One Year Later…

 

It has been a year since my last blog post from my dorm room at BSU. A bit has changed since then; fasten your seatbelts folks get ready to warp speed into the present. Don’t worry, this story has pictures.

Shortly after the shampoo post, we had a little bit of a surprise, I was pregnant. By pregnant, I mean really pregnant. Like three months pregnant. That part was kind of like the aftershock after a ginormous earthquake.

 

*At this point I should probably put in a disclaimer, no-poo shampoo hair may have been slightly swayed by super pregnancy hair.*

 

Almost exactly three months later I married my best friend. Thanks to a lot of help, we had a seamless, beautiful outside wedding on an absolutely perfect August evening (and my dress hid my baby belly).

The week after the wedding I started a marketing internship with a small non-profit in my home town. I am still there and loving the challenge.

Just about 3 1/2 months, 20 boxes of Mac & Cheese, and one really bad haircut later Payton Madeline came into the world. December 7th, 11:07 p.m., 7 lbs 7 oz. By the way, the doctor had said “You should have a baby by noon!” that was about 11 hours optimistic.

The four months since Payton’s birth have been a whirlwind.  Between work and figuring out how exatly to not screw up our daughter, life is kind of chaotic.  Who would we be if we weren’t busy?  We are taking it day by day and challenge by challenge, and believe me it is messy. But hey, that is what keeps it interesting, right?

 

 

The Follow up: I’m still not washing my hair

I had some awesome feedback after my last post where I explained the No-poo shampoo method I have been using. Several people have told me they are loving the change since they have taken on the challenge themselves!

I have been doing the Baking soda/ ACV  for almost 4 months now and still love it. I have added to my hair care. I know I said I was going to do a hair mask and try it out. Sorry folks, I ended up going in a different direction. I had some people voice the concern that they work out a lot and are worried about washing their hair so often with the baking soda/ ACV. I think I have the solution. 

 There is a wonderful woman named Joy who owns Grandma’s Soaps and Stuff. She makes a homemade shampoo bar that does not have any of the harmful detergents or unpronounceable ingredients. It even has all of the awesome natural oils added to it for those who worry about their hair drying out. Even with my oily hair this has been a godsend when I need a quick wash. 

My typical schedule is:

• Sunday: grandma’s
• Monday: no wash
• Tuesday: no wash/ grandmas
• Wednesday: baking soda/ ACV 
• Thursday: no wash
• Friday no wash/ grandmas
• Saturday no wash/ grandma’s

Like I said, there is some variation depending on my workout schedule but this is pretty typical. It completely alleviated the need for a hair mask. This whole deal doesn’t work well for everyone’s lifestyle and that is ok.  This method has been more economical and healthier for my hair than I ever thought it would. If you have any questions please comment or message me. 

The next hair adventure: bring out my natural highlights with a lemon + hibiscus rinse! 

  

If you are interested in the Grandma’s shampoo check out her Facebook at Grandma’s Soaps and Stuff. 

Why I Stopped Washing My Hair

I have wash every day greasy hair. I bought increasingly more expensive shampoo and conditioner to try and combat the excessive washing. When you use commercial detergents, as gentle as they say they are, they wash out necessary oils and dry out the strands of hair. Detergents also create a coating of different residues on each strand of hair. All of this lead to a vicious cycle of overwashing.

After a lot of reading and recipe hunting I finally ditched my expensive shampo habit. I tried the “hippy approach” and tried baking soda with an apple cider vinegar conditioner. I have never been happier and my hair has never been healthier. Here is my washing routine that has adjusted to every 3-5 days (depends on how much hairspray and product I use).

Baking Soda Wash: put 4-5 spoonfulls of baking soda in a 400 ML bottle. I used an old organix shampoo bottle I had lying around. Fill it up the rest of the way with hot water and shake until it is disolved.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Conditioner: Thie is even more simple. 1 part ACV to 2 parts water. I have this in an old Lovespell Victorias Secret bottle. It has a perfect amount for a wash or an in-between wash spritz. The spray cap is very handy.

