Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Hey ladies, Merry Christmas <3

I thought I'd make some sappy Christmas post just to let you know how much I love every one of you. I'm gonna insert a video here for any one who's using a computer and can multi task.

Anyways, it's not exactly been a good year. There's been a lot of stuff going on and  quite frankly, none of my holidays this year have gone well at all. But I want you all to know that if it weren't for you ladies and Julian this year, I don't know where I'd be right now. I just couldn't have gotten through this year without you ladies and him. I love you so much and I consider you guys as a second family.

Remember the Santa years? Where you went to bed all excited, waited for the reindeer on the roof, a sound in the living room telling you: Santa's here! But you never heard anything (possibly) but when you woke up, the cookies were gone, milk glass empty, and presents from Santa under the tree. And you thought (maybe) wow he was so quiet! I missed him! That was the magic of Santa.

I remember one year all I wanted was a stinking Barney Banjo. That's all I wanted. My parents wanted me to keep believing in Santa, but.... the Barney Banjo's weren't sold anywhere in Rockford... so my dad ended up going to Chicago to get me this annoying toy. So I still believed in Santa. Years later when I had grown out of the Barney Banjo, my grandparents took it so my little cousin could play with it when they came to visit.... she ended up hitting my older cousin in the face with it... Ahaha... it was a really hard toy.

I just thought I'd share that.

I miss the old Christmas's where my family used to come down from Wisconsin and spend Christmas day here and my parents and I would go over in the morning. I had so much fun back then. My great grandmother would even make it down too.

It's getting late and Santa is coming so I think I'm done for the night. So:

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night

I guess this is going to be another annoying post from moi

Hey ladies!!!
Guess we are all back in town huh. Even though i haven't heard from some people. I wont mention names. hhh hmm. Nevermind ill mention one, SARA. Just kidding Sara still love you, and i understand you have been quite busy. With all your finals. Talking about finals, CAN YOU GUYS BELIEVE WE HAVE FINISHED OUR FIRST SEMESTER OF COLLEGE; INCLUDING MARYANNE!!! Still love you Maryanne :) Alex was able to tough it out in Chicago without getting herself in a situation as Johnston mentioned, but not without overloading on coffee. Hahaha. I loved how you referred to it as "jet fuel." Thankfully i only came to rely on it once. So ive been building a lionfish, Yup a lionfish. Not the best lionfish made out there but its hopefully enough. If its not then oh well. My fingers hurt from carving out the shapes of the fin and i dont need to start over. I yelled at Maryanne and now i feel bad. Her heavy criticism did help me in class, but this time all i wanted to hear was that it looks close to the real thing. I just want to get it done. Talking about lionfish reminds me of the show Tanked. I really love that show, i love the colorful fish placed into these creatively designed tanks and i wonder if i could ever come up with an idea like those on the spot. Lets be realistic here, my projects may look good (yes im bragging but i dont want to hurt anyone. ive seen some of your drawings and they are amazing!!! I wish each of you showed me more often.) but it takes me forever to come up with ideas. And to admit, my dad has helped me with that my entire high school art years. Well back to what i was going to say. I watched an episode yesterday where Brett and Wayde built a dunkin donut shaped fish tank. Now that thing was amazing. Ill try to look for a picture, and i apologize for my bad grammar.


 Well here it is. Somewhere below. Doesnt that look appetizing?! Just reminded me of alex... i mean Alexandria... as she is calling herself now. Reason why? Idk only she does. Well i just wanted to post something, ill include more Tanked pictures of some of my favorites. IF YOU HAVENT WATCHED THIS SHOW YOU MUST AND I MEAN TRY TO WATCH THIS SHOW. NOT ONLY DO THEY BUILD TANKS THEY PLAY HILARIOUS PRANKS ON EACH OTHER. I GUESS THAT IS WHAT THEY GET FOR BEING BROTHER IN LAWS. BUT REALLY ITS AN AMAZING SHOW. I GIVE IT A 10 OUT OF 10!!!
 
OH before i forget, i have finished the divergent series. It was great overall. Kind of want to find the author to hold a "gentle" conversation about some aspects throughout the entire series; but it was good overall. For those of you who are reading keep reading and for those who havent then start. We have to watch this movie!
ttyl, G

Well. Ummm. Hi

Hey you guys, it's been months since I've written anything and I feel bad because you guys post everyday and this is only my second :b.  Anyways I've been staying up all night watching Supernatural, it's an unhealthy obsession.  

I guess since Marissa told her bully story, I might as well tell mine.  When I was still living in the Philippines, I didn't have many friends; in fact I had one. I tried being friends with the other kids but they wouldn't be friends with me because I looked different. I had huge soulless eyes, as Marissa puts it, and a boy hair cut.  Now there are very few memories I have when I was very young; one being of my skin ripping off in a bike accident.  But the worst memory, I still have, is of kids constantly throwing rocks at me and calling me awful names.  I was only three years old. I couldn't fight back against kids who were twice my size and age.  And my only friend would always get into fights.

 Well that's enough sharing lol

Anyways I think I might diabetes now. I been baking like crazy and apparently I can't leave my cookies lying around in my house anymore.  Stupid housemates.

I've also been cleaning my room...for two days now.  OMG I swear I develop a case of ADD whenever I try do anything productive.  I also found out I have an unhealthy attachment to my books. I have elementary books that I'll never read or use again, but NOPE! They all have a special meaning (rolls eyes).

 Oh! Hey! Guess who I had a dream about last night. Jared. It was weird because it was his birthday apparently.  But I'm not telling you guys the whole dream because it was weird .... So yeah. Well. Bye.

