LANDSLIDE

i refused to blog for the longest time.

it really started because school got hectic and the time to sit and write became sparse. eventually i hadn't written in so long that i felt i couldn't write here anymore.

you know,that slight embarrassment you get when you haven't visited/called a good friend or elderly grandparent in a while. that embarrassment where you feel like if you pick up the phone now they will just had wished you had never called in the first place. completely made up in your head of course, but avoiding the situation for the sake of your pride seems to justify the neglect.

the same downward spiral happened with my dear friend in sweden.

school got busy and everyone in provo seemed to need me all at once. classic case of spreading myself too thin.

finally sitting down to write him after a couple letters full of "where have you been?" and "i want to hear all about your adventures!" really put it all into perspective for me.

i want to give my heart to those that mean most to me. not to the trivial matters that i have been.

i want to give it to the things that will last.

as my mission quickly approaches, 20 days to be exact, i am putting all of my most sacred and precious memories in little spaces within my heart. 

i will carry them with me as i devote all of myself to the people of nicaragua, occasionally pulling them out for the times when i need a piece of home. a piece of clarity.

i'm so thankful for people that make me want to speak truth. they are so beautiful to me.

Weird Things You May Not Know About Me...

I listent to classical music very loud and normal music very low. (It makes me feel sophisticated, sue me.)
I love the sounds of dogs panting. It transports me back to my lovely childhood, running through the fields with Sydney, my very first dog, a black lab, who I miss so dearly.
I so badly strive to be the person that my Great-Grandmother believes I am.
The scent of cleaning products is one of my favorites. I just love walking into a kitchen where the smell of bleach and lemon is wafting through the air.
I wish I could eat banana vanilla bean pancakes every morning.
I re-watch the Scrubs series every year.
In order to get out of bed each morning I have to pop my hips into place unless I cannot move. Thank you, dance and running in high school....
My favorite flowers are peonies.
I always make sure that my room has lighting that has a brown-to-orange ambiance.
Dr. Oz is my dream man and I own it.
I drink a glass of water every hour that I am awake during the day.
I often have conversations with myself in my head and often find myself mumbling aloud. Don't worry, I'm not schizophrenic (or at least the voices tell me I'm not.)
I have a memory that is comparable to a steel trap. I remember the most minute details about people's lives and believe that it comes in handy. It makes people feel special when you remember stuff about them (or they get creeped out, but I won't bring that one up...)
The California coast is where my heart will forever be.
I really loathe make-up. If I could, I would never wear it.
I have never eaten a brown M&M in my life and refuse to ever eat one.
I believe letters are the most romantic things... ever.
I secretly wish I were from Alaska.
I know every lyric to Ni**as in Paris by Jay-Z and Kanye West and I refuse to be ashamed of that.
I have a strange obsession with airports. I always make sure that I schedule my flights with extremely long layovers because I loooove being there for a long while!
**Beyond the Sea is one of my favorite songs but no one would be able to tell you that (until now) because it has always been a classic old-time secret of mine!

There, now we're BEST friends.

**Go listen to that great song here! I can guarantee that you will be transported to a far off place with the one that you love :)

things i want you to know

my sisters are the greatest girls i have ever had the blessing of knowing! since two of them (i have three total) are at such malleable and curious ages i decided they need to know a couple of things from their awesome and slightly-more-learned older sister (ehem, me). this one is for you, jordan and carly.

• remember to do one thing everyday that scares you; and i know what you're thinking, jordan- no not like that one time we snuck out of the house at midnight on my birthday and we were scared we would get caught and punished! do something that forces you to leave your comfort zone, something that will make you a more confident woman at the end of it.
• if you ever feel homesick, just eat something italian and nona's love will fill your heart.
• don't put yourself in a position to have regrets. always ask yourself, "is this something that i MAY regret later?" if there is even a slight possibility that you may, it's not worth the risk.
• despite what mom, dad and the national food organization may tell you, still eat the cake and brownie batter.
• learn to forgive; not doing so will only cultivate bitterness in your heart (you have seen this firsthand.)
• dancing in your room by yourself is a great source of therapy. do it, and do it often.
• remember that natural is always better. 
• never overpluck those thick, beautiful eyebrows that we were genetically given. you two are far too gorgeous to look like you are constantly angry.
• choose your friends wisely. plain and simple.
• challenge your body by partaking in physical activity as often as possible. your bodies are such precious, intricate gifts. respect them by keeping them in great shape.
• keep a journal and write in it every night. you're going to want to look back on this magical life of yours!
• wait for the man that God has for you... i know that i must sound like a broken record, but once you find him you will understand why i repeated this. you will be so proud to give him the gift of your purity.

