It is Mr.Poopyhead to you!

"Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive."

Elbert Hubbard

Have you had a moment in your life where you've stopped and said, "Why didn't I think of that!"?  Of course you have.  I have, you have, we all have.  One morning on my way to work I had the genius idea of looking up the 'Bebe' website (embarrassing revelation numero uno).  Don't worry, I wasn't driving (NO TEXTING AND DRIVING!).  Well, to be honest, I was sitting in my car.  The only difference?  I was at a red light.  

So, I take out my cellular (I kinda love that word) phone, press my purple painted finger on the 'Safari' application and voila! the wireless network window pops up.  At first I do not really take in what I see.  I take a sip of my venti caramel macchiato and look down at my phone, again.  Then I see it.  It finally hits me.  The perfect laugh-out-loud moment.  You know, that single instance where you question whether or not you are as cool as you thought you were.  I mean, your wireless network is not labeled "poopyhead".  No, it is not.  

My wireless network is named something completely boring and unworthy of mention (I blame the husband).  It is so lame and sad that I will not even reveal its nombre (shameful, truly).  However, this person, well, this person is uh-mazing (amazing, for the grammar police in all of you).  And, if you are out there, I want to give you a high-five. Actually, I want to give you a high-five and a smooch (not on the lips, take it easy).  Because, I think you are awesome.  The "sizzla" guy, well, you're alright, I guess.

Perhaps, it is the inner child in me, however, I giggle every-single-time I see this photo.  I've kept this gem for a couple years now (ugh, yup, I am that girl, picture hoarder? YES!).  Whenever I need a good laugh I look for this in my stored memory.  Because at 8:32 AM when you are on your way to hell, I mean, work, you need a good laugh.  

And, laugh I did.  The light turned green, the moment was gone, and I went on with my day.  

Ultimately, I just want to thank the person for this giggle filled minute.  If you are out there, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now, tell me, what do you call your wireless network?

xx

Hello, rubber Ducky.

"I'm gonna go take a hot shower.  It's like a normal shower, but with me in it."

Source

A bath, a shower, I do not care what you call it, or how you do it, just DO IT!  This girl, she takes two showers.  TWO SHOWERS!  Do you hear me non-showering women of the universe?  One in the morning and one at night (sometimes I take three, depending on my mood).  So, that is ONE person, who takes more than ONE shower, EVERY day.  Let me repeat.  I TAKE A SHOWER EVERY SINGLE DAY!  On-the-other-hand, some of you, do not shower at all?  I cringe at the thought.  CRINGE.

Yes, you read it correctly.  There are some of you out there that do not shower on a regular basis.  There are some of you that go days without showering?  Can I get an ew?  I know, what in the world.  Is it a trend?  Is "stank" the new "Chanel"?  Please say it-isn't-so!  And, yet, the more I find myself scrolling blog after blog, I realize that "no showering" is the latest fab.  

And, let me just say, that for the mere purpose of hygiene, that is nasty (said in Cleveland's voice).  N-A-S-T-Y.  Okay, so you are little Miss. Stinky, do you really need to share that with the internet universe?  Over-sharing in this case, is just that, over-sharing.  If you write it for laughs, well, we are laughing at you, not with you.  Get it?  Got it?  Good!  Because truly, when I read that you sometimes forget when the last time it was you showered, it makes me want to gag.  It also makes me wonder if you are the girl that walked past me this morning smelling like a bag of onions.  Actually, let me rephrase that, an old bag of onions. 

And if you must choose between a morning or a night shower, choose the night, no one wants a stinky bed.  Grab your soap and rub-a-dub-dub!

xx

I'm just trying to be cool.

Cool
I’m just trying to be cool
It’s all because of you

-Phoenix

This is the photo for the cover of our debut cd.  Just kidding.  Sadly, I am not a singer.  Though, by looking at this photo one may think we have a "husband and wife" duet going on.  We don't.  Unfortunately, the husband and I are not musically inclined.  Sure, I was in chorus once upon a time.  Sure, the husband was in chorus as well.  However, nowadays we limit our performances to the shower and our cars.  I wouldn't have minded one bit had I been a superstar entertainer like Britney Spears (minus the breakdown, ain't nobody got time fo' dat).  

