I Want to Live a Life From a New Perspective

I've been thinking a lot about life, the life we choose to live, the life we think we have, the life others think we have, and the life we wish we had.

I get easily restless, and I love my life, but I would be lying if I didn't think about altering it in major ways. Moving across the country, traveling the seas, and finding a new person inside myself. I have what I call "life envy" of a few people - you know those people who seem to get to do everything you've ever wanted, and they are incredibly good at all the things you want to be good at. They seem to have it all, and for a second, maybe even a minute or longer, you wish you could have their life. But then, in moments of clarity, you realize that you are where you need to be, that all of your small experiences have led you to where you are now. You may not be in the heart of Africa, saving lives, or in your dream job, making tons of money, but you are where you're supposed to be - and you're learning a hell of a lot from it, especially when it makes you crazy. Even better still - there are probably people you know who have the same "life envy" for your life, the life you think is mediocre and boring.

For example, in my greatest dreams, I would be living in a big city, in a crazy cheap, yet big and clean apartment. I'd work as a famous writer, reader or something incredibly cool. I'd have a fulfilling, exciting job where I was successful, well-liked and constantly busy. I would be dating a Ryan Gosling (or Jason Segel) look-alike, and would only dress in the most chic clothes that I could buy without giving up my humble sensibilities (or mostly-humble sensibilities). My work would require me to travel to new cities, and move at least every 2-3 years.

Upon further inspection, I have a pretty rad life. I live in a normal-sized city, in a pretty cheap, yet big and clean apartment. I get to work with people every single day, and it is incredibly cool. I have a fulfilling, exciting job, and I think I am successful, well-liked and manage to stay fairly busy. I'm not dating a Ryan Gosling, or Jason Segel look-alike, but I'm finding a new person inside myself (which is far better, because I'm pretty sure said look-alike either is a big game hunter, or has a huge ego (two deal breakers)). Sure, my life could be better, all of our lives could be better. We could have gotten that promotion we so desperately wanted, or that purse we've had our eye on could go on sale, but in the end, does it really matter? The end justifies the means, but the means don't have to be an indication of where it all will end.

Maybe my 20s won't be as culturally diverse as other's. Maybe I won't get the chance to help women in India. Maybe I'll never be a successful Broadway actress, maybe. Maybe I'll never get a PhD, or fall in love with Jason Segel (my love is deep guys), or star in my own reality TV show. Heck, I may never be on QVC!

But that doesn't mean my life is any less blessed or less exciting. Maybe I'm finally learning what it means to be settled. Maybe.

I Can't Help Myself

I'm still sad about Heath Ledger's passing.

I know my parents would approve of him as a boyfriend/lover/husband, just look at that sweet and friendly smile! I have a sweater almost identical to his, and in heaven, we will take adorable matching sweater/engagement pictures...as long as Mary-Kate isn't around.

Top 5 TV Show Guys

I love a lot of things that I shouldn't, mainly guys on TV shows. I know they're not real, but that doesn't really stop me from falling in love with them. Here are my 5 top TV show guys, not of all time, but of right now. Because you know if we were doing an "Top TV Guys of All Time," Seth Cohen would be on that list, and Ted Mosby would not.

1. Ted Mosby. When I first started watching How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM), I was ALL ABOUT MARSHALL. He is the reason I started watching the show, because I fell oh so head over heels for him in The Muppets movie. What can I say, I love a nerdy/cheesy guy! But as I got disgusted by a bad haircut of Marshall's, I realized that there was someone else on the show. Ted. I cannot help loving him for saying encyclopAedia. When he is super academic and annoying, I love him even MORE. His friends hate it, but I love it, I think we would be a great fit. Is he fiercely hot? No, but he's the kind of guy who you get to know, and then fall in love with. Remember when he took Elliot from Scrubs on a 2 minute date?? Amazing, and so dang thoughtful. He really is a great guy at heart, all he wants is to settle down with a nice girl so they can start a family. Sure, he may be a little obsessed with falling in love, but hey, we all have dreams.

2. Ben Wyatt. He is LITERALLY the cutest guy I have ever seen. He is the perfect man for Leslie Knope, and that makes me love him even more. He is so nerdy, but that's why they fit together SO dang well!!! I cannot really get over his INCREDIBLE hair, his ties and his clothes. If we got married, I would never have to worry about becoming a grown up, because he would teach me. *swoon* But seriously, if you're with Ben, you're set for life. (Let's forget the fact that he doesn't have a job at the moment...) Number one thing I love about Ben: the fact that he punched a guy for calling his girlfriend a b****. That is what we call AWESOME.

3. The Pie Maker. aka Lee Pace. I am 100% positive that I have blogged about him before, making me think that maybe I should just delete this entire post, but I already wrote about Ted and Ben. Basically all you need to know is that Lee is adorable, and that you need to see Pushing Daises if you haven't. Oh, and that he would probably be the best boyfriend ever.