remember this story that i shared with you:

"a teenage girl was ridiculed by two of her peers for maintaing her purity. her reply: "i can be what you are any day, but if you live a hundred years, you could never be what i am."

• make sure you laugh everyday. the sound of your laughter is quite possibly one of my favorite sounds on this earth, remember that :)
• always take your time when shaving, if you don't the effects are painful! your legs will thank you later!
• try not to get offended really easily. when you realize who's opinion truly matters (God), you won't care so much what the rest may say.
• when dad breaks out into his crazy, dancing jig, just join him. these will be some of the most precious memories that will flood your mind when you go off to school!
• master the classic cutillo car dance move (you know, the one where the hands look like they are going through orchestrated seizures.)
• first kisses will always be a little awkward, trust me! so don't be let down if they aren't as perfect as you are imagining they will be. since we're related, the chances of you being as awkward in this special situations as me is extremely likely... hahaha.
• embrace your brain. never dumb yourself down for anyone! you guys have such great potential in those noggins of yours, harness it.
• don't live your life worrying (i'm still working on this one!) come to the realization that as long as you are doing things that are right in His eyes, He will not let anything happen to you that is not in accordance in His plan.
• make sure not to bury your feelings inside. they will come out, and when they do it won't be pretty... trust me!
• pester jack and sam when they are old enough to have girlfriends. they might hate you, but i will be so glad you guys budged in.
• wash your face every morning and night. the dermatologist isn't just saying that to say it!
• eat ice cream at midnight as often as possible.
• lay out on the grass while the stars are out. i promise you'll see the world with different eyes.
• text a boy first every once in a while, despite what our girly magazines might say. be brave! who knows, he just might like the brave ones.

and lastly.

• you will have moments where you might feel unloved and lonely in this life. remind yourself ALL the time how much God loves you and how much your family loves you. if you keep that inside your mind at all times those moments won't come as often!

i love you guys, to the moon and back.

frolicking in floral

remember when you were in second grade and all of the hip girls had the lisa frank notebooks?! you know, the ones that had the cute polar bear with colorful penguins? the ones with white tigers who have a rainbow in the background?!?! wait, you don't remember? ......this is awkward.... 

well those notebooks are etched in my memory mainly because i lived for those notebooks (even though they barely stayed bound...ever.) what i am getting at is the other day i purchased floral pants and i finally feel like i am in the "in crowd" of college; just like i felt when my mother caved in and bought me those fabulously ghetto lisa frank notebooks. now i can be in cahoots with the rest of the stylin' women of BYU! look, i even am lounging like nobodies business. i guess i should be thanking my good friend, deon, for being the one who said i should buy them, :).

for those of you who knocked their heads and forgot every aspect of their childhood,

go here to see priceless images that will remind you of your youth.

let the reminiscing begin!

infinite

the other night i saw twelve shooting stars.

you know what that does to a person?

it humbles you beyond belief.

it reminds you just how artistic He is.

it triggers that part of the human soul,

the part that is inseparably connected with mother nature.

that part that becomes swollen with happiness when you finish a long hike.

it's like you have broken some planetary law and feel infinite.

i always remember this line of my favorite book:

"...where all you need is that perfect song on that perfect drive to make you feel infinite."

and it's true.

if you've been lucky enough to ride in the back of a truck on a summer night,

with the warm wind playing with you hair,

a song playing that has heartfelt sentiment

and not a care in the world in that moment,

then you know what it feels like to be infinite.

there aren't many things that can make you feel that way but this i know is true,

the simple, often overlooked things are the ones that can.

