Smile

’never a lip is curved with pain

that can’t be kissed into smile again.’

-brete harte

The Lovely Bones

Watching this just gave me goosebumps. As my favorite book of all times (even more so than The Time Traveler’s Wife), I have mixed feelings about going to see it. It rests perfectly in my mind, just how I want it to, and I’m slightly afraid to unleash it.

The novel got me through my most difficult emotional period of my life. Though having no significant relation to my personal life, it helped me to get through each day. The moment I would give up and have no strength left in my body, I would pick up this book and distract myself, completely engulfing the life of Susie Salmon and taking it on as if it were my own. Forgetting who I was and the situation I was in became insignificant. I have this book to thank for so many things…A beautiful afterlife.

Marriage

I really can’t believe this weekend is approaching already. Jessica & Jesse are getting married! I feel like it was just yesterday when we were celebrating their engagement at Nizza. I swear to geez that I’ve been talking about this every single second of my days. The countdown has been ridiculous, and I don’t think I’ve been this excited about any kind of event before.

The bachlorette party was already the most fun weekend I’ve had in my entire life (really, that’s not an exaggeration). I wonder how this weekend will factor in. I already can’t wait to meet Jessica’s extended Panamanian family and Jesse’s side as well. So many friends are gonna be there to celebrate, and I’m so excited to have my boyfriend as my date. Granted Tyler is just as good friends with the couple as I am, I’ve never brought a date to a wedding, so I’m excited to have him by my side.

In honor of the upcoming festivity, here is just a small selection of the 680 photos taken from bachlorette party on June 13th. The rest of the pictures are available to view in my gallery. If you’re looking for a more descriptive recap of the evening, Jessica covers that quite perfectly at her blog.

A day we can’t forget…

and a night we’ll always remember.

See more pictures here.

I cannot deal

I just found out today that one of my besties from college is pregnant. While the thought of having a big belly, gaining about 50 lbs, and pushing a very large object (er, human, to put it more accurately) out my nether regions sounds quite ridiculous to me, I am surprisingly very excited for her. She’s gonna be the best dang mom, ever. Seriously, she’s so sweet and nurturing, it’s just in her nature. In college she used to take care of us all. I feel like she was just born to be a mom. Whoa. This is completely blowing my mind right now that this is actually happening.

I don’t know how or why, but babies have been so relevant lately…I DON’T LIKE IT! It’s freaking me out!

Not too long ago, I had the oddest dream. Apparently, I was “babysitting” for my friend, Keller (Keller, don’t ask, but you had a baby. If it makes you feel better, it slightly reminded me of a cross between a real baby and a giga pet). Well, I dropped it on his head. It left a decent sized dent. I was really distraught about it, but thankfully, Keller was cool. He wasn’t mad because he said he’s done it a few times this month, himself, having made several hospital trips. But that was all the dream was really about. Oh yea, and we were at Warped Tour. Really? Really. What is wrong with me? Why am I dreaming of babies and why are we dropping them…and even worse, why are we bringing them to Warped Tour??? That just disturbs me.

Ok, then… I just went to my cousin, Tara’s baby shower last week. Normally, I hate baby showers. I swear to Goodness if someone makes me taste baby food and guess which disgusting vegetable or mashed up fruit it is, I’m gonna throw the jars across the room and hope that the caps aren’t on tight. Thank God, my cousin’s shower wasn’t like that at all (I’ve already been to plenty that have). Her’s was actually the nicest one I’ve been to. The cheesiest it got was “Baby Bingo”…and I’m a fan of bingo. The food was great (it was at Carmen Anthony’s Fishhouse in Avon, CT), the weather was beautiful, and seeing my family was awesome (I don’t see them nearly enough)…so I guess, it wasn’t so bad afterall.

But ok, this is where it does get bad. I love this lady tons, but two days ago she shared something I wish I hadn’t come across. See, I’m a huge fan of google reader (ya know?…where people share links to website and blogs about interesting stuff they come across on the web)…well, this lady shared a lovely birthing story. Don’t ask why, but I read it. Oh God, why did I read it? There was, also, a video attached. Yes, that’s right, a video of the birth…a water birth. I swear, I didn’t want to watch it. Seriously, I really didn’t want to, but it was like a trainwreck. I couldn’t help it. For some reason, I pushed play, and trust me, it was a mistake…a big one. Without exaggeration, this has completely put my thoughts of ever having children in question. Call me immature, but I think that’s exactly what I am…immature…meaning NOT READY, not for a LONG time.