A good time.  That is all I yearn for.  I've never considered myself lucky (seriously, it is almost comical).  Then, today I was walking around Target, frappuccino in hand, and it dawned on me.  Goodness, how did it take me this long to realize?  I am one of the luckiest women in all of the galaxy.  I married the one person who makes all my times, good times.  And, that is no easy feat, because I am one difficult bunny.

I am the happiest in his presence.  Not all days are perfect, yet, I choose to spend even the toughest of times with you.  So, here is the thing.  If you are yet to meet that individual who is happiness personified, do not discourage.  To some, being alone is happiness, and that is quite alright as well.  Whatever route you decide to take, be sure you are having a good time.  Because there are no substitutes for a life well lived.

Amidst the chaos that is life, sometimes we forget to acknowledge those individuals whose very existence is critical to our being.  From the moment we met, I knew I had a friend for all my days.  Shower your cherished ones with love.  There will never be a moment when a spoken "I love you" is enough.  

So, if you feel it, say it, share it, shout it to the world.  

xx

My grandma is better than yours...

Source

There are moments where your heart is filled with so much yearning that any-little-emotion will cause instantaneous combustion.  My heart is in overload.  I miss my grandma.  Unless you live an entire continent away from your grandma, you just do not know how I feel.  

Fortunately for me, my grandma will be here next weekend.  For four months I will be able to enjoy all that is grandma.  She is bossy and stubborn and strong-willed and sassy, but, she is mine (okay, I may share her with my cousins and siblings, whatever).  I cannot wait to give her a hug and to hear her say my name.  I am her favorite, if you must know.    She would always whisper in my ear, "Renata, you are my favorite grand child, shhh".  

And, look at her.  How many of you can say your grandma is this fashionable?  She is wearing leggings, for goodness sakes!  The woman doesn't ever leave the house without her lipstick, true story.  And flip flops?  They are considered "inside" shoes.  Once she saw a young girl wearing yoga pants and asked me, "Why do so many young women wear pajamas to the mall".  She eats her pizza with a knife and fork and makes the best chocolate cake known to mankind.

She has a piece of my heart and next week I'll get it back (temporarily).

xx

Can I get an Amen!

Source

Clearly, this week was filled entirely too much with the word busy.  Busy!  Busy!  Busy!  Monday came and went.  Tuesday came and went.  Wednesday came and went.  And, then it hit me.  I MISSED MONDAY MAN IN SUIT CHRONICLES!  WHAT WAS I THINKING! Like I said, I started a new job and my brain is about to fizzle.

Now it is Friday.  My second favorite day of the week.  Let me just say that despite the inability of my brain to properly function these last few days, I had an amazing week.  Absolutely amazing.  I am, however, ready for some relaxation.  The long weekend could not have come at a better time.  Memorial day weekend, I heart you!

And, this picture below has no relevance other than I find it calm and serene.  Serenity visit me, please?  I am perfectly okay with spending an entire day  lounging in my pajamas.  Why are all my shows over?  Why hasn't Pretty Little Liars started?  Why is it so hot?  SO MANY QUESTIONS!  SO LITTLE TIME!

Happy Friday, loves!

This week I learned something incredibly important.  It takes so little to make someone feel loved, feel wanted and worthy.  Yet, few of us ever even make an attempt.  I, however, am making the attempt.  I promise =)

xx

Life's a Beach!

“Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't going away.” 

-Elvis Presley

Summer is quickly approaching.  Bikinis and sunshine will soon be the staples of our day.  And, with that I feel like it is time to share with you a story.  You'll want to read this, trust.  

I have never been big on tanning (I've never even been to a tanning salon).  Sure, there were the times I'd lay out at the pool or the beach with my friends. On one occasion I even went as far as using baby oil to get that bronze look.  However, those times were few and far between.  Like every worried mother, as a child, beach days warranted sunscreen.  Yet, as a teenager I can count on my fingers how many times I used sunscreen (yikes, I know!).  Let's just say that number is painfully embarrassing.  When you are young you seem to cling to the idea that you are invincible.  

Sunscreen?  Say what?  Psh, I don't need that stuff.  My skin is resilient.  Yeah, nope, not really.  It took me a long while to decide to put this out there.  It wasn't something I was sure I wanted to share.  So, I put it off and I put it off and I put it off.  Finally, I realized that awareness is the key to prevention.  And, that is exactly the message I want to promote.  