happy thursday! {ed. 12}

today i decided to change things up!
i'm taking a break of my weekly crushes and going to let you all in on a few things i'm loving.
no particular reason,
mainly because this week i have been too tired to creep on celebrities...
what a life i lead.
sigh!
enjoy some of the things that i am diggin' this week. :)

a canopy of colorful umbrellas in agueda, portugal. isn't this just enchanting?

throw pillows, lots of them. for my bed this coming semester i am going to get various jewel-toned throw pillows of different shapes to enhance the artsy/eclectic feel of my new room... in my new apartment! (socompletleyexcited)

ryan lochte is terrible at interviews.

this video made my day! in his defense, no one said you have to be good at speaking to be an olympic swimmer... p.s. love me some phelps.

nars multiple stick in g spot.

as of late i've hardly been wearing makeup. this and a thin coat of mascara is what i will put on if i want to feel extra nice. i use it as a lip color, but you can use it for a blush as well. it is so natural and so pretty. excuse the name, relish the color.

doesn't this make you feel inspired? my life's goal.

leave things more beautiful than when you came.

happy thursday!

the white album

you know paul mccartney played 'hey jude' at the olympic's opening ceremony
and despite me focusing intently on the great sir's performance,
i couldn't help but think of you.
mostly how completely excited you would be throughout the performance.
commenting on how paul was always the golden boy,
but george was still such an undercover cassanova.
how you would have thrown your head back,
let out your infamous chuckle of utter contentment,
and clasped your hands together when he invited the entire crowd to sing "na na na na na na naaaaa!"
probably saying something about the lasting effect their music has on people.
how he must have had everyone in that vast shakespeare stadium singing,
even that nostalgic wisher sitting on a comfy and worn couch in southern idaho.


you have that power that paul has whenever he sings, you know?

alive after five

in downtown boise every wednesday is something called alive after five.
music just the way i like it,
people dancing like no one is watching,
and good,
no great, pizza.

in the middle of watching the black lilies,
who were the perfect combination of bluegrass and soft rock,
might i add,
a fine gentleman caught my eye,
and it soon became apparent that i had done the same for him.
so as each song passed the gazes became longer,
and the tension increased.

as the john mayer look-a-like walked away it suddenly dawned on me;
i'm quite exhausted of the initiatory games that go along with flirting.
the whole, "i'm going to glance and smile and so are you but we both won't say anything." deal.
because really,
i knew nothing would ever come from gazing at john mayer look-a-like.
but i did it regardless,
and by doing so walked away feeling sad that no words were exchanged.
it is form of torture that instills copious amounts of hope,
and frankly i am tired of being a masochist.

what happened to the ones who make the first move?
who can pick-up on when a female is interested?
who make you feel as you should,
a feminine, darling of a woman who deserves to be chased?

oh that's right,
i know where those kind of fellas are.
sadly they are out of commission for a short-while.
until then,
i will be stuck in this awkward, limbo stage.
wish me luck,
i'm going to need it.

i know the heart of life is good

Despite the Fact...
that I wake up earlier than any sane person should.Can you say walking zombie in the morning?! And don't even get me started on what my hair looks like at that time. For some reason my hair and 5 a.m. do not cohabitate well...

that the DirectTV man caused me to get in a little fender bender then ran away like a little sissy. MAN UP BUDDY BOY! iknowwhereyouwork.


that my deathly-allergy to cats is in full swing due to the fact someone decided to get a pet cat... Oh no  biggy guys, I will just hang out in the bathroom all day long since it is the only place that thing  hasn't been. *shiver* Excuse me while I stop breathing and die...

that the woman at Sears refused to smile at me, no matter how much I smiled at her (I actually looked quite silly in my attempt....)
I mean seriously! Smiling at me does not mean you will have to sign a contract saying we are besties til da end. I simply want to see your pearly whites! Is that too much to ask?!

that the Pretty Little Liars season premiere is on tomorrow night. I.WANT.IT.NOW.NOW.NOW.NOW! Sorry. Sometimes my inner Veruca Salt comes out.... Hehehe.


that I ate my red velvet cream cheese cannoli too fast... Oh how desperately I want those precious moments between the two of us back. I was selfish and took advantage of you, and I am forever sorry....


that I dropped a Pediasure can on my foot and now have a black bruise that is polluting the surface in it's entirety. You 100 calorie-in-liquid-form-evil-being, I loathe you! And btw, on your can it says "Tastes like a Homemade Vanilla Milkshake!" yeah, a homemade vanilla milkshake made from a dirty blender and rotten ice cream! barf.


