad happens and I can just forget it completely. Because I might not remember it, but that doesn't mean that it didn't happen.

Would you take part in this therapy to "erase" memories? Do you think it makes it easier/harder to be taken advantage of?



DAY 5
I think my favorite fight scene remains the final battle in THE HUNGER GAMES with the muttations. It was one of the first times that I felt real, visceral, physical pain while reading, and it is just one of those scenes that just sticks with you. Plus, those mutts were effing scary, and only goes to show how absolutely despicable the Capitol was. Though I do like the thought of Peeta just beating the shit out of Brutus and killing him in CATCHING FIRE...

Can't Find The Words To Write This Song//Day 4

Lazy Sunday, wake up in the late afternoon....ah, channeling some of my favorite The Lonely Island songs (who I miss greatly, by the way). I have done a whole lot of nothing today, which is nice since I have been pretty go go go the last few days. Many phone calls to make tomorrow, as well as finishing up the online grad applications and paying the fees, something I hope to finish by the end of the week. May have to blow an unexpected $100+ more, but eh, what can you do? But I am getting a free facial done tomorrow, so that is something cool. And different. As long as they don't try to sucker me into buying anything that I very apparently do not have money for.

I'm currently watching the AMA's, and they are kinda sucking. Nothing too super great yet, but my Comcast digital cable has been going nuts so I haven't been able to catch it all. Spent today reading and relaxing and thinking about college football and what I would've done differently while in college. Had I gone somewhere completely random. Still trying to figure that last one out though.

Oh, Swedish House Mafia on the AMA's? Finally something cool! If they were going on tour with him and Trey Songz, I might actually really try to find the money to go (but it is on Dec 31...)

*Post title from Corinne Bailey Rae's "Like a Star" (I have been playing and replaying this song hardcore for the past few weeks. Very simple arrangement and vocals, but very powerful)



DAY 4
I lovelovelove Gale. And Johanna. And for basically the same reason. I like that take-no-prisoners determination that they have. I like that they are unapologetic. Because sometimes, in war and in life, you have to do things that you might not want to do, but you do it for a higher purpose. Plus, Gale is described as delicious. And I love delicious. And Johanna is so snarky and bitchy, you just have to love those one-liners of hers. They have the kind of attitude I wish I had more often in certain situations (because I definitely have that attitude, just at all the wrong moments).

These two, together, would be my favorite non-canon couple, though I think you could find a few mini-hints in the actual story for them too.

Oh Ron....//Day 3

First off, super Congratulations to Cheyanne (and Adam) who got MARRIED today!! I wish I could've been there, but I know it was an amazing wedding nevertheless.

I saw Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Pt 1 today. And Oh. My. Ronald. Weasley. Greatgreatgreatgreat! I think they did a very good job with the adaptation- things were cut out, of course, but I think they didn't cut out anything that would be needed in the final movie. It flowed quite nicely and I would've sat there for another 2-3 hours and watched the entire thing! But, they cut it at a great scene, where it's pretty high action, but still very important, and where everyone (that hasn't read the books, that is) is left wondering WHAT the trio will do next.

I cried. Not as much as I thought I would, but I think that is because my brain was just so overwhelmed, my body wasn't catching up as quickly. I could barely eat my popcorn, I was so nervous and jittery! I think they had a nice mix of romance, anger, fear and humor mixed in, so you wouldn't go over the edge emotion-wise.

As for my favorite characters, the twins were spot on, of course. And I really liked watching them have a more dramatic, emotional scene with George's ear...a nice pre-cursor for ::sob:: in the final. And Ron.

Oh Ron.

Rupert Grint never disappoints me. He wore a suit to all the premieres and made me all a-quiver, and that SPEECH when he returns?? My little heart was fluttering all around my chest. I need to marry him.

Like yesterday.

I wish Pt 2 was coming out tomorrow, instead of 8 months from now. I do hope to see it one more time, maybe sometime during the week when the kiddies are at school, and I can go alone with my thoughts and pick up on all the little things I missed the first go. Either way, I think they did a great job (and it looked, cinematography-wise, beautiful), so I am very, very, VERY excited/sad for Pt 2.



DAY 3
I don't think there are any characters I HATE that others love. Some of them grate on my nerves sometimes, and they would definitely not be characterized as my favorites, though. Sometimes Effie got to be quite annoying, and I had to just ignore or skim through her parts, but I think you need a bubbly, happy-go-lucky character to balance out all the angst and moodiness the tag-team of Haymitch and Katniss can put out. Annie was another that got to me at times, though I have read some fan-fiction with her in it and it makes me like her a bit more. But, again, I don't really HATE any of the more likeable characters.

You Grace Me With Your Cold Shoulder//Day 2

So I tried to post a picture of a tweet I sent earlier today, but I'm kind of dumb when it comes to that kind of stuff and it didn't work out. Anywho, I tweeted a pic of my delicious Venti Iced Non-Fat White Chocolate Mocha (no whip) from Starbucks (and yes, it is 80+ degrees down here so I will probably never get another chance to drink a hot coffee) and MOCKINGJAY, calling it "the elixir of life." Then I said at the rate I was going, I should open up a YA bookstore.

Freaking DING!

Owning a bookstore would be the best of every possible love of mine ever. I get to be around other like-minded, bookish folk, I get to encourage literacy, I'd meet authors (and help out my author friends!), and know about all the awesome books first. Plus, hello? BOOKS. I could have a super cool indie store like Tattered Cover in Denver or The Book Cellar in Chicago. One of those hip places that have book signings and "Book Club Happy Hour" and fun book launch parties. Coffee would clearly play a big role. I would even be super happy to work at an awesome bookstore like that (if there was room for promotion, of course).

