Book Challenge: The Five People You Meet In Heaven

Book: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Challenge: A book from the BBC list.

My friend from Let Loose, Cait, suggested this book for me to do to satisfy the BBC list challenge. Generally, I don't read books that play with what heaven will be like, not because they aren't lovely books, I just can't get into them. That was part of my problem with The Lovely Bones. I just couldn't get into it. Anywho, The Five People You Meet in Heaven is about a man, Eddie, who dies and goes to heaven (naturally). While there, he meets five people who impacted his life. He doesn't know them all, but actions from their lives crossed paths with Eddie's. Truly, it was a moving book. There were parts that were incredibly sad, but all in all it was just a really lovely book. It gives a great perspective on how every action affects someone/something in our lives. 

Expecting tomorrow.

It's easy to get into the habit of expecting tomorrow. We wake up, go on with our every day living, and fall asleep planning on tomorrow. But sometimes tomorrow is taken from us, and sometimes we give it up. Life doesn't always give us tomorrow. Morbid, I know, but I swear I have reasons. This week, several people have died.

One of them was a boy who I remember from high school. A year older than me, now he's dead. Supposedly by his choice(a note was found, but the confirmation is still up in the air). Knowing someone around my age will never see tomorrow, will never really live, is just heart breaking. One of them was younger than me by several years, and a chill is sent up my spine thinking about a life being taken so young. I can't fathom how his parents must feel, how big a void must be in their hearts now. A void that will never be truly filled. It's said he, too, took his own life.Something in their lives must have been so horrible that they didn't want to see what tomorrow holds. It's a tragedy to have lost all hope. I thank God I have wonderful family and friends surrounding me so that even on my darkest day, I still see the light of tomorrow. My heart and prayers go out to their friends and family, it's unimaginable how they must feel.

Earlier this week, I was stuck in a traffic jam (think small town where traffic jams rarely exist). Thirty minutes go by, and I'm still in the same spot. So, I call my mom to see if there was wreck or what. Unfortunately, there was. Two people were killed. They didn't want to die. They had plans for tomorrow, maybe they had families who had plans with them for tomorrow, but they'll never see it.

Today, I woke up, cleaned the kitchen, read a book, got on Facebook, napped, sat around, got ready, and went shopping. I didn't think twice about getting in my car and driving to the mall. I didn't consider the possibility I may not get tomorrow. I don't know why some people's lives are taken, and others aren't. Why do good people die young and bad people live to be old? Where's the justice in that? I know everything happens for a reason, and I know God has plans for everything, but it's hard not to wonder sometimes. However, not knowing reasons why means we should live every day like it's our last, as hard as it may be to do so.

Now, I know that some people regard suicide as a horrific sin, which it very well may be, but that does not give you the right to say rude, hateful things. Boys just died. They died. They'll never get another chance. Their families will never get to tell them how much they love them again, or see their faces again. Again, in a small town, everyone gossips and people talk about things they know nothing about. It's ridiculous.

Would you date a single parent?

[Before I begin, I would like to let my friend know, if she reads this post, that I am not making a dick at her. I've honestly been pondering since our conversation! <3]

Now, you may be wondering what, exactly, it is I've been pondering. Yesterday, a friend texted me and said she had news. I asked what and it boiled down to her seeing/datingish someone. So, naturally, I creeped him on facebook. I had just looked at a few of his pictures when she said, "So?" to which I replied that I thought he looked a little country, but she really likes that, so he was solid.

Then I saw it.

Or rather, I saw her. Her being his daughter. I don't want to say I was shocked beyond belief or totally freaking out, but I was really curious as to how my friend felt about it. She mentioned she was nervous about the prospect they could begin to get serious, but at the same time, she feels she can't decide against dating him because of the child. I agreed and said it'd probably be a mean thing to do, but added that I guess it really depends on where she is in her life. With that being said, I am now wondering if it really is mean to decide against dating someone just because they have a child.

For me, I think I would decide against dating someone if they had a child just because when I think of children, I see this:

Who wants to wake up to this? 