But my boy, John, brings it all into perspective with this song:

Because after all, no matter what we may go through we all have it pretty amazing. Remember that while you jam to Johnny boy and admire his raspy, sexy, buttery-smooth voice. My oh my... Okay. I'm done. But John... Sorry. This time it's for real.

a haunting:

One of the Cutillo Family's favourite pastimes is ghost-hunting.

Cue the gasps and exiting out of my blog, saying "what a grievous activity!". We are who we are. Send us to the gallows. Whatev.

For those of you who decided to be loyal, un-judgmental friends and continued to read on, I thank you and send my undying love to you and expect an Academy Awards style swag-bag in the mail within 4-5 business days. now you haterz are eating your words, eh?!

This all traces back to one fateful day where my father, sister and myself had nothing to do and decided to watch documentaries on ghosts. 7 hours and two boxes of Cheez-Its later we were hooked. We came to realize that the town my father lived in was home to some very creeeeeepy places. We got our ghost-hunting gear and set out in hopes of documenting some of these gouls on camera. You could say were the next Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr.Ray Stanz and Dana Barrett! Wait, you don't know what movie I am referencing? Dear baby orange grove, you've been deprived!

Our favourite haunt (see what I just did there?! I just used a figure of speech that actually applies to what I am talking about! So clever, so clever I say! Kay, I'm done.) was the Old Mental Hospital. As we drove up to that huge,brick house we all got that deep-pit feeling that something isn't quite right within those walls.. 

Needless to say we were too scared to ever get out of the car...

But a ton of amazing ghost-hunting can be done from the inside of a motor vehicle, right?

My older sister ended up snapping a last minutes picture as my dad sped away (after me screaming, "GO DAD! GO! THE GHOST IS RUNNING TOWARDS THE CAR! iwaslying, btw) in which there was a silhouette of a woman standing in the top bedroom window. I wish I could show it to you all to prove of it's existence, but sadly I do not think that we've made it to that level in our relationship where I trust you enough.... Maybe one day we will reach that point where I divulge all of the Cutillo Family ghost secrets, but don't count on it.

Just the other day we visited the Old Mental Hospital. It still radiates the heebie-geebies that can turn a woman back into her 7-year old self...

Don't let the charming, suburbia street names fool you. Scary things dwell in this intersection!

That smile? Yeah, it is fake.It is just me masking my immense fear! See those clenched fists? Ready to attack if a ghost pops up from behind me!

After we got the heck outta dodge we found refuge in a near-by park where we processed how it felt to go back to the place where so many fun childhood memories were made. And something tells me a couple of the ghosts may have possessed us...

But then again, we are just weird regardless of being possessed by a ghost.

You don't have to believe me, but be sure to sleep with a night light from now on folks. Bwhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah.

that one trip to wal-mart that completely ruined my reputation:

Can I be honest with you all? I disdain Wal-Mart with burning passion. It is up there with my dislike of mushrooms, terrorists, Kim Kardashian and mean people...
There has never (nor will there ever) been a time where I willingly said, "YEAH! Let's go to Wal-Mart!" Personally, I like to avoid situations where I will be misreable and think thoughts of hurting those around me and for some reason those thoughts just flood my mind while there; I just stay away for the greater good.
Want to know just a few of my very legitimate reasons as to why I believe that place (said with a tone of disgust) should be extinct from Planet Earth? Here they are:

1. The traffic. Why in the world does every horrible driver in the continental U.S. decide to gather in the Wal-Mart parking lot?!? Seriously guys, I am confused. Every time I go there I am stuck in traffic that makes traffic on the I-5 seem like child's play. I.KID.YOU.NOT.
2. The atmosphere. The concrete walls, the falling down signs signifying **"5 pounds of Ground Beef for 3.50!" and the tight, condensed aisles are not inviting! Add in the airport-amount of people that are tightly packed in there like sardines and BAM! I am in a full-fledged anxiety attack.
3. The people. Hey now, pump the brakes! I am not saying everyone that goes to that place is a horrible person! NOT WHAT I AM SAYING AT ALL! All I am saying is when I go to that place I try to not look at anyone in fear that my eyes will see portions of skin that I wish to not see. That's all I am saying.

