Hunger Gamesssssssssssssssss.

I was in the process of reading a very insightful book, Man's Search for Meaning, but I got distracted by the first book in the Hunger Games series. Blasphemous. But it happened. I have been avoiding these books for years. Why?

Because I knew I would like them. 

Not reading them was my only hope. And I was right. Once I got into it, I was completely enraptured. Just so you know, this does not give the book any merit. Judge Judy and pro wrestling have the same effect on me....doesn't make it genius television. There's just so. much. drama.

I have to compliment the author on her work. Not for creating something has led to the betterment of society, but for knowing her audience well enough to emotionally connect with them in a way that has made her filthy rich. The book would be nothing above a silly Nicholas Sparks novel except she set her characters up to die at any second.

I mean really, what girl has not secretly wished she could be stranded in a cave accompanied by a guy with whom she has got some craaazzzyy sexual tension? Especially after she nurses him back to health because he valiantly saved her from a most terrible death?

And what girl does not want to make out with her cave man while she knows potential love interest #2 is watching the whole thing on TV jealously...just making him want her that much more???


And what girl has not wished that she had her own very wise personal stylist to make her look like a babe AND give her valuable information about the man she subconsciously adores?


The book is basically just a literature form of Cosmo in that the author knew exactly what girls want to read about. The fact that they could die at any second just makes the drama that much more intense. It's stupid, but let's just be honest, I can't wait to get my hands on the second one.

Let's Get It On.

Been obsessed with this for at least a month and a half, which I think deems it blog-worthy. 

Perfect.

I just found myself relating to this guy's facebook status. It read as follows:

"I have no game. 

I like to cuddle and I'm weird." 

I should probably marry him.

Because He Came.

"There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.

Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others. 

Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence. 

Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be. 

Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came. 

Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life."

President Thomas S. Monson

Andrea Speaks Out About Christmas.

My dad let me pick out a camera for my mission as an early Christmas present. Naturally the first thing I did with it was record my goof of a little sister. Here is Andrea's Christmas wish list, her favorite Christmas memories, and her thoughts on Christmas in general.

No faith in Santa this year from that littlest sister of mine. It's amazing she got anything at all. 

Christmas Eve

We always order pizza on Christmas Eve

 Michelle and Julie Christmas morning.

I told my dad I needed a Sister missionary watch.

"I guess I just woke up in a funk this morning." -Joel, Eternal Sunshine. 

It's been one of those days.
Escaping into a book now. 

Guys, I Got Gak.

A Surprise Party.

Last Friday my sisters and I threw a surprise party for my parents' birthday. They both turned 50 within four days of each other. We had so many friends and family show up to celebrate. It was fantastic. Many thanks to my Aunt Mary for taking this video of my parents walking in. It's a little dark at first. Also, everyone sang "happy birthday" an octave higher than it should have been sung. I apologize. It makes me laugh so hard every time I listen to it.

To my Mom and Dad: I am so grateful for you both. Love you so much.

Glorious.

The past week has been absolutely insane. Insane. But it's over. Today I turned in a 25 page paper about naturalism's influence in psychology. I have been working on it all semester. It's worth 500 points and it's done. Done. DONE. Do you know how relieved this makes me feel? It's as if I've had my behavioral stats text book sitting on my lungs since September and it has suddenly disappeared. Makes me feel like singing. 

Tomorrow I am going to turn off my alarm and sleep until I wake up. I am going to go running and clean my apartment and shave my legs and actually wear makeup. Then I will probably cook something delicious and healthy. It is going to be absolutely glorious.    

Lucy says hey. 

1 Paper.

I am one paper away from being done with school for quite some time. One paper. It's kind of a strange feeling.

I am ready to go on my mission. If I could go tomorrow, I would. I've been thinking about it for almost a year and talking about it since June. Sometimes I have moments where I worry about leaving everything behind. And then, I realize that it's what I want more than anything. I am ready to let go of the contemptible, the frivolous, the trifling and go work harder than I've ever worked in my life. You ever feel like you're just treading water? Me, too.  I have so much to learn. Let's get to it.  

Thanks to Eric Stapley for sending me this picture taken in Thailand.

"Give up yourself and you will find your real self. Submit with every fibre of your being, and you will find eternal life. Keep nothing back. Nothing that you have not given away will ever really be yours. Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else is thrown in."

- CS Lewis

Listening to this song. 

Cranky.

It's really difficult to focus when you've got Nicki Minaj stuck in your head. Not conducive to studying. That damn super bass.

Also, this: 

Window Friends.

So...I made an impromptu short film once. A while ago. Three years ago? When I was going to UofL. It's cheesy and not well-made. Chairs seem to move around and disappear between shots. But to my credit, I made it in about ten minutes. It features two individuals who happen to be at the center of my affections: my youngest sister and my dog, which is why I like to watch it. I was sitting on my parents' patio and I noticed my sister making shapes on the window. I grabbed a camera and this is what I got.

If you didn't already know, my dog is quite the actor. I'm pretty sure she made a couple of appearances on Law and Order following this debut. She has a solid fan base. 

It's late.

Despite the fact that I'm not a huge Glee fan, I cannot watch this without laughing. Really hard. 

School Portrait.

Favorite short film of the week. 

A Letter about Hard Drives, Haystacks, and Kisses.

I just feel like telling you about my day...but in small phrases so you don't get bored. 

Last day coordinating break the fast. Hawaiian Haystacks. A good learning experience...but still happy and relieved to be done. Tired.   

Dropped laptop on kitchen floor. Accident. Smack. Really hard. Bad. Rattling noise somewhere inside hard drive? Numerous curse words. 

Dog's birthday today. 42 dog years. 7 people years. 

Came across weird pinterest pregnancy photos with roommate. Freaked out. 

Chopped onions at 4 am. Cried. 

Wore heels for hours yesterday. Feet cramping. 

On a more lengthy and fantastic note:

I went to a Christmas dinner party tonight. They had music playing and mistletoe hanging in the doorway of the living room. At one point, my roommate found herself standing underneath it with the party host. Someone noticed and freaked out and soon the whole room was staring and chanting nonsense about kissing. I was watching my roommate and trying to decide if she was embarrassed in case I needed to start talking some sense to this crazy mob. Five seconds later she grabbed the host and kissed him. She kissed him good. Cheering ensued. I was shocked. Then I was impressed. Impulsive kissing is risky business. Hurray for fantastic, gutsy roommates, mistletoe, and A Charlie Brown Christmas.