Chambray in the Park

Book Update

  Lately my laptop has been giving me heartache. :( But since it is up and running for now, here is what I've read lately.

  I read Lirael and Sabriel of the Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix. I loved them both!! They were the reason I stopped in the middle of Specials. The first book was written a good 10-ish years before the follow-up, and it shows in the book.

Sabriel starts off with her birth, and ends with her coming to terms with what she must do with her life. The best part of the whole book is when she and Mogget, her cat/magical-being, find a wooden boy who is too life-like to be a real carved boy. It's very lucky that she happens to find him and bring him back from his place between Life and Death. He ends up being a major player in the plot of this book and the following books. 

Color Crush Peach and Blue

The dark and scary

   Ah adventures. They are so fun! Well, they are better when you are better prepared and have the proper footwear. This adventure was excellent. Luckily, I was there to be the slacker voice and the wimp voice. Myself and a few of my friends went on the trifecta of adventures. To run the bases, sneak into the stadium, and climb the coliseum.
 
   We started our adventure with getting into the baseball field and running the bases. We walked around the field looking for the best way onto the field. We though about climbing and which way would be the best. I stood in the back while all this was going on and thought about how much I could not go to jail. Well, we did find our way in; there was a gate unlocked and level with the field. Brilliant. We got in. My friends ran the bases, and I kept a look out. I'm a nervous nelly, so I couldn't fathom running the bases. They ran them, and we were off to our next adventures.

   After the baseball field, we went to the stadium and searched for the best way in. We had heard about some tunnels that lead into it. Of course, these tunnels started in the cemetery. It was dark, and the cemetery was locked up tight. I thought at this point that the adventure was over. No, we went to the student union and climbed down to the creek that ran into a tunnel that supposedly goes to the stadium. It was very well lit. Easy to climb in, and did not lend itself to injuries. I meandered down to the creek, after removing my shoes and thinking that this was disgusting. We walked down the creek to the tunnels. We picked the one on the right. It wasn't lit. It had 2 inches of water in the bottom of it. It was completely sanitary. Me, being absolutely mental, LOVED it. False. I'm just glad I made it out alive without a scary movie remake. It did make for a good story. I was quite certain that we would be caught, arrested, murdered, raped, any of the above. And nothing bad happened at all! Ahh relief.

  Finally, we had to climb the coliseum. I couldn't. Walking by the climbing wall at work makes me dizzy. There was no way at all I'd be climbing a giant building. So they climbed. Well, slid up on their behinds. It was quite fetching. Especially for girls. The best part was, they climbed, several people saw us, and someone called the cops. We luckily were walking away from the coliseum when the cops made it.

  I am up for adventures. I love them. But I like for them to be planned and well coordinated. Next time we will have headlamps, boots, and nerve. Next time.

Planning

   In a year, I will have graduated from college and be on the hunt for the next big life stage. No, not a fulfilling job. A trip across Europe!

   Okay, well, not a hunt since I already know I want to do this. I already know what countries I want to hit on this grand tour; sadly, I have no idea who I want to come with me. Friend? Sister? Other? These things are complicated. Mostly it's very complicated because I want to be gone for at least 2 months. At least 2! Who can take off two months to run off and explore Europe? With a possible side stop in Egypt?

  So, I'm in search right now of a person who is entertaining and "suffers" from extreme wanderlust and who can be gone from the real world for 2 months.

  I'm also trying to decide what kind of packing, planning, and other things this trip will require. I cannot just go to Europe for 2 months without some sort of plan. Decisions.

At the Derby

Books.

Woo. (If you worked with me you'd understand.)

The book challenge starts today!! I'll be kicking it off with Adverbs by Daniel Handler. While reading the Old Kingdom Trilogy and finishing off the Uglies Trilogy. (So MANY trilogies, and they are SO good).

Summer Book Challenge

  Over on one of my favorite blogs, Semi-Charmed Kind of Life, Megan is hosting a summer reading challenge. This is right up my alley. Books is in the title of this blog, so it goes to say that I love to read.
  If this inspires you to get your noggin working this summer join up here!

  This is my tentative list of what I'll be reading starting May 1. It's 14 books, and hopefully my library card still works at home and that I know where it is. The finding my card is going to be the hard part.