I could go on and on, but I have have self-control. Unlike when I am in that parking lot, shouting at the drivers... Uh oh. Moving on.....
Well my disdainment for that place increased in grievous amounts just recently, here's the story:

I was sent to pick up a few items on a shopping list my Stepmomma wrote for me-all of which were items for the cute, little triplet siblings-a list that I didn't read until I began shopping (first mistake.) After I had picked up their food, diapers and other toddler-related things they are so high matinence I finally looked at the last item on the list. It said "Monistat 7 for their diaper rash."  I thought to myself, "Hmm, okay. Whatever that is!" Then proceeded to look for it... For fifteen minutes. Where was that pesky item? Geeze louise! Finally I found it and I then thought to myself, "Why in the world is it in this aisle? That's peculiar..." As I was waiting in line in one of the three open check-out stations out of the total seventeen stations (seriously, Wal-Mart? If they are there, use 'em. Stop teasing me!) My eyes began to wander and I saw what was written on the Monistat 7 box. My heart dropped. My throat tightened. My hands got sweaty.

It's not my place to tell you what is on that box for many reasons. One of which is I don't know if children read this blog and the other is because I am trying to forget what I saw...

I was getting closer to the counter and I had to think, and think quick! I had half the mind to throw the box out of the cart and tell my Stepmom that the company went out of business and they no longer make products! Alas, I put on my big-girl pants and faced the music, unloading it onto the strip. Right when she rang it up (I was quite particular in my choice of check-out clerk... They had to be a woman or else this would be worse than need be...) I blurted out very quickly and heavily, "You know... That isn't for me! It's for my little brother....." She lifted up her eyebrow, confused. ".....for his diaper rash! I had no clue what that thing is for until this moment! I am simply running errands. DON'T KILL THE MESSENGER, RIGHT? **nervous laugh to lighten the mood**" She proceeded to give me a sympathy laugh and say that if I wouldn't have said anything she would have never noticed. I still don't believe her because how can you NOT notice what is on that box, but I am still thankful that she was understanding about it...

Wal-Mart stinks in general, especially when you go there to pick up an item that you had no clue as to what it's purpose was....
Believe me, it's better not to know....

**For some reason that so-called "deal" seems a little iffy to me... Put the ground beef down and walk away. You and your stomach will thank me later.

a fully-obliged inconvience:

Today marks the 6th time I've been to the mall in the past 10 days...
I know what you are all thinking... "Golly gee! That sure must waste a lot of gas!" just play along and nod your head, saying "yes Emily! that's exactly what we were thinking! what a shopaholic freak! (cough cough.)
But last time I checked, the word wasting has a negative connotation and we all know the mall, nay, the beacon of all that is glorious, does not deserve a negative connotation labeled on it! C'mon now folks! It is just like you and me... It requires some TLC and hates being lonely! Don't worry all, I have put the heavy burden upon myself and decided to be the one to facilitate to it's need!

For the sake of the mall, people! and for those Steve Madden boots...the gorgeous Smashbox lipstick color...those exotic. dangly earrings with precious stones... and that cute purse in Macy's...


It's a hard job... But I am willing and able to be the one sacrificing! I'm so unbelievably giving, right? pssssst: it is in your best interest to agree.

Heavy lifting, I tell you! Woe is me! Boo-hoo! Bah-humbug! Mamma mia! Gee wilikers! Okay guys I am running low on complaints...

Another "inconvience" that crossed my path today was the one... the only... THE CANNOLI! Let's be honest ya'll.... I am Italian and that includes a hefty appetite for anything that stems from my homeland!

I know, I know....I need to work on my self-contol! You are preaching to the choir here, I am trying!! But hey! Can you blame me when all of this is thrown into the game?! No, no you can't because you would do the same if you were in my shoes! Which are stylin', if I do say so myself...

mean people are... mean.

