Break!

After this:

I've been on a much needed and appreciated break from school for two weeks. I've tried to see every friend and family member I've missed or neglected and tried to squeeze soooooooo much fun into every moment that I'm wiped out (although I've managed to get plenty of sleep). I haven't even watched Gossip Girl, I've been so busy, but that might be because, at the end of season 4, I'm really annoyed with Serena, Lily, Rufus is now totally useless, I'm not sure why Dan is even in the show anymore and the only people I like are Blair and Chuck, but for some reason everyone is pissed at Chuck (And, by the way, Dan never would've slept with that teacher. Bad writing, guys. Totally out of character).

In my brain, I always think break is going to be infinitely long. I plan on getting a ton of work done, do a lot of lying around and sleeping thrown in with some all night knitting and Gossip Girl sessions, hang out with my friends to my little heart's content, apply to a ton of internships, secure a job when I graduate, knit all of my Christmas presents, cure cancer and figure out the solution to world peace.

Needless to say, this didn't happen. I did however, visit two different branches of the family (one in the sticks and one is a small city which I would call the sticks with some tall buildings), hang out with friends, have a nostalgia night, plan and lock down bridge club, get some awesome stuff knitted, crocheted and listed, hang out with my boo and make a portfolio website. So, I did get things done.

I have mixed feelings about going back to school tomorrow. Unfortunately, it will start whether I'm ready or not. Poo

RHOWhatever: I'm Obsessed

I effing love Bravo.

Before I realized paying rent and going to school with no job was super expensive and ridiculous, I didn't have cable. And I didn't feel like I was missing anything. I had Netflix Instant, the Internet and  my Wii. No. Problem.

Then, I moved in with my parents. Where, my mom watches Bravo like it's her job. If the tv is on, it's usually on Bravo.

At first, I found Bravo extremely overwhelming, with all the colors and loud noises and women screaming at each other (I hadn't even thought about turning it on since Project Runway moved to Lifetime). I shortly realized, if I didn't want to sit in my room alone all the time, I'd have to suck it up and watch these ridiculous reality (eye roll) shows with my mom.  So, I did.

Now I'm completely hooked. So hooked that I even did a project promoting Watch What Happens Live! for school (it turned out pretty rad). It's amazing. The train wrecks that play across my tv every night (and all day when I'm at home) are just amazing. And, for some reason, it makes me feel like I can handle having kids one day (you know, I go back and forth deciding if I want to have children and how I'd raise these imaginary children and if they'll hate me when they're adults because I did a bad job raising them and what if I decide I don't want them after I have them and what if my imaginary husband doesn't help me take care of them or cook dinner? Will I be happy in this imaginary life?!!?!). Because these Bravo people are insane, but they have kids and they make it look easy. Is this normal? Anyone?

Even though I love Bravo with all my heart and I've forced others around me to watch it and listen to me talk about it and the people on the shows like they're my friends--if I'm confronted about this love, I'll throw my mom under the bus. Like right now. I can't just say I love Bravo, I have to tell this whole story about my mom making me watch it. Then and only then, after being forced (yeah right) to watch it, did I learn to love it.

I'm ashamed of my love for Bravo and Andy Cohen and the Housewives. But, I do love them. We have a special connection, me and them. When they're talking in their little interviews, they're explaining themselves just to me. You know, because pulling that woman's hair like that for looking at your husband needs explanation. Am I right?

Sources (clockwise):
a, b, c, d, e, f

Nag

At dinner the other night:

My friend AB talking about me and my dude: "Are you guys dating?"

Me: "Yeah."

AB: "I could tell by the way you were nagging him."

Summer Awesome

On principle, because I hate hate hate to be hot, I don't care for summer. If I didn't live in Atlanta, I might not hate it so much. It's a summer of 100+ degrees with 100% humidity. And, while I'm very excited to usher in fall (holidays, Halloween, cooler weather, better clothes, not sweating, parties, less mosquitos), I will miss this summer.

On our way to an awesome hiking trip

This was the most magical summer I've had since 2004. In 2004 I moved to the city for the first time and I had some amazing friends who were down to hang out all night. It was amazing. We drove around, went to clubs, stayed up all night. Once, on a whim, we drove to Chattanooga at 2am to visit the aquarium (this seemed like a good idea on a 3 day no sleep bender). We didn't calculate that it only takes 2 hours to get there and the aquarium opened at 10am.

Basking in the glory once we reached the waterfall.

This summer was great like that. I didn't have any expectations of fun to happen so I was open for anything. Loiter in a parking lot for three hours and do jigs, I'm in.

Basking in the setting sun. This night was awesome.

It was just amazing. Hanging out with friends nonstop. Everyone was single, out of school and ready to hang out late into the night. Maybe it was the awesome in the air at the beginning of the season (you know, it reminds you of high school when you snuck out of the house to go break into the neighborhood pool and your whole life was ahead of you, not to mention the air smells like excitement and possibility). It was so great to reconnect with friends I see frequently, but don't get a chance to hang out with. To say yes. To meet new people. To give peas a chance.

While I'm super pumped for cooler weather and Halloween

One day maybe I'll have a body like this again.

(yeah buddy!) I'm a little sad to see summer go. Friends are pairing up in relationships (including myself), starting and searching for new jobs, going back to school and generally living their lives. Which are all good things. This summer was one of those moments that are amazing and can't be planned. I'm so lucky to have experienced it.