Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Day 13- A Fictional Book

I don't read nearly as often as I used to, (and in fact, just finished re-reading Eclipse from the Twilight series over a span of like 2 months this summer) but I still love a good story. I have quite the mental list going and need to just write down some and get working on them! Maybe I will get a book for my traveling this weekend : )

One of my favorite authors is Jodi Picoult, who has written many fiction books. They always surround law or a case in some way, but deeply involve you in the characters as well. I've read many of her books and enjoyed all of them, but one of my favorites is Nineteen Minutes. It made it onto #1 for the New York Times Bestsellers list, and I see why. It's about a school shooting and the events leading up to and after the incident.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Day 12- Whatever Tickles My Fancy

I've become bad at this challenge lately. I'll try to do better! I need to catch up on blog reading. Here are 10 things that make me happy:

1. Good conversations
2. Tight hugs
3. Laughing at anything and everything. A day that you don't laugh is a day that is wasted.
4. Chocolate
5. Shoes
6. Beaches
7. Big cities
8. the color pink
9. Music, of almost all kinds
10. Babies/small children

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Day 11- A Photo of Me Taken Recently

This picture was taken of me recently when Alex & i made Dirt Cups! yummm. I have the recipe if anyone is interested.





In other news, my sister is officially a baby Gamma Phi Beta at OU!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Day 10- A Photo of Me Taken Over 10 Years Ago

I'm a few days behind on this! But I suppose I will just take my sweet time; no need to rush this challenge! I need to catch up on my reading list tomorrow. I feel disconnected from what all of you are doing. I also love how several of you are doing this challenge now too! : )

Here's a photo of me taken over ten years ago.. not sure exactly how old I was in this picture, but very young. Also, I obviously loved the color pink already.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Day 9- A Photo I Took

Do you know who I am, 30 Day Challenge? I LOVE taking pictures. Just look at my gazillion photo albums. Choosing a picture is hard work for me. Here's one I took in Hawaii:



God's beautiful creation.

I have many things to post about, so hopefully this won't be my only entry of the day.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Day 7- A Photo that Makes You Happy

In case you don't know me, I love pictures! Lots of pictures make me happy. And I kind of want to rebel against Day 8 because I don't have pictures that make me angry. The only reason pictures make me sad is if I miss the people in them!

But how about I combine the two for Days 7 & 8... this photo makes me happy (taken by the lovely Jessica Evancho in 2007) but also sad because Alex is moving tomorrow and I am going to miss him so much! I love him with all my heart : )

Monday, August 9, 2010

Day 6- Whatever Tickles Your Fancy: US Travels

I was going to post this yesterday but forgot! Here it is a day late. Day 7 to come later! ; )


A major item on my bucket list is to visit all 50 states in my lifetime. In order for it to count, I either have to do something touristy there, visit someone, or at least see a major section of that sate by driving through it. (So, just being at an airport there does not count!) Here's a list of all 50 states. The ones in bold are those that I have been to... 18 out of 50. As you can see, I still have a long way to go! (Ashley, I realized I have never been to Kansas! We should fix this!!!)


Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California

Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii

Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri

Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York

North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma

Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas

Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming


And, just for fun, here's what I've done in each of these states (that I can remember, I may be forgetting something!)

Alabama- Driven through it on the way to Florida several times. Seen a lot of the land. I don't think I've ever done anything "touristy" here, but maybe I've forgotten. If anyone has suggestions, I'm open to them!


Arizona- I have been to Phoenix twice, once my freshman year of college with Liz and Caroline while Care's mom was working there. We had a great time and made a trip to the Grand Canyon, which was beautiful. I definitely want to go there again. I also traveled to Phoenix for the 2010 Fiesta Bowl! While it was a disappointing finish, it was still a fun trip for my senior year.

Arkansas- In addition to traveling through this state numerous times on my way to Tennessee, I also competed in a pageant in Hot Springs when I was a baby (and won a national title, I might add!)