How to Shower

1) wet your hair thoroughly with water.

2) put the baking soda wash directly on your scalp. Part your hair if you need to. Try to focus on the scalp more than the length of your hair. Though for my first wash I did my whole hair to cleanse the leftover detergents out.

3) let this sit for a minute or two then RINSE THOROUGHLY.

4) Spray the ACV directly on your scalp again. After I make sure my scalp is covered I pour it over the rest of my hair. Here is where you want to get all of your hair coated.

5) Rinse this all out. Some people say cool water is better, I can’t seem to give up my steamy shower so if it is, let me know. The smell goes away after you rinse it out.

Your hair will not feel “CLEAN” like you are used to. It will feel weird and hard to describe. Have a little faith. I suggest blow drying your hair the first time, simply because it is less scary than waiting to see your results. My hair has gotten progressively more shiney and soft since that first wash. You will have to wash every other day or third day for a week or so while your  head adjusts.

I don’t dye my hair so I do not know how this wash affects color treated hair. For my brown hair, the ACV  lightens my natural highlights (especially my one weird blonde section) and brings out the red in my hair as well.

I have been reading about hair masks to try once a month to help maintain healthier hair. I have been looking at a lot of recipes that do different things. I will follow up on that adventure. The idea of marinating my head in raw egg is kind of freaking me out.

Remember, on the days you don’t wash, it is ok to rinse with water and rub your scalp while you are in the shower. It helps extend between washings. Also brush from root to tip. This spreads out natural oils to protect your hair like it is supposed to.

Here are pictures after my first wash (scarf) and a month later (no scarf).  Yes I am wearing the same shirt. I like this shirt. Don’t judge. If you have any questions or decide to try it out, let me know!

Purity: the anti sexual way to sexualize

A friend of mine sent me this post (click “post” to open in new window) knowing it would give me a severe case of the feelings. At first I was livid then I was amused. Then I was sad and then I ate pizza rolls. That last part is not really important but it happened. No shame.

For those of you who did not click the link to the post (don’t lie. You know who you are) here is a summary:

This is a satirical letter regarding the modern purity movement. It is a movement that claims its base in Christianity. It is missing a key point of Christianity, however. Grace.  There is no tolerance for anyone else, any “mistake.” If the problem with youth today is that we put to much pressure on them then this is worse by 10 fold.

The purity movement focuses on daughters. Girls as young as 5 to give you more of an image. These girls are drilled to maintain their sexual purity. That alone isn’t a bad thing at all. If you save your virginity for marriage then great. Let us go a step further.

Not only should you not have sex until you are married. You actually belong to your father. Yes, the Father but also your biological, earthly father. When I say belong it isn’t “oh she is a daddy’s girl.” It is a contract to let your father run every interaction with the male of the species. A boy must ask permission to “get to know you” after spending an amount of time with your father. Then hell must freeze over before you are left alone together. What better way to teach trust and self control then to completely take the opportunity to use either out of the question.

Should you chose to hold hands or heaven forbid kiss a person, that is just to intimate. Leave room for jesus people. Most of these girls who are dragged into this extreme culture believe that if they were to kiss someone or hold hands before marriage, they are committing adultery because one day they will get married and any prior contact is cheating on that person.

Let us take a second and think about all of that.

Now. The purity balls that these believers throw are focused on the girls. They are taught to be modest and completely obedient to their fathers. They symbolically marry their fathers who will one day literally give them to another man, who will then own them.

So from a young age they are taught that to falter is to be a disgrace. To not abide by these rules makes them less worthy. They must cover themselves because men can’t be expected to control themselves and the girls are sinning by causing men to “falter in their thoughts or actions.” That is just how men are made. They are sex maniacs without expectation of self control and if they “falter” they are just men so that is how God made them.

Seriously guys, how is that not insulting to you as well? 

