I Admit It: It's Silly

I have a confession. Today was the first day in my entire 23 years of existence that I made my own doctor's appointment. I mean who cares really that I avoided doing this for an entire month even with a possible ear infection and probably a bad cold. The only thing that matters now is that I did do it.

I know it's silly to be proud of yourself for making appointments on the phone. I mean there's people who have been doing stuff like this for themselves since they were 15 (or whenever), but that has never been me. Talking on the phone with people has always given me the worst anxiety (like heart pounding, short of breathe, overly sweaty, unable to speak words type of panic). I'd much rather make an appointment in person that over the phone (which is probably opposite of most people). Don't get me wrong, this isn't the first time I've ever called a business or made an appointment over the phone, but there's something about making a doctor's appointment that really makes me feel like an adult.

I don't know what it is about talking to people on the phone that freaks me out so much. It's clearly all problems I've made up in my head (like so many other problems in my life). My mom started pressuring me to make appointments for myself when I was in high school and I always refused or got out of it somehow. I think I'm just destined to be late to the game in every aspect of life, which I wouldn't say is necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes a task that seems so easy to some people can be another person's nightmare (that's why you shouldn't dwell on comparing your life to others). I just feel like I accomplished something that I wasn't sure I was capable of doing.

Half of the battle is having confidence in yourself and today was like a little victory in that department. Plus the more you do something you're afraid of doing, the easier it will be in the future.

Have you done anything you were afraid to do recently?

-S

Wet Weekends

I was feeling rather restless for most of the day today. It has rained for the majority of the weekend, but I was determined to get outside at some point. A little after 5 o'clock I finally decided to venture out in my rain coat and wellies. Little did I know those wouldn't be needed. Not long after I left the house the skies started to clear and the sun came peeking through. When I left the house I had no idea where I was heading but I ended up at Brew for a latte (I drink way too many lattes. One of these days I should address that addiction).

The sun broke through the clouds about ten seconds before I took this photo. The picture doesn't do the color of the water justice. The bay was the most gorgeous shade of blue, almost as a reflection of the sky.

Since Brew was a little too crowded for my comfort, I got my latte to go and headed back out into the fresh air. I love going for walks with good music and delicious drinks, it's a combination that will never get old. In fact one of my all time favorite things in this world is going for a nice walk (due in part to my parents and partly to my years at Western). 

I love the design of these boots but they're just tight enough on my calves to be uncomfortable depending on the length of time I wear them. 

My parents have always gone on walks together; something I find adorable and I'm pretty sure my mom would advise as the key to a happy marriage. I find the activity soothing and head clearing. Whether shared or as a way to spend some time alone, walking has so many benefits (fresh air, cardio exercise, better for your knees than running, good for your mental health, gets you outside). After getting used to living in the dorm and having to walk around campus all the time, I started really enjoying walking places. I don't mind walking in the snow or rain to get places (depending on the temperature and amount of substance coming down on me of course). I usually opt not to take my car if I am in reasonable walking distance of my destination. Using a car just seems like more effort in my mind (even though I know that's the opposite of the way most people think).

I was smiling for most of my walk today. I had some recently purchased jams blasting in my ears and everything just felt so light and good. I need to get new headphones though because my left side is broken and I keep having to turn the volume up a ridiculous amount with my hearing loss in my right ear (obviously having music blaring loudly into my ear socket is super helpful in that case lol). I swear every pair of apple headphones I've gotten have broken in the left ear. My last pair I replaced with some cheap candy skull ear buds but the sound quality is no where near the same (which is understandable seeing as they were ten dollars). I might consider buying a nice pair of proper headphones instead of earbuds this next time, but we'll see.

Do you guys like going for walks? Would you rather walk or drive somewhere?

Any headphone recommendations? What are some good brands to check out?

-S

Back to J. High

So I'm a little late to the game on Fall Out Boy's Save Rock and Roll album, but I finally discovered just how good it was yesterday. Now I'm obsessed. I am loving their recent series of music videos too. I think my favorite songs so far are Phoenix, Alone Together, and Young Volcanoes.

I've also recently started liking Paramore's Still Into You and Panic! At the Disco's Miss Jackson and This is Gospel. I feel like I'm back in Junior High seeing these bands in my playlists again.

I have also still been loving Bastille and The 1975 (it's been an all summer long kind of obsession with these two). Bastille are masters when it comes to covers. I can't stop listening to this one lately.

-S

Today's Goods

Every day has it's ups and it's downs, it's which ones you choose to focus on that really counts. (I know, that was so cliché but basically all my advice is like that.) Anyway, today had some really good parts so I thought I'd share them.

1. I got my hair cut. It wasn't until after my appointment that I realized it had been two months (!) since my last cut when I chopped it all off. Things were looking a bit out of sorts, so I was glad to finally have something done with it. I think it looks even better this time than it did the first time. I love it even more!

It's a little bit shorter on my left side than it was the first time and the part is in a bit more natural place.