• Read a book chosen for the 2012 World Book Night. — The Glass House, Jeanette Wells
• Read a book you were supposed to read in school, but either bailed on or Cliff-Noted. — Dracula, Bram Stoker. I read the first chapter and started re-reading Harry Potter instead. 
• Read a memoir or narrative nonfiction book. — Van Gogh: The Life, Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith or most likely The Blogess's book, Let's Pretend This Never Happened, Jenny Lawson. 
• Read a book in one day. — This will be on the fly, and will just happen. 
• Read a book that you've always wanted to read but haven't gotten around to yet. — The Rabbi, Noah Gordon. My mama raves about this book, and I have a copy.
• Read a pair of books that have antonyms in the titles. — Sad Cypress, Agatha Christie. Happy Days, Samuel Beckett. 
• Read a book that is set in a place you've never been but want to visit. — Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie. The train goes across Europe. Something I'm hoping to do next year! Hello graduation money. 
• Find a book written the year you were born that was later made into a movie. Read the book and watch the movie; compare. Or find a movie released the year you were born that was based on a book. Do the same thing. —  Anne Rice's The Vampire Lestat (graphic novel),  Faye Perozich, Anne Rice, John Bolton. Released 1989. 
• Go into a bookstore or library. Pick any bookshelf. Read the third book from the left on the fourth shelf from the top. — TBD
• Read a book about which you’ve heard bad things. — Adverbs, Daniel Handler. 
• Read a trilogy. Total page count for all three books together must be at least 500 pages. — Fifty Shades of Grey, E.L. James. Not for the sexy time tips ( I don't need those), but b/c I've heard it's awful. So this will be challenging. But probably not too challenging.

About the Gods

  Really, it's about gods. Not of the Greek or Roman variety either. More of the Norse and African and Egyptian gods and a bevy of others.

  Naturally, I read American Gods by Neil Gaiman. The best line in this whole book was about how Jesus was in Afghanistan and couldn't even hitch a line. If I could remember it, I would quote its entirety, but my copy is in my room. My room is too faraway to walk to for just a line from a book.

  American Gods should be required reading. It is amazing. I could go on about how wondrous it is, but that could get boring.

What what, the Church

   As a Catholic in the Bible Belt (that Bible would be the King James Bible Belt), there's a lot of people who think I'm damned as a Catholic and my personal favorite, "Do you believe in Jesus?"

  This is about to be a rant so if you'd like to read on about why I love being Catholic click through. If not, I'll be back with some good old Science Fiction books in no time.

Lately

It's been a busy few weeks around these parts. These parts being Georgia. As I never really am in one place for too long. Though most of my time is spent in Athens at work and occasionally even in class. I've been keeping busy with:

Running. Still training up for that 10k in July!

Reading. I'm working on making it through as many new to me books as I can. So far I'm at 7. Which feels like I'm slacking. Don't worry though, with summer right around the corner (2 weeks!!), I'll be back in the crazy reading saddle again. I've got quite the list the work through.

Learning. Studying is really taking up too much of my time. I've got 4 more tests left this year, and I am ready to be done with them so that I can focus on things that are important. Like reading Neil Gaiman books or any books with plot lines that are pretty impossible.

Window shopping. I like to look around online and check out all the things that I need. Like purses, shoes, new glasses, shades, and dresses. Window shopping, saving me money because I need funds for my upcoming trip to NOLA and the Red Stick (Baton Rouge for you non-French speakers).

Also, I found this awesome thing at my house this morning:

They make Peeps you can't eat! Amazing. 

Picnic at the Gardens

Instaweek

Instagram was introduced on the Droid recently (!!), and so I figured I'd start a new Saturday post all about my previous week in pictures.  Here are my favorites:

Sunday. The Easter eggs waiting to be found.

Frodo! This car was in front of me in the parking lot out from lunch.

We played MASH at coffee on Thursday.

Road trip essentials.

After too many thrills on the roller coaster, a mini-feast was in order. 

   This week I spent Easter at home with all my family. Monday I had lunch with my friends and saw this awesome car; if you know this person, I want to be his/her bff. Tuesday was no very memorable; just like Wednesday. Thursday, at coffee we played the ultimate in 1990s fortune telling, MASH. It seems I'll be marrying Matt Smith from Doctor Who next year when I'm 23. Friday was UGA night at Six Flags in Atlanta. I brought my favorite things for the car ride: a Neil Gaiman novel and Diet Coke. And lastly, we stopped at McDonald's for food to feel better after getting stuck on a roller coaster. That's right, I got an Oreo McFlurry, 2 cheeseburgers, fries, and a Diet Coke. 

Wait What.

    Books have been taking up a great amount of my time. Followed closely by my 2 projects that were due this week. School is starting to take its toll, and I do not like it at all. Thank goodness there is only 2 more weeks of this madness left! Until June when I start first session, good times. Here's what I've read most recently and loved.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.

  A while back I started a list of books I definitely wanted to read this year, and Neil Gaiman's work was at the top of that list. I figured, he writes science fiction/fantasy a genre I can really get behind. Especially since there's no new Harry Potter to look forward to, unless JK's new book is book 8 (dear goodness, please let that be true!!), I figure that going back to older books is a fine plan. 

   Neverwhere was the first Neil Gaiman book I ever read. It was set in London, which won me over immediately. I have a thing for England and anywhere in England. 