4. Marshall Eriksen. I'm getting tired, so all I will say is that despite what I said about Ted, I still love Marshall the most. He is funny, silly, quirky, so smart...I think he is my other half. I mean, you can see into his soul, and you can tell that it is the best soul you've ever seen. I want to give him a hug, and never let go.

This is getting awkward, because I really don't watch much TV, really just HIMYM and Parks and Rec. (and the Bachelor, but let's forget I said that). I really want to throw someone in here that you will be surprised at (can you tell I like dark hair?), like Ryan Seacrest, or that guy from Bones (I don't even watch Bones, is there a cute guy on it??). So I'm going to give my number 5 spot to (by the way, these were in no particular order, because Marshall would be number 1, followed by Lee Pace, then Ben Wyatt and Ted, in case you were wondering):

5. Shawn Spenser and Burton Guster. One time I had a dream that I was forced to choose between the two and I couldn't do it, not even in my dream world. I love them both too much to decide. I think in real life, I would love Gus, but in fake life, I would choose Shawn. You know what? These two are so close, I bet I could get away with dating them BOTH! Perfection.

PS I really do have a life outside of pop culture and lists of hot men (and it's a great, exciting life), it's just that I don't like boring you with stories from said life. And, you never know who is reading this, and that kinda freaks me out.

Top 5 Movies of 2011

I love lists. And I think you do too. Here is a list of my favorite movies that I saw in 2011!!!

Honorable Mention: Tree of Life

I don't really know how to describe this movie, all I can say is that I think I liked it. Haha. Sean Penn plays Brad Pitts grown up son in this movie about the loss of innocence, and what it means to be alive. This movie takes us on a journey to explore life and faith. (What makes me crazy sad is that Heath Ledger was supposed to play Brad Pitt's character, but alas, Heath will have to forever remain in my heart.) This is not a movie for the faint of heart, in fact, some American theaters set up signs warning moviegoers about the enigmatic and non-linear narrative of the movie - following some confused walkouts and refund demands in the opening weeks.

5. Harry Potter 7.2

Ahh...beautiful Ron. I couldn't call myself a true Harry Potter fan if I didn't put this movie on here. Not to mention the fact that I saw it 3 times within the first 24 hours it was in theaters. I cried every time. I haven't seen it since, but it still holds a very special place in my heart :) Fun fact, on Christmas day, my family was welcomed to the Christmas tree by Ron Weasley wearing a Santa hat. Unfortunately, it was a cardboard cut out of Ron Weasley, but it was hilarious just the same.

 4. The Muppets

I love musicals, I love the Muppets, and I love Jason Segel. Blend these three amazing things, and how could I not love this movie? It was witty, fun, hilarious (even my dad laughed!!!!) and touching. There is a line that says something to the effect of "You just need one person to love you," and I love that. I am usually not a fan of Miss Piggy, but she was super hot in this movie. Amy Adams was just blah for me, I wish they had cast someone that could at least pretend to want to be in the movie. She completely fell flat on screen, and didn't fit with the Muppets groove. I already posted my favorite song from the movie in my last post, and I would be lying if I said I didn't listen to that song at least 10 times a day.

3. Nowhere Boy (2009)

Telling the story of an adolescent John Lennon, this is the kind of movie that could go on for 12 hours, and it would still be intriguing. It is rated R, for a very short scene toward the beginning of the movie (I was prewarned, so I was able to skip it, and I'm sure a ClearPlay player would edit out), and for language. Honestly, I wish this movie was not rated R, because it is beautiful, and really worth seeing. It is a must for any Beatles fan, and for people who aren't particularly in love with John. This is the kind of movie where you root for every character, yet none of them at the same time. I love movies (and books) that show people's grey areas, and this is definitely one of them. The actor playing John is also in Kick A**, and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, both of which are amazing movies.

2. The Artist

SO GOOD. In this black and white, mostly-silent movie, a popular silent film actor struggles with the introduction of "talkies." I had no idea what this movie was about, but I knew that I wanted to see it. These actors were incredible, having so little to work with as far as words are concerned, they were able to convey everything through their actions and their faces. I wish more actors were required to actually be able to act before we pay them millions of dollars to star in movies (I'm looking at Ginny Weasley and Kate Hudson here). It wasn't just the acting that made the movie so good though, it showcased the destruction and reconstruction of a man, and how our fears can get in the way of great things happening. Also, there is an adorable dog who is completely lovable and loyal, proving that we all need at least one person on our side, even if that person is a dog.