It's 8:26 a.m.
The phone rings. It says Liberty Middle School, my sister's school.
Now I am confused....
Is she hurt?
Is she in trouble?
Did they catch her smuggling in poodles from the black market?
Did she pretend she was on Pretty Little Liars and flirt with her teacher?
and the worst fear:
**Did she get bit by a rabis-infested, human hunting rabbit and begin biting all of her schoolmates, taking all prisoner?

Jordan's happy voice rings over the phone, "Em, can you bring me shorts and a shirt?"
Me: "Why? Did you get dress-coded?!"
Jordan: (said in a quiet, sad voice) "No, just  please. And fast."

Have you ever seen an elephant and a chocolate lab galloping in the Mid-West?
I know you all have and I can guarentee you were all 62% confused and 28% enthralled.
This, my friends, was like seeing an elephant and a chocolate lab galloping in the Mid-West. I was so confused, but man oh man, I was so enthralled as to why.

I drive in a very cautious, law-abiding and police-friendly manner (hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah) and go into the office to see my sweet little sister looking perfectly normal, now I am really confused...

I ask her why she is changing and she replies: "Nothing is wrong Em! It's cool!" Her voice sounded strong and confident, but I see right through her. I heard the slight crack in her voice. I know her too well. There is something wrong... She is putting up a strong suit for the other kids in the office.

As we walk out of the office I force her into telling me why and here is where my heart dropped.
"The other kids told me I looked ugly in my dress. They were making fun of me and said I looked stupid. I couldn't take it."

and then all i saw was red..... (now I know how Dr. Banner feels when he is trying to not turn into the Hulk)

I am fiercely protective of my siblings. My family always tells me I am such a "Momma Bear" because I let no one mess with them, and if someone is daring enough to cross the line I will be daring enough to through them back to where they came from. I am quite proud of it, actually. My moniker is going to come in handy when I have children of my own, that's for sure...

Why are kids so mean nowadays? Goodness gracious! What happened to the Golden Rule?!

YOU ARE MEANING TO TELL ME THAT SHE IS UGLY?!?!?!?!?!? woooooo-ee buddy boy, you better check your facts.

So next time you are tempted to pick on someone based on their looks, remember the wise words of Dieter F. Utchdorf: "STOP IT."

Please and thank you., unless you want this Momma Bear to unleash her madness on you.

**One thing I was happy about was the fact that she was clear of all bunny bite marks. PHEW! She is rabis free!

happiness is

• Waking up at 6 a.m. with Jordan to make breakfast for your mother.
• Combatting bacon grease and coming out slightly unscathed.
• Jordan finding utter humor in every situation (including people almost dying, seriously.)
• Watching Pretty Little Liars with Jordan and having her know every line of every episode.
• Mixing vanilla coffee creamer with vanilla ice cream.
• Waking up early, the human mind is so fresh at the time.
• Bacon for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Evening walks with the family.
• Car rides that involve singing at the top of ones' lungs.
• Having nannies that are sent from Heaven (shout out to Rosie and Alma! YOU DA BEST!)
• Being able to use my technical adult status to shut down boys: "How old are you? Like 14?! I am an ADULT! Stop barking up this tree little boy!"
• Cracking your back, even though every one tells you that you have an addiction.
• Smelling Christmas candles in May.
• Realizing you are never too old to play spy.

and...

• Having the comfort of a mother's love whenever I need it.

banana euphoria!

Did you know that in Jennifer Aniston's wedding vows to Brad Pitt she vowed to "love you continually and make you you favorite banana milkshake whenever you want one"?
Not that we should take pointers from their relationship or anything (you know because it crashed and burned... Thanks a bunch,  Angelina!) But the fact that Brad loves banana milkshakes and Jen was willing to make them for him for the 5 years they were together is diddly-darn special!

Brad and I have something in common.
Massive amounts of facial hair? No.. Good guess though.
Sexy body? Well that's up to your judgement... Kidding, folks!
Obsession with banana milkshakes? BADDA-BING! You got it!

Bananas are awesome as a stand alone food, let alone when you add in the heavenly sweetness that is ice cream.

