How is this Possible?

I'm in the library, and I haven't run into a single other person I know! Well, one friend, but I was wearing a coat so it didn't count. Not only am I suffering from social withdrawal, but today I am wearing a wardrobe masterpiece and no one is here to see it! I've been saving this cowgirl shirt in my closet in case I ever am invited to an event where you're supposed to dress up in country clothes, but today I looked at it and I wondered what it would be like if I wore it. So I pulled it out, and it wasn't so bad. I put on some dangly earrings to match, and somehow managed to get my hair in the perfect messy ponytail--the kind where it looks like it was just sort of thrown together and messed up but still looks good--you can't plan that sort of thing. I'm pretty proud of this outfit--it's pushing the edges a little, but still normal enough that I can wear it and not look out of place. I got the idea from my sister Lisa--she told me she likes to dress nice, but push the edges of creativity sometimes. I like it. No, I really like it. Maybe I'm liking it too much. Now I wish I could wear a cowgirl hat somewhere and not look out of place. I even feel stupid wearing cowboy hats to rodeos--like I'm a poser or something. That's what Halloween's for.

You know what's funny about Halloween? All these people dressed up and wore their outfits around campus during the day. It was so funny, because I watched them and noticed they started to get this harried (is that a word?) look on their faces. They were staring straight ahead and walking quickly and looking a little picked on, like they were having a bad day. Obviously no one was doing anything to them, except staring at them, and not even staring because they were weird, just staring because they were interesting to look at. They were getting a taste of what it feels like to not blend in. It must be really rough to not blend in.

I'm blending in, but I'm still making a statement, in a mild sort of way. It's kind of fun to be a little quirky sometimes.

instruction manual to win Amy's heart

Item #1:

Guys: if you want to win Amy or any other high caliber, beautiful, witty, smart, all around perfect catch, the first thing you must do is to listen to quality country music and internalize its messages. Once you and Tim McGraw feel pretty much the same way about matters of love and life, your chances have grown immeasurably. Also, cowboy hats don't hurt.

Marry me Juliette !

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My sister introduced me to the Taylor Swift song, Love Story. My life is a fairy tale just like Taylor Swift's/Juliette's in this song. I feel like a princess.

This morning I went running in the rain. I had meant to go on a walk, but the crisp air was so glorious I broke into a run. Mist hung in the air and the rain was so light it didn't seem to be actually falling, just suspended there. As I climbed up the hill, each step forward seemed to be symbolic of the upwards climb I have made through life in the last few years. I imagined someone interviewing me. "Did you really use to be that far down there" she asked. "Yes" I replied "It was really that bad." "How on earth did you ever get out of it, you have beaten the odds--one in a million" "Well" I said, "It was God, he helped me." "God, He just gave this to you?" "Well no, it was a fight. I fought with everything I had, and I didn't give up, and I made it."

I finished my run and I came home and bowed myself on the ground and offered sweet thanks.

It was overcast today, but in my life the sun has finally broken through the clouds and finally the tears coming out of my eyes are ones of joy.

It is Unfortunate I am Too Old for a Ring Pop

I don't mind being older. I like it, no I love it actually. It's just fun to be grown up. I guess the only drawback is that I can't carry around a ring pop (a ring where the diamond is actually a sucker) and suck on it occasionally and maintain any sort of dignity. Or a candy necklace, eating those in public is probably out too. I guess you just can't have everything.

First Impressions...

I'm an Aunt !!!

This morning my wonderful, amazing sister Julia became a mother! Perfect, little blonde William Eric, weighing in at 6 lbs 12 oz. And let me tell you,William is so lucky because he has an awesome mom! Julia is one of my greatest inspirations, the kind of girl that makes the impossible possible—from running a marathon, to surviving off of no sleep as she went through college and culinary school and juggled a hundred other things, to moving to New York City at a young age and making it her own. But most of all, Julia is a great friend, and one of my favorite people in the world. I wish her and her husband all of the best of luck in this new endeavor. Love ya Julia!

Jack Handey

quoteworld.org

"Somebody told me it was frightening how much topsoil we are losing each year, but I told that story around the campfire and nobody got scared."

-Jack Handey