New Years Resolutions

As I stated in my last blog, I have come to realize that I am blessed beyond reason. This year has been a dream come true for me. I've made irreplaceable friends, priceless memories, and one in a lifetime opportunities. With that in mind, I have decided that I want to make a difference in someone else's life in 2010, and give them the opportunity to say that I helped them when they couldn't help themselves--this is my new years resolution. I want to go out of my way for someone(s) to try and make a difference in their life. I've never been one to set resolutions for myself like this. Not that I don't think I'd be able to keep them, or that they are stupid; I just never saw the point in them.. There's a first time for everything, though, right?

I want to devote time, money, energy to 4 different groups of people and/or organizations in some way. As I was thinking who I wanted to help, I couldn't decide which meant more to me and would be most rewarding.

First, the To Write Love On Her Arms organization. In their purpose is to inspire and instill hope in those, especially teens, fighting addiction, depression, self-injury, and suicide. "two out of three peopel who struggle with depression enver seek help, and untreated depression is the leading

cause of suicide. In america Alone, it is estimated that 19 million people live with depression, and suicide is the third-leading cause of death among those 18-24 years old." It's astonishing. We really never take the time to listen to those who may really need us--sometimes that's all it takes. This purpose is one that I want to help, because I've been in those low places before, and I know sometimes all it takes is a little tender loving care. I may not be able to influence someone personally, but I can make a difference somehow. With as high statistics as these, it's impossible not to come in contact with someone suffering. Even if it's simply putting a smile on someones face for a day, it's a difference I made in someone's day.

Did you know there are an estimated 131,000 veterans living in the United States on any given night. I saw a snippet of a cop show on tv not too long ago, a a kind homeless male veterane. He was doing nothing wrong, but seeking shelter next to the home of someone he knew. Apparently, they aren't friends as the man assumed, and the residents called the police asking the man to leave. When asked if he needed assistance, the man responded, "I spent 3 years in vietnam; this is nothing." His optimism should be reassuring, but I was impacted with the thought that he was willing to give ALL for us to sleep peacefully under a roof. He is fortunate enough to come back alive, but has no roof to sleep under for himself. I want to help a homeless person. I could donate time to feed the homeless, money to the VA, anything is an impact and will be appreciated by on of these men or women. It's not that I am discriminating against other victims of homelessness, but these are the ones that impacted me, and I wont to impact them in return. It's the least I could do to someone who gave all for me to have a safe, warm, dry bed to sleep in at night.

Yesterday, I spent the day taking my grandparents on a day trip. My grandfather suffers with Alzheimers. It's depressing, not being remembered, but seeing my grandmother hurt more than he is--emotionally, physically, mentally. He's like an over sized child that you must respect. For most they are hurt more of being forgotten, I'm long over that. I want to help her by giving her an extra hand and support beacon. Maybe I could spend time with patients themselves and more importantly, my grandfather.

Lastly, and probably most strange, I want to put a smile on strangers faces. Ask anyone, at first sight, my default look is not one that many find heartwarming. Most assume I'm a bitch or I am pissed because of my "swagger." Last night, while I was reading MakesYouThink.com I saw where people were moved just by little everyday things people do that were not asked for, unexpected, but totally appreciated. Little do we realize how saying "You looking great" can really turn someones day around. I want to make an effort to brighten up a strangers day for no reason except to say "I impacted someon's life and made the world a better place" yeah, it sounds a little beauty pageant-esq but I believe in fairy tales and dreams do afterall come true.

Makes Me Think

Last night I found this website that left me misty eyed and broken hearted.

Inspired by the format of popular humor site, FMyLife.com (FML), MakesMeThink.com (MMT) was founded as a refined, thought-provoking alternative. MMT is an online community where people share daily life stories that provoke deep thought and inspire positive change.

Sometimes the most random everyday encounters force us to stop and rethink the truths and perceptions we have ingrained in our minds. These encounters are educationally priceless. They spawn moments of deep thought and self-reflection that challenge the status quo and help us evolve as sensible individuals.