Almost a year ago today I found an odd scar underneath my right clavicle bone.  It was small, round, and slightly reddish.  When I took a closer look I realized that it looked just like a scratch.  I couldn't recall if I had scratched myself or not (I have a crazy doggy) so, I just let it go.  And, oddly enough the scar went away.  Unfortunately a couple of weeks later it came back.  It came back a little redder, a little dryer and with a little blood.  Panic mode was switched on.

Yet, because it had disappeared once before, I figured it may just be a weird skin thing.  The husband and I were leaving for Puerto Rico, so, I let the little scratch be.  However, the strange little round scratch looking thing did not go away.  Even after multiple Neosporin cleanses the little scratch remained.  

And then google happened.  I swear, too much information can be overwhelmingly scary.   After a few days of research I was adamant that the little scratch looking thing was not just a scar.  I scheduled my dermatologist appointment and crossed my fingers that everything was going to be okay.  I mean, dudes, I barely tanned.

My dermatologist was phenomenal.  He answered all my questions and put me at ease.  In his opinion the little scratch was nothing to worry over.  However, he said that even scar tissue can have abnormal skin cells.  Therefore, a skin biopsy would be done.  I left the office with a promise of a call in a couple of days.  The waiting was unbearable.  I stayed away from google.

I received the phone call a few days later.  It wasn't the kind of news I was hoping for.  The nurse explained to me that there were abnormal cells found.  And then it happened.  She said that it was superficial skin basal cell carcinoma.  Um, what?  Come again?  Did you just say carcinoma?  My eyes immediately filled with tears.  The voice on the other end of phone spoke slowly, explaining that it was common and treatable and that I should not worry.  I hung up the phone and allowed the tears to flow.  I barely tanned.

I went to the appointment alone.  My dermatologist said that I had a choice between three options.  I could essentially burn the patch of skin, topically treat it with ointment or surgically remove the affected and surrounding area.  He suggested surgical removal and I agreed.  All I wanted was for that part of my skin to be gone.  I was nervous and edgy.  In my 26 years of life, I had never received stitches.  So, in less than an hour my superficial basal cell carcinoma was removed.  I left the dermatologist's office feeling a tiny bit shaken.  I was scarred.

Before this I had no idea what superficial basal cell carcinoma was.  Apparently, it is the most common form of skin cancer.  Fair skinned individuals are more susceptible, but, it can happen to anyone.  My dermatologist explained that its primary cause is sun damage caused from exposure before the age of 18.  Again, I was never a big tanner.  And, the little scratch looked so harmless.  

I am scarred.  My dermatologist asked if I wanted a plastic surgeon to look at it.  However, I feel like it is a constant reminder.  A reminder to take care of my body.  A reminder to take care of my skin.  It is a war wound.

If you are constantly exposed to the sun, I urge you, go to the dermatologist.  Did you find a weird scar-like patch of skin that was not there yesterday?  GET IT CHECKED OUT!  And, WEAR SUNSCREEN!  I cannot stress that enough.  Wear a hat and protect your skin.  I try not to expose my self to the sun that often, however, living in South Florida makes that an extremely difficult task.  Therefore,  sunscreen has become my new favorite accessory.  

Currently I am using Neutrogena sunscreen.  I love its light feel and it doesn't have an awful scent (which is great!).  I keep reminding myself, it could have been worst.  It-could-have-been-worst.  So, yes, it is great to bask yourself in sunshine.  But, remember, protect the skin you're in.  Make it a part of your morning routine.  After sometime it will come naturally to you.  And make sure your lip balm has sunscreen as well.

The summer months are quickly approaching.  Take a trip to your favorite store and load up on sunscreen!  Tan and leathery skin is so yesterday.

xx

Saturday Smoothies.

Sure, it is Tuesday, and these pictures were taken on Saturday, whatevs.  Actually, forgive me sweet readers.  Yesterday was the first day of my new job.  Therefore, I have been a little out of whack these last couple of days.  Leaving my old job and the anticipation of starting my new job was a little crazy.  Now that I am sorta in the groove of things, well, I am here to stay.

Let me start with a short and quick recap of the last couple of days.  So, I drank a sip of coffee (a sip) and bam! my stomach flared up.  Needless to say, it was a horrible day.  Then it was a horrible day after.  Coffee, you are not my friend, why can't I quit you?

Friday was the my last day at the private aviation company I worked for.  Am I sad?  Not really.  Let's just say that there were some very sweet, very, very sweet women whom I miss dearly.  What did Borat say? NOT!  