Simple steps to achieve a euphoric banana milkshake:
this is not a detailed recipe... if you need one to make a milkshake you have serious problems.
-Banana (one will do since we both know you won't be sharing this with anyone!)
-Golden Vanilla Ice Cream
-Whole Milk (we don't mess around here. The real deal is only allowed in my kitchen!)
-Butter churner..
-^^Kidding, but i bet it would come out creamylicious! A blender will suffice I guess....
Blend that sucker and and BAM! life.is.good.

So when your day seems to be going a little south, or even when things are going your way... Make yourself a banana milkshake. I drink them quite a bit and to avoid feeling guilty I just keep reminding myself that half of what I am drinking is fruit and ignore the whole other-half being ice cream.
I'm not in denial or anything....

it wasn't JUST a burger...

 Saturday me and two of my childhood friends, Chelsea and Aaron went to our tenth-grade English teacher, Mr. Bostock's  Devon's, house.

sorry, it is bizarre to call your former teacher by their first name, but i'll get used to it.

We sat outside and talked for hours, reminiscing about our high school experiences (the good, the bad and the ones we'd wish we could erase from our minds.)

**They all made fun of me for being the square in high school and I took their jokes with grace, but c'mon now, it's me we are talking about! OF COURSE I would react with noting attributes of a princess!

KIDDING!

kind of...

It was an event three years in the making, one that was well worth the wait :)

VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED FOR THE FOLLOWING PICTURES:

-Remember the minor face surgery I went through here? Yeeeeaaaaah, the wound has yet to heal so don't run away scared from the scab on my face!

and if you do get scared don't tell me because then i will get insecure and come hunt you down. mmkay? thanks!

And that my friends, was the most delectable, glorious and saliva-inducing burger that has ever passed through my lips.

So darn good that it deserved to be the title of this post.

that good.

**Yes, I was that girl in high school who flipped a switch when Chelsea changed her grade from an A- to an A+ just to see my jealous/competitive/over-achiever side come out to play. I may or may not have said the following words: "You DID NOT get a high grade than me! THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY ON PLANET EARTH THAT YOU COULD HAVE BEAT ME! NO WAY! NO WAY!"

sorry, Chelly....

reason #17 why i could never get botox:

I'm no plastic surgeon, and correct me if I am wrong, but Botox involves needles deeply jutting into one's face.

Am I right? I mean, c'mon, AM I RIGHT?!?!

(hits microphone, "is anyone out there? helllllooo?!?!")

I bet you're wondering where I am going with this (don't worry, I kind-of  know what I am trying to say)

and here is the thing:

Today I said goodbye to the mole beauty mark on my face. Twas a sad parting, but I don't want no cancer on my face! NUH-UH BROTHA MAN, THAT WON'T FLY WIT ME!

sorry, i get carried away sometimes....

Here is where the botox-related statement comes into play:

 In order to remove that sucker my amazing dermatologist had to jut a seven, yes you read correctly, seven inch needle into my poor face five times. FIVE TIMES! FIVE TIMES I SAY!

 I like to pride myself on the fact that I am extremely tolerant to pain... Well this procedure sure made a little girl out of me. While I was laying there, face covered with the faint scratch of metal-to-skin going on in the background I thought to myself:

**"I am fairly certain that childbirth feels like this! YES! I know for a fact what childbirth feels like now!!"

Needless to say I have much respect for those of you who get Botox. Teach me your ways, please? Not that I will be having needles jut into my face anytime soon, I just think it would be a good idea to handle the pain that accompanies seven-inch needles stabbing my skin.

 You know........ Just in case terrorists begin to use that in the future as torture method.

A girl must be prepared!

The smile proves that I had absolutley no clue what was about to ensue.... 

Oh no biggy! I just had something carved out of my face AND (here is the best part!) I get to wear this sexy gauze for two days!

**I have now come to my senses and stopped being dramatic and realized that this doesn't even compare with what childbirth will be like.

happy thursday! {ed. 4}

I've been such a horrible blogger, you all must be so disappointed!

I promised to post a fantastical entry every Thursday and have fallen short of my promise.

Before we have that break-up where you call me to ask to bring all of your stuff back to your house,

(talk about uncomfortable and awkwarrrrdddd)

Let me fall back into your good graces, please?

you don't have a choice in this matter, forgive me or I will drive past your house at various hours of the night and be a psycho  ex-girlfriend.