Like with most things, I became super excited and researched like mad. Of course, I'd need tons of money, but it doesn't seem as crazy-difficult as I imagined. I could buy a store that is currently being sold (and they will often sell the interior fixtures and any books they don't have to send back to the publisher) or buy a book franchise (which takes a lot of the grunt work out of it, since they would prepare a lot of it for you). And searching around, I haven't seen too many specialty YA bookstores. I would probably open it up a bit more to also include younger children's books, but I think the YA market is in such a boom right now that it might work.

I doubt I could open one here though. Miami isn't exactly known for being highly intellectual or literary-minded. The more "hip" districts down here where it might work would be so expensive it probably wouldn't be worth it. And I'd probably want to go into business with someone who was very business-minded; I COULD do all of that stuff, but I'd rather work on the book-end and with advertising and promotion (basically, the fun stuff).

And, best of all, when I get into a grad program (I WILL!), any of them would work for this. Library Science and English are pretty obvious, but the Public History programs would put me into contact with the community at large, especially those interested in learning, and I could really get my foot in the door. Either way, it made me so excited to have a major, major life goal. I know I want to get a PhD, which is pretty killer in and of itself, but owning my own bookstore would be legendary. It'd be like my equivalent of publishing my own novel. (And I will soon extend that idea into its own blog post)

By the way, I'm FINALLY going to go see Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Pt 1 tomorrow afternoon, so if I haven't imploded from the sheer epicness, I may review it tomorrow night or Sunday!

*Post title from Adele's "Cold Shoulder" (Beautiful, beautiful voice, and her second album seems as wonderful as her first!)



DAY 2
Least favorite character= President Coin.

I hate her even more than Snow, and he was a super creeper freakazoid. To be superficial, I hate people who have perfect hair. All. Of. The. Time. My hair is only perfect for about 15 minutes, and the second I actually arrive wherever it was I was going, it looks terrible. So, that was one strike against her. But she was just so incredibly selfish and subversive; at least Snow was out in the open with his douchebaggery. Plus, I hate that she used Gale's bomb plan and ended up killing Prim and the other rebel medics because I am now falling in love with Gale, and Coin. Sucks. (REAL)

I'm So Crafty// Day 1 (AGAIN!)

Not in the physical sense. I am terrible at crafts. But really good with glitter, the herpes of craft supplies. And, as we all know, glitter can fix anything. But I am crafty in the brain sense, especially when it comes to researching and finding things, and I have found ANOTHER 30 Day Challenge. And this one is about THE HUNGER GAMES! No worries, I am searching for a Harry Potter one for when this one is over. No need to fret guys, I've got this.

Oh, I've also realized how dorky this is. But I also know that others will probably agree with me. Plus, I've got a lot of free time these days, so I might as well do something else that is productive.


Day 1: Your favorite character:
Day 2 Your least favorite character:
Day 3: A character you hate that everyone loves:
Day 4: A character you love that everyone hates:
Day 5: Your favorite fight/battle scene:
Day 6: A scene that made you laugh:
Day 7: A scene that made you cry:
Day 8: The character you are most like:
Day 9: Your favorite quote:
Day 10: Peeta or Gale:
Day 11: Something you hate about the series:
Day 12: A character you wish hadn't died:
Day 13: A character you wish had died:
Day 14: Your favorite tribute (aside from Peeta/Katniss):
Day 15: Your least favorite tribute (aside from Peeta/Katniss):
Day 16: A question you wish had been answered in the book:
Day 17: The worst death:
Day 18: A song that reminds you of the series:
Day 19: Your favorite pairing:
Day 20: Your least favorite pairing:
Day 21: A pairing you don't get:
Day 22: Your favorite book of the three:
Day 23: Your favorite secondary character:
Day 24: Your least favorite secondary character:
Day 25: Your dream cast:
Day 26: Your favorite scene in The Hunger Games:
Day 27: Your favorite scene in Catching Fire:
Day 28: Your favorite scene in Mockingjay:
Day 29: Your favorite thing about the entire series:
Day 30: A book/series that you would rec to fellow fans
BONUS: Day 31: Whatever you want:


DAY 1
Favorite character= Peeta. Freakin. Mellark.

I <3 Peeta so much. I've thought up of nicknames for him. I even wrote a fanfiction (the first in about a year and a half) about him. I love that he is sweet, dedicated, and has nice buns. Cheese buns, of course. Even when he was hijacked this kid still knew he loved Katniss. But every once in awhile, he totally snaps and shows that he isn't just the boy that can make pretty cookies, and I like the idea of that brute, raw strength lurking under the surface. In conclusion, if Peeta were real, I would learn how to throw axes like Johanna and steal him from Katniss. That is all.

They Lack The Passion To Prevail

HARRY POTTER IS HERE!

Sadly, I'm not going to see it tonight :( because some people have "work" and "school" and "responsibilities," and it's no fun to go to a midnight premiere by yourself. I may go see it early afternoon tomorrow, if not, it is a lonnnnnng Saturday wait for me. However, since I am obsessively reading MOCKINGJAY and imagining myself as many of the characters, I think I will do fine.