California- I went to Disneyland, Hollywood, etc. when I was 3 years old and have vague memories of it. I have also been to San Diego 3 times, once when I was little and twice for TCU Bowl game trips (woohoo, Poinsettia Bowl!) I will be going to Los Angeles in several weeks to visit Alex. San Fransisco is high on my must-visit list!

Florida- I have been to Florida many, many times. Always love the beautiful beaches! I am probably forgetting somewhere, but I know I have visited Tampa, St. Petersburg, Destin, Navarre, Orlando... and gosh, there has to be more! My favorite is Navarre Beach though. Pretty blue water, gorgeous white sand, and not nearly as crowded as Destin. My visit there was also so fun because I was with one of my besties, Marissa.

Georgia- We went to Savannah as part of our family vacation. What a cool, historic city. We ate at Paula Deen's restaurant and it was Southern cooking at its finest!

Hawaii-- My most recent trip! This was a graduation present for me and my sister from our wonderful parents. We had a great time. I still need to post pictures and stories from this.

Illinois-- I went to Chicago for a family reunion during the summer of 2004. Chicago is a very cool city, and I want to go back. I finally went to the American Girl Place and experienced the aquarium and Tastes of Chicago, among other things.

Louisiana- Once again, driven through it many times, but I also went to Baton Rouge for TBS/KKY convention at LSU!

Mississippi- Driven through it and spent a night there on my way to Florida, but also been to Vicksburg and toured the battle site!

Missouri- Branson for family vacation. A very fun place that's great for families. I especially loved Silver Dollar City (an amusement park) and our evening on the Branson Belle showboat.

New Mexico
- I kind of shudder when I think about this state, because it's where we went for the worst band trip ever! Those of us who were in the TCU Band in '06 and unfortunately went on this trip all agree. The hotel we stayed at got trashed by some members that got out of control, and the next morning when we boarded the bus to head back to Texas, many people felt ill from their unwise decisions the night before. The bus I was on broke down before we were even out of Albuquerque, which began a multi-hour process of trying to fix the bus while we all waited on the bus, in a rest stop, etc. Finally, they gave us a "new" bus which really meant an old bus that happened to be running. It was another loooong drive back to FW, and at this point we were way behind schedule. I remember that when we were literally on the edge of campus, the bus stalled, and all I wanted to do was get off the bus and walk the rest of the way to my dorm! Rough weekend, but funny to look back on now. Maybe I need to visit Santa Fe next time...

New York
- I went to visit Marissa in NYC! I had a great time there. I love big cities, and I got to do many tourist things and also see neighborhoods and other places I wouldn't see if I wasn't with someone who knew her way around. I will definitely go back.

Ohio
- WGI World Championships in 2005 in Dayton, Ohio! What a cool experience.


Oklahoma- I considered going to OU, so I toured the campus. I also went to Norman when TCU played OU my junior year. And now my sister is going there, so I know I'll be back!

South Carolina
- We went to Charleston on family vacation and also stayed on Hilton Head Island. Very pretty and a fun, new place.

Tennessee- I have been here many times to visit my Grandpa! I have also been to the Smokey Mountains and climbed Clingman's Dome, as well as toured The Hermitage.

Texas- Obviously, I have lived here my whole life! I love Dallas/Fort Worth so much! I have also been to Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, South Padre, etc.



I have a lot of places still to cover... who wants to come with me?
: )

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Day 5- Favorite Quote

Like the rest of the members of my Pink! family in TBS, i LOVE quotes. There is always a quote for every situation I'm in. I have Word documents filled with them. I can almost never choose a favorite, but I suppose overall I like the ones that sum up life. Here are just a few of my favorites:

"May your life be crowded with unexpected joys."--H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (My Little put this one on my graduation present.)


"Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly, and Leave the rest to God."