Here are a few of my favorite submissions that inspired me to spend a few more extra minutes in my bedtime prayers:

• Today, I was working in a coffee shop when 2 gay men walked in holding hands. As you might expect, heads started turning. Then a young girl at the table next to me asked her mom why 2 men were holding hands. Her mom replied, "Because they love each other." MMT
• Today, I saw a pretty scary looking guy who had a tall blue mohawk and tattoos and piercings all over his body. He was helping my elderly neighbor take her trash down to the curb. My neighbor told me afterwards that the guy was just walking by and offered to help. MMT
• Today, my father gave one slice of pizza to our poor gardener's son - a 6-year-old boy. He wrapped the slice of pizza in a napkin and set it aside. When my father asked him why he wasn’t eating it now, he said, "I’m going to take it home and share it with my mother and sister." MMT
• Today, I was in a public bathroom with my friend. I was complaining about how frizzy my hair looked. The little girl who had been washing her hands next to me lifted up her wig and said, "It could be worse. You could have none at all." MMT
• Today, I saw a blind tourist at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.. Another tourist walked over to the blind man and said, "Do you want to know what it looks like?" and then explained to him in vivid detail exactly what the memorial looks like. MMT

Beautiful and inspiring.. please check it out for yourself. It really will make you think, but you'll feel more blessed than if you never would have thought about it.

Live at the Plantation 2009 - Let's do it again

I'm just taking a stab at guessing this number, but I'd say there were well over 7,000 people gathered together on a hillside within the Tucker Plantation in Colbert, GA to see 4 of the biggest performers in Georgia Country music. I'd be willing to say this was one of the greatest nights of my life, as well of many others who were there.

I arrived shortly after the gates open to find a crowd larger than I expected already waiting for Jason to go on 2 hours before the show was even scheduled to start - we all know that these things never start on time. I was lucky enough to get to give Lyn a hand again, so I got the opproutnity to mingle with the dozens of muscians that were backstage. I gotta tell you, these guys are characters. Not only were the muscians wonderful to work with and have for company, but the guys at RockdogEntertainment are in a league all their own! Brian, Chad, and the others did an amazing job of pulling an event of such great magnitude off without any hitch that was noticiable (if there were any at all).. not to mention were they friendly, helpful, and very appreicitive.


Jason took the job of kicking off the night! The second he hit the stage, he did it running - figuratively of course. He was dropping jaws, turning heads, and making impressions. Because of being press for time, he only got the chance to perform a short 30 minute set, but that was all it took to get the crowd going and to get his name heard. Being on the "Jason Coley Team," I found it pretty exciting that 5,000 people heard his name and will remember it. After hearing crowd reactions, it's pretty obvious that Jason made an impression. I didn't get to sit back and enjoy Jason's set like I'm accustomed to because I was running 290378 an hour snapping pictures and climbing over drumsets and partially drunk people doing so.
What I did get to actually take in was wonderful. Jason's shows are always great, but when there is a crowd he steps up and outdoes himself - never fails. After his set, if followed Jason and his fans as he made his way to his merch table. Seeing the long line of young fans was impressive and oddly enough, humbling.

It was Brantley's turn next. I will probably be a fan of Brantley till the day I die. He is one of the most talented artists I believe there is. He and his band performed well, but I would still recommend seeing him in a smaller venue. This was the first time that I heard him play his new song, "in the sticks," which will be featured on the new album Halfway to Heaven which is planned to be realsed in Februrary 2010.

I was definately impressed with Colt Ford. This guy is a hell of a performer. He is almost a different person once he takes the stage. I just assumed, "oh it's a country rapper; sounds good on a track, but how good can the guy be on stage. I caught myself not taking pictures because I was mezmorized with what the band was doing. It was an honest to god SHOW. Colt brings in other members of his band for solos or duets like "Dirt Road Anthem" with Brantley Gilbert. DRA was an awesome collaboration that really brought down the house Friday night. I never thought I'd say this since I was so skeptical at first, but I wouldn't mind seeing Colt Ford as his own headliner. His DVD "Country as it Does" comes out tonight, and if I really would like to get my hands on it.

Luke Bryan rounded out the list and ended the night for everyone. I saw him about a year ago at the Georgia Theatre (RIP) and said that he was the best show I've ever seen. This show was just as power packed! I just hate that he was unable to play some of my favorites of his. What can you do though? I had the priviledge of meeting him backstage, and was really impressed by how down to earth the guy was considering his stardom. I know the guy is human, but seeing him mingle with the rest of the boys reminded me that he was a real person and not just a guy on my tv.