 Little Panda

Falalalala lala la la

Laaaddiiees. Ladies.
Have I ever told you how much I love this blog? Seriously. I love it. 101 posts? That's amazing!
Anyways. There's a few things I never told you guys. Don't worry, its nothing bad. I just remembered that I never really told you guys much about what I felt last year, or what I did.
So, here we go.
You guys remember John right? Yeah. That buttface. Anyways. So, when Bycha told me that John liked me, I was kinda like.. awed. Somebody actually liked me? I never really noticed John before. Let me roll back in time for a minute here. Ha.. Roll. Makes me sound like a fat kid shaped like a bowling ball just rolling around everywhere I go. Back on track.
In middle school.. I'm sure Alex remembers some of this. I used to get made fun of a lot. Kids would tell me I was ugly, and they would pull jokes on their friends and me by saying that their friends wanted to go out with me. Haha. Very funny guys. No, that shit is scarring. I never really had confidence in myself. Nobody ever truly liked me. Except for Shilo, but that little snot was crazy rapist stalker liking me. Literally. He would just.. watch me. It was creepy. He actually asked me to marry him at one point.. AAAAANNYYWWAAYYS. So yeah. John liked me. Although I didn't share the same feelings, it still improved my confidence to see that someone actually held interest in me. That probably seems like a stupid reason to date someone, but for me it was a legit reason. But.. it didn't feel like an actual relationship to me. We never really tried to get to know one another. Every night when we talked, it was only about stupid stuff that didn't matter. And he never called. Not once. He only texted me. That's not very fun, is it? So when he told me to kiss him, and held me from going to class until I did, it just pissed me off. So I gave him a dumb peck and left. You don't tell a girl to kiss you if you don't get to know her first. It's not a relationship if you don't include yourself and your feelings into it. John, you silly boy. This is why I broke up with you. You just seemed to care about the image of me, but not the real me. I was a scene chick, right? That's why you liked me. The image. Or atleast that's what it seemed like with how much you tried to get to know me.
Now, a couple months later, my mom, my brother and I were driving. And we spotted Luis and his younger brother Angel walking. My brother wanted to stop by and say hi. Soooo... we stopped. Luis immediately caught my attention, and he just kinda looked at me. Then he smiled. I blushed and looked down because of the retard I am. And that was it. He smiled at me. Then that very same day he got in touch with me through xbox. I thought it was cute. We talked and talked. And he called me. He actually CALLED me. And you know the first thing he did? He asked questions about me. He wanted to get to know me straight off the back. That's how you do it, John. Just saying.
Anyways. So when Luis and I actually hung out for the first time, we watched Sleepy Hollow together in my basement. He cuddled with me. It was weird. And before he left, he tried to kiss me, but I backed away and blushed like hell. He smiled and understood that I was scared. Then about a week later, we were saying goodbye on my front step, and he just kissed me. Just like that. It was amazing. Luis was my technical first kiss, and it was amazing.
Okay, I'm done with the sappy stuff. Stream of consciousness time? I think so.
Have you ladies ever watched the show New Girl? If you haven't, I immensely recommend it. Its funny as hell, and its so cute in the second season. There's extremely hot guys in it too. The main characters aren't too amazing themselves, but there's this children's doctor named Sam, and oh lord. What a cutie.

Now that I look at him, he is kinda dorky looking. But whatever, he's still a cutie.

Here's another cutie. He's an extreme dork, and I love him.

Seriously ladies, if you like raunchy comedies, this is a really great show. I started it last week and I'm already almost done with season two. If I had more time I probably would have finished it by now.

I'm so excited for the Secret Santa/Ornament party. I just.. I'M SO EXCITED. AND I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT. LET'S JUST HOPE MY PERSON LIKES THEIR PRESENT CAUSE IF THEY DON'T I'M GONNA RUN THEM OVER WITH A SEMI TRUCK. A VERY BIG SEMI. AND THEN STAB THEM CONTINUOUSLY.
I'm a very violent person.. I think I need help.

DO YOU SEE THIS THING? THIS THING GAVE ME NIGHTMARES. THANKS DOCTOR WHO. I APPRECIATE IT. I THINK THIS IS WORSE THAN THE WEEPING ANGELS. THOSE SCARED THE POOP OUTTA ME, NOW YOU THROW THIS SHIT AT ME?
You ladies need to watch Doctor Who. Seriously. I don't think you understand the love I have for this show. Rachel, you agree with me, I'm sure. I JUST. I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT. I DUNNO WHAT I'M GONNA DO WITH MY LIFE WHEN I FINISH ALL THE EPISODES. I MIGHT JUST THROW MYSELF IN FRONT OF A BUS. I'M NOT SURE YET.

Wow. This is probably horribly long. Woops. I love you ladies!
Buh-bye!
-Marissa

are those crickets i hear?

Hello?
Anybody home...cricket cricket cricket
No.
OK well im enough for you guys. Who doesn't appreciate this person? Hmm. So I'm waiting for my chemistry final to start. Fun. And I wanted to be a chemist. Yup. Guess I'll have to search for my chemistry passion again since I'm thinking to major in it. A chemist? Yea. Make potions woohoo, I mean chemicals. So........................................................................................................................................................................................................................oh wait I got.......................never mind.................................................so who is enjoying the weather? It makes you want to chill in a bath full of nice cold ice cubes with glass of lemonade. Hell no! We need a hot peppermint mocha and to hide underneath a large pile of blankets. Hibernate the rest of our lives! Well goodbye, going to see if my prof is in so that I start my torturous exam. Yay! Wish me luck guys.
Love G

hello fellow human beans

Hi. :) I'm really excited right now and I feel the need to post. So buogiorno mes amis! It's probably just the coffee (aka jet fuel). And I've had a really great past couple of days. I thought this week was going to be horrible with 12 papers to write on top of studying and everything, but a lot of great things have happened that have motivated me and kept me happy. I wanna go skip around campus, tossing flowers into the air. Like the weather??!!! I'm loving the foggy rain. And I've adopted an imaginary friend who always sits beside me and keeps me positive and working. I swear I'm not losing it! I feel more sane than I have for most of the semester, so I'm not going crazy; he just really helps. Plus, it's not super late, so I'm good. Just, life! and love! and coffee! I'm loving it all.

And I'm really excited for winter break. I might just spend a couple days at everyone's house because I wanna kiss all of your faces so much and cuddle you in your sleep and spin you around until you see stars.