Saturday I went out to breakfast with T.  If you are in the Delray Beach area, the "Green Owl" is fun, homey, and delicious.  Go and when you are finished with breakfast take your happy tummy over to "The Nutrition Cottage".  It is already quite hot here in Florida, so, get yourself a smoothie (I ordered the Hawaiian Sunset and T ordered the Berried Treasure) and walk up and down the ave.  You can catch up on girl talk and get your exercise on.  It doesn't get much better.  

Sunday was spent alongside my lover.  He grilled me a burger and listened to me go on and on about how excited I was for my new job.  The amazingness did not end there.    Oh no it did not!  That sweet man of mine even endured two lifetime movies while I cuddled up next to him (I know, such sweetness).  

Monday was the first day at my new job.  I am now the newest employee of an amazing non-profit organization.  I am loving it.  The best part?  I can now say that I am a part of a team of individuals truly fighting to make a difference in the world.  I feel pretty bad ass =)

And here we are today.  Tuesday and a nonsensical post about nada.  Tomorrow shall be better.  

I hope everyone had a magical day!

xx

So I creep...

Oh, husband, aren't you just the cutest little creepster!  Can you see me there, in the kitchen, on the phone (probably instagramin')?  Yup, I had absolutely no clue my paparazzi husband was about to strike.  The Ziggles on the other hand?  Totally aware and totally basking in his modeling debut.  Cute, isn't he?  This photograph is brutal proof of how as a society we have zero privacy.  Zero, as in none, as in someone is always watching.  Seriously, think about it.  There is someone always watching.  

You could be walking down the street and bam! a stranger snaps your picture.  Your face is now in the hands of a loon with stalker tendencies and you haven't a clue.  That whole saying, "Take a picture, it will last longer".  Yeah, that perverted old man who was too busy staring at your teenage self and dropped a glass jar of salsa in the supermarket?  Well, let's be thankful that was in the early 2000s.  Let us be thankful that said old perverted creepy man had no access to a phone camera.  

Can you imagine?  Oh, the horror!  Sure I may be suffering from a mild case of paranoia.  Yet, can you blame me?  I have been privy to one too many instances of photos of random strangers being plastered on the walls of individuals whom I associate with.  Be it for comic pleasure, the idea still freaks me out. Someone find me the largest pair of sunglasses this side of the East coast.  

You see, me putting out pictures for the world to see and then having someone snap a photograph without my consent, well, are two completely different things.  I mean, could you imagine if I were in the middle of booger picking frenzy (I totally do not do that, never).

So, the very next time you are wandering down the street walking Snowball,wearing your seventh grade pajamas and yesterdays make-up, remember, old Mr.Smith is watching.  And that picture he snapped?  It may very well be his next Ipad wallpaper.  

xoxo

Just Because.

“If you’re from Africa, why are you white?”

-Mean Girls

 

 

There are moments here and there where nostalgia seems to take over my being.  Usually on my most exhausted days, where I can hardly believe society considers me an adult, nostalgia taps me on the shoulder.  And I always cannot help but answer.  It is at my most exhausted state that I find myself most pensive.  Thoughts of who I was, who I am, who I will become swim around my mind in an almost relentless fashion.  Who are you?  Who were you?  Who shall you be?  And amidst this quasi philosophical mind game I engage myself in, I always discover the very same thing.  Then it isn't so much about me, but, about you.  You who were, are and will be at one point or another a part of my life.

 

You see, when nostalgia calls and demands I take a look at my life I answer.  And, usually, more often than not I succumb to all its wants.  I find that photographs usually put my mind at ease.  I scroll through album after album reminiscing over mornings, days and nights.  I can recall precisely every single moment before and after.  Photographs are beautiful memories frozen in time.  Photographs are oblivious.  Photographs are not concerned with whether or not you find joy nor pain.  They are just simple reminders.

 

Yesterday I was feeling particularly exhausted.  Mentally drained, so-to-speak.  Perhaps concluding John Green's "Looking for Alaska" could be to blame.  Whether or not that was the culprit I found myself in that nostalgic state of being.  And I came across this photograph hidden away in an old photo album.  Instantaneously I could hear the laughter of four girls enjoying their evening.  It was comforting, soothing, simple and complex.  Because the photo did not signify only joy, but sadness too.  A representation of a different me, a different you, a different us.  You feel it too.  I know you do.  And, so, from four remains three. 