Not  to mention the fact that by telling girls they are not allowed to be physical beings they are constantly reminded and hyper sexualized in this weird convoluted mess of white dresses and shame. You think the secular world is full of constant sex, is it so much better to be bombarded with anti- sex?

Guess what: The focus is still placed on the female body as her worth and that she should be ashamed to be proud of the physicality of it. It is a shame culture under the guise of “empowering.” 

I am sorry but what the hell. Because that is what would be like. Hell. To be constantly told that you are property and struggle with the thought every second that something simple might cause someone else to think something and that makes it your sin.

I am not property. I am proud of myself and that includes the way I look. Yes I tend to dress more modestly but if I decide to wear something like a dress and high heels that makes me “feel pretty” it is not my fault or responsibility to control anyone else’s thoughts.

And for the women who keep writing that girls need to dress in a way more understanding of men so that men do not falter, one thing.  If you are so worried about your man straying because of some yoga pants then maybe you should examine your trust issues. Because personally, I trust “my man” to be faithful to me because of the love and respect that we share.

Right to Read

I may have mentioned it before, but I love books. I collect books. When I was a kid and had the time I read everything I could. Sometimes two or three books at a time. I’ll admit, I have read “Gone With the Wind” 5 times.
I assumed that people who didn’t read just didn’t want to or like it. For some that is true. I never suspected that 1 in 4 Americans are functionally illiterate. This means they cannot read above a 4th grade level. Some of these people hide their illiteracy out of embarrassment and get pretty good at it. Some of the people who work closest to them still know.

I dug into this issue some more to see what is being done to help fix the problem. A problem that seems to develop between 4th and 8th grade. Clearly “No Child Left Behind” failed them. In some cases programs like Accelerated Reader seem to do nothing but further discourage kids by putting a point value on books. The students pick books and literature that do not appeal to them, and in some cases are to difficult for them just to get their points. How exactly is this supposed to inspire a love of reading?

The next step was to look at programs outside of the schools. Most free reading programs dealing with illiteracy are focused on adults. Granted in our system these are apparently necessary, they do not hit the problem at the root of the cause. Other programs geared toward school age children do little more than throw books at the issue. Throwing books at kids who are already frustrated and embarrassed is absolutely counter productive.

I think I can fix some of the problem. I was inspired to develop a study to help counter some of the issues caused by the programs in schools now. I will divulge the details a little later as things get more settled and developed.

If you have an opinion or testimony about the illiteracy issue please comment below. I really look forward to reading what you have to say on the matter, even if it is that you don’t like what I have to say. It is everyones job to leave this world better than they found it.

The time TED lied… and forgot a step

Ok maybe lie is a bit harsh. ideas.TED.com had a clever article I stumbled on today. 6 Ideas From Creative Thinkers to Shake up Your Work Routine. Yes, it is a mouthful for a title but in true TED style they had it formatted seamlessly.

These tips were;

1. Keep a schedule
2. Take a walk
3. Seek inspiration
4. Stop while you’re ahead
5. Take a mini sabbatical
6. … they really only listed 5… So, there is that. Maybe they took a mini sabbatical to find some inspiration for #6. That clearly worked.

Isn’t that just beautiful and simple? I mean, how did I never think of this? OH! Because I am not Ernest Hemingway or Henry David Thoreau. I can’t sit out by my lake at my cabin in the woods drinking whiskey.

Here is the real, down and dirty, painfully true way that I find my inspiration.

1. Wake up in the morning– after waking up in the biological sense this requires waking up in the much more real mental sense that requires highly processed foods and a coffee IV.
2. Sit at the computer with a purpose– sit down ready to roll with every intent of being awesome and writing the great American novel… after checking Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest for three hours, and have three Clash of Clans battles.
3. Start letting the words flow unashamed– start writing words. Whatever words happen to come out. My writing usually starts with “so how about this writing thing. Bound for success. Clearly writing is going to be the most productive thing ever. EVER.”
4. Die a little inside– this requires laying on the futon in a puddle of  Cheese-it crumbs and MadMen for at least 6 episodes. 8 is advised.
5. Have the right foods for creativity– I personally live on caesar salads, pasta, and vanilla soy lattes. Mostly vanilla soy lattes. And by pasta I mean Ramen Noodles.
6. Read– read whatever you want. Not what you have to. If something is calling you to get out of your own head then listen. It is like when you crave bananas because you are low on potassium. You crave books and articles because you are low on words.