Overall, I had the night of my life. Getting the chance to meet Luke,ColtLance Stinson, Mister Moby, and Bobby Compton, and seeing Branley and J again made this a night to remember. I'm still on cloud 9 looking back over the pictures or when I watch After the Plantion. Speaking of After the Plantation, you should check it out! I'm proud to say I helped make it happen, and hope to do it again soon!
Thank you Rockdog Entertainment for making it happen. Thanks to all the staff. Thanks to the artists. & Thanks to the fans who came out and made truly the experience!

I'm watching my roommates bake a cake. I'm not allowed to help since I slept late and didn't go to the hot dog stand with them for lunch. Judging by how they are struggling deciding which pan to use and flouring the bottom of the pan, I think they'll regret that descion later. That makes my only option to watch from the bar and act like I'm really NOT watching.

Honestly though, I would have still opted to sleep late anyway. Wait. No. I do kind of wish I would have woken up to watch the 9/11 tributes that were interrupted because someone can't mind their own business (or the Coast Guard's).

I want to say that it's hard to believe that it has been 8 years since the tragic 9/11 events, but I cant. So much has occured since then to better each and every american and to progress ourselves past; it can seem like a lifetime to some because of how many lonely nights they have spent without their loved ones, and others it feels like a lifetime because of how much they have lived and changed. I was young in 2001. 12 to be exact; old enough to remember, but too young to understand and grasp the real gravity of what really happened. I wish I blogged back then, that way I would have written down my thoughts. It would be nice to be able to remember what I thought at such a young age.

Goodmorning Sunshine!

It's pretty early for me. Well, not anymore.. I typically get up at 8 am for a 9:30 class. However, today I was supposed to have a meeting with my business professor, until he decided to cancel after I was completely dressed and ready to walk out the door to campus.
Now I have an extra hour to spare. Luckily I've killed 30 mins.

Thankfully every morning here at GCSU doesn't start at 7:00. Actually, I'm loving it here. I love my classes(except for statistics), loving the college atmosphere that Barnesville lacked, love my new apartment.. I could go on for a while.

Don't get me wrong, I miss Barnesville. I hate the traffic here in Milly. In Barnesville we only had like 2 redlights. That will tell you how much of an issue traffic was; We worried more about the train than we did the other cars on the road.
Also, I miss my close knit group of friends. I never realized how much I loved those boys, or how thankful I am to have started out at such a small school that basically forced us all to be friends. I'm not worried about meeting new friends; I'm doing pretty well so far in that department. I hope that I continue to make progress.

If I'm planning on eating something, I guess better start working on that now.
This new look on my blog probably will encourage me to update more often - homework willing. So check back more often, I should be updating more regularly now. Comment, and I'll update even more!

xoxo

Things you thought, but never thought to say..

A friend posted this on FaceBook the other day, and I found it hilarious. Most of which are things you and I have thought of, but just never voiced it or wrote it down or after reading, you'll think, "Woah, so true!"

ENJOY! :)


I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they've invented the lighter?

Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

That's enough, Nickelback.

I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.

Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.

There is a great need for sarcasm font.

Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the f ** was going on when I first saw it.

I think everyone has a movie that they love so much, it actually becomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting 90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the only one who really, really gets it.

The other night I hit a new low at an open bar. I had already hopped on highway blackout when, inevitably I had to find a bathroom. Eventually I decided it was probably on the other side of the bar so I tried to walk over there, but ran into a guy coming the other way. We played that, Both go left, Both go right game to no avail, so I finally put out my hand to guide myself past and that's is when I realized, yup, that's a mirror I just tried to walk through. And the guy on the other side is me. Even cats can re cognize their own image.

