In Tune to July

Currently Listening : "How Many Lovers" by Jhameel
QoTD : "Her soul is alive. And we are drawn to her." - Captivating
Fact: My stomach is loud today.

Thus begins my once a summer month blog post in which I am overwhelmed with things to talk about and end up saying hardly anything.

I will say this. I am just now catching up on a lot of your blogs, and I am realizing how much I miss them. However, I absolutely know once school starts again, so many of us will be so much more regular. So I am excited for this, and I really hope you're all having memorable summers.

You know that awkward stage between high school and college where you don't have any clue what your life will be like come fall and you are no longer part of your life last spring? Well, for the second time, this is where I'm at. Except with less friends. So, I'm ready to get going. I'm getting itchy. I want to learn things.

Funny how life works.

Sigh... must...be... better... at... contentment.

Plus, did anyone else follow all those tweets about Leakycon? GUYS, I totally regret not going. Even if I didn't have money for it. Even if I didn't have any friends going. Maaan. Anyway, Harry Potter later. It's a whole 'notha blog in the making.

Anyway, I have a question. Do any of you keep a journal/write letters to your future husbands? I have a few friends who have for a while. Guys and girls. One of my friends even writes one to her future daughter. I always thought it was a cool idea, but I never really had much to say... and I figured I'd be too embarrassed to give it to him, anyway. However, the past few days I have not been able to stop thinking about him. And how I am so excited to love him I just cannot contain myself. So I think I might write to him and tell him how I feel about him right now. Yes.

Whenever you read this, whether it be today or next month... Hi. I like you. Keep it classy, guys.

Persnickety!

I miss you guys.

Everyone is more beautiful in summer.
Summer makes everything more beautiful.
Summer is beautiful.

My obligatory summer checklist is going well.
Bonfires - check!
Beach - check!
Stargazing and deep conversation - check!
Blaring music on country roads with the windows down - check!
Finishing a book - check!
Creating art - check!
Getting sunburned - check!
Friends, friends, friends, and more friends - check!

I hope your summers are going well. Now, the book thing. I think we should do it the month of July. If you want to be a part of it, I think it's best if we discuss the book choice and organization over email. Email me at allysonkatew@gmail.com if you would like to be part of the discussion. You can be part of the book club if you don't e-mail me, but you won't have any say in the book, timeline or how the blog is set up or anything. So, e-mail me and we'll get a discussion with everyone going that way.

I read Anna and the French Kiss in one day. I looooved it. Loved it. It made me laugh out loud. And it's a realistic situation. Mostly. Anyway, good call John Green.

Today I finally watched Tangled. This, also, I loved loved!!

I pretty much am in love with everything right now. I'm so excited for my future. I'm focused and ready, life. Let's accomplish something grand.

In twelve days I'm leaving for Florida, aka THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER. 
I'll take pictures for you all.

You! Updates?!

Go dance to this!

When There's A Burning in Your Heart

Boy in library.

On phone.

Excessive hip poppin'.

Gettin' comfy with the bookshelf.

Hilarity ensued.

Awesome:

Today my brother and I bonded over type.

This morning I spent in the wilderness with coffee and my favorite Book and read about how He says, "I have made you, and I will carry you." 

Yesterday and Today I got to chill with my nephews.

Last night I actually legitimately gamed with minimal frustration.

Yesterday and Today I got to emphasize with a friend who knows my heart.

Tomorrow I am seeing Something Borrowed (with John Krasinski and Ginnifer Goodwin)!

This afternoon I had a lovely bonding/rant conversation with a friend with whom I am finding more in common with each and every conversation.

Tomorrow I think I'm buying new heels.

Today I wondered if I was the only person who doesn't watch Doctor Who.

Tonight I'm writing in my journal for the first time in a long time.

Tomorrow I get to people watch the elderly while I wait for my oil change.

Yesterday I heard the new Death Cab For Cutie single on the radio that I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HAS EXISTED FOR A MONTH. I blame finals.  

" 'Cause when you find yourself a villain, 

In the story you have written 
It's plain to see
That sometimes the best intentions 
Are in need of redemptions."

To be honest, I actually own three Sarah Dessen books, but I have only read one I don't own. I have Dreamland, The Truth About Forever, and This Summer. I've read This Lullaby. Everyone is absolutely raving about Stephanie Perkin's Anna and The French Kiss, so I have that on hold at the library, and Katie's recommendation of Jellicoe Road sounds really really fun. Looks like my list is piling up! PLUS whatever book we choose to read on here!

Home Sweet Home

This made me giggle.

Fantastic water pressure.
Free food.
My bed.
No homework.
My own room.
Time to read.
Starbucks.
The lake.
The beach.
Friends.
Sleeping in.
Baseball baseball.

It's summer, folks, and these things make me all fuzzy warm happy inside.
Except... I need a job.
Asap.

I HAVE SO MANY BOOKS I WANT TO READ. I am on a HUGE YA kick. I haven't read YA in so so long, and it's what got me hooked on reading... so this is absolutely fantastic. First on my list? Any Maureen Johnson. Suggestions?!

I need a job.
I suppose I need to fill out applications for this to happen.
Danggit.

