Books

I love books.  I love when break comes and I can read for pleasure again.  Sometimes, I feel sorry for those who do not enjoy reading.  Reading is more than a hobby, more than an escape.  My favorite books are like my best friends, more than that, they are a piece of me.  When I am feeling sad, I can pick up a favorite book and it is as if I become the character.  Every time I read Pride and Prejudice, I feel the embarrassment of wrong interpretation, the change Lizzy goes through which gradually turns to love.  If I want some fun or funny in my life, I read a Stephanie Plum book (ex-one for the money).  Her accident proneness and hi-jinx just add to her lovableness.  You can't help but laugh, not at her, but at yourself because you know you do that same things.  I pick up Harry Potter when I want adventure and to have my faith renewed in mankind.

I remember reading the 5th Harry Potter book.  Harry is so angsty in that book (he is 15, after all), and I felt that angst.  I felt everything he felt.  I just finished The Hunger Games (all 3 books), and I am still trying to process it all.  However, at night, when I lie with my husband with his arms around me-I feel just like Peeta and Katniss in the Second book.  I feel like all my bad dreams and thoughts won't bother me.  I know this is weird, but like I said, books become a part of me! The Hunger Games is another book that renews my faith in man.  As many bad people there are out there, and as bad as things can get, there will be that one person trying to save and protect the world.

Movies are cool too, but I feel more in charge of a book.  Sure, books give descriptions, but my own head builds the characters and the scenery.  It doesn't always turnout exactly as I pictured in my head.  Plus, movies tend to cut out parts for time, or change little things to make them more exciting or recordable.  Also, they don't become a piece of me.  You spend a lot of time in characters' heads in books, which is hard to translate into film.  In books-you hear their thoughts and darkest secrets, you bond.  That just doesn't happen in movies.

I hope I never stop reading.  I hope when I become a busy lawyer without Christmas/Summer break, I can still find time to visit my friends, my little pieces of me, and remind myself to be the change I wish to see in the world.

Booooooooooooooooored!

During school, all I can think is,"God I am ready for break!"  Now I am on break and all I can think is, "God I miss school!"  I'm an anomaly.  Grass is always greener, I guess.  I have been able to see some great friends since break started.
First-Ande got married!  It's so funny because Ande married Aaron; I am married to Joe; and our other close friend is Kate married to Kris.  We like alliteration!  I don't have wedding pictures yet, I will post them later.  Here is a pic of Kate, Ande, and I on wig night:

I also spent some time after my last final with 2 great girl friends and my parents:

Finally-I've gotten to spend some quality time with my husband.  It's definitely nice to be able to relax and be together just the two of us

Now, how to fill the rest of my time?  Thank goodness Anden lent me her Hunger Games books!

Not Everyone's Cup of Tea

I happen to be a very opinionated woman, and I don't apologize for it.  This may mean that I am not everyone's cup of tea, but I am actually happy about that.  I prefer to be surrounded by people who like me for me rather than people who like me for keeping my mouth shut.  As a friend, you will never wonder what I think or feel.  I am not one to talk behind your back, I prefer to say it to your face.  I like life better this way.

I remember being younger and thinking everyone had to like me.  I was terrified of saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing, being the wrong person.  It was exhausting.  I was constantly beating myself up for some blunder I believed I had made.  I have also always been opinionated and never been able to perfectly control my mouth and when I let my opinions slip, I stressed about alienating people all night. 

My point is, not everyone has to like everyone.  Not everyone is going to be your friend.  It's better to surround yourself with those who truly love you for YOU rather than those you run yourself ragged to please.