When they are usually like this:

But I wanted a lollipop!

I guess sometimes they are sweet and endearing, too(read: I like kids that are related to me). However, I'd feel like I was being forced to grow up faster than planned. But, that's the funny thing about life, isn't it? It doesn't care at all what your plans are. If they are really perfect for you, should you allow a child to be a deal breaker? And I'm not talking demon children and the children of the corn. I'm talking normal children. 

So, would you decide against dating someone just because they have a child, and do you think it is wrong to do so?

My row with a banana and vacation pictures!

"How in the world did she get into a row with a flippin' banana," you may be asking yourself. Well, lemme tell ya. It wasn't pretty, and my hair is sad. Kinda. Would be if hair had feelings. Back to the point! I am on a little DIY binge at the moment, so I've been trying out different at home facial masks and things like that. Tonight I got to thinking about how dull my hair has been looking, so I got the bright idea to make a hair mask to give my hair a nice shine. I used a banana mask that I saw on four or so different sites which consisted of an egg, a banana, milk, and honey. Sounds okay, right? Wrong. Maybe I'm just inept, but it was hard to get the mask on my head without making a huge mess. Then, when it came time to rinse it out, it wouldn't come out. I had banana stuck all in my hair, and I couldn't get it out by just rinsing, so I tried shampooing. Bad idea. It was so much worse after shampooing. So, then I put in conditioner and I had to pull a comb through my hair from the ends up to get all that banana out. It took forever and I got a ridiculous headache. Screw you, bananas, screw you. On the bright side, my hair is shiny!

Please ignore my lack of makeup! Embrace the freckles, haha.

Now that my banana rant is over, VACATION PICTURES, YAY! If you've read my previous vacation blog, you'll know that I recently returned from Panama City Beach, FL, and Atlanta, GA. After spending most of the day driving through Alabama, we were ecstatic to see this glorious sign:

Welcome to PCB!! 

The first sunset I've seen from the sand of a beach.

It was gorgeous. 

Got our toes in the sand, breeze in our hair. 

<3 <3

(The pretty (read: we wore skirts/dresses and had on make up) beach pictures are in my darling friend Cait's possession still. I apologize!)

Leaving PCB, we headed for Atalanta, Georgia, to visit my best guy friend who is getting his Ph.D in Physical Chemistry at Emory. He's a smartie pants. So, here is Atlanta:

Arriving in Atlanta!

Yeah, that's exactly what you think it is.

Perhaps this comes from living in a podunk state, but that right there is friggin' Clinique vending machine. How cool?! This ranks right up there with the Best Buy vending machine I saw in New Orleans. I'm so easily fascinated, haha.

People I Generally Can't Stand. (And I hope you can't either)

As I have said before, I'm a judgey pants. I'm pretty sure I have killed 95% of the people I've met in my head at least a thousand times. A friend linked me this picture today, and it couldn't be a more perfect description.

Any who, I'm in a ranting mood, so here are six types people I generally can't stand (I hope you can't stand them either).

1. The Hipster.

This person will say things such as, "I liked that band before they became mainstream" and "I wore that shirt before it became cool." Yeah, well, guess what? No one gives a shit. Murr murr murr I sit around and drink coffee that costs too much while listening to music ironically and talking about how much better I am than all the conformists around me....oh, wait. Please go jump off a cliff.

2. The Stage Five Clingers.

We all know one. That girl or guy who calls/texts every five minutes and always wants to know exactly where you are at all times. That one. They are honestly scary, and I'm tired of  you fugging up  my news feed with your whiny statuses and posts about how your boyfriend/girlfriend is ignoring you because they fell asleep. Just wild guess here, but they are probably asleep because it's four o'clock in the morning. They are also known to throw large fits about you texting the opposite sex, even if said person of the opposite sex is in a relationship and the text was just about some sunglasses you left in their car the last time the four of you double dated. Batshit crazy.