KIDDING!

kind of....

Current female crush:

Taylor Schillings.

To be honest I had no clue she even inhabited planet earth until I saw that new Zac Efron film, "The Lucky One"

She was so darn adorable and natural (which is AWESOME!) in the movie and maybe I like her so much because I am so jealous of her for being Zac's love interest. (it's a girl thing, you wouldn't understand if you don't have two X chromosomes.)

Current male crush:

Ray Lamontagne.

His voice is like velvet. Enough said. 

Plus he is just intriguing, and every girl likes a little mystery, right?

Current song on repeat:

The Girl by City and Colour.

If you don't find this song romantic and if it doesn't make you happy, there is a problem with you.... You are souless.

KIDDING!

kind of....

Happy Thursday!

if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

The following conversation happened on July 18th, 2011:

Dad: "Emma, what computer did you need for school again? I need a quick refresher before I go and buy it."

Me: "A Macbook, Dad. A MACBOOK. (drawn and said in a volume that I am sure my 100 year old great-grandma could hear clearly.)

Dad: "Okay...A something book.(as he walks out of the door) I've got this. Yeah, it ends in book, that's easy!"

Me: Just remember it has a fruit on it, can't be hard to miss.

Did I ever mention that my father forgets easily?

Once he got to Best Buy he had forgotten (you know what a fifteen minute drive can do to the 50 year-old mind...) and told the worker to "package up the silver one."

Needless to say, he didn't come home with the macbook.

My dream for the past two years came true today.

I was sooooo happy that I almost cried. Almost.

I was as happy as a morbidly obese person who was just reunited with deep fried twinkies, a 7 year-old who just got there first box of assorted colored chalk, an granola woman from Oregon living in New York City who finds an all-organic grocery store, a girl who finally gets to see the boy she likes come home from his mission.......

You get the point.

Happy as a crawfish, oyster, sea lion, clam.... Whatever that phrase it.

Words to the wise: A memory that is nearly half a century needs some reminding.

Insane in the Membrane.

Maybe because it is finals.

Maybe because I really haven't had a real night of sleep in ages.

Maybe it is because I am a crazy college freshman.

Maybe it is because I was born that way

but I have been feeling a little delusional lately.

(Probably because I was born that way...)

Instead of studying (yeah, still haven't done much since my last attempt.)

I have been wasting my precious time adding pictures to my "Funny & Dat Cool stuff" album on my computer. (YES. That is the actual name of a picture album in my computer. Don't judge, we are all friends here!)

Here are just a few, more than you'd like to see  some of my favorites.

 I imagine that his name is Fonzie. It makes this picture thaaaaat much better.

 A gem from here. Maybe if I focused like him these finals wouldn't be so tough.

 My face on every single rollercoaster.

 If my son brought his school picture back and he looked like this, I would be so unbelievably happy. You.don't.even.know. 

 

 Reason #47 as to why the brim goes in the front.

 Cannibalism is always funny;especially when a cutie like this does it.

 Looking into my soul.

Apparently they aren't too big of fans, either...

Learn some manners Aragon, gosh!

Seriously, R-Patz. You ain't foolin' nobody!

My wish, for all of you.

My life would be complete if they ceased to make music. Seriously.

 Amen, amen sister.

 My relflexes are at all time highs when this comes on. I don't think I ever move as fast as i do when i see this.

 Poor thing....

Obviously this teacher has NO SENSE OF HUMOR! C'mon now. Lighten up sista!

 So much more enjoyable when said in a high pitched voice.

 I've yet to see an attractive pre-sneeze face.

 I only wish to be as fierce as him. One day... One day.

 It's crazy to see how much a girl can change...

 Seriously Rachel McAdams? You are SO UNGRATEFUL!

Gets me every time!

This is Harry's world and we are all just living in it!

They aren't so scary after all!

OKAY. I'M FINISHED.

If you didn't laugh at those there is no way we could ever get along!

I'm serious.

If you are in need of a good laugh, just go here. I get a little slap-happy and post more than I should....

 No need to thank me. You're laughs are more than sufficient!