Fancy Easter at Home

This Easter I will be at home with all my family. We go to church, come home and finish making lunch. We eat too much, hunt Easter eggs, and eat loads of candy. It's a good time. Have a happy Easter!

Fun side note, this is my real Easter dress! Sadly, not my real Easter shoes.

Spring Wish List

   As the spring time weather has already hit here in Georgia, I figured it was time for me to think of all the possible things I can spend the funds that UGA pays me on. These things are completely necessary.

1. New glasses. I've had the pair I'm wearing now for nearly a year. I love them, but I think it's time for smaller frames. I've had my eye on the Colton pair from Warby Parker. The best thing about Warby Parker is that they give a pair of glasses to someone in need when any pair is purchased. Which is great! And it makes me think that buying another pair of glasses is totally worth it!

 2. Books. I read a lot. With these habits, I tend to re-read what I already own. Which means not moving along with my goal for this year. Luckily, there's only 2 books left in the series I'm reading, and they're only $10 each. A steal! 

   3. Sunglasses. I have a lot of colorful pairs, but I'm saving up for a pair of Ray Bans to wear at Disney in a normal non-orange or pink color.

Yes, these look colorful and they are, but they're also more natural than orange.

   4. Hair color. This is going down this week, so no need to wait! The rest of this list though is on hold. 

Life News!

   Last Saturday, I applied for the Disney College Program on a whim. (If you love Disney, and have always wanted to wear those super flattering pants, you can apply here.)


   I had my first interview, it was online, and was told that I had a follow-up.

   My follow-up was on Wednesday. I talked and talked and talked. I was friendly and happy and like a Disney dream. When my interview was over, I was told that I could know as soon as the next day about whether or not I got in.

   Well, on Friday afternoon, I got my email. It was this:

Just Read

   My goal for this year is to read as many new books as I can. That means books that I have never read before. So far, I think I'm doing ok. I would be doing better, but I keep going back to books I've already ready; somehow, re-reading old books keeps me from getting to new books fast. Weird.

   This is what I've read most recently. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. If I could only use one word to describe this book, it would be beautiful. It is written like a dream. The story is great, the writing even better. If I could read this book over and over again, I would, and I probably will since I own a copy. Libraries and I just don't get along. It's actually cheaper for me to buy books than to borrow them.

Honest, I have a real post planned.

Pottermore is due to open in early April. I LOVE Harry Potter. Luckily for us lesser mortals who didn't get into Pottermore for the beta run, the bookshop of Pottermore is available to all. I think I know what I'm about to spend some of my savings on. This

YES! Soon they will be mine! And then, while I'm at Disney(!!!!!) next fall, I won't have to tote all of them with me for my annual reading. :)

Strolling in the rain

This week is a rain worthy look. Normally when it rain, I curl up and nap. But this time I figured I'd pull together something I'd actually wear and wear in public. My "home pants" don't get to see the light of day. I think the Betsey Johnson necklace really makes it more fancy and less homey.

Running

I went running today. Please hold your applause. I ran so hard I nearly puked. I'll be doing this again tomorrow. If I puke, it's a sign that I'm an idiot. But a fun one.

St. Paddy's in Savannah

This year I'm finally making it to Savannah for St. Paddy's! I

 can't wait to see the green everything!

And now, some jeans

   I hopped right on the colored pants wagon. I like this wagon, and I'm quite certain that I'll stay on this wagon forever. Well, at least as long as I can find a supplier of colorful pants.

   In exhibit A, and the only exhibit from today, I wore green skinnies.

Yes, those wedges are the shoes I wore. I wore them to town like going to town was a fancy occasion. 

The Peachtree

  No, not an actual peach tree. But the Atlanta Peachtree Road Race. It's a 10K that's held every July 4th. I'm debating about whether or not to sign up. It would be a great experience. I have the time to train up properly. I'm willing to train up properly. The thing is, that it's a lottery entry. You sign up, but you don't know if you actually get to sign up. Decisions. They will be the death of me!


I'm all registered for the lottery! Now here's to hoping I get picked :)

Spring Breakin'

  Ahh spring break. I love it so much, that I might do it again next week!


  I've been keeping busy this spring break. I traveled down to Florida, not a long trip from my house (~40 miles to the border), made some pie (not from scratch, but I have to celebrate Pi Day properly), and started planning an exciting event for next year! 


   As of right now though, all I have on the brain is reading. I'm currently reading The Art of Fielding, which is beautifully written. I can't wait to finish it and see what happens! No spoilers if you've read it!


  But in true nerd style, I've got all these pulled up:

   Here's the links to all the above tabs:

  What Would a Nerd Wear

  on my reading list

  And yes, these tabs are from the same lovely blogger. 

  My to read list can be found here. If you want to know what I've read that is here. 