3. The Public Fighter.

If you do something to piss me off and we are in public or with friends, I'll let you know I'm angry, but no one else will know because I wait to have the conversation until we've left the public setting and are alone. I can't stand when people pick screaming fights in public places about silly things. It's trashy, and while I'm eating my food, I don't want to hear about your needy insecurities. No one else does either.

4. The Bimbo.

That girl who says "like" every two seconds, draws out vowels, and acts(or is) like a complete moron. This is the girl who will say things such as, "So then I was like, OMG! and she was like, LOL!" Admittedly, I do say "like," but not to this degree. Learn more words.

5. The Debbie Downer

The person who has something negative to say about everything. For example, someone has a facebook status that says, "I really want to go see Harry Potter! Someone should go with me." The Debbie Downer will reply, "I'd like to go, but no one ever invites me to go anywhere which is why I'm always alone. I'll die alone. Oh, well." Stop being so depressing. More people would invite you out if you weren't so depressing.

6. The Arrogant, I'm-Better-Than-You person who is seemingly illiterate.

This person will post statuses such as, "I could of gone to that concert, but I was busy doing something not mainstream." No. No, no, no. "Could of" doesn't make sense. Perhaps you are thinking of "could have?" Exactly, and you think you're better than me. (Someone on my facebook news feed has actually posted several statuses using the phrase "could of.") Generally, these people post and say dumb shit on a regular basis.



/endrant.

Home sweet....home?

Not quite.

8.5 hours on the road, cooped up in a car and we made it back home to the wonderful Arkansas. Hah. I felt claustrophobia setting in as we crossed the Mississippi River into Arkansas.While part of me was gasping for air at the end of our travels, the other part was so happy to be home with my family. I missed them so much! I know, I'm a big baby, but I'm really close to my family.

It's not that I despise Arkansas ( I dislike Alabama much more, haha), it's just that it's so...podunk. I mean, I understand podunk towns, I live in one, but this is a podunk state! I swear it. I guess my lack of satisfaction in living here started when I traveled to New Orleans last November to give a poster presentation. The city had so much life! Then I come home where the most excitement involves a drug bust and people consider walking around Wal-Mart "hanging out." I wish I was kidding about that.

Anywho, we took prettier beach pictures the last day, and I have a few Atlanta pictures that I'll post soon. I just haven't gotten them off the camera yet! I know, I know, I'm a lazy bag of bones. Also, I watched and enjoyed Captain America. So excited for the Avengers.

"I'm gonna punch you in your silly hat, you old man!"

Toes in the sand.

Hair in the breeze.

No sticky, humid air.

Waves crashing.

Sun setting.

Perfect.

My first time ever in Panama City Beach, Florida, and I don't think I ever want to leave. Then again, who would? I could pull this off. I could go to graduate school here for marine chemistry, and I'd be satisfied. I love the strip, too. I just love the beach culture entirely. I don't even want to think about us only staying for one more night! Ugh! It can't last long enough. Check out the beach/Ripley's Believe It or Not! pictures. 

So help me, I am going to kill someone.

Alright, before I start this rant, let me say that I, Tiffani, being twenty-one years old, a college junior, and single have no desire to get married anywhere in the near future. I'm very okay with not dating right now. It's that guys haven't asked me out, it's that I turn them down. There is nothing wrong with this. 

So, is it really wrong of me to not want to make out with every strange guy that says he'd like to hook up with me? No. I don't have meningitis, and I don't want it. I'm kind of a germaphobe. I have issues with other people and their germs. I'm not going to go start macking on everything with a penis because I'm only twenty-one and that's apparently what you're supposed to do when you're young. I go out sometimes with my friends. I have fun. I get dressed up and girly. If a guy wants to buy me a drink at the pub, by all means, I'll accept. I just don't have a desire to be in relationship at this point in my life. That could change tomorrow if I meet the right guy, who knows? I'm allowed to be picky when it comes to guys. I will not settle. I refuse. 