Writing is hard and scary. It is putting your art out into the world for others to see what you really feel. Writing is grabbing a piece of your soul and dragging it out into the sunlight for everyone to see.  It isn’t easy. It never will be. But that is what makes it the greatest thing in the world.

Coffee Monster is my Spirit Animal

Great news everyone! I found my spirit animal. Don’t judge. If people can pick unicorns I can pick him.

.

It never says in the movie (Monsters University) but I am pretty certain this guy is a PR major. Look in his giant eyes and see the mix of terror and espresso. I promise that at least one of those is a vanilla soy latte (also known as the life force). And back in his room he has a pint of Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz stored in his roommates freezer.

That poor little monster is realizing that someday he will have to go out into the world and show what he learned in these four years and that someone at some point is not going to like it. Not only will they not like it, they might even hate it. Poor little coffee monster is headed to the library to pour over books and articles that he is constantly reminded are out of date by the time they are published because the big wide world is spinning way to fast for any coffee to help him.

Eventually coffee monster will realize that everything will be ok one way or another everything works out like it is meant to as long as he works his tail off and keeps putting his work out there into the world. They can’t all be misses right?

Miss America Misleading America?

Happy hump day to all! Here is what every Wednesday needs; humor, fact-finding, and an honest comment from Donald Trump thrown in there that you can’t really terribly mad about because you already knew the truth.  At least he didn’t hide it. For the record, I’m not anti pageant, if that is what you want to do with your life then go for it and make the most of it!

This is more about the convoluted steps an organization has gone through to create the numbers they want, knowing the wording is misleading to the majority of viewers.  I am getting a degree in public relations. We study how to craft the best messages for our cause, and I didn’t catch the wording either.  Congratulations Miss America public relations department, way to keep it above-board and transparent with those numbers, you charitable organization you.

Call it what it is people, that is all I am saying. You all weigh the  numbers and the facts and go out and check facts decide for yourself.  I love reading comments and responses so let me know what you think!

Here is the link to the “John Oliver: Miss America Pageant” video, it will open in a new window. If you would like the link to paste into your browser it is at the bottom.

Disclaimer: there is some language, majority of which is edited out. The video is worth watching and hilariously unsettling all at once.

She Doesn’t Even Go Here!

Actually she probably does go here. Though I am not entirely sure how. I was standing in an incredibly long line for food and using the pause in my day to be productive. While standing there wasting away in the longest line ever, waiting for them to get my order wrong, I couldn’t help but observe the communication happening around me. I immediately regretted this decision as it resulted in my brain being very angry and a little sad.
The girls next to me in line were in a deep conversation. Granted it was a creative one considering that some of the words were not actually words. Here is an excerpt for you:

Thing 1: “He is so unsensitive, she already knows.”

Thing 2: “Seriously! It is like he is being a total douche. You know what? I can’t even right now.”

I really didn’t make it much farther than the first exchange right there. Oh really? Can’t you? Did you supposably figure out the pacifics of the sitch over some pasghetti? The truth is escary, my friends.

Sweet grammar Batman. Get it together. The only thing I could think of to respond would be the following memes. Thankfully there is a sitcom quote for every situation.

Sugar Cookies: educational for all

So folks, it has been a while. Let us kick things off with a real “must read” article from BuzzFeed News. True to the style of this blog it had to deal with feminism, femnazi, general stupidity, or poor grammar. It is just by fate that the stars lined up and all of these things were handed down. Like a gift. A gift from the universe.