An Idea

   Texas has their own Style Council. Why doesn't Georgia? Time to get to work. And I know the perfect place! Athens of course!

A joke

My friend Shan-nanan-nana-on told me this awesome joke the other day:

   Why did the hipster burn his mouth?
 

   Because he ate the pizza before it was cool.


I like it.

A confession

I've been wearing the same skinny jeans for the past 3 days. I think I should just man up and order another  pair.

Tangerine Spring Adventuring

  This week for Friday's Fancies, I wanted to go for an adventuring
outfit that's still cute. A backpack to hold my sunscreen, snacks,
map, and any extras for my adventure. Comfy shoes to wander
in around Athens. And a cute orange dress to keep me cool and
 hopefully still cute once I come back to civilization from this
excursion. Happy spring!

Really, again with the horses?

  The ads on my facebook homepage must really want me to love horses. I do not love horses. I don't do google searches for horses. I think this is the most I've ever written about them. Then why do I keep getting these ads:

Best news all day

That would be John Mayer's new CD release date was released today. It's a good day in America.

And yes, I added it to my iCal. In all caps. With loads of exclamation points. Those things are necessary.

You know your life is exciting when...

You get this as the subject of an email:

2012 To Do

Some people made their resolutions in December, and now it's almost March and they have given up on those resolutions. I have not made resolutions, because I like to keep my expectations low. That way, it looks like I never give up. It's how I roll. So, in celebration of others giving up, I made a list of things that have to happen this year, or in the near future.

1. Bonaroo. Radiohead will be there. And though I don't like camping or being dirty, I would risk it to go to Bonaroo. And besides, there's loads of beer to be had.

2. See Snow Patrol in person. Does this mean going to a concert? Well, I don't plan on seeing them on the streets of Athens. But if they do come to Athens, I will happily volunteer to show them around, and take them for fro yo.

3. Graduate! This is a tall order, but should happen. This December. The day The Hobbit comes out. 

  Is 3 too few? Nah, is it bad that 2 of them are musical endeavors? Never. The only way this list could be improved would be if there was a Harry Potter thing on this list. 

Books!

   My books, that I had shipped with snail-speed shipping, arrived today! I got Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace (which was far longer than I anticipated, but it means I'll be busy for at least a weekend), The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach, and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. I'm excited to read all of these! Especially considering I spent a lot of my paycheck on these. I say I always have money for books and shoes. I have my priorities sorted. I think that the rest of the world should get in line for my book about how to have your life figured out. It'll be out before I kick the bucket for sure.

      

  Also, chances are high that I'll write a novel before I actually write a book about how to live life properly. Which reminds me, I had a crazy dream that would be amazing as a book. So naturally, I made an outline for it, just in case.

For the Oscars

Advertising Fail

I noticed this on my facebook homepage.

No, I do not love horses. Yes, I am single. But chances are if you love horses, I won't love you. 

Mental

Man up. Ask me for my number. You can do it. It is post Valentine's Day, so now it wouldn't be lame.

Goodness

I updated my contact information on my email. And this happened:

This is disheartening. 

Dresses

   I've been watching a lot of New Girl. It's hilarious. Schmidt makes the show! I loved his rant on wet towels, and Nick's wondering at who washes towels? Or showers? Hilarity!

   In my watching of this show, I've learned two things. One, that damp towels are upsetting. Two, that wearing dresses and or skirts every day is cool.

  Jess gives me hope that I can wear a dress or skirt every day without seeming too dressed up. 

  Now comes my dilemma: I picked out 2 dresses from Modcloth. They are both adorable. Easy to remix. And fun. Super fun. But, I can only get one. And then return to Target for their new adorable spring dresses. 

   Here's Target's dress that I will be returning for, but in not blue because I already have the blue one. 

  And here are the Modcloth selections, whose photos won't show up in anything bigger than tiny-sized. :( 

  1   and   2

     

Running

Running. I have really gotten into it. I love it. I love it much more than my fat ankle.

My fat ankle is a lovely thing. It used to be a regular non-fat ankle. Until, I found that stairs are not my friends. At all. So, when I fell down the stairs and heard sounds come from my ankle that should not happen at all, all I could think, besides a singular 4 letter word, was that this ankle is going to be fat as all get out forever!

Happily, my ankle is not this fat anymore. If it was, I would be depressed.

Now, several months later, my ankle is still fat. Though, it's not as fat as it used to be, it is still bigger than Aunt Marge after Harry made her float away.

There she goes. Only to be popped by the Ministry later. via

Back to my ankle issues. It needs some support and love from an ankle brace. I need to find an ankle brace though. One that doesn't look like it can't give my ankle the love it needs. One that isn't more than $20. One that isn't super obvious that I'm wearing it. One that is light enough for me to run in comfortably. The search is on. Do you have any suggestions?

Fancy Free V-day