And if one more person tries to push me into a date with a guy, so help me God, I am going to kill someone. Yes, I'm aware he's attractive. Yes, I'm aware he's sweet. Yes, I'm aware he likes me. Do I want to go on a date with him? No. Why? Because I already know our personalities don't mesh. Good friends, bad as a couple. Why go on the date, knowing I'm going to turn him down if he asks for another, or more? I hate turning guys down more than most things in the world. It's awful. I feel like a douche. Now, if I don't know the guy at all, I'd probably be open to it, but when I've flat out said no, don't push me. I mean, my family does it until I say, "No, this is why I don't want to." and they drop it. Easy peasy. I have friends, yes, friends multiple, who do this to me! Just keep pushing, and pushing until I think I'm going to snap! I have at least three friends who tell me I'm too picky, but I like to think of it as having standards. So. Sue. Me.

Fake bake, Harry Potter, and knitting.

Six sugar/salt scrubs later, my hands are almost back to normal! I know what you're thinking, "That girl tried to fake bake? Doesn't she know that doesn't work?!" Well, sometimes it does! I'm kind of a pro at putting it on, I've gotta say. Which is why I was so surprised when I tried my new Arbonne Made in the Shade tanner and it turned my hands orange. After I had washed them twice with soap after I finished applying it. I guess it just dried too fast. Sad. Day.

Well, fellow Harry Potter nerds, tonight's the night. Or rather, tomorrow morning is the morning. In light of the HP madness, check out Neville Longbottom. He got sexy, although I always had a crush on him. I've gotta thing for those geeky awkward fellows.

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Love it.

And before I forget, it's of importance I tell you guys. Tonight, I learn to knit. Yup. I'm so excited. Katie is coming over to chill before HP 7 part 2, and we shall knit like crazy fiends! 

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I know I already posted today, but.....

Yaaaay, linkup! Happy Wednesday, lovelies!

I'm loving my momma's homemade banana pudding. Oh, yeah. Be jealous. It's wonderful.

I'm loving Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach. She's hilarious and informative.

I'm loving True Blood. Because let's be honest, who doesn't love Sookie Stackhouse and the studly Eric Northman [heart throb, please]!

 

I'm loving Excel. I'm not even kidding, I'm the crazy planning lady who makes spread sheets for everything. I'm planning my summer vacation now for next year so no blow out tires will prevent me from going! For real.

I'm loving today! It's been a lovely day and I'm so grateful. 

Book Challenge: To See You Again

Book: To See You Again: A True Story of Love and War by Betty Schimmel

Challenge: Free Choice

This may be cheating, if it is, oh, well! It's just a freebie. I read this book for the first time when I was in jr. high. My mom and I found it at the Dollar Tree and decided to give it a shot. I recently reread it, and fell in love with it all over again. Basically, it's the true story of a Jewish girl who was a teenager during the Nazi occupation of Europe. She is separated from the one person who saves her from the horrible war, and spends months searching for him after the liberation. However, she doesn't succeed. Giving him up for dead, she reluctantly began a new life with a husband who adored her. Never forgetting her one true love, she always remained distant. Thirty years later, by chance, they meet again. They realized they never stopped loving each other, and she must decide if she wants to go with him, or stay with her new life.

Don't worry, there are no spoilers there that you couldn't read from the back of the book. I won't lie, this book is incredibly depressing. Heartbreaking as it was, it was still phenomenal.

If I wanted someone to vacuum while I was eating, I'd go home and let Momma do it. For free.

Irritating things that occurred today:

1] Technically, this happened yesterday, but I had to fix it today. My tire blew up. I had to buy a new tire and what not, which cut into Florida funds. Verdict: I can't go to Florida now! I'm so upset. I was supposed to get to go to Florida, then Georgia to see my friend who moved a few months ago.