How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.
>
> I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
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> The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.
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> A recent study has shown that playing beer pong contributes to the spread of mono and the flu. Yeah, if you suck at it.
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> Was learning cursive really necessary?
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> Lol has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".
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> I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
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> Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron test is absolutely petrifying.
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> My brother's Municipal League baseball team is named the Stepdads. Seeing as none of the guys on the team are actual stepdads, I inquired about the name. He explained, "Cuz we beat you, and you hate us." Classy, bro.
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> Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".
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> How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?
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> I love the sense of camaraderie when a n entire line of cars teams up to prevent a dick from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!
>
> Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"
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> What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?
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> While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.
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> MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
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> Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
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> I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.
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> Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
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> I would like to officially coin the phrase 'catching the swine flu' to be used as a way to make fun of a friend for hooking up with an overweight woman. Example: "Dave caught the swine flu last night."
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> I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
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> Bad decisions make good stories
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> Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if I do!
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> Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year?
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> If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would probably just be completely invisible.
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> Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....
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> You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.
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> Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection.
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> There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
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> I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
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> "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.
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> I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people watching TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will they judge me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren't watching this. It's only a matter of time before they all get up and leave the room. Will we still be friends after this?'
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> While watching the Olympics, I find myself cheering equally for China and USA. No, I am not of Chinese descent, but I am fairly certain that when Chinese athletes don't win, they are executed.
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> I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damnit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
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> I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
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> When I meet a new girl, I'm terrified of mentioning something she hasn't already told me but that I have learned from some light internet stalking.
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> I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.
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> Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising speed for pedophiles...
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> As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.
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> Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
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> It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.
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> I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
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> I think that if, years down the road when I'm trying to have a kid, I find out that I'm sterile, most of my disappointment will stem from the fact that I was not aware of my condition in college.
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> Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.
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> Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, hitting the G-spot, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my ass everyone can find and push the Snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time...
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> My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?
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> It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and the link takes me to a video instead of text.
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> I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.
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> I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
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> I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.
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> The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words, someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think about it, and then estimate d that there must be at least four people eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by myself. There's nothing like being made to feel like a fat bastard before dinner.

The dreaded Job hunt

I absolutely, from the bottom of my heart, hate job hunting. I've been home for about a month now, and I haven't found anything yet. Granted, I've been searching a little at a time expecting something will eventually fall in my lap like it always has. I just get very frustrated, because I'm not the type of person, nor have I got desperate enough, to just walk office to office and ask if they are hiring. Instead, I search by word of mouth. I ask if anyone has heard of businesses hiring, or I'll ask if they have any connections to someone who might want little ol' me to work for them.

P.S. this method hasn't worked thus far..

I guess desperate times call for desperate measures. I don't HAVE to get a job, but If I want to enjoy Summer I damn well better get one.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have at least some sort of luck. More than likely I won't, but I figured I should at least act positive.

He's just NOT that into you..

Years ago I heard of this book; I think on a forum or something like that. I just never looked into it. I kind of figured it'd be on the shelf right next to The Complex Infrastructure known as the Female Mind.
A few nights ago, I was reading quotes online, and found quote after quote after QUOTE from this book. I was thinking about buying the book to read it's entirety. If they didn't have me laughing, they had me nodding in agreement. Shortly there after, a preview came on Tv for a movie that had been inspired by the same book. The deal was made, and I went and bought it yesterday! (Shocker, I know, I bought a book!)
Right, now I'm about 3/4 of the way finished. It's a little it's witty and honest - much like me. I've laughed. I've contimplated. I've came to grasp with some of my awful/unhealthy habits. Most importantly, I've decided to take a new outlook on dating.
I'm thinking this will be helpful, because I wont be valuable time making excuses for someone who apparently doesn't deserve it. I'll save myself a lot of tears, wasted hours by the phone, heartache, unanswered questions, and most importantly lost time! I mean, why am I still hanging onto the ass that hasn't call me, when I can find someone who won't forget to(You call it "forget." I call it "chose not to").
Oh yes, Now comes the time when I am supposed to tell you to rush to Barnes and Noble or open a new browser to amazon.com. Notice I said NEW BROWSER; keep reading my stuff - don't x out. But yes, this book is actually a breath of fresh air. It's brutaly honest but eye opening at the same time. It's simplicity will make you feel somewhat.. well, stupid for not realizing these things before.

I still remember.

2 years. 1 day.

I bet you forgot just like I almost had. That's how long it's been since Stephanie's accident.
I hadn't forgot, but it almost slipped my mind until I drove by the site today. Every time I go by, I blow a kiss. When I went by today, as soon as my fingers touched my lips, I remembered that yesterday was the anniversary.
Before I went home, I went and visited her grave. That's the first time I've been since her funeral. I expected myself to be emotional, but I can honestly say that sitting there on the granite around her plot was a somewhat humbling experience. I just thought about her and the girl she once was, and wondered where she might have been today.
I miss her loving heart, and thank God I was able to call that wonderful girl my friend.