This woman is on a mission to expose a classroom full of second grade children, her’s and other peoples, to the female vagina. What better and more appropriate way to forcibly expose them to the details of the female anatomy than by eating it in effigy. On a sugar cookie. I would list all of the things wrong with that but I really don’t think that is necessary.

Right now I know you are thinking “No way that could possibly get any more inappropriate.” Oh, but it can. After proceeding to belligerently yell the word vagina over and over in the middle of the classroom, she thought she might need to make her feelings a little clearer by sending the poor teacher some electronic hate mail. Hate mail that shows how much of a supporter this woman is of equality and women overall.

You will, of course, have to experience this quick read on your own. Here is my favorite tidbit “You settled for less when you became a teacher because that is known for a woman’s job.” Not that birthing a child and baking aren’t traditionally female roles. Even if what you are baking happens to be vagina sugar cookies.

I will give her credit for creativity. I once made a cell model out of an omelet in 8th grade… but oddly enough never genitalia cookies. Please take a second and read this article. There is no way for me to do it justice. It gave me a good laugh and a little tear of despair.

I don’t need your feminism.

As a citizen of this world I find it important to keep up with social, political, and global news. This does include reading other blogs. I was looking through the “freshly Pressed” section of WordPress and found one of the many articles relating to feminism and gender roles. Those of you who have been with me along the way know where I stand. For those of you who are new here is a brief crash course.

I am a soldier, student, daughter, girlfriend, and most of all I am proud to be a strong and secure woman. I do not support the “feminism” that limits people or points fingers at everyone else for putting women in the position of second class citizens. By downgrading women who choose to be stay at home mothers, wives, express femininity proudly, we are telling the world that we are second rate. They don’t have to make that decision, we made it for them. People that express derogatory opinions under the guise of feminism imply that it is ok to put THOSE people in a lower class. We women as a demographic are our own worst enemy in the respect that we have perpetuated a specific culture through media and stereotypes. Stereotypes that put the pretty, dumb girl on a pedestal. That is why when you walk through the young girls section of any store you will see graphic T-shirts that say things like “my favorite subject is boys,” “I so can’t even,” “work out to twerk out” yes that last one was at a JCPenny’s. The fashion industry produces these garments because people buy them. Let that sink in for a second. People. Buy. Them.

Bottom line is, it is not ok to bash other women for being comfortable in their own bodies. I wear dresses, high heels, and makeup because I want to. I am proud of the body I am in and I strive to carry myself and portray myself as confident and comfortable in my skin. No one is going to change that by telling me that I am antifeminist or less successful because of the way I dress. I fully believe that I am more successful, not because I wear “girly clothes” but because I am comfortable with who I am.

I am tired of Femnazi articles that put down women like me. Women who express themselves by being proud to be feminine. You are not feminists. You are THE cause for a “second class citizen” mentality. If you want everyone else to take you seriously as a woman, business person, human being, then for the love of all that is good in this world STOP. STOP defending women in a way that perpetuates such twisted perception.

Ok so that wasn’t so brief. Just remember, those votes for women were gained by a lot of brave women in dresses and stockings. Many of them went home to their husbands and children at night.

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

First Day of School! First Day of School!

In the words of Nemo (finding, not captain) FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! So after starting my day waking up before my alarm and drawing and inspirational Nemo note for my roommate, things had some highs and lows.

I realized that the first class of the day has 4, yes 4 textbooks just on its own. When she said “I know they are pricey. I can’t believe how much you all have to spend on text books! Especially when mine only cost $90 a semester.” she lost some of my respect. Considering she is the one who picks the books.

The class after that was great. I’ve known the professor since she woke my up in the Holden Center at 0130 after falling asleep on my laptop during an all-nighter.

Then lunch break and watched “Lake Placid” before my final class. By the way, how on earth is it ethical for professors to require textbooks that they wrote? Not only that, the only option to purchase this book is new and at full price. $124.00 if you were wondering. In my opinion it is terribly wrong and an abuse of power. I don’t force my students to read this blog. Granted I am not sure what benefit it would have as far as class content but that is not the point.