And to showcase my super bookgirl nerdiness, I have recently become re-obsessed with fan fiction. I ALWAYS love a good Harry Potter one (and I like some of the real-life fics on the actors too) and used to enjoy Twilight as well, but those drag on me these days. Of course, now I am all about The Hunger Games, and my love of Peeta drags me to those. And (SPOILER-LAND) because I am me, I have totally realized I love Gale too, but am very happy he didn't end up with Katniss. In fact, I've seen a lot of Johanna/Gale ff that I think might actually work. Mainly because she is such a fierce bitch (I lovelovelove Johanna, especially as a foil to Katniss. Along with Finnick and probably Boggs, she is my fave minor character).

I am excited/nervous for the movie. Adaptations, especially from a book series, are always shaky ground. It could be epic, like Harry Potter. It could be lame, like Twilight. It does have a big studio backing it, a great director, and Suzanne Collins herself wrote the script, so I don't think she would butcher up her own story. I feel like any changes she makes would make sense because she created this entire world after all. Not sure how much money it will get, but hopefully a lofty amount because those Games? MUST be epic. I know it'll be much less violent than the actual books to keep it's PG-13 rating, but honestly, imagining it in my mind was awful enough. I'd probably vomit if I saw it on the big screen.

So I guess all that is truly left is finding the actors that fit these characters. I love how Harry Potter went and found virtual unknowns that really BECAME these characters. I read somewhere that Emma Watson says she knows Hermione much better than she knows herself. I know it might be a draw to pick some big names, but some of the suggestions I've seen are absolutely ridiculous. A lot of them seem like they'd work. I have my own opinions on who I think would work (mainly for the boys because I have to imagine SOMEONE when I'm day-dreaming, right?), but I will save those for another post.

In other YA book news, I am quite excited for MATCHED by Ally Condie to be released in about a week and a half. It seems part The Giver/ part THG/ part awesome. I seem to be into dystopian novels these days, and it has gotten pretty awesome reviews. It is supposed to be another series (I believe a trilogy), and I always work best when I am anxiously awaiting another awesome read. So if I manage to scrounge up any Thanksgiving money, that is definitely what I will be spending it on! I've included the blurb I found on Matched's GoodReads page below:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

God, I love Ky already.


*Post title from Monty Are I's (a band whose name I ALWAYS get wrong, but not this time!) "Only the Weak"

I WON SOMETHING!

Super awesome Chey has awarded me the Honest Scrap award! So now I must tell you 10 things about myself, even though I randomly post surveys about myself so who knows if there is anything exciting left to tell. Since I cannot re-award Chey with the Honest Scrap award, I will forreal get her wedding gift and birthday card out this week and it'll actually arrive sometime close to her wedding (it is very large and quirky, but it makes me laugh when I think about it so hopefully her and Adam like it too)

1. I once rode a mechanical bull for 10 whole seconds without falling off and managed to win 2 free pitchers of beer. It should've only been one, but the DJ was impressed that I was wearing a skit and didn't flash anyone because I am a classy lady.

2. I have 3 tattoos, but most people only know about 1 because the other 2 (a pair) require me to take my pants off (haha)

3. My little sister is coincidentally also my best friend, and I once beat the crap out of a guy that probably had 70 lbs on me at a concert for pushing her. He totally got beat up by a girl.

4. One of my favorite nights ever was ghost hunting with Cheyanne and Katie in Galveston. The Mexicans were much scarier than The Face, and walking on the Jetty of Doom while waves were crashing around us and we were carrying a bottle of Jager and being followed by a homeless person was scary/awesome.

5. I touched a stingray once. And I liked it. I also fed dolphins, and they attempted to bite my fingers off.

6. I once rolled into a ditch because I have terrible depth perception.

7. I stood out in the cold during the Harry Potter NYC Goblet of Fire premiere and got Rupert Grint's autograph. It is among my prized possessions.

8. When my dog Coco was dying in the little animal hospital, I made a random promise that if she survived I wouldn't cut my hair for a year. She did, and I didn't (which is pretty intense for me since I generally cut my hair 3-4 times a year).

9. I broke my arm by pirouette-ing right off the stage during a ballet recital dress rehearsal when I was 9.

10. My goal in life is to get a Ph.D, preferably in English Lit but anything would be nice really.

I award the Honest Scrap Award to Anna Grace Carpenter, Sunely Lopez, Josefa Noa, and Leslie!


**Check back soon because I hope to have my first giveaway within the next week!

First Book

As I am obsessively tearing through CATCHING FIRE (which should be done today...may even begin the reread of MOCKINGJAY tonight too), I decided that for my first charity in my Holiday CharityStravaganza (I'm so witty) would be a literacy-based one, and so I bring you FIRST BOOK.

While researching literacy charities, I was instantly drawn to First Book because it's blurb began with, "Do you remember your first book?" Uh heck yeah, Corduroy by Don Freeman ftw? I remember I even toted around a Corduroy bear and begged to take him to preschool (some days I won, many days he stayed home napping and searching for cool buttons). It even fueled a button obsession when I was 4, and I probably collected around 200 random buttons. My mom sewed a blanket of buttons for my Corduroy (I still have the blanket, but sadly not the bear, though I probably will purchase another one once I have children of my own eventually). I do now own a snazzy first edition hardcover that ended up costing me more in shipping from the UK than the actual book, but it is a small price to pay for an amazing book.

First Book addresses the immense scarcity of age-appropriate books in inner-city preschools and after-care programs. In First Book's own words

By providing new books to children in preschools and after-school programs, mentoring and tutoring programs, shelters and day care centers and beyond, First Book provides resources to empower teachers and administrators. With access to high-quality books, educational materials and more, these caring leaders can better teach, plan curriculum and impart a love of learning, elevating the quality of the programs and opportunities available to children in need.