 

And I've forgotten.  We've forgotten the what and the how and the who, just like time would have it.  Because that is just-the-way-it-goes.  Time goes on, life continues and we move on.  Simple facts of humanity. 

 

So, sure, you see two girls and a good time captured eternally.  But, we, the girl and I, we see a void.  A void,  once remembered and now forgotten.

 

xoxo



Momma, I love you so...

It's Momma time, darling.

I may not know much, but, I am certain of one thing.

You were meant to be my momma.

I cannot thank you enough.

So, here I am thanking you again.

You don't even have to say it, I know.  I know.

Happy Mother's Day, mummy!

I love you.

xx

Renata

In memory of my cute white wedges.

"When nothing goes right, go left"

It would make much more sense if I told you that I am just one of those people lacking the "lucky" spark.  I mean, it would be so much easier if I put it out there and admitted that I, Renata, have bad luck.  However, someone once told me about the power of words and how you shouldn't put negative things out in the universe, yada, yada, blah, blah.  Dude, okay, I get it.  You shouldn't be a negative Nancy who always says you are a bad luck Betty.  I mean no one wants to be invited to a pity party.  So, in tune with being "positive" and looking for the "silver lining" I am just going to say that I have the strangest.weirdest.almost.bad.luck ever.  Like, ever.  For real.  

Yesterday was Friday, right?  Yeah, Friday.  Well, yesterday morning, I stood in my closet and contemplated which sandal I should wear to work.  I opted for the pretty white wedges that I had not worn for years (shoe hoarder? maybe).  Those wedges made my outfit.  They were the bomb diggity.  I felt good.  I felt confident.  Man, those wedges were going to turn heads.  I sat in my car and turned on my radio.  As soon as I heard Three 6 Mafia's song "Stay Fly" from 2005 I just knew.  Dude, IT WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD DAY.  Apparently, the universe had other plans.

On my lunch hour I decided to eat at Whole Foods.  It's kinda my spot, my thang, whatever.  And, it so happens to be in the very same plaza as Jamba Juice.  Score, score, score.  As soon as the temperature spikes my taste buds crave all that is cold, smoothies are my go to.  So, I ate my beef teriyaki lunch and walked my cute white wedges over to Jamba Juice.  I put away my phone and decided to really BE in the MOMENT.  The day was beautiful.  I felt good.  I ordered my banana berry smoothie and walked out into the sunshine.  Then it happened.  I took ten steps and my cute white wedges died.  DIED!  I looked down and wailed, "NOOOOOOOO!!".  It was too late for resuscitation.  They-just-died.  Approximately 7.5 seconds later I regained my composure.  I thought, "Shit, I just took out my extra pair of shoes from my car last week".  Clearly I could not go back to work with only one wedge.  The pimp limp may work for Fifty Cent, but, for me?  Not so much.  What in the world was I going to do.  I mean, really, what the eff'.  UNIVERSE YOU SUCK!  

Then I saw it.  In all its glory stood "Nordstrom Rack".  The universe doesn't hate me!  It just wants me to buy new flip flops, duh!  So, I limped my way through the store looking for the flip flop section.  Obviously I was in no mood to look for a new pair of wedges (my heart was still aching) so, a pair of flip flops it was.  Not any flip flops, mind you.  But, my FAVORITE!  Havaianas are the way to my sweet heart.  I love them so.  So, I grabbed a pair and took off.  They aren't my cute white wedges, but, they will do.  

The best part of the story?  I had an audience the entire time.  Somehow, when the weird luck bug pinches me in the booty I am never alone.  So, to all of you Floridians that witnessed a distressed young woman holding two heavy bags limping in search of a replacement pair of shoes, you are welcome =)

I mean it wouldn't be so bad if this had been the ONLY time this has happened.  Which it wasn't (my shoe broke while I was in school in the 6th grade) and it probably will not be the last.  Eh, what can ya do...

Happy Saturday!

xoxo

Hello and Thank you.

 

 

Hello and thank you.  Thank you to those who stop by this little space.  Thank you to my four followers (you guys rock my socks!).  Thank you to everyone who has given me inspiration, motivation and support to keep on posting words on this here blog, it sure means a lot.