This has been one of the most difficult, rewarding three months of my life, and not just because of the workload. In my life outside of the classroom, as well. For me personally and with all of my relationships: with you guys and my family. I feel like we've all been through so much individually in such a short period of time and that's only made it more intense and rough. We all deserve a massive break and a night of just chilling out and talking. Or not. I just really like talking. Oh! And you guys gotta remind me about the jars! The jars are gonna be fun. I think I'm gonna throw a house party when break starts. I now understand why college kids party and drink so much.

Here have this half-naked ghost guy punching out your virginity.

byeeeeeee 

Alex

Story of my first kiss

So last night I got my first kiss, and I was going to wait to tell you ladies in person, but the way it happened was just so cute that I can't wait.

Last night after chemistry club Connor and I decided to have a movie night since we weren't going to see each other until next week. So we went back to his dorm and when we got inside he just kind of stood in the middle of the room. After a few seconds he pointed up to the ceiling, and there was a ductaped devil's trap there. I fangirled like crazy and took a picture of it right away (posted below) and he laughed nervously and turned red. He said, "this is really cheesy and I'm sorry but I'm stuck and can't leave until you kiss me."

It was the cutest, nerdiest thing ever and I absolutely loved it.

About halfway through the movie his roommate came in with this conspiring smile and asked, "so how did Sara like our devil's trap?" I thought it was the cutest thing ever and I'm still smiling just thinking about it.

Nothing But The Truth

Ladies. This will probably only piss you guys off, and I'm sorry.  But I need to tell you all of this, especially since this is important to me. I'm a horrible person.
With Luis, I've come to realize that he's not the one treating me bad, but I'm the one who is treating him like crap. A relationship takes two people. You can't expect some guy to come in on a magic unicorn and sweep you off of your feet, then take ahold of the entire relationship. That's not how it works. And I've come to realize this. Right now, I don't have a connection with Luis, and who knows, maybe I never will. But at the moment he truly does make me happy and does everything he can to keep it that way. And the only reason he gets mad at me is because I don't talk to him, and I'm usually only concerned about myself. That's terrible. And now that I've realized this, I'm working to change it. I know you ladies don't like Luis and assume the worst of him, but he truly is a really good guy. He cares for me and is willing to put his life on the line for me. I realized this in the accident on Sunday. I'll get into that in a bit. Anyways, he made sure that I was okay and not injured before he even worried about himself. He even pulled me through the passenger side door while I was disoriented and trying to get out the drivers side, where cars were driving. I probably would have gotten hit by a car if he hadn't pulled me over to his side. He even traded his coat with me when I was cold and waiting for the cop to file the accident report. He didn't even worry about himself until after he knew I was okay. And he still is constantly asking if I'm alright. And about a week ago, we went to a concert together. My very first concert. It was freezing, and we had to stay outside in the cold for an hour before they opened the doors to let us in. Luis was worried about me getting sick, and told me we should go find someplace warm to stay in until the doors opened. I told him no. Why? Because I was stubborn and thought that waiting in line out in the cold would be better. So he gave me his coat and froze for me. I tried giving him his coat back, but he wouldn't take it. Then when we got into the concert, he wanted to go into the middle of the crowd with me and actually enjoy the concert and have the full experience with moshing and carrying people above my head. I again said no. My reasoning for this was kind of solid. I mean, I'm afraid of crowds and am extremely claustrophobic with people. But still, you can't just blow off our guy like that. That's not fair. Even when I had no money, he made sure I was fed and okay. I'm only telling you ladies this because I care about you, and I want you to be able to accept the boy I care about as well. I'm the one who messed everything up in my relationship, and now I'm going to fix it. I may not even end up with Luis in the future, but I'm going to try because I truly care about him, and I need you guys to see that he really does care about me and is willing to sacrifice everything he has in order to make me happy.

On another note. I'm sorry this is getting so long, but I have a lot to catch you guys up on, and this is the only free time I've had in awhile. So yeah. I got in an accident on Sunday. The front end of my car is totaled, and now I don't have a car. Here's a couple pictures of my poor baby.

So yeah. There's my baby. She got pretty hurt. And now she's dead. So... my dad and I are gonna hopefully buy a car tomorrow.

Anyways.. I miss you all horribly. And I feel like you guys are slowly beginning to not care about me anymore. I'm sorry I've missed just about everything you have done recently. I truly am extremely busy. I'm working a lot in order to pay for things like my car and insurance and stuff. And even after that its really difficult to have enough money left over to be able to drive to places. Which I can't do anyways at the moment since I lost both my license and my car.. But yeah. So.. I'm sorry. And I want you guys to know that I feel unloved and unwanted by you. I'm sorry that I can't make it to anything you do. It would be a lot easier if I still lived in Rockford. :(

Well.. I'll stop bugging you ladies, and I hope you can understand that I'm being sincere and I'm not trying to be mean. I still love you ladies from the deepest depths of my heart. I just don't want to ever lose you. 

Avec amour,

Marissa

Red Riding Hood

Hey ladies. It's been awhile, huh? God. It's been so hectic lately. I just wanna curl up in a ball and lay there forever. D;
Anyways. That's not why I'm posting to finally let you guys read the story I wrote for my class a few weeks ago. The Little Red Riding Hood one. (;
Anyways, here it is.

            The young girl slipped on her red baseball cap as she made her way out the door. It was a particularly beautiful day. The sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky with only a mere few clouds floating endlessly by. Violet was her name, as given by her parents, who were long since deceased. Rather, she dwelled with her grandmother in a little cottage down south, where trees grew magnificently and woodland creatures ran about freely in the forest that surrounded the village. 

            Violet gracefully walked along the path that led to the village, humming a sweet tune to herself. Her grandmother’s house was on the outskirts of the village, and this was the only way to reach the select few shops that the village offered. Today, Violet was going for something particular. As of late, her grandmother had fallen quite ill and the young girl wished to visit the village to bring home some healthy foods for which to care for her poor granny. Thus, she strode on with a purpose, and also hoped to not be out for long.