In the 20 years First Book has existed, they have delivered more than 70 MILLION books to children all over the United States and Canada, and a majority of the children have expressed a greater love of reading after First Book's work in their program. Many of the teachers and program administrators (a whopping 98%) have stated that their program has been doing much better because of First Book's impact.

I know I sometimes take for granted how easy it is for me to get books. When I have money, I spend a considerable amount on amassing my own library, which is why I probably have a backlog of about 30 books that I already own that I want to read...and that's not even counting books I will begin purchasing as I make a dent in my list or books I could check out from my local library. With the prominence of eReaders and companies like Amazon and eBay, it is easy to get books at an affordable price. And with the holiday season, many of us will get books or money or giftcards that we will use on books. Or, for the cost of shipping, many of us do the Book Swap on GoodReads (I am currently waiting for my first 2 swapped books to arrive!). But for a 4 year old in a poverty-stricken community? Nearly impossible.

There are many, many ways to help First Books. For every $2 you donate, First Book is able to buy a brand new book for a child (so for what we usually spend at McDonald's, we can buy at the very least 3 NEW books). You can also join or start an Advisory Board in your neighborhood, which allows you to locally fundraise for programs in need in your own community, or start your own fundraising page on their Books For Kids, Books for Keeps site. While First Book only accepts book donations from publishers, you can turn in your old books to a partner online bookseller, Better World Books, which in turn sells your old book and uses that money to purchase new books. They also have a store that donates a portion of your purchase (it is different for each item) to First Books, and they also work with other organizations' stores that will donate a portion of your purchase back to First Book (my personal favorite is What Book Got You Hooked?).

Also, for any snazzy New Yorkers, they will be having their 3rd Annual Book Bash at the Waldorf-Astoria on December 10. If I still lived in the city, I would definitely be there. 1. It is for an awesome cause, 2. It is an AMAZING location, 3. there are cocktails (which pretty much guarantees I will go anywhere). I hope at some point I will be able to go to an event with other philanthropic, bookish people, but I shall settle for the Miami Book Fair this weekend. But if you're in NYC and have $150 to spare, I know how important books are to all of us, and First Book is an amazing organization!

I'm Sorry You Were Thinking I Would Steal Your Fire

So I'm fat. Even though I lost about 5 lbs recently. Still fat. Still need to lose AT LEAST 15 more lbs so I can feel marginally happy. Bleh. There is a part of me that might even welcome that complete isolation and sadness I felt at the beginning of the year because at least I lost like 15-20 lbs in about 2 months. Probably because I was so depressed I wasn't eating.

It just sucks to try on clothes that a year and a half ago fit me awesome and now I look like a bacon-wrapped sausage. And I don't even like bacon that much.

Sure, I could join a gym. Except I can't because I don't have money. I wanted to take Zumba classes and even though I found some for $30 a month for 4-5 classes, I don't even have enough for THAT. I could just do a workout DVD I already own. Or run on the treadmill and use the stationary bike at my grandma's. Or run at the park during the week when it's free. It just seems that I cannot find the motivation anywhere. Even on these days when I am totally bummed about my weight. Monday may actually be a possibility, though, since I have to wake up early anyway for a job interview. Because even only exercising 3 times a week is better than my current 0 times a week.

And I definitely need to control my eating, especially my late-night snacks. And I know I would be thrilled if I managed to lose 7 lbs by the end of the year, which I think is still doable. Plus, when I get into grad school (hopefully!), I would feel so much better if I was slimmer. So being down 20 -25 lbs by my birthday next year is the final goal, which breaks down to around 3 lbs a month. Sounds simple enough...

In non-whiney news, tomorrow is brunch day with Wendy and Anthony. Excited to see them and hit up a nice restaurant with killer food, even if I am not happy with my stupid dress. At least my eyebrows, jewelry and shoes are great. Also, I have a lot of charities I will be showcasing soon! All thanks to Glamour (of course) and their 31 Days of Giving; I won't be doing all of them, but I do think I will be doing about 2 a week until the end of the year (which, by the way, there are only SEVEN weeks left of 2010!). So you can look out for those possibly tomorrow or Monday.

Because I am lazy and need a pick-me-up, here is another survey (and I'm sure you thought I had run out...)

*Post title from The Strokes' "Heart in a Cage"



1. What time did you get up this morning?
9:45 AM, which is nothing short of a miracle since I went to sleep at 1:30

2. How do you like your steak?
Well-done, except for filet mignon which I can manage Medium Well as long as it's butterfly-cut

3. What was the last movie you saw at the cinema?
Hmmmmmmmmmm, I think it was Inception?

4. What is your favorite TV show?
House

5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
London would be awesome

6. What did you have for breakfast?
a Capri-Sun and some gum- breakfast of almost champions! lol

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Italian, though I do love Chinese too

8. What foods do you dislike?
SOUP

9. Favorite Place to eat?
Texas de Brazil because their sausage is sooooooo good (which I wrote on a comment card once lol)

10. Favorite Dressing?
Light Ranch

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?
Pontiac G6

12. What are your favorite clothes?
Well my favorite shoes are black gladiator heels, though my camel cage booties are a close second. I also love my white Lucky jeans and my black high-waisted Express skirt

13. Where would you visit if you had a chance.
EVERYWHERE

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
1/2 Full

15. Where would you want to retire?
Not sure, but I want to go on one of those around the world cruises!

16. Favorite time of day?
Sunset

17. Where were you born?
Miami

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Football!

