Fear Factor

I know they say texting and driving is deadly, but I think texting can be even more fatal in situations out of the driver's seat.

Mom always says that my friends and I have lost the ability to personally communicate, because we are much more likely to hide behind the protective shield of our cell phones and computer screens. 

 And it's so completely true. 

How many times do you hear of people breaking up over texts?

bullying on the internet?

& even online dating?

Every. Single. Day.

I'm not immune to this electronic illness, however I do realize how my capabilities of confident speaking,  courage, and face-to-face honesty have suffered because of this pandemic.  & in no way am I saying this is okay simply because I am aware I partake.  I am sickened by it.

It's like Adam & Eve.  Do you realize that we would all be walking around this earth naked had they not eaten that fruit and developed embarrassment?  A similar situation is developing with non-personal communication.  We feel safer behind our phones, less fearful when our words are spoken in letters and not sounds exchanged face-to-face.  Just like we feel more comfortable wearing clothes than we do strutting in our birthday suits.

Maybe this is a bad analogy, because I am also not in any way encouraging nudity.  However, I am encouraging honesty. Courage. Guts if you will.

My friends and I joke around about Facebook chatting each other when we're sitting in the same room, but is that the future? 

Will it soon be that the only time people communicate is through some other form of media than their mouths?

I'm definitely not down with that.  So how about you and me grow a pair, buck up and say it to their faces next time.  People are always saying we are the future....maybe we can change it.

The List

Alright, so I have already confessed my obsession with StumbleUpon.  But I promise not to talk about weddings today....but I can't promise they won't be mentioned.

One of my "favorites" while stumbling is something along the lines of self improvement, and recently while reading a list of ways to improve or add excitement to your life I found a really creative idea:

100 things to do this year.

I try to journal daily, so I thought I would just add to my list each night as I write.  & let me tell you it's a heck of a lot harder to come up with 100 things than it might sound.  I'm currently on #91 and have been working on it for 2 weeks.  I'll admit I have accidentally put the same things twice.

So essentially it's a Bucket List for the upcoming year, and one I'm going to try really hard to accomplish.  I thought it might be a cool idea to share some of the tasks if you will, with you.  That way maybe I can inspire someone else to take on this challenge!

You can add anything to the list, it's your year do what you want!  Some of the more broad things I have are,

#1. read the entire bible

#3. finish all 7 Harry Potter books (I'm on 3)

#7. not cut my hair

#14. help a stranger

or #57. start reading the newspaper

But I also have sections of similar things that relate to each other.  For instance, my health,

#33. ride my bike more

#53. run the Indy Mini

#49. stop ordering pop at restaurants

#67. don't gain weight at school next fall

& #73. stop texting and driving

Or school,

#51. join a new club and be passionate about it

#19. get 2 more 4.0's

#64. declare my minor in spanish

#47. plan my study abroad trip

& #68. become a role model for freshman girls that join my house

Then there are the really important things like,

#30. make a german chocolate cake

#37. learn every Taylor Swift song

#59. get asked on a date

#62. become a fan of a team

& #74. make a list of potential wedding songs

See, your list can be whatever you want, whatever makes you happy.  But what I have decided is that you shouldn't limit it to things you think you'll accomplish.  For me, I'm making a point to put some things on my list that I know will be a challenge.  Because then I will subsequently be opening my mind and broadening my horizons.

So, even if there is less of a chance for you to get asked on a date than there is for me, put it on there!  You never know what might happen in the next year, and you might be pleasantly surprised.

The things I love about love

When I asked Emily what I should blog about tonight, and finally decided on love her response was a sarcastic look and the comment,

"But that's what you're entire blog is about."

Exactly!

And after spending this "reading day" (day Butler calls the day before finals actually start) stumbling weddings and quotes, I have found myself once again deep in my addiction to other people's romantic happiness. 

So, I have compiled a small list of things that I think are lovely.  You know like when you see a picture of 2 people in love, hear a set of tender song lyrics, or read something that just melts your heart?  I find myself in these moments all the time, so I'm going to share a few with you.

1.

I find it incredibly, passionately, adorable when a man puts his hand on his woman's face, cheek, neck...when going in for the kiss. 

  I found this picture on StumbleUpon, follow this link to see the entire engagement shoot.

Again, found on StumbleUpon. Honestly what is not beautiful about a soft pillow island?

2.

Songs get me every time.  Sometimes the smallest lyrics get me tearing up thinking,

"If anyone ever said that to me I swear I would die."
Here are a few examples:

"The silence isn't so bad, til I look at my hands and feel sad; cuz the spaces between my fingers are right where yours fit perfectly."

-Owl City, Vanilla Twilight

"Her lips won't touch the demon wine, but her eyes are full of pure moonshine, & I get drunk just holding her hand."

-Rascal Flatts, Dry County Girl

"But we're gonna start by drinking on cheap bottles of wine, sit talking up all night, saying things we haven't for a while."
-The Script, For the First Time

So, let's recap:
-Can you think of a more creatively romantic way to ask someone to hold your hand?
-Can you imagine someone feeling so engrossed in you just by holding your hand?
-Does it not just sound blissfully, hopelessly wonderful to just sit and reminisce in each others presence?

3.
Again found while stumbling, these are some regular quotes that just make me think about love.  As if I wasn't enough already.

Okay, I know this wedding/love/romance kick is getting a little excessive but I can't help myself!  & yes I know movies aren't the real thing, wedding photos are staged, and songs are written by paid songwriters, but a girl can dream right?

That's what I'll do right now.  Off to bed before another long day of procrastination.