2. I walked downtown to get some fresh air and read for a while this afternoon. After being indecisive for a bit I decided to chance it on a Harvest Chai. I'm so happy I did too because the girl actually made it right. The drink hit the spot. Exactly what I wanted... one little victory.

3. Today also marked the first day of hockey season for the Red Wings! The NHL season officially started yesterday, but the Wings' first game was tonight against the Buffalo Sabres and they won (2-1)!!! So glad I finally got into the sport last season. It's silly it took me this long, especially for how quickly my love for hockey grew.

All these things combined left for a real feeling of satisfaction and happiness at the end of today. The world has been nice to me today and I am incredibly grateful.

-S

Losing It and Keeping Her Review

Okay, so... first of all I'd just like to say this book wasn't the most well written or original book, but it was definitely entertaining. I think in order to enjoy reading books like this you just have to turn your brain off entirely. It's kind of like the book version of a trashy RomCom that stars the attractive, moderately well-known actors, but follows pretty much the exact same story as five other films that have come out within the last year. They definitely won't be up for any awards and may not fair well in terms of ratings, but are still worth seeing.

Losing It, by Cora Carmack, is about a college girl named Bliss (yeah, that's her real name) who decides it's time to lose her virginity. Unfortunately, things don't exactly go according to Bliss's plan after she meets a gorgeous British man (Garrick) at a bar and decides to go home with him. After thoroughly embarrassing herself, everything gets a bit more complicated when Bliss discovers Garrick is her new Theater professor.

Like I said it's nothing too original, you can see things coming from a mile away, but it was a nice break from the types of books I've been reading lately. I needed something light, that was quick, easy, and didn't take up a lot of head space. I feel like the last few books I've read (as well as life in general) have been both thoughtful and emotionally draining. Sometimes you just need a nice break from life, where you can slip into a fantasy land with attractive guys and British accents and motorcycles. I have a weakness for British things. I mean, he calls her "love" a lot, which is probably an overplayed stereotype, but still made me very happy. Seriously, where are the Garricks of the real world?

This book was also incredibly funny at times. I laughed out loud for a good ten minutes at one point and then had to take a break to collect myself before reading on. The story was really addicting. I stayed up until 4:30 am one night reading until my eyes were sore.

I was happy things turned out the way they did. Although I felt bad for Cade, I thought Garrick was a much better choice for Bliss and obviously brought out good things in her. From a brain-turned-on sense, there were some definite warning signs/weird character flaws in Garrick that sort of reminded me of Christian Grey, but I chose to just ignore all those things and not put too much thought into this book (like I said, it's definitely better that way).

- - -

Keeping Her is a short novella that Carmack wrote as a sequel to Bliss and Garrick's story. It's almost too short, still leaving things in an open ended fashion, but a nice add on to the original. Despite the plot and characters being just as predictable and unoriginal as in Losing It, the story was once again enjoyable to read.

Carmack has written two other books in the Losing It series, Faking It and Finding It. Faking It follows Cade's story and Finding It follows Kelsey's story. I'm hoping that Keeping Her was left open ended in order to leave room for tie-ins with the other two stories. I'm currently reading Faking It (which I'm enjoying so far) and I have no idea if Bliss and Garrick take part in the plot past the first chapter.

If you're looking for a light read I'd recommend picking these books up. A friend lent me the first book, but they're only a few dollars each for the Kindle Edition on Amazon. The books are funny, sexy, and a lighthearted spin on every girl's (okay, probably not every girl's) first time fantasy.

-S

Joys of the Week

1. This kitten making wrecking ball adorable.

2. These beautiful quotes from William Faulkner.

3. These Habits of Supremely Happy People.

4. Tonight by Kings of Leon from their new Mechanical Bull album. I remember being disappointed with Come Around Sundown, in fact I don't even think I bought any of the songs off the album, but this whole cd is great. I also really like Supersoaker, Beautiful War, and Work On Me.

5. 23 Reasons to Date a Midwesterner. Yup, you can form a line fellas, no need to fight over this midwesterner.

6. Tina Fey hosted Saturday Night Live last night. It was awesome.
I especially loved this GIRLS promo.

7.  What your taste in music says about you on a date.

8. These gorgeous booties from Nordstrom. I want all the pretty boots/booties this season.

9. This incredible sounding Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte recipe.

10. And lastly this list of 100 Things Every 20-Something Needs to Realize.

Hope everyone has had a great weekend. I just got back from seeing Rush with my mom. I don't know if it's just because I find Formula One interesting or the fact that I enjoy looking at Chris Hemsworth, but I thought the movie was really good. The story got me choked up a few times and kept me on the edge of my seat at points during the races. Both Hemsworth and Bruhl did well in their roles and it was easy to slip into this movie and get lost into their world. So yeah, go out and watch it!

Also the series finale of Breaking Bad is tonight. I'm not prepared, but I can't wait to see how things will end (and who survives)!!

-S