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?
----

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?
----

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?
----- (Obviously took this from Facebook....)

22. Bird watcher?
Nah

23. Are you a morning person or night person?
Night, I'm a super zombie

24. Do you have any pets?
Coco! The best little fat MaltiPoo ever

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
I got my eyebrows done today (finally), and they. look. ballerrrrrr

26. What did you want to be when you were little.
A doctor. Also a dinosaur. Still would like to be a dinosaur.

27. What is your best childhood memory?
I remember being chased by an ostrich once. It was terrifying and hilarious all at once

28. Are you a cat or dog person?
Dog ftw

29. Are you married?
Hahahaha no.

30. Always wear your seatbelt?
Yes, even if it's across the parking lot

31. Been in a car accident?
Yes

32. Any pet peeves?
People that chew very loudly.

33. Favorite pizza toppings?
Cheese, ham, black olives

34. Favorite flower?
Tulips and lilies and peonies

35. Favorite ice cream?
Sweet Cream

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Jack in the Box! :(

37. How many times did you fail your drivers test
Once, but that guy hated everyone

38. From whom did you get your last email?
Myself lol

39. Which store would you choose to max out your card?
Maybe Express or Forever 21

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?
I spontaneously drive random places often

41. Like your job?
I like not working, which is my current job, because I am lazy, but I definitely don't like being broke, so no.

42. Broccoli?
Yuck.

43. What is your favorite vacation?
I think I had the most-est fun when I visited Chey in Houston last year!

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?
Mom

45. What are you listening to right now?
There are like 8 parties going on around my house today apparently, but also "Neighbors Know My Name" by Trey Songz

46. What is your favorite color?
Purple

47. How many tattoos do you have?
3, but I want like 3 more!

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?
AAAAHHHH!

49. What time did you finish this quiz?
This isn't even the last question but it is 9:02 PM

50. Coffee drinker?
STARBUCKS!

I'm On A Roll!

I had planned on blogging on the big controversy over Amazon pulling the pedophilia guide from their digital publishing platform. I somewhat forgot about it, but one of my favorite websites The Gloss posted about it today, and I commented on it! And you can check it out right HERE!

I am Aileen (duh), and you can feel free to comment since you just have to provide your name and email (they just send you an automatic email thanking you for commenting, but that is it). No need to register...though I would if I could.

Also, how smart I am that I never tagged my BANNED BOOKS WEEK posts as "Censorship"?

All My Senses Have Been Awakened

I have totally gotten back into my reading groove, and I am thrilled. I am currently re-reading THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy, as well as my first Chuck Klosterman book (which is hilarious and witty and sarcastic and I think we should be best friends). I feel like I kind of flew through THG to get to MOCKINGJAY (since I inexplicably bought it the day it came out although I was finishing THG and hadn't even touched CATCHING FIRE yet, but I work in mysterious and kooky ways), so I'm reading it for the nuances now. I figure I will be done with CF this weekend, and should be done with MJ before the new Harry Potter movie next week (another huge SQUEE! even if I am preparing to cry by the bucketloads). I wanted to reread DEATHLY HALLOWS (again), but it hasn't been too long since I read it for the second time so it is still quite fresh in my mind. I do totally hope they do a marathon (if even just DH1) when DH2 premieres, since they so obviously go together.

Anywho, I am happy to be over my reading slump. It wasn't so much that I wasn't reading, although sometimes it would take me longer to get through a book than it normally would have (and there is no excuse these past few months that I've been unemployed, except that the internet is addictive), but that I wasn't getting INTO the books the same way I used to. Oddly enough, that is what really drove my switch into reading more YA books, especially those in a series or by the same author (feel comfy in that same style sort of deal). People may knock them (unfairly, I may add), but YA series like THG and HARRY POTTER are the BEST at creating completely alternate worlds that are flabbergastingly awesome yet so easily relateable. I wish I could begin to create a world even a quarter as amazing, but it takes a lot of my brain energy to just figure out these worlds.

But reading THG is what really took me back to the reason I love reading- not just the escapism, but the REALISM. Everything feels so nice in books because what you are reading on the page isn't YOUR life, but the feelings are so true and raw that they ARE yours. You take a moment to feel the character's pain or sadness or anger or love, and the only way you are able to feel them is because you have some sort of time where you experienced them. You grow along with the character throughout the story, and at the end, when you can say "Wow, that is still so typically [character] but so much more mature, controlled, etc," you can say a lot of that for yourself.

It's not the fact that truly horrific and altogether ridiculous things happen to the characters that could never happen to you. Or even you realizing that nothing can be so bad as "truly horrific and altogether ridiculous novel event," or that if the character got through that, you could get through your problems. It just renews you. While you may be completely exhausted (mentally and emotionally), you have this new bit of knowledge. This new piece of creativity. A different view of the world. And putting them all together oftentimes creates change.

We are often told that, when a situation becomes too much to bear (or you can no longer think or feel something), to take a quiet moment to relax. Grab hold of your bearings. And then just let it all out and open up those floodgates. Feel EVERYTHING. Think EVERTHING. From the very best to the very worst. And once it is all out, your mind is usually able to find the most rational and logical outcome.

And if we were able to garner a bit of the courage and strength that takes from a fictional world, then more power (and reading!) to you.