 

May your Friday be ever so sweet =)

 

xoxo

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

Via

It is mother effin' Friday.  Can I get a hallelujah?  Amen!  There was once a time where I dreaded Fridays (I know, I cannot believe it myself).  Friday meant a day in banking hell.   A very long day, filled with ranting, raving and utter craziness.  By 11 o'clock I was done.  Done, son!  I tell you, retail banking is not for the faint of heart.  You must have some  cojones to make it through.  Big cojones my friend, big.  It gets better.  Oh, yes it does.  Our Friday would end at 6:30 ish only to be picked back up at 8:30 ish the very-next-day.  Souls Sucker R' Us required that I work on Saturday (I cry just remembering it all).  

And so, Friday, was never happy.  They were torture.  Slow torture.  Nail pulling torture. Oh, and the best part?  I only worked part-time.  The days at the bank were so horrendous that I looked forward to my nine hour school days.

There was one good thing.  And I repeat.  There was only ONE good thing.  I met these two lovely ladies (take a look at the picture below) and they stole my heart.

Now, my Fridays are easy breezy.  My Saturdays?  Alarm clock be gone.  So, happy Friday!

Happy, happy Friday!  Enjoy, be well, be awesome.

xoxo

Old School.

Since it is Thursday and I have already participated in that whole "Throwback Thursday"  thing on instagram, well, why not here as well.  Right?  Exactly.  Something about killing two birds with one stone?  Plus, you get the very special privilege to have a glimpse of little  round faced me.  Now, look at that hair cut!  And that face?  Goodness gracious.  Clearly I was ecstatic to take this photo.  I mean I am just bursting with joy.

Let me give you the snazzy details about this photograph.  Because there is no such thing as a random act.  THERE IS A REASON!  It just happens to be the photo for my very first passport, I know, I know.  Cue the "oohs" and "aahs".  I was about a year old when it was taken.  Little did I know that my momma would be moving me to an entirely different country in a few short weeks.  Yes, this passport was the very passport I entered the United States of America with.  I still have that passport in my possession.  I am sentimental, what can I say.  My life was about to drastically change and I couldn't even smile for the camera.  Typical.  Just typical.  I'm kidding.  I smile all the time now.  I smile to strangers who give me the stank eye, it is quite entertaining.  

So, there it is, out in the open, for all to see, the story behind the picture of the ash blonde in the green dress.  A memory floating around in time and space.  That little girl had no idea what was in store for her.  Absolutely no idea.  She was clueless to all the love, all the joy, all the laughs, all the adventures, all the memories, all the tears and all the heartbreak that was waiting for her a plane ride away.  She had no idea how difficult it would be.  She had no idea how great it would be.  She had no idea, that it would all be worth it.  Every-single-minute.

xoxo

John Green, I kinda love you.

'That's who you really like.  The people you can think out loud in front of."

-John Green

Via

I am the last person you will ever see setting resolutions for the new year.  I prefer not to create a list of things I probably will get too bored to accomplish.  Because yeah, I get bored pretty easily.  Sue me.  However, I stated in a previous post how much I adored (okay, more like loved, in an obsessive manner) John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars".  I mean, really, I cannot say enough good things about that novel.  I cried, I laughed, I smirked, I felt.  I FELT.  And, that is why I loved it as much as I did.  Truly, it has been quite some time that a novel has made me feel.  And, really, what is life about if not  for feeling.  I am talking about real heart wrenching feelings followed by big fat crocodile tears (I shed them on the daily).  Nope, I am not exaggerating.  I had to choke back sobs one night as to not wake the husband.  So, going against all that is in my nature, I have decided to make it my personal mission to read every book Mr.Green has written.  Next on my agenda?  Well, if you must know, it is "Looking for Alaska".  Which I have already commenced.  So far, so good (real good).  I encourage you to dive into the world of John Green.  Dive in head first.  You will wonder why it took you so long to do so.  Dudes, anyone that can come up with a quote like the following is pretty damn straight to me:

“Saying 'I notice you're a nerd' is like saying, 'Hey, I notice that you'd rather be intelligent than be stupid, that you'd rather be thoughtful than be vapid, that you believe that there are things that matter more than the arrest record of Lindsay Lohan. Why is that?' In fact, it seems to me that most contemporary insults are pretty lame. Even 'lame' is kind of lame. Saying 'You're lame' is like saying 'You walk with a limp.' Yeah, whatever, so does 50 Cent, and he's done all right for himself.”

Perfection ladies and gentlemen, perfection.  And, to all of you that have been personally harassed with my enthusiastic shenanigans over the awesomeness of "The Fault in Our Stars", I am sorry.  Actually, I take that back.  I am not sorry.  What I meant was, you are welcome!

xoxo

Via

Hola!