____________________

            The chimneys of the village came into sight, and Violet picked up her pace. The shops weren’t too far, and in fact, she reached them quite quickly. Her pace slowed to a steady walk as she searched the shop fronts for the items she was looking for. There were many varieties to choose from, but with the little money she had, Violet had to keep treading forward. Finally she came upon a shop that seemed slightly dilapidated. This, she mused, seems like the right place to shop. She entered the shop and looked about cautiously. There didn’t seem to be anybody about, so she began to idly glance at the items available in the store. There didn’t seem to be anything particularly interesting just breads, jams and various sorts of fruits and vegetables. There was something, however, standing on the counter that caught her attention. She approached the counter warily, inspecting the object with immense curiosity. The object was a small wooden hourglass. The sand slowly trickled into the bottom, as if someone had recently flipped it over.

            Just then a figure appeared behind the counter. This startled young Violet, and she jumped away from the counter.

 “Oh! I didn’t mean to scare you, dear.” The figure stated sadly.

Violet looked the figure over with languid fear, but he offered her a genuine smile to reassure her safety. Violet relaxed slightly and took note of his features. It was a man with slightly odd in appearance, tall, lanky, and hunched over. His face was dirty and covered in stubble, and his facial features seemed almost animal-like. His teeth, she noticed, were sharp and rotted.

“My, what sharp teeth you have,” she pointed out carefully.

The man’s face contorted in confusion, but he quickly understood her question and grinned.

“I am of a poor family. My teeth have been sharpened throughout the years of eating rough meats and stale bread.”

His answer was understandable, so Violet nodded and looked around the shop once more.

“My dear granny is ill, and I am wandering around the village looking for a meal to cook for her.”

            The man’s grin grew further as he inquired her question. “I have fresh bread that is fit for any sick folk. I can whip up a hot soup as well.”

Violet’s spirit rose, and a smile broke out upon her lips. “How much for the soup and bread?”

“Altogether..” he paused briefly, “fifteen pieces.”

Fifteen? Violet frowned. She only had eight pieces on her. “How much for just bread?”

The man shook his head. “Oh dear, don’t you fret. I’ll deliver the soup and bread to your cottage for just five pieces.”

Upon mentioning her cottage, Violet grew wary of this man. “Oh, no. I wouldn’t be able to accept. I will just buy some bread and carry it myself. I wouldn’t want to burden a poor stranger.”

The man’s grin faded. Instead, he adorned a look of sadness. “Nonsense m’dear. I will bring a hot soup and some bread for your dear granny later t’night, and I won’t take any more than five pieces from ya. Please accept this gift from a gentle stranger.”

Violet paused and thought for a moment. This man did seem genuinely kind, and was willing to offer her a cheap meal. Her granny would starve if she didn’t accept. Violet didn’t have enough money for anything else.

“I accept your offer, kind sir. Here is five pieces.”

________________________

            The young girl spent a few more hours around town, seeing if there was anything she could buy with the remaining money. She came across a little shop selling candies, and decided she would treat herself. She entered the shop and spent two of the three remaining pieces on a butterscotch candy. Her favorite.

            Violet gleefully stuck the butterscotch into her mouth and suckled slowly, savoring the flavor. Her feet gently hit the ground as she walked on the path back to her granny’s cottage. The strange man with the soup and bread crossed her mind as she made her way back. She wondered why he was being genuinely kind to her. Had he felt sympathy for her? Must be. Maybe he went through the same experience before and felt empathetic. She was quickly distracted from thoughts about the man as her gaze caught sight of the blooming forest flowers surrounding the path.

            The young girl finally made it back to her grandmother’s cottage, and pulled off her red baseball cap before entering. “I’m home grann—“ she stopped suddenly as a sudden pungent metallic scent mixed with herbs filled her nostrils. She carefully made her way into the kitchen and noticed a giant pot sitting on her grandmother’s stove. She approached the stove and peeked inside. The content within the steaming pot was a reddish liquid with a few herbs and meats. Soup?  

“You’re home, little red cap.”

The little girl was startled, but thinking it was just her granny with a voice hoarse from illness, merely replied, “Yes, grandmother. What a hoarse voice you have. Are you feeling alright?”

She turned around to regard the health of her sick granny, but was frightened by the sight of the man from the shop earlier. He must’ve delivered the soup and bread.

The man smiled, assuring her it was alright.

“Where is granny?” Violet inquired as her gaze settled upon his face warily.

“She is in bed, little red cap. She has eaten and is fairing much better.”

Violet let out a sigh and sat down at the table in front of the stove. Before her lay a bowl of the strange soup, a cup of what she assumed was wine, and a slice of bread.

“Eat, little red cap. I am sure you are hungry.”

“Is this for me?” She questioned as she motioned towards the food set out before her.

The man nodded.

Violet took hold of the spoon sitting with the bowl and took a sip of the broth. It was a blend of odd flavors, and she gagged again at the metallic scent invading her nostrils. She knew not whether to be intrigued or disgusted by this new soup. Instead, she put the spoon down and took a bite of the bread. The bread was a much better option and tasted wonderful. The soft dough was easy on her taste buds. She grabbed the wine and took a swig to wash the bread down. It was odd, she thought, how kind this stranger was. Should she be trusting him?

            Her thoughts were soon interrupted as she began to feel increasingly drowsy. Why was she sleepy all of a sudden? Must be because of her little village adventure today. Such naïve thoughts, and unwise choices. Thus, they were here last thoughts before she slipped out of her chair and slipped into darkness. Before she fell to the shadows, however, she noticed something along the wall. Hanging on the wall near the stove was her grandmother’s nightgown.

© Copyright Marissa Vukmir

I wish I could sleep but the plastic lady has taken up residency in my room

I know I said I would stop staying up late but I literally can't fall asleep tonight. (Probably because I stay up so late). I went to bed pretty early, but I laid there for about an hour and a half, listening to my roommate come in and out of the room because she's going through some drama with her friends, and finally I couldn't lay there anymore. Actually, I was online on my phone and I found a very horrifying true life story and it scared the bejesus out of me, so I started hearing noises, and after a quick scan of my room, I literally sprung out of bed, nearly falling on the way down, and booked out of the room. Then I hid out in the bathroom for awhile...until I started hearing noises in there, too. And now, of course, I feel like I'm gonna barf, so I'm just chilling out in the hall, avoiding my haunted room, and waiting for the inevitable. So I decided to post because I might as well do something productive. (Which really isn't productive. I'm just trying to make myself tired.