*Post title from Danger Radio's "Broken Man" (Who, by the way, are very cool dudes)


~~~Oh, I forgot before, but on my (very) short Christmas list this year, besides a new digital camera to replace my old one that died a slow and sticky death this summer, is an eReader! Most likely a those little Sony ones because they look good, are cheap, and my older sister works for Sony so she can probably manage to get an even better deal. If I do manage a nice haul of money this year, I will probably try saving up for one, and maybe I may even manage to FINALLY get unemployment once the new year starts

Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind

So I knew I wanted to highlight an animal-related charity this week, and I have also had a burgeoning interest in learning about the blind and hearing impaired (I'm not entirely sure why- I must've seen it on TV somewhere and I am highly impressionable...though at least this time, it is for a good cause). Therefore, today's charity is the Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind. What I hadn't realized until researching was that the blind person would need training WITH the guide dog. I have seen people training the seeing eye dogs, but of course, the blind person would have to learn how to care for as well as work with their new helper. GUIDE DOGS not only provides the seeing eye dog, but also pays for a 25 day inpatient training session where you learn basic leash handling techniques, walking and such. And it is all FREE.

However, GUIDE DOGS has noted the increasing need for dogs that can help with a variety of disabilities in addition to blindness and have specially trained dogs to help those in nursing homes, "service" dogs that are trained to retrieve objects that may be out of reach, and (super awwww factor here) "therapy" dogs that travel to hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers for therapeutic help. They also work with the VetDogs organization to provides dogs to wounded soldiers from the U.S. Armed Forces, so the good you would be doing is really indescribable.

As for ways that we can help out, GUIDE DOGS has "Puppy Walker" programs in 10 states where you can take home a 7-week old puppy and raise it for about a year, when it is returned to the foundation to complete its training. So if you love animals and want to see them truly better someone's life both physically and emotionally, it is a wonderful opportunity. The foundation pays for all vet visits and vaccinations, as well as a crate, leashes, ID tags, collar, coat, brush and toys. Other ways of helping include donations (and if you or a group can donate $6000, you can sponsor a puppy and get to name it and everything!), stock transfers, and, if you work for one of the over 9000 companies participating, even match the amount you donate. Considering that it costs $55,000 to breed, train and care for a guide dog throughout it's career (usually 8-10 years), any amount truly can help

There are almost many different events throughout the year and country that raise funds. Or you can hit up the Second Sight Shop (as you can tell, I love charities with shops!), where approximately 60% of your purchase will go to the foundation. You can also volunteer to help in the training classes, office, and at the kennel. Again, the foundation is funded ENTIRELY through donations and receives no government funding (which is quite ridiculous when you think about the amount of help they are providing, but that is a tale for another day), so it really is up to you to make a courageous disabled person's life better

Calm. Collected, And Commandin//Day 30

I realize I lose blogging motivation quite quickly if I don't write as soon as an idea pops into my head. Even if at that exact moment, I am overwhelmed and just can't sit down to hash it all out.

Anywho, I had a nice weekend- good time at the Homecoming stuff on Friday, great time at the game (we won!), good time with family yesterday, and fun times with the friends at a bonfire last night (and I love Gouda, by the way). I still smell all smokey and woodsy, and I kinda like it because I smell just like a barbeque. Daylight Savings sucks, and I hate that I wake up a million times because it just looks so weird outside, so I wish it were March/April so it'll kick in again. Everyone is getting a bit sick because Florida FINALLY decided it was a season other than summer, and cool, dry fall weather is creeping in, and we've had temperatures in the 50s/60s which is positively freezing in Miami. But of course, that brings in allergies and hay fever and colds caused by weather changes.

And then of course, you get bad news. Lots of my friends have been telling me about a sick (truly sick) family member or friend recently, and it was quite sad. You never really know what to say to someone, except sometimes spew out random medical facts or trite hope and faith cliches, knowing it doesn't really change someone's thinking. But all the same, I guess the person knows that you are there for them, and that you do care, and that you also are worried and hope everything works out well. But it still sucks when you find out someone close to you is sick, even if it is in (wow that was a crazy sequence of verbs/pronouns) the early stages and everything will most likely work out well. And I guess as we all get older, this is to be expected more and more.

It's just that no matter how spiritual I may be at any given point in my life, I have always had a tenuous grasp on faith at best. It is probably because I am such an extreme worrier and battle with anxiety hardcore, so something as undefinable as faith can't really stop the bad thoughts. Or stop them indefinitely anyway. I wish I could just allow myself to let go and let a Higher Power take care of it all, but I also don't like taking a passive role in things. I need to DO something, even if it won't make a difference, because sitting around and waiting for something to happen is exhausting. It is probably why I had major issues when Ex Effect was going through his ordeals earlier this year- because I didn't have a clearly defined role or action, and I felt like all these things were happening TO me that I had no control over and that I just had to accept.

Yes, I am a bit of a control freak. But I think that is much better than just absolutely letting go and giving things up to the wind. Free will, anyone?

*Post title from "Brainstorm" by the Arctic Monkeys <3 <3 <3



DAY 30
So we have come to the end of the 30 Day Challenge (and I have amazingly made it to this point), even if it was supposed to be on Saturday. I wish I could find more challenge-type things, but for the time being I will probably just post up surveys and such, and hopefully a new charity sometime this week