After a long day of adjustment to being a junior, I think I am going to find the challenges I was looking for and I am ready to go.

Live to Chirp Another Year

It is that time folks, time for another year at good ol’ BSU. Junior year is here and I am ready for classes and challenges that lay ahead. So far the challenge I am most excited about is teaching and building the curriculum for the online public speaking course here. 4 sections of college level 8-week courses. 2 sections of 16-week courses for high school students. Online public speaking is an odd concept for even me but hey, I said I was ready for challenges right?

For all of the new BSU students… WELCOME! This school has taught me so much and given me so many memories I can’t wait to share this year with you all. Any questions or comments please post them in the comments below.

Here comes another year of thought sharing. Chirp Chirp!

Like a Girl

In a late night/ early morning Facebook scan I scrolled across this ad.  The brand Always (popular brand of feminine products) is starting a campaign focused on “like a girl.” I encourage you to click here to watch the short video in a new window.

I am guilty of using the phrase like a girl, especially to my younger brother when we were kids. The same way that my dad said to me when I stubbed my toe, my papa said when he was teaching my to pitch. They didn’t say it to be mean, or hateful. It was a joke telling me to be tough. The effect of using this negative connotation didn’t even cross my mind until a late night China Wok binge brought about deep conversations about life and society. My friend Lena mentioned she makes it a conscious decision not to say like a girl to her son.

This is my little brother. Six years younger. 5 Inches taller.

The ad has a very real message. For those who think the phrase is harmless, look at how confident those little girls are. They have no reason to think that being a girl or doing things like a girl is lesser. We give that idea to kids. Even as strong women, when we say “quit acting like a girl”  we perpetuate the underlying theme that we are second-rate.  How is that fair to the daughters of this generation? We want them to be strong but tell them they aren’t quite as good.

Don’t stop saying like a girl. Say it like it really is.  I walk, talk, think, and shoot like a girl. For those of you who tweet, you can even tweet #likeagirl. Trend something that matters.

“Sexy” kids

This whole “movement” forming now where girls rebel against dress codes has been on my mind for the past few days.  My knee jerk reaction is to cheer them on. After all, they have a point.  If a person is sexualizing a fifteen-year-old, as one sign that was hung in a school said, then yes they are the problem.  That person is still a child.  It is not ok to sexualize women. (There is equally as much to say about the sexualization and unrealistic standards applied to males as well.)  When these girls are putting up signs that call out a school dress code as sexualization, I thought it was great that they were standing up for themselves. Yay confidence!

I thought of myself at that age. I was not overly confident and I blushed every time a guy looked my way. I felt like I wasn’t pretty enough, or popular enough.  There were few lines I would not have crossed for the attention I craved. This includes dressing in a provocative manner. Luckily I had a mother who taught me that leaving some things to the imagination is sexier than bearing it all. Not every girl has that and others don’t want to listen to it still I thought to myself, they are just kids and they deserve to exercise their rights and we should encourage young people to move and make changes when they sense a problem.

Then today happened. I went shopping at a local outdoor mall.  I’m in my early twenties so I hit up the junior’a sections for some good deals on several very specific items. By the way, why do men’s gym shorts cost half as much when they use twice the fabric? Anyone? Either way, It was the first time I have felt to old to be in the junior’a section. All of the “workout” clothes were trying to be cute instead of functional for the gym. I’m not going to look sexy at the gym. Not that I wouldn’t like to, I still like my crazy prints and colors. It is just that I am aware that I’m going to look like I’m dying. (If you don’t feel like you are going to throw up afterwards, you are not trying hard enough- DS Santi)

What really bothered me is that in a sea of crop tops and high waisted shorts that for some reason have a ton of material and none of it covers your butt, there were shirts glorifying the “dumb girl.” I am a firm believer in building your own brand and what you wear is the first impression people get of what you are about. Be proud to be a girl. Be proud and confident in your body and image. But in the hurry to fight dress codes and stand against injustices, don’t forget to respect yourself first. Whatever that may mean to you. It is possible to show you are confident in the way you speak and carry yourself in a way that doesn’t involve see through shirts, #checkmeout, and “boys are my favorite subject.” No wonder today’s girls feel the pressure to wear less. Look at the options our society is giving them! Mainstream media, down to the selection of clothes we offer young girls is manufacturing this pressure to be “sexy” at age 12! Then we send them to school and the culture persists because that is what we have taught them. Then we penalize them.