I'M GLAD YOU LIKED THE PACKAGE SARA IT WAS VERY FUN TO PUT TOGETHER.

I hope you guys had a fabulous weekend. The drag show sounded fun. ;) AND I'M EXTREMELY JEALOUS THAT YOU GOT TO MEET CONNOR, RACHEL.

I think one day I'll show you guys that story, but I'm too freaked to find it again. It's like those creepy pasta things, Marissa.

So I'm very proud of how this presentation is coming along. I think it'll really knock your socks off (among other articles of clothing). It's a real winner. I've been putting a lot of thought into this, mostly because I like planning things, so don't freak out that I'm doing all this stuff. I just really like putting stuff together and doing research for fun.

Some of the girls on my floor just yelled at me to go to bed. If I could, I would.

So I've been assembling a list of movies we should watch when we do a movie night. I'm very proud of myself for it. You guys should start racking 'em up, as well. I've picked some really fun ones, some really sad ones, and  A PARTICULAR ONE WITH A BOY THAT HAS A PARTICULARLY GORGEOUS SMILE THAT WILL MELT YOUR HEART AND TURN YOUR LOINS INTO BUTTER THAT I FEEL BAD FOR LIKING BECAUSE IT IS INCREDIBLY ILLEGAL AT HIS AGE AND I REALLY WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW BUT I'M NOT GONNA DO THAT. SO YOU CAN'T BEAT ME I AM ALL POWERFUL.

Sara has a boyfriend. Sorry, it really just hit me tonight.

I really want to try to go to sleep again, but a) I know it won't work, and b) that plastic lady is probably still waiting for me. It's like, before I wasn't scared of things in my room because I thought, "oh, new place, new building, there's all these other people around, nothing bad can happen here." It's like when you sleep at a hotel. It's too sterile to be filled with ghosts. But now that gloss has worn off and now I think there's people hiding under my bed or if I flash the light on my phone around the room that plastic lady with the needle teeth is gonna be staring at me. Then I thought about The Conjuring and how that demon was perched on top of the wardrobe and I thought he might be on top of mine and I freaked out. It's like how I was at home, except I was familiar with all the shadows and shapes in my room. Now a cup on my desk freaks me out.

And I feel like a mom. Most nights I can't sleep until my roommate gets back to our room. I'm not scared for her or anything, I just can't fall asleep until everything is in place. She's supposed to be in bed at 2am, so I have to wait for her to come to bed. I used to do the same thing at home. I couldn't fall asleep until the rest of my family was in bed.

How bout them thunderstorms today? I think a lot of people who aren't from the Midwest got really freaked out. Like them yahoos from California.

I'm so terrified to go back to my room. I wish I could go run to my sister's room like I normally do and curl up with her (this isn't a heartwarming story, we don't roll that way). That was always fun because she would always start screaming at me and kick me off the bed so I'd have to lay on the floor. Then I would slowly slink my way back up the mattress and curl up at her feet like a dog so she wouldn't notice me. Oh my God, this actually happened. What kind of life was I living??

OH! HERE'S SOMETHING IMPORTANT. No wait, I'll tell you in person. I have very many important things to tell you, but I'd rather do it in person because I like seeing the look on people's faces as I tear their world apart.

I taste vomit in my mouth.

Wow, you did not need to know that. But we're all family here, right? RIGHT??

Basically what I want to do is get a big house and put you all in it and see how you live together. I think there would be a lot of fighting, but I think that would be the fun part. You're not truly comfortable with someone until you can point out their flaws in a malicious fashion. No, but I think it'd be fun, doing the dishes together, taking turns for the shower, getting acquainted with eachother's habits that they don't normally show anyone. Like, I like to walk around naked a lot and sleep in the middle of the floor, so that'd be fun to get used to. And, I don't know about you guys, but I, well obviously as you can tell, I have very odd nights where I stay up until I can't feel my face. I have gotten yelled at a lot by my parents for screaming at the top of my lungs and dancing around the house in my underwear at 3am. That'd be fun stuff to explore... I just can't wait to see Marissa passed out in a corner in the middle of the night because she decided it'd be a good place to contact the spirit world. Or listening to Gardenia complain about the clogged up shower drain. Or Rachel pretend that she's a vacuum and start rolling around on the floor. Or waking up in the middle of the night to find Sara 2 inches from your face, whispering an ancient language to you as she attempts to lick your eyeball. I wouldn't mind having my eyeball licked by Sara Rubeck. I think we'd have fun. I think we'd break a lot of stuff. I think we'd discover a lot about each other that we didn't know before. You never truly know someone until you live with them.

That plastic lady is still waiting, I know it. I think I'm gonna fall asleep with the light on.

THANK YOU!!!

You guys, thank you so much for the package!!! You are all such sweethearts. I love everything so much, and I already found places for my pictures and things. They are all so cute and sweet thoughts I almost started crying when I opened it up. I love you guys so much!!

Guys it's 3:47 in the morning and I'm typing my paper in the computer area with gloved hands. I meant to spell 'beard' and it came out 'bleard' and it's hilarious. Look at the glove on the screen. He's trying to get in the computer; he needs to return to his cyber homeland. Go little guy, you're free.

What to do?

Hello!
My name is Russell....and I'm with the wilderness explorers...can I help you cross the street?
NO!
Can I help you cross the porch?
No!
I have to help you cross something.
....
Time later
....
Do you dig the hole before or after?


