My Life in Lists #12

Top 15 books on my reading list (that aren't required for classes). My goal is to have finished them all by next year. We shall see...

1. There Are No Children Here Alex Kotlowitz

2. The Company They Kept: Writers on Unforgettable Friendships Robert B. Silvers and Barbara Epstein

3. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou

4. A Man Called Intrepid William Stevenson

5. 1984 George Orwell

6. Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe

7. Brave New World Aldous Huxley

8. Jayber Crowe Wendell Barry

9. The Art of Racing in the Rain Garth Stein

10. The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Society Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

11. The Help Kathryn Stockett

12. Emma Jane Austen

13. My Uncle Oswald Roald Dahl

14. The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde

15. The Wit and Wisdom of Ronald Reagan James C. Humes

Also, does making this list count as a goal for 2011? I feel an immense amount of pressure to make goals, but I don't have any except my goal to make goals for 2012. Does the word goal sound weird now?

I Whip My Hair Back and Forth

In the midst of my newfound love of sewing, I have progressed on to make a headband. The tutorial I found online was kind of confusing (inverted box pleats are difficult to sew), but I finally figured it out.

(Sorry I'm so uncomfortable taking pictures of myself.)

My Name Peggy

I've watched a lot of television this break since I've been out due to wisdom teeth surgery and a bout with strep throat. This is definitely my favorite commercial right now. Happy Time.

100th Post

So, I just realized this is my 100th blog post.

I wanted to do something really clever, witty, or extremely memorable.

But I've got nothing.

Now it's just really uncomfortable.

Sorry I'm so awkward.

But thanks for reading even when I post weird and dumb things.

My not-so-obligatory-yet-still-important "what I learned sophomore year: part one" list

I was going to wait until May to post this, but I learned a whole lot in one semester, so why wait?

1. You know that saying, "Revenge is a dish best served cold?" Oh no, it should be more like, "Revenge is dish that should be served as a corndog." Not quite as catchy, but wayyyy more true.

2. If you're going to whip your hair back and forth, just be careful not to shatter a glass.

3. Check the boxes before taking multiple cold medicines in one night.

4. Just say no to glitter. In any way, shape, or form.

5. Vienna waits for you.

6. True friends are the ones who will pee in their pants from laughter in front of you. And admit it.

7. Always grab your tiger card on the way out for a fire drill. And a bra.

8. Aerosols should always be sprayed outside.

9. "I was afraid it was going to rain" is not a legit excuse for taking jeep doors up the elevator in front of the RA.

10. Always keep a plunger in the guest bathroom.

11. Find the most private bathrooms. And keep them a secret.

12. You're never too old to watch childhood movies. And maybe even cry just a little bit.

13. Lygers DO exist.

14. It's okay to want your life to turn out just like Kathleen Kelly's.

15. Life's too short to eat bad steak.

16. Sometimes it's socially acceptable to make mildly inappropriate comments in class.

17. Never tweet negatively about Paula Deen.

18. Stalking members of the men's swim team is no big deal, as long as you feel good about it.

19. Having a name that fits perfectly on scantrons will never get old.

20. Mentally hashtagging life is a sign that you tweet too much. #totesoutofcontrol

21. Any word worth having in your vocabulary is one that can easily be abbreved.

22. If you're going to shower, at least jazz it up with some bath crayons.

23. Asian night in Tiger Zone will beat you. Every single time.

24. Outdoor concerts are the best kinds of concerts.

25. Live on the sassy side of life.

26. Maple doughnuts are only for people like Buddy the elf.

27. Sometimes you just have to throw away a trash can.

28. Don't eat waffles if you're allergic to them. Or go to a Waffle House.

29. Three turns should do it, I think.

30. Don't be a Connie.

31. 5 hour energy shots taste like chalk. Chase it down with some chocolate milk or something.

32. If you're going to faint at the doctor's office, best go to Urgent Care on South College.

33. Sometimes you just have to cry on your way to class. Life happens.

34. You can't sweet talk your way into the hay field parking the night before a big game. No matter how cute you are.

35. Life's weird.

sew in love

I like to consider myself an avid crafter. Maybe not quite up to connoisseur level, but enthusiastic, no doubt. So WHY I waited so long to learn how to sew is way beyond me. My best guess is that I was afraid I would never again address my "real world" commitments (not that I have many, but school is a big one) once I let loose in the sewing world. I think that is a valid fear. I've been looking up tutorial after tutorial on the hundreds (literally, hundreds) of blogs I've bookmarked. Pump the brakes, I'm out of control. My first project may be simple, and definitely not perfect, but it is for a good cause.

One of my sorority sisters shared this website with us. Her cousin started this cute organization "I'm Sewing Hope" just to show the love of Jesus to people who really need to see it. The first project was pillowcases that went to oncology patients at Children's Hospital of Birmingham. The project that I sewed for is this precious crayon roll going to orphanages in Sub-Saharan Africa. For real, I have NEVER sewn until today. Not even a button. But I did this. So can you. Spread the word. This is a great way to tangibly show people that there is hope, one so much greater than anything in this world.

sorry the photos are janky, I used the camera on my phone because my real camera is still packed away in a suitcase somewhere

Lord of the Flies

We have company this week. Room 343 has been infested...by fruit flies.

It all started when I decided to open my window to let in some fresh air while I was studying. Little did I know I was letting in my nemesis. At first I just found one little fruit fly. He (although based on what happened next, I'm thinking it was a she) seemed harmless enough. I thought it would probably die before I even woke up the next morning.

Oh no. It was very much alive.

Then I found another.

Where there are two fruit flies, there are inevitably going to be babies. (Cue "Let's Get It On") Lots and LOTS of babies. The original fruit fly was preggers. Now we have quite the little household of fruit flies. They are incredibly obnoxious, especially while we are all trying to study. What no one can understand is how they are still alive and reproducing. We don't even have any food in our room because we're all getting ready to go home! I spent this afternoon googling ways to get rid of them. I've still got nothing.

Right now, we're just all saying a prayer that we don't return from Christmas break and our room is literally covered with the little vermin.

throwback to cafeteria days

One day I am going to write a book filled with lots and lots of crafts you can do with brown lunch bags. I have high aspirations for my life.

fuzzy forest critters

I dig autumn...even if it feels like winter instead. As much as I'm not an outdoorsy, granola girl, I do like to appreciate the inspiration little woodland creatures contribute to design this time of year.

one two three four five six seven eight nine

so american

I fully embrace the fact that I am a grandma in a 19-year-old's body. Writing papers and baking Martha's apple pie was my kind of autumn Saturday.