2] My friend Katie and I went shopping today (she's an extreme couponer), and afterwards we decided to go eat at this new steakhouse in town. I'm still so angry. We get seated, and our waiters asks what we'd like to drink/eat/brings us bread. We're all fine and good. Then, he starts vacuuming his section. Look, I understand if it's thirty minutes to close, and you're rushing, but he still had an hour and a half or more before closing time. After he finishing vacuuming by our table, I go to the bathroom. When I come back, he has a table pulled out of a booth, blocking my way to my table. Not to  mention, he's vacuuming this booth area. Right. Behind. Our. Booth. So, I have to squeeze my way to my table between the table he pulled out and a table that's in it's right place. Katie needs a refill, and we're out of bread. We stay out of bread until our food comes. He doesn't even stay to ask if everything looks alright. She ordered a medium-well steak. Her plate was covered in blood. He didn't even come back to check. We had to tell the manager who brought us refills, bread, and her properly cooked steak. THEN, we are finished eating, for a good ten or fifteen minutes before he comes back by to ask if we're done. He took some of our plates before she had a chance to put all her food in her to-go box and before we could even put our money in the envelope. Needless to say, I didn't tip him. Katie and I almost wrote a note on our receipts, but didn't. She was going to write, "If I wanted someone to vacuum while I was trying to eat, I'd go home and let my momma do it. For free."

On the good notes of today, I got my first set of knitting needles! They were on clearance at Hobby Lobby. Also, thanks to Katie's coupons, we each got a box of twelve sharpies for a dollar. That's right, twelve sharpies. For a dollar.

Yay for discounted items! :D

I'm also considering starting another blog titled, "Things I'm Not Supposed to Know About My Friends." It'd be a hoot, I just know it!

Book Challenge: Paranormalcy

Book: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Challenge: A novel by a first time author.

Paranormalcy is the first book in the trilogy about a girl, Evie, who can see past the "glamours" of the paranormals. Basically, she can tell who is a paranormal creature and who isn't. She works for the IPCA (International Paranormal Containment Agency), and is discovering she may be part of an epic faerie prophecy.

I'm probably biased because I have a deep love and fascination for fantasy books, but I loved every minute reading this book. I can't wait for the second installment, Supernaturally.

A much needed break

One of my biggest flaws:

I am too content with a fleece blanket, a pair of sweat pants, and a good book in a big comfy chair. I have no qualms with staying home, in fact, I usually prefer it. I found myself giving a pep talk in my mind the other day. I had to talk myself in to going out for the night. It's not that I don't have a good time when I finally get out with the girls and what have you, I just...would be perfectly okay staying home. With a book. And Dr. Pepper. 

So, this has been my life since calculus III ended on Friday. When I'm not working or out with friends(less often), I'm reading a book. And this is okay. I've been in kind of a weird place lately, wondering about my future plans and whether or not I'm living enough, but when I sit down with my book, my blanket, and a Dr. Pepper, I don't care. My life becomes nonexistent, and I plunge into the lives of fiction characters, glad to have a break from mine. 

Book Challenge: Dead Reckoning

Book: Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse Series) by Charlaine Harris

Challenge: A book written by an author from your home country, region, or with your ancestral background who lives in a foreign country.

I chose Dead Reckoning for this challenge because the author, Charlaine Harris is from my home state. The is the eleventh book in the series True Blood is based on. I absolutely love these books. If you don't already know, the main character is Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic barmaid from Bon Temps, Louisiana, who is always tangled up in a mess of vampires, werewolves, and other mystical creatures.

In this installment of the series, Sookie is roped into a seemingly perilous vampire plot(per usual) while trying to save herself from someone driven to madness with the want to take Sookie's life. I really enjoyed this book, which, to be honest, I was afraid I wouldn't. The previous book just wasn't as spectacular as I'd hoped, and I feared the same for this book. Unfortunately, I'm already ready to be reading book twelve, but alas, I'll have to wait.

Chubby Bunny: Jumbo Marshmallow Edition

Friday we went to Cait's to do our second chubby bunny challenge and our chocolate facemasks! This one is probably not quite as funny due to the fact it's much, much shorter and we couldn't talk as easily, but here it is! You can find it on Cait's youtube channel, or below. Enjoy!