Not sure I got it right but that is how I remember it. So how have you guys been? Anything exciting that I should know about? Probably for Sara. How is life?
Im just randomly posting since I don't really feel like doing anything else. I should be reading Pride and Prejudice since im so close to finishing it!!!! Not even forty pages left!!! Rachel you must read, I love the book. It starts off slow and hard to pick up; then towards the middle you just feel like chocking some of the characters. But you cant, you can only dream. But it does start to pick up and is really good. So just to be even more random I feel like working out, yet i don't. Can someone explain this?
No?
Oh well. So catching Fire? I cant wait until it comes out. I think that if i think about it any longer ill start vibrating like sara!!! Had any of those moments this year Sara?
I guess im just rambling. Need to go tidy up my room. Its pretty dusty. Don't know if i should do that now or wait until tomorrow. Maybe now would be a better idea since feel in the mood. Weird huh?
P.S.
So I need an honest opinion. What do you guys see me working in the future? Do i look like someone who would do well in engineering or something chemistry related. My parents are telling me that i should start making up my mind, but i continue to be indecisive. I've even been thinking about biochemistry; something that has to do with the medical field, yet not as long. :/ I just feel like I need to talk to someone else about this. It has been poking at my thoughts for the past weeks.
And then work wise im still looking for a job. I've been lazy and not applying anywhere. And i have realized that I've been asking my parents for so much lately; that i need to start standing on my own two feet. I look at my cousin and i wonder how she has been able to balance work, school, and a family and she is only a few years older than me. And here i am sitting on a computer spilling out what i feel. You guys are probably tired of me saying the same thing over and over. I just wanted to say it whether someone reads it or not. I know Alex has told me that these are things I shouldn't have to worry about yet, but I do.
Man you guys are making me grow soft.
It feels good to say it though.

-Gardettos

PLEASE DRESS WARM

IT IS GETTING SO COLD OUT THERE. I'm sure it's cold in Rockford and Platteville, but it is ten times worse because of the lake effect. I thought it was cold enough on Monday when I first said to dress warm, but it's gotten worse so I figured I should reiterate this. It definitely feels like winter out there and my skin feels like a frigid layer of ice has frozen over it after being out in the bitter wind. The wind is a killer. So, dress in PLENTY of warm layers. I swear, anything you put on you will not be over doing it. We're gonna be out at night and it's so much worse then. Yes, good.

Alex

Chicago trip!!

Ok ladies, here's some information about what could happen next Saturday. I'm not much of a big planner so if there's something specific any of you want to do, I suggest you text me ASAP. I do think we need to go to the big Disney Store though.... just saying.

So it looks like there is a train leaving Harvard at 8:35 in the morning. That's probably the one we want to take so we can get there and have a lot of time to do whatever the hell we want. That means I'd want to leave Rockford no later than 7:45 (yes Brooke, in the morning). I will leave without you if you are not ready : ) Alex says the train ride from Harvard to Chicago takes about an hour and a half, so we should be in Chicago no later than 10:15-10:30.

Marissa, depending on if you have to work or whatever, you can catch our train sometime... I don't know what station you want to go to so text me and we can work things out.

Anyway, once we're in Chicago and Alex has met up with us, we are gonna have ourselves a great day! Depending on how much money you guys want to spend, we could just bring a lunch and some snacks or we could eat cheap or whatever. No fancy five-star restaurants now, I work at McDonald's people I'm not rich ; )

The light parade doesn't start until 5:30, so we have until then to do whatever we want. The parade ends around 7 and then there's fireworks if any of you want to see them. It doesn't say how the long the fireworks last but they shouldn't be too long.

As for leaving, it looks like there's a train leaving at 8:30, 10:30, and 12:30. I don't know if we'd be able to make the 8:30 train, but I pray we make the 10:30 one... cuz that would suck if we had to wait til 12:30...

So like I said before, it's $7 round trip ticket for the train. Just in case we get really turned around (I've done that before...) the subway costs $2.25 otherwise suck it up cuz we can walk : ) unless we all get too tired and its a mutual decision.

If you bring a bag, Alex says to make sure it slings across your body so it doesn't get stolen. Don't get scared, its just a precaution. I think it's more comfortable too.

My offer still stands Sara. I can come get you on the 22nd after your last class so you can join us : )

So... ummm I think that's everything. I would like to know if you guys can go as soon as possible. Please don't wait until the last minute to let me know if you can go.

THIS IS GOING TO BE SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

So..... I have a boyfriend now. :) Here's the scoop:

So about a week ago Connor and I had told each other that we liked each other. We're both pretty nervous about this kind of stuff, and he didn't want to rush things with me since he knew that I had never had a boyfriend before, and his last girlfriend was freshman year, and things ended badly.

One of my friends at Platteville is in the orchestra here and she was going to be the concert master for the concert that they were having Friday night. I decided that I was going to go to support her (by the way she sounded incredible) and so I asked Connor if he wanted to come along. He said yes, so I went with him, another friend of mine who is friends with Emily (the concert master), and then Connor's roommate came along because he had to be there for an assignment for Music Appreciation. They played a few songs from operas and musicals, but then they also played a few from Lord of the Rings *insert nerdgirl squeal here*. Anyway, Connor and I were sitting next to each other, and he had his legs crossed with his knee closest to me. Throughout the concert he had his hand on his leg and I noticed that it was slowly inching closer and closer to my hand. Me, being the moron that I am, wasn't quite sure if he was trying to hold my hand, or if he was just adjusting his hand or whatever. Anyway, during one of the Lord of the Rings songs, he leaned over and whispered, "May I hold your hand?" Without even saying anything I just grabbed his hand and held it for the rest of the performance.

Today, his hall was going on a trip to the mining museum (yes we have a mining museum here. UWP actually used to be a mining school), and he was allowed one guest, so he asked if I wanted to come with. I said sure and he paid for my ticket. But, before we had left to go to the museum, he turned to me and asked if I wanted to be dating, so I said sure.

We haven't kissed or anything, because we both want to take things really slow, but he's such a gentleman. He said the reason why he wanted to ask me if he could hold my hand was because he respects me and my feelings.

So.... yeah, that's what's been going on in my life right now. Literally haven't been able to focus on anything all weekend because I feel like I'm on Cloud Freaking Nine. :)

Love always,
Sara

Chicago anyone?