The Best Movie I Saw in 2011: Midnight in Paris

I'm talking to all of you literature nerds, you will love this movie. You won't just love this movie, you will worship this movie. If you haven't seen it already, see it this very hour. When I saw it, I had no idea what I was getting in to (which is how I prefer to experience things), and I was majorly geeking out in the theater. Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams (both are stellar here) are an engaged couple on a holiday in Paris. Owen is a true romantic English-nerd, whereas Rachel is a status-obsessed girl from Southern California. Owen is infatuated with the Paris of the 1920s (what kind of English-nerd isn't?) and wishes he could go back to the golden age of Paris, when it was filled with Hemingway, Stein, Picasso and the Fitzgeralds. This film by Woody Allen made me want to pack up all of my things and go pursue my dreams. To say the very least, I may love this movie more than I love Beyonce.

It's a Mighty New Year!!!

It's a New Year!!! So many amazing things are happening, and I am setting goals like crazy. Let's hope I can keep them all :) And yes, in case you were wondering, this will be a semi-typical "new year" post. Don't hate me too much.

Over Christmas I asked my sister (who is engaged, and about to graduate from grad school) what her New Years Resolutions were and she said "To get married" and "Graduate." BORING!! and also not real resolutions because they are happening anyway.

Last year I made the resolution to read 25 books that I had never read before, and I read 40!!! For a little while in December I thought I could finish off the year with 52 books (one for every week) but I realized that the holidays are not exactly the best time to read 12 more books. Haha. But this year I have decided to read 52 books, and I really really hope I can do it. I have already read one, so go me! Also, this year I decided to let myself read books I've already read. So if I end up reading the Harry Potter series 7 times, so be it, it counts :) But, PLEASE send me your suggestions for books to read, because I am always on the lookout!

One of my bigger resolutions is to return phone calls (more often). (Is adding "more often" a cop-out? Yep.) Last year one of my resolutions was to be better at texting back, and now that I'm semi-decent at that, I decided I should call people back more often. If I haven't returned your phone call from 2011, just call me in 2012 and I will (hopefully) call you back in a semi normal amount of time. (I think my 2013 resolution will be to return emails, haha). ALSO, as my sister graciously reminded me, my answering machine message does say "I might call you back", so no promises!!

How can life be bad when there's this song out there?? (If you have not seen the new Muppets movie, you are SEVERELY missing out on true happiness).

Love!!!

Have I ever told you that I love life?

Well, I do!!

Check out some pics from my latest and greatest vacation: Yellowstone!!!



Yes, our eyes are closed. It was cold, windy and sunny.




That's my girlfriend Jess. Aren't we adorable? This is my second favorite picture ever.




This is my favorite picture ever. I hadn't seen Vanessa in a long time, and boy, did I miss her. I especially miss the part of her that thinks I'm hilarious.

Everyone should go to Wyoming and/or Montana at some point in their lives. I'm not going to lie to you, I fell head over heels in love with it. I've been looking at jobs in Wyoming, although I really would love to become a cowgirl.

PS I'm going to be Lady Gaga for Halloween, and I couldn't be more excited. Halloween pictures will come after Halloween happens, I semi-promise.

Friends!!!!

Friends!!! I have been away far too long!! I guess life just caught up with me and blogging slipped slowly out the back window. 

Can I give you highlights of the life I've been living the past few months? Yes I could, but I won't. The truth is, I've been up to exactly what you have, I've traveled, I've worked, I've lounged in the sun, I've read, I've cried...you know, all the day to day normal things.  

What I really want to post about today is my new years resolution. Yes, I am still pursuing mine!! Way to go me!! It may seem like a silly and easily obtainable goal, and that's probably why I picked it. But I'm so glad I did. My goal was to read 25 new books this year. My good friend Krystal read 100 books last year, but we don't have to talk about that too much. I won't give you a review of the 13 I've read thus far, but I'll tell you my favorites so you too can read and learn. 

"The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis -- this is absolutely incredible. It changed my views on myself, the after life, God and life right here and now. It's a quick and easy read, and so enlightening. 

"The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Wells -- this is a memoir of the author's life, growing up basically homeless with her family. Her dad is a drunken loser, but still ultra loving; he is awesome at times, and abusive at others. Her mom is a depressed idealist, so smart yet so naive at the same time. This book is a must read. There is also a sequel of sorts called "Half Broke Horses" which is about the author's grandmother, which is also a must read. I could not stop talking about these books. They read so quickly becuase they are so riveting.

"The Tao of Pooh" -- yes, the tao like Taoism and pooh like winnie the. This is such a great book. At first it reads a little slow, but I really loved comparing myself to pooh and the other animals in the hundred acre wood. I found the tao way of life to be incredibly Christlike and righteous. Even if you know nothing about taoism or pooh, you will still enjoy this.

"Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" -- the best part of this book by far is when they translate trite phrases women say into what they mean. Not only is it incredibly accurate, this book is quite astute and helps both sexes understand the other. Everything I know I learned from this book. Haha.

Well, there you have it dear friends. I hope I still have readers after such a long haitus. I cannot promise to blog again REAL soon, but I hope to get back in the habit. Love you all!!!