Wear whatever you want. Fight for that. While the hyper-sexualized world is unfair and has taught you this is the best way to make it through this world, don’t forget that what you wear tells other people who you are. What do you want them to see when they look at you?

The Day History Took a Giant Dump on Me

I am a reenactor, typically French and Indian War. This means that I spend a lot of time camping in a canvas tent and wearing puffy dresses. The puffier the better actually. One of the best parts about an event is getting to make friends and know other reenactors. This past weekend I was at Muster on the St. Mary’s.

The lovely women at this event put together a pitch-in dinner for all of us participants to get together and do one of the most ancient of traditions… eat until we couldn’t move. My weapon of choice was rhubarb pie. That isn’t important to the story. As we (my boyfriend) and I were sitting at this long table outside enjoying the sunshine, I thought I saw something fall in my lap.

Enjoying my second piece of rhubarb pie I looked down when the crust I was shoveling in fell in my lap. I looked down… no.  Looked up. Looked back down… sigh. Looked over at the boyfriend. “Can you get me some pie?” He was slightly confused “I guess, but why can’t you get it?”

Because. A bird just took a giant crap on me. That’s why.

Readings of a Coffeeholic

Now that summer vacation has commenced I actually have some time to read for fun. I am not only a coffeeholic but I am a bookaholic. For the first time since high school, I have created my own summer reading list. This ever evolving reading list got a kickstart from a recent book bender at Barnes and Noble. $5 hardcovers? I think so!

Reviews will follow each book. Like it or not. Since I hate people who force spoilers on the rest of the world, I make a solemn vow, lit lover’s honor, not to force spoilers upon you fine folks. Though I feel I should insert a disclaimer here. I am making no promises that this list is in any particular order and I reserve the right to read and review them in any order.

1.  Ireland’s Pirate Queen (The True Story of Grace O’Malley)– Anne Chambers

2. Lionheart-Sharon Kay Penman

3. Pirate Latitudes– Michael Crichton

4. 4,000 Years of Uppity Women– Vicki Leon

5. Great American Short Stories– Introduction and notes by Jane Smiley

( This is actually a collection of short stories and by far the collection that has the most stories that I have yet to read. The reviews will come by story or in small groups of reviews.)

If you have other suggestions PLEASE let me know. There will be an ongoing list announcing my current read and reading list in the sidebar shortly.

3-2-1 Cake Time!

This is my tiny pink lemonade/ funfetti cake with strawberry icing. My grandma gave me the formula for a delicious microwavable cake called 3-2-1 cake. Three tablespoons of mix (half angel food cake/ half flavored cake). 2 tablespoons water. 1 minute in the microwave. Then 30 minutes trying to ice the tiny cake and unnecessarily cutting up strawberries.

Bye Bye BSU (if only for a little while)

Finals are done, books are sold, used book money to buy this shirt. It is a bitter-sweet end to my sophomore year at Ball State. I will be happy to be home and relax. At the same time, this year I have met the best friends that a person could ever ask for and it will be weird not seeing them everyday. Plus, this is the first year since I graduated high school that I won’t be shipped off to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for the National Guard. I am ready to put together a summer reading list, breaking out a bikini, and camping! Bring on the classic literature, SPF 80 (my mom said I am not pale, I’m porcelain), and Indiana sweet corn!

Best. Day. Ever

I am truly honored and humbled to hit 700 views totaled for a single day. Then again this means hundreds of people experiencing my morning shame but I am glad to put a little joy into the world.