"I know in my heart that man is good.
That what is right will always eventually triumph.
And there's purpose and worth to each and every life."


"Live each day like it's your last, and one day it will be."


Saturday, August 7, 2010

Day 4- Favorite Book

I love reading, even though I don't do it nearly often enough these days. My goal is to change that soon, because there's nothing better than getting lost in a good story and not wanting to put it down. I loved the book "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," but until recently, it was the only Mitch Albom book I have read. Then a good friend recommended "Tuesdays with Morrie," so I borrowed it and absolutely loved it. Few books make me cry, but this one did (in a good way). It's a short book and can easily be read in a day, but I took my time with it. It's one of those books that gives you a whole new perspective and makes you realize exactly what matters in life. You laugh, you think, you ask questions, you cry. It's amazing. There are so many bits of wisdom and amazing quotes in it that I love, but here is my favorite:

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." -- Tuedays with Morrie



If you haven't read this book, go grab a copy!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Day 3- Favorite TV Program

I hardly ever watch TV anymore. There isn't a single show that I watch consistently every week. I used to have certain shows that I loved, and now I like to watch re-runs of older shows. I'm convinced that a lot of TV shows these days just aren't very good... and a lot of the reality shows are complete garbage. When I do tune in, I like things like 19 Kids & Counting, Kate Plus 8, Glee on occasion, and old re-runs of Sex and the City, ER, CSI, etc. I also loved the show American Dreams back when it was on.

I was too young to watch Sex & the City back when it was on TV for regular seasons, but two summers ago, my friend Marissa introduced me to it. I got hooked. We watched every episode during the summer of 2008, and I have seen both of the movies. I would definitely say that it is my favorite TV show, even if it's not on now. It's funny, easy to relate to (most of the time), interesting, full of fashion, and just fun.



I am definitely most like the character Charlotte. Not in looks, but definitely personality. Seriously, if you don't watch the show, read a little bit about her and you'll probably agree!



“Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.” -- Sex and the City

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Day 2- Favorite Movie

I think my favorite movie has to be The Notebook. I watched it in theatres when it first came out, and even though I was only 16, I remember thinking that the kind of love the characters had in it was the kind I hoped to have. They had their struggles, of course, but they had such a passion for each other. They built a life together and grew old together, and in the end they died together, still very much in love despite the circumstances. By the way, Ashley, if you're reading this- we still need to watch this movie!!! I can't believe you haven't seen it. So, I think a Pink! fam activity should be making Dirt Cups and watching The Notebook : )


My favorite quote from The Notebook:

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I'd hoped to give you forever."




P.S. I have always wanted to have a really passionate kiss in the pouring rain. Alex & I have kissed in the rain, kind of, but only when it was drizzling a little. I'll add it to my bucket list. I also want to kiss in the snow! : )

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Day 1- Favorite Song

I need to do a long in-depth post soon about my trip to Hawaii and also about my summer in general, but for now, I’m going to begin the Tumblr 30-day challenge. I was inspired by Cindy, Rachel, and Erin, and since I don’t have a Tumblr, I’m applying it to my blog. It should be fun, and gives me a reason for a quick post every day!

Here’s what the challenge is:


Day 01 — Your favorite song
Day 02 — Your favorite movie
Day 03 — Your favorite television program
Day 04 — Your favorite book
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — A fanfic
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy


Today is, obviously, Day 1. My favorite song… I have absolutely never been able to answer this question. I love music, almost all types, and while I may have a favorite song of the moment, I honestly cannot name a favorite song of all time. I love country, pop, rock, hip-hop, alternative, classical, etc. I think I will settle for naming one of my favorite songs from this year, and post a link to the music video for your viewing pleasure.

“American Honey”- Lady Antebellum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzzr7RbzUTs

P.S. Shout-out to my friends in the blogging world. I love reading your posts! And welcome to the blogosphere, Kayla Dunlap! : )

Have a wonderful day!