I'm going to bypass all the corny "I am a daughter, sister...blahblahblah" shit because it is obvious. And common. What makes me different from others is my obsessive worrying about completely insignificant things. I am a bit of a hypochondriac and would probably spend lots of time at doctors if I had the money and if I didn't hate doctors. I think I'm quite intelligent but can be easily led astray, and I have learned I am much more impressionable than I ever realized. I love to nap. I also love eating. And the combination of the two is no good. I wish I could travel around the world and meet all my cool online friends and discuss books, cake, and Harry Potter. If I could live at Hogwarts, I am sure I would die happy and probably live in a painting there forever. I talk too much but I also listen a lot and am very observant. I have some friends that must be like my soulmates because we are too eerily similar for it to be explained by any other phenomenon. I love nail polish and having a perfect eyebrow. I am rarely happy with my hair because as soon as I cut it, I want it long. If I dye it brown, I want it red. Layers, wish it were all one length. I adapt very well to change, which is a good thing because it seems like things are never static. I have a vast knowledge of things people might consider trivia, but when people are in a bind, I rarely don't know something that can help. I love sausages and RedBull. If Grey Goose would hire me, I would work virtually any position, even wheat shucker (I don't know if you shuck wheat). I have been told that I leave a lasting impression. Probably because I am just so quirky, yet approachable and normal, that you can't not at least think I'm interesting.

Everyone Learns Faster On Fire//Day 28 & 29

I am feeling super lazy/tired today for no real reason except that I got a few phone calls and texts while sleeping, which was annoying. Have another job interview for Monday, while still waiting to hear from 2 other jobs. But in actual fun news, today is my alma mater's (university, that is) Homecoming festivities, so my little sister and I will be heading over there tonight for dinner, a parade, fireworks, a pep rally, a boat burning/sinking (school tradition) and a concert by Lauryn Hill. All free (besides dinner), which makes it even better. That means a lot of picture taking (which I love), and it is quite chilly outside so I get to break out my fall clothes (a new outfit nonetheless). And my hair is killlling it today. The simple things.

Tomorrow is the Homecoming football game, where I will also be wearing a new outfit (or shirt rather), so it'll be a pretty good weekend all around.

Also, I figure I will do the next charity showcase on Sunday- been searching around for a good one!

*Post title from Alkaline Trio's "Burn"



DAY 28
Nov 2009
Oct 2010

These are the closest I could find that wouldn't include the Ex Effect (especially in that stupid Halloween costume of his last year). Physically, I am about the same, perhaps a tiny bit thinner than I was last year, though my hair is darker and longer (I still actually have the outfit I'm wearing in last year's picture and will be wearing the jacket and jeans tonight, in fact!). But emotionally, I am so far from that person anymore. My goals are completely different too. I went through hell and back at the beginning of this year, but now, at the end, I can say it was well worth it because my learning experience has probably been my most significant to date.


DAY 29
I've learned that I have much more control over my emotions than I ever really believed. I can rationalize my emotions and realize that it is ok to have feelings and think about certain things. And that has really made a big difference in how I deal with things, namely, I can now do it in a normal, non-crazy girl way

*Last day of the Challenge tomorrow (though, honestly, I don't know if I will have enough energy to post tomorrow!)

Elaborating On ((Day 26))

In an addendum to Day 26, I love that I can sit around a coffeehouse discussing gypsies, the Housewives franchise, religion, and the eventual collapse of the European Union with my friends for hours. And I love that the older we get, how we all became more moderate, and even though we are still on opposite sides of the fence, I love that we can have intelligent conversations. I like being able to learn from my friends, and I don't ever not learn something when we hang out.

So I really hope I get a job soon so we can continue doing this and feeling like grown-ups even if we used to do this kind of thing when we were 16 too.

And now, of course, 30 more random facts about me


1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?
No

2. Do you close your eyes on roller coasters?
No, but I do sometimes close my eyes on super spinny rides to avoid getting dizzy

3. When's the last time you've been sledding?
Never ever in my life :/

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
I'd prefer sleeping with someone else, but not just anyone else, and they can't squish me.

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
I don't really know. I do love watching all those ghost hunting shows though, and some day will invest in a glow-in-the-dark Paranormal shirt

6. Do you consider yourself creative?
I'm more metaphorically creative, rather than physically. I can write decently well and have awesome design ideas in my head, but don't have the hand coordination to actually make most things

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?
Most likely, yes

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?
Not Angelina, that's for sure. But Jennifer makes herself out to be too much of the sad, lonely girl that NEEDS a man to be happy, and I don't like that either.

9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics?
Yes

10. Do you know how to play poker?
No, not really, but I've got a great bluff

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
Yes, and it is super terrible

12. What's your favorite commercial
I like all of those Orbitz "dirty mouth" commercials

13. Who was your first love?
Uh....who knows really? lol

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light?
No

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?
Yes. You always have to keep some things to yourself. Plus, it creates an air of mystery around you

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees
Meh. Not into baseball

17. Have you ever been Ice Skating?
I have been to an ice skating rink, but more falling was done than actually skating

18. How often do you remember your dreams?
Fairly often, especially since mine tend to last an absurdly long time

19. What's the one thing on your mind?
Right now, I am hoping my nose unstuffs itself before I go to sleep

20. Do you always wear your seat belt?
Yes, in my car and in others too.

21. What talent do you wish you had?
I wish I was more musically inclined

22. Do you like Sushi?
Yes, and I'm even getting better about trying different kinds. I now know I hate eel.

23. What do you wear to bed?
Clothes. Currently wearing pink plaid PJ pants and a hot pink UM shirt. Always matching, duh

24. Do you truly hate anyone?
No, not really. I think at the moment, you think you do, but I think it is just an onslaught of emotions. I just consider them people I do not want in my life

25. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be?
One?? Well, if I had to narrow it down...I guess right now I would probably say Garrett Hedlund (from Friday Night Lights and the new Tron movie)

26. Do you know anyone in jail?
I know some people that should definitely be in jail

27. What food do you find disgusting?
Tofu. And broth.

28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?
All the time. But I'd also say it to their face

29. Have you ever been punched in the face?
Unfortunately, yes.

30. Do you believe in angels and demons?
To a degree, yes, but not in the fanatical way some Catholics do

Sometimes

You may have to go out on a limb and offend someone. But this is my blog, so who cares really? Saw this hilarious and very (very) true post by Jimmy Chen over on HTML Giant about WRITER COCKTAILS. Basically, two of my favorite things put together= alcohol + literature (I often did have to knock back some whiskey to write my uber-ridiculous thesis, so it is close to home too). It's a laugh, but he does manage to peg the authors quite well, so it is apropos too.

Plus, now I think I have to try some Sartre's Absent Absinthe

And I'd Be Your Memory//Day 27

Drove alllll the way back to yesterday's interview in the rain...to be there for 2 minutes to turn in the papers and that's it. Will hear back most likely tomorrow once they start running the background check, then I have to do fingerprints at some point, so it looks like I may be starting sometime next week. Still don't have any new information. Am also feeling quite lazy (hence the lack of pronouns and personal identifiers), so I shall add in a survey-type thing called "Dids, Dos and Haven'ts" instead (terrible, terrible grammar)

*Post title from Sugarcult's "Memory" (a song I was pretty obsessed with back in the day)

Things you have done during your lifetime:

(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
(x) Watched someone die
( ) Gotten arrested
(x) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
(x) Been to Florida
( ) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been on a helicopter
(x) Been lost
( ) Gone to Washington, DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
(x) Made prank phone calls
(x) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain-naked
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Gone to the movies
(x) Been deep sea fishing
(x) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
(x) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
(x) Been to another country-Not Mexico or Canada
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(x) Seen the Statue of Liberty
( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(x) Been on a cruise
(x) Traveled by train
( ) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding
( ) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
( ) Been to Disneyland
(x) Been to Disney World
(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer
( ) Been in a rain forest
( ) Seen whales in the ocean
(x) Been to Niagara Falls
(x) Ridden on an elephant
(x) Swam with dolphins
(x) Seen an alligator
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf
( ) Been spinnaker flying
( ) Been water-skiing
( ) Been snow-skiing
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
( ) Been to the Louvre
( ) Swam in the Mediterranean
(x) Been to an MLB game
( ) Been to an NBA game
(x) Been to an NFL game
( ) Been to an NHL game



DAY 27
The reasons I'm doing the 30 Day Challenge are simple: I like answering questions about myself, and it is a bonafide way that I will actually blog pretty regularly because it is no fun to be a few days behind on this.

And You Keep On Glowing//Days 24-26

So I was going to sobsobsob about certain sadness/loneliness I've been feeling recently, but I am more or less over that. I talked it out a bit, and realized it completely makes sense that I'd feel lonely because I am alone (duhhh). I do like being in relationships, though I can obviously survive being single too, but it is nice to have that constant. Plus, the fact that I don't have any money so I can't really go out too often and being around people just adds to my feelings of isolation. And in the relationship sector, the...random series of events that occurred were pretty much out of left field and not something I had ever dealt with. I was trying to heal from so many things after that breakup, that I don't know I ever dealt with the most basic part of a breakup...being alone. And now that I am completely over all that stuff, I guess that starts coming around.

I was being totally melodramatic and emo and regretting my past breakups and thinking I should've acted differently to still be with some of those people, but then I realized, if I didn't try to immediately (or at least relatively close after) get back with them, it was obviously for many reasons that we broke up (and it had probably been a long time coming). But sometimes it is easy to forget about all of that logical stuff when we are upset.

In other non-mopey news, I had a cool job interview today, which led to another job interview, which will lead to another semi-interview tomorrow. It seems quite likely that I will get the job, which is a funky kind of position and definitely the kind of job that can make you proud of your work and soothe your soul, though I still have to see the specifics of it...pay, hours, and such. Naturally, I am now already bored/exhausted by it, mainly because it interferes with my sleep/being lazy schedule...which means it is EXACTLY what I needed. In school news, next week I will begin the printing and copy process, and then the following week I can finish up applications and be mailing them off around Thanksgiving. So all in all, it seems like things are going pretty well

*Post title from Train's "Get To Me" (I remember I used to have some random meaning attached to this song a few years back...but I honestly have no idea what it is now)



DAY 24
Today I decided that I would pull out a wild card and not do this challenge. I write my parents letters from time to time, and they are always sappy and make everyone cry, even if it is in my random Spanish. So for once, I will plead the fifth on personal grounds. Just one time.


DAY 25
In my bag right now...is so much crap. A clip, a folder with resumes, an application, and references, my wallet, my planner, a pen, a small perfume bottle, gum, a brush, bandaids, hand sanitizer, and random bits of paper with addresses and directions. And soon, the book I am currently reading will be in there as well as my keys, my glasses case (with eye drops and contacts), my nose spray and my makeup case.

And to think, this is one of my medium-sized purses...


DAY 26
Generally, I like my friends (duhh). I am excessively thankful to certain friends for helping me through my crazy time this year. I honestly have no idea what I would've done without them and their advice (even if I may not have always listened to it at the time)