I want my friends to be done with finals and come HOME for goodness sake.

I had an absolutely fantastic finals week, even though goodbyes were way harder than I thought they would be. And I got to watch Newsies on my last evening... and it ended up being one of my favorite evenings of the whole year. One of those moments (and places) you could just stay forever and be content. Sigh.

There is some quote out there about how you regret things you don't do more than things you do... or something like that. I regret something I didn't do that night. I never regret things I don't do! I'm usually so good at being okay with decisions I make. Bahh. Does this ever happen to you?

Anyway, I hope your finals are going well!

Ps: I hate the song Judas. Baaaah.

What I Think Today

I don't know if you've ever been quite able to tell this over my blog, but I get real defensive real easily. I stick up for things even sometimes when I don't even agree with them/it. I do this when I believe something is getting unfairly attacked... usually due to ignorance or pride. So this blog may sound very defensive, but this is only due to the fact that people were attacking it quite frequently yesterday by claiming those who enjoy it and are paying attention to it shouldn't be interested in such "unimportant" and "fickle" "rich people" matters.

Disclaimer: This post also highly displays the idealistic/romantic parts of me. Males, beware.

Guys, the Royal Family is a monarchy of great historical importance.
Not some random celebrity who is getting married for the second time and has way too much money to do so.

I didn't jump on the Royal Wedding bandwagon until only a few days ago. But oh, was this jump a violent one. I got excited, and I got excited quickly.


My roommate and I woke up for it.
I've watched the processional like 5 times.
Almost cried the first time.
We replayed the part where he says "William Arthur Phillip Louie" and swooned probably close to ten times.
We then watched Princess Diaries 2.
And the history of the Royal Weddings on the History Channel.
The whole time while taking breaks to replay the best Harry smirks.

Favorite part?

Harry's line while she's walking down the isle, as William faces the altar.

"Wait till you see her."

Then, when she finally arrives, William's smirk and whisper of,

"You look beautiful."

The same thing his dad said as Diana reached the altar.

Least favorite part?

The ugly stepsis -- I mean, cousins of the princes.

Honesty Eugiene and Beatrice, 2 BILLION people were watching this thing. Let's wear flattering dresses and try to stay away from hats that resemble octopuses. You're beautiful girls and have the money to buy whichever dress you please. Don't they seriously remind you of the ugly stepsisters, though?

But, I think what I like most about all of this... the wedding, the royal family, monarchies... is that amidst our corrupted society we have have these timeless traditions that remain just as in tact as they did 100 years ago. 

Everything.

The dresses, hats, suits, bows, chivalry, carriages... the list goes on.

They are, with slight variations, are just as proper as they were centuries ago.

Another reason I enjoy the system of the Royal Family representing the country and the Prime Minister ruling it, is because then it creates this King or Queen that everyone loves. To love the symobol of your country without having them tied to politics is a wonderful thing, in my opinion.

Half our country hates our president, the face of our nation.

Sigh.

Now, I'm not saying you have to be interested in these things. Not at all. I'm just saying, it's a part of history... so can I enjoy it? :]

I leave you with the processional. It's a fairy tale, folks. 

Oh, and the dress? Big fan. Spot on. But that didn't even need to be said. :]

BEDA, it's been nice. I mean stressful. I mean... thank goodness you are over.

One day in 7th or 8th grade, someone gave me this song.
It means a lot to me.
Sometimes I would listen to it to calm my nerves.
The Format was my favorite band back in the day.
I still love them.
It's beautiful.


Please pray for all those affected in the area of tornados. 
Paige's beautiful campus got hit pretty badly.
It's pretty scary.

Can I tell you a secret?
I have been stealing toilet paper from public restrooms.
We're out.
No one has bought more.
There's only one week left.
So, I gather up enough for the day,
stick it in my bag,
and bring it up to my room.
We have a nice little mountain of it.

:]

Tonight's been weird.
I was on a Red Bull energy high,
and then I came crashing
crashing
down.

I can't even tell you how much this song relaxes me.
I suddenly feel at ease.
Do you have a song like that?


I promise to catch up on blogs soon. I miss reading them.

Kilnify

"Oh, tie me to the end of a kite,

So I can go on, I can go on with my life.

Every marigold I pass below will be my guiding light,

I just want to go away from here,


Oh, tie me to the end of a kite,
So I can go on, I can go on with my life.
Every time the wind blows stronger, 
I will feel my spirit rise,
I just want to go away from here. 


Oh, tie me up tightly by your side,
So I may go with you where ever you reside.
And anytime the road looks dimmer,
I will be your guiding light.
I just want to go away with you.
I just want to go away with you."

- The Kite Song by Rosie Thomas

Things significant about today:

I learned that you do not touch large objects in the kiln room, because it's probably a kiln. #burntfinger
I ate the most foul tasting meat I can ever remember tasting.
I learned that to have something in a kiln is to "fire" it.

I am now contractually obligated to live in Chicago.

I drank a large mug of regular coffee. #badidea

I passed my BEDA count from last year.

I virtually hugged all of you.
I took a lot of deep breaths.

I drew six drawings.

I experienced.

I learned.

I grew.
<3