So some of us were thinking that we should all go to Chicago together sometime. And when better to do that than the Chicago lights parade? Sara, we went before with the Girl Scout troop. Basically we could hang out downtown and watch the parade at nigh. We can take an early morning train out from Harvard Saturday morning and take the last train back the same night. I believe its only $7 round trip for the train on weekends. I don't know if there's tax or not so don't hold me to that. So think of that! You could spend as little as $7 to go to Chicago for the day! I know this is last minute and everything but if it's something everyone's interested in, we could totally do it. Sara, I will personally chauffer you from Plaitville ( I know I spelled that wrong ) if you wanted to go. I could pick you up Friday after your last class. Marissa, if you couldn't get to Rockford that weekend, you could got to the Crystal Lake train station and meet us on the train there. I mean if everyone is interested I can look up times and post them but only if you guys are serious about this. Think about: I would be willing to miss the 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who at 2pm that day just to do this with you guys 0.0

So... um yeah just let me know what you think : )

New hair

So I dyed my hair, and this picture really sucks at showing the color. Its subtle but noticable when you see it in person. Its a pretty red color.

My Fairytale

So, you guys posting about your dreams got me thinking about mine. I'm now filled with wanderlust and I feel like even more of a hopeless romantic than I was before. So, now you all get to hear about what I truly dream about wanting in my future.

So, I'm a hopeless romantic. Always have been, always will be. I'm independent and I can take care of myself, but I would like a man to walk by my side through life. I want someone who looks at me like Flynn looks at Rapunzel, like Ron looks at Hermione, like Peeta looks at Katniss, like Jared looks at Genevieve. I want someone to truly think that I am beautiful, and to not be afraid to tell me that. I'll admit that I've had self-esteem issues when it comes to my appearance. I've never thought of myself as beautiful or anything like that, and I know that I shouldn't need a man to tell me that I am in order to feel that way, but it would be nice to hear it every from one every once in a while. I want someone who will hug me and won't judge me when I get emotional over fictional characters. I want someone who I'm not afraid to cry in front of. I want someone whose eyes light up when they talk about something they are passionate about. Someone who will stay up late to talk about silly things one minute, and then deep, thought-provoking topics the next. Someone who can't wait until the next time he gets to see me. A man who believes in random, cute, romantic gestures, such as bringing me flowers or sending me cute texts throughout the day. I want someone to describe me like Augustus describes Hazel. Someone who likes to say bad puns just to make me laugh. Someone who doesn't mind my insanity, who will still want to be around me when I'm an emotional, anxiety-filled mess. Someone who will just sit quietly and read with me, not worrying about filling the silence. A person that will just listen to music with me and sing along at the top of their lungs without caring if they are totally off-key.

I want to go on an adventure, and I want to go on one with you ladies. In earlier posts when you guys were talking about going on a trip somewhere in a few years, I got super excited when you brought it up, because this is something that I've always wanted to do. I just love picturing all of us on an airplane, barely able to contain our excitement of traveling somewhere new and mysterious. I want to do cheesy touristy things with you all. I want to see the Eiffel Tower at night and point out cute French boys with you all. I want to go to London and scream "the British are coming!" just for the hell of it. I want to drink tea in England. I want to see Ireland and eat at an Irish pub. I want to ride on a gondala in Italy. (I realize that this is sounding a lot like Rachel's post, sorry about that. I'll stop.)

I should probably get back to studying... so, I guess I'll talk to you all later.

Love,
Sara

Rude Sara Rubeck

Excuse you Sara Suzanne Rubeck, no one told you that you could go waltzing around here looking so fine. How bout you take your sexy self somewhere else cause no one else can handle it. Dayum girl, why you gotta be so triflin?

Here's a history lesson for ya

So Alex's post gave me the idea to do my own on a game I've been talking about: Dynasty Warriors. It currently has 8 games in the series and I started playing at number 3 when I was in 3rd grade.

So I'll tell you the story of the Three Kingdoms and Jin.

Currently in number 7 which is what I've been playing (I'm too broke to buy 8) these are the character available to play

I'm not going to tell you who all these people are or else we'd be here forever.

So there's a lot that happens in the beginning, but I'm going to focus on the key events.

In the beginning there was peace until this man

Dong Zhou became the tyrant and took over the capital and basically caused chaos.
He had a bodyguard

 

Lu Bu. Possibly the most feared, strongest man in the story. He killed his adopted father to join Dong Zhou.

A man named Wang Yun grew tired of Dong Zhou's tyranny over the land so he sent his daughter Diao Chan to put a wedge in between Lu Bu and Dong Zhou.

Both Lu Bu and Dong Zhou fell in love with her and Diao Chan played both of them. In the end, Lu Bu killed Dong Zhou and won Diao Chan over.

After that, the country needed a new ruler but there wasn't one clear ruler.

To the east there was Wu.

I started off playing for Wu when I was little and I played for Wu all the time because I loved them so much. Up until number 7 but more on that later.

These are all the people from Wu, but

These are the ones who are really important at this point.

So the man in the middle, Sun Jian, during the fight against Dong Zhou, stole the Imperial Seal and ran east. The Imperial Seal was this thing that the beholder was supposed to have all Imperial power in the land. Basically it was important. Anyway, he started creating the kingdom of Wu. Whenever an enemy asked him about the Seal, he swore that he should die by sword or arrow if he was concealing it. Well, needless to say, Sun Jian was shot with an arrow and died. The man on the left, Sun Ce, took charge of the Wu forces. But he also didn't make it too long before he was shot down. Finally, the man on the right, Sun Quan, laid the foundations for the Wu kingdom and took the majority of the land East.

Now for my favorite characters of Wu (there's going to be more of them than any other kingdom probably because I'm more attached to them).

This is Zhou Yu. He's not really in my favorites anymore but I wanted to include him because he was either the first or second person I ever played in the whole series. He was the strategist for Wu and best friend of Sun Ce.

This is Sun Ce's wife, Da Qiao. In the third game I always loved to play as her... I don't really have much to say about her...

This is her sister Xiao Qiao and wife of Zhou Yu. She's about the same as the last but I like her attitude better.

This is Sun Shang Xiang. I felt like I should include her because she is the daughter of Sun Jian and the sister to Sun Ce and Sun Quan. She fell in love with the leader of Shu, Liu Bei, and switched from Wu to marry him.