The other day I was home lying in my bed, and my puppy came up and snuggled next to me. At this time, I really thought I didn’t need children at all. Give me my puppy and I think I’d be completely content. No whining, no spit-ups, no teenage angst, no paying 18 years of savings for college…just a toy, a leash, and some yummy little snacks. Sounds perfect to me.

Geez, I must really be getting old if all this is worrying me right now. Babies, be gone, now, please!

Remember these girls?

Yeah, so my last post about the Care Bears On Fire got some “not-so-nice” comments…which is okay, really, (everyone is entitled to their own opinions). And their music may be more punk than what I normally listen to, but I still can’t help but love them. They’re fierce girls in their early teens, they have a lot of knowledge of the music industry (⅔ the group come from the School of Rock), and they’re pretty much cooler than I ever will be. I have a lot of respect for them. In time, I can see them really making something of themselves. They have a definite direction. “Barbie Eat A Sandwich”…classic teen angst. It makes me wish I was in middle school again. I think I’m going to go to the store tomorrow and buy the CD. Really, I have to. To see pictures from the photoshoot I did of them last fall, click here

Colorscopes

Everyone’s doing it. I had to, too. Most of it is pretty right on, and if it’s not, not too long ago, it once was.http://www.goldinuniverse.com/

Name: Jiscilla
Date: 7/28/2009
Colorgenics Number: 14562703

You are seeking an affectionate relationship, offering fulfilment and happiness. You are capable of powerful emotional enthusiasm. Deep down, you are a kind loving person, always helpful and willing to adapt yourself if necessary to realise the bond of affection that you desire. But you need the same consideration and understanding from others and it is this need that will sometimes hold you back… so let go, trust and you may pleasantly surprised at what happens.

You like the better things in life. You are sensuous and emotional. You are a follower of the Arts and you seek an environment that will give you the fulfilment to the senses that you need.

Everyone has to compromise at times and circumstances are such that at this time you are feeling the need to do just that. Put all of your hopes on the back burner and let matters flow for a time - forgo some of the things you want. The good times are just around the corner.

You are experiencing excess frustration and agitation which is the result of trying to resist any form of stimulation or excitement. This may lead to nervous exhaustion, angry outbursts or lowering of the libido. This on-going situation could become threatening and dangerous. You are furious at the thought that you may be unable to achieve your goals and even more distressed at your feeling of helplessness to remedy this. You are at the point of a nervous mental and physical breakdown but it’s not too late to do something about it - take a rest, forget about everything and try to take heed of that ancient adage ‘He who fights and runs away - lives to fight another day’.

You are completely worn out and you are not in the mood for any further demands on your resources. The situation - such as it is - has rendered you quite helpless, unable to continue the mental battle that you have been pursuing for some considerable time. Enough is enough. All you would like to do now would be to have some time for yourself, to find a peaceful situation where you can recuperate in your own time

Whispering doesn't have to mean it's a secret

This is the cutest proposal I’ve ever seen. I’m completely in love.

Oh Bear

Currently digging: Grizzly Bear - “Two Weeks”

This is brilliant, and I adore their faces.

Simplicity always gets me.

Some good reads?

I’m terrible, lately, at choosing my bedtime activities. Do I catch up on the interwebs? Do I free my mind and blog about whatever it is on my thinker? Do I lay back and just read until my eyes bleed (or in my case, fall asleep after about 20 minutes). All of them sound so tempting! Does this make me weird that these are the things I long to do after a long day at work? Sometimes I wish I were more interesting.

Well last night I chose to go with opening up a brand new book to read. After trudging through “New Moon” of the Twilight series…I needed a refresher. Parker did happen to recommend some “Chelsea Handler” to cleanse my reading palette, but I had nothing of that sort on hand (too bad, too, because I really want to read one of her books. I find her quite hilarious.).

I came across “The Wednesday Sisters,” and it is now on my “currently reading” list on GoodReads. I've only got through the first chapter, but I’m already feeling the wrinkles set in. It’s definitely a middle-aged woman’s book, but I think I don’t mind. We’ll see after a few more chapters...or if I make it that far.

Anybody else on Goodreads?…friend me! It’s where I go to pretend like I read a lot of books.

All shows should be at a beach

Last year’s Asbury Park show was really hard to top with the ocean right behind the stage. But this year’s Jones Beach show was a nice follow-up to the year before.

I finally got to downloading this pic someone took of Ang and I just relaxing and sitting on the dock, watching the sailboats go by, listening to Janelle Monae open up the show, and chatting about life while drinking our coconut wine and NoS. It’s the life…seriously.