“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.” 

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Via

Hola, amigos!  Feliz Cinco de Mayo!  Okay, enough exclamation points for one day.  But, seriously, happy Cinco de Mayo.  I hope you are out enjoying some margaritas for me.  I had two Modelos, those count, right?  I woke up this morning feeling a little exhausted from yesterday.  It was just one of those mornings you want to stay in your pajamas until one o'clock in the afternoon.  Which I totally gave in to.  Yes, this girl remained in her pajamas till it was ABSOLUTELY necessary to change.  Absolutely necessary equated to being ABSOLUTELY hungry.  The husband offered to grill us some burgers and grill he did.  I should have snapped a picture, those babies were to die for.  My mouth is watering just thinking about them.  Delish! (okay, only one more exclamation point)  So, we sat outside while we enjoyed our burgers and we had a drink and we listened to music and we talked and then we were pooped and came inside to relax.  

May your weekend have been fervently amazing! (eh, I lied, I live for exclamation points)

xoxo

Hello!

Oh, hello weekend...

This weekend is filled with such promise.  And, what better way to start it off than Friday night dinner with spectacular company?  My thoughts exactly.  There could not have been a more perfect way.  You know you are having a fabulous time when you've laughed so hard your cheeks hurt.  Those cheeks up there?  They received the work out worthy of an Olympian, fo sho!  And, tonight?  Some more dinner and more delicious food.  Tomorrow?  Cinco De Mayo.  You better believe this girl will be enjoying something of an adult beverage.  I keep stumbling on the phrase, "Happiness is a journey, not a destination".  And, what better way to navigate this journey than alongside friends?  

Happy Saturday!  Call a friend, call two friends, have a fiesta!  Whatever you do, make sure to go out and take on this fabulous universe!

P.S.  I have officially finished reading "The Fault in Our Stars".  For what its worth, I will start reading it a second time in, five, four, three, two......

xoxo

Via

Okay.

"The world is not a wish-granting factory".

-John Green

Via

I have this horrible problem where I become truly attached to fictional characters.  It's as Hazel Grace would say, "My hamartia".  When I sense the story is coming to an end my heart begins to ache.  And days go by before I feel the grief begin to subside.  When I really love a story it takes me weeks before I can invest in the life of new characters.  For a few weeks now I kept seeing posts about John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars".  There was one, then two, then three, and suddenly all I could think of was, "I MUST READ THIS BOOK NOW".  Yes, that is pretty much exactly how it went in my head.  A really good book is the way to my soul.  I will not ever spoil a story.  Ever.  However, can I suggest something to you?  READ THIS BOOK.  Okay?  Okay.  Seriously, I haven't even finished and I know I will never be the same.  And, because I could not have said it any better, I will leave you with a quote from Green.  More precisely, a quote from "The Fault in Our Stars".

"Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book"  -Hazel Grace

So, this weekend, put down that cup of wine and pick up this book.  Actually, drink the wine while you read the book.  It will open up your heart to an unimaginable size and leave you yearning for one-more-page.

xoxo

When it rains...

"Melancholy: an appetite no misery satisfies".

-Emil Cioran

I normally find comfort in the rain.  The gloominess one comes to associate with a rainy day calms me.  Not today.  Today the rain was different.  The rain was somber.  It seemed as though the sky would fall.  It was different.  A second turned into a minute, a minute into an hour, and suddenly the day had turned into night.  My rain, my comforting, calming, peace inducing rain betrayed me.  My rain betrayed me.  Today the rain was different.  As I sat staring out the window watching the drops splashing violently down the asphalt below me, it flooded me.  The sudden, overwhelming, pain inducing melancholy.  It washed over me.  It startled me.  The curious feeling of sadness.  The rain continued and the melancholic feeling spread to the tips of my unpolished fingers.    Hungry, ravenous, insatiable melancholy.  I paused.  Suddenly, I knew.  I missed it.  I longed for it.  I needed it.  Those days where a younger version of myself would crawl in my momma's bed and all my blues would fly away.  My blues.  My own, personalized, all consuming blues.  Why is it they call it the blues?  If today I were a color, today, well, today I would not be a color, I'd be gray.  A shade.  No more, no less.  And, with the seemingly never ending rain just outside my door, I welcome you melancholy.  I embrace you.  Because, all feelings are meant to be felt, and feel them I shall.

xoxo