And this guy...oh man I love this guy. He is my absolute favorite! I don't know why I liked him so much when I was little but it's just carried over throughout the years and I still love him. After Zhou Yu died, this guy, Lu Xun, succeeded him as Wu's strategist. He was brilliant. He led Wu to many victories and helped to defeat Guan Yu, Shu's strongest warrior. 'Nuff said.

So the second kingdom that formed was Wei in the North.

Here's all the characters for Wei

And here's the ones we care about

To be honest, I hate Wei. I really do. They were a bunch of power hungry people and I could really care less for them. I don't even know what to tell you about them. Their leader Cao Cao

pretty much took over the land from what I understand. I don't know. They don't really give too much detail about him in the game and I haven't really gotten this far in the book. Cao Cao was basically the main ruler who set the foundation for Wei. He died at an old age and his son Cao Pi took control. It wasn't long after that that the kingdom of Jin took control but more on them later.

Highlights I guess

This is Xiahou Dun. I only put him here because I thought it was interesting that when he was shot in the eye with an arrow, he took the arrow out with the eye on it and ate the eye because he felt that his eye belonged to him and it should be with him... disturbing? Haha too bad you already read it.

Zhen Ji. When I was talking about Zhou Yu I said that he might have been the first person I ever played as. Well it's between him and this lady. She's the only person from Wei I'll play willingly.

Ok so the last of the Three Kingdoms is Shu. They were the last kingdom to be formed.

I actually like all of these people but here's who's important

Before I played the 7th game, I could have cared less for Shu, but now they're my favorite.

So basically, Shu started with these three men. The leader is Liu Bei, in the middle. His sworn brothers are Zhang Fei (left) and Guan Yu (right). By sworn brothers I mean that they're not related but they did some special ritual in a peach garden and now they are the equivalent of brothers... if that makes sense. They swore to die on the same day of the same year. After Wu and Wei worked together, they killed Guan Yu and Zhang Fei within days of each other, but Liu Bei would live another year before he joined his brothers. Anyway, Liu Bei got his late start because he didn't want to be considered a ruler. He was to kind to take those titles away from others. I don't know what made him change his mind but he finally controlled the land in the West. Liu Bei wanted a land of benevolence. He wanted what was best for the people. He wasn't some power hungry man. And for that, he's become my favorite of the three who created the foundation of the Three Kingdoms.

Now for the people

This is Zhoa Yun. His is basically the poster boy for the Dynasty Warriors series. He's on most of the covers for the games. At least I think so. I don't know why they picked him. He's pretty cool I guess but they had like 70 other people to choose from.

Here is Lord Zhuge Liang. He was Shu's strategist. I included him because he is believed to be the best strategist of his time (yes, better than Lu Xun). He was the one who brought forward the idea of benevolence to Liu Bei. He was succeeded by Jiang Wei who had the same beliefs as Zhuge Liang.

I absolutely adore this boy. His name is Guan Suo, one of the four or five children of Guan Yu. He's nice to everyone. When Wu and Wei attacked his father, he tried to help his father escape. At least one of his brothers, Guan Ping, was killed in attempt to hold the enemy back so Guan Yu could escape. In the end, the enemy was too many and Guan Yu threw Guan Suo into a river so he could get away and live while the enemy took their prize. Guan Suo did survive.


That's the story of the Three Kingdoms, now let's talk about their fall to one family.

This is the Kingdom of Jin. They're so small I only needed this one picture and I'll talk about all but two of these people.

Sima Yi was the founder of Jin. Jin started in the Wei region up North. Sima Yi was originally Wei and was their strategist during Cao Cao's late years. After Zhuge Liang died Sima Yi wanted to unite the land under one rule and he felt he could do this. By this time Sun Quan, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei had died along with Wu's master strategist, Lu Xun. All three kingdoms were undergoing new rule. Wei's new leader, Cao Pi, eventually died and Sima Yi took control over his new territory Jin. He didn't make himself emperor though.

I don't know much about Jin. Only what they say in the game. I have like a hundred years to go in the books, so my knowledge may be wrong in some small places. For instance, I'm not exactly sure when the name "Wei" fell and "Jin" took it's place. From now on, I'll stick to what I know.

Sima Yi started building his Jin army and fought against Shu and Wu. Jin was just starting to make a name for himself when Sima Yi died of disease.

His first born son, Sima Shi, took over Jin. They made and defended countless attacks from Shu, who was not willing to give up so easily. Shu continuously attacked the North and was always defeated. Wu made some attempts to attack Jin, but not as many as Shu. Sima Shi wasn't in charge for very long before he too fell ill and died.

The title now fell to his little brother, Sima Zhao, who was not ready to have so much resting on his shoulders. In short, he was lazy. But once he realized how much the people admired him, he stepped up and took charge. He showed mercy to his enemies and gave them the opportunity to fight for him. He too, cared about the people. After Shu had attacked Jin countless times, Shu ran low on provisions. Sima Zhao took this opportunity to attack. And just like that, the kingdom of Shu fell to Jin. What was once Wei and Shu were now Jin. Unfortunately, Sima Zhao died the year after Shu fell. I don't remember the name of the man who took charge of Jin after Sima Zhao. But it would take Wu thirty years after that to fall to Jin.

Here's the last of the people

Wang Yuanji. She was the wife of Sima Zhao. She encouraged him when the weight of the kingdom was thrust onto his shoulder. She's pretty much a badass.

This is Zhong Hui. He is one cocky son of a bitch. He has the best weapon.

Xiahou Ba. He's my favorite from Jin. I mean he's considered Jin, but after some event I can't remember, he fled from Jin and defected to Shu because he feared someone was trying to kill him.

Sun Quan of Wu, Cao Cao of Wei, and Liu Bei of Shu were the men who built the foundations of the Three Kingdoms. Almost 120 years after their creation, they all fell to the Sima clan.

And the land was finally united under one rule.

The end.

I didn't spoil the game for you, I taught you a history lesson. No really, these aren't really spoilers : /

I feel like I did this for my own enjoyment...