Book Club

This is almost like a part two of my previous Book Club post from two weeks ago. Many things have happened in my literary life since that post. First of all, I discovered that they are making The Giver into a movie. Hooray! I'm not even sure why I'm excited because I'm sure that this movie will just disappoint me in the same way that most other cinematic adaptations of novels tend to. Either way, I'm going to see it and I'll probably reread the novel again so that I can be on my A-game when it comes to critiquing the film. Watch the trailer here.

Since writing my book review of Divergent, I went to see the movie. Standing alone as just a movie, it was good. As an adaptation of a book, it was simply decent. I feel like there was so much left out, but then again I realize that they can't make the movie 4 hours long. I did not like how they changed the ending...seriously, why was that necessary? I also feel like they did not portray the character of Peter nearly intense enough for my liking. I felt like in the movie he was just kind of a jerk. In the book, I loathed him and wanted to jump into the pages and kick his ass myself. I'll be interested to see how that plays out in the future films. Overall, there were just a lot of little details that I really enjoyed about the book that were left out of the movie. No surprise here though, that always happens...which is why the book is always, always better.

Today I am sharing...

Here is a synopsis/review of the book from Amazon: 

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

My thoughts...

Insurgent was definitely a solid sequel to the first book of the series, Divergent. Obviously, the first book was still my favorite as it is typically with any series that I read. However, this second book did a good job of picking up the story right where it left off, as well as continuing the develop the characters along with the story line. I hate when a book series puts the characters all out there up front and then doesn't allow them to grow with the story. If the characters truly are human beings, they should be changing and becoming more in depth as they experience various situations throughout the entire series. Luckily, Roth succeeds at this endeavor and consistently has her characters evolving throughout Insurgent. We discover shocking secrets and alliances among characters that we never would have expected. She makes it very difficult for you to chose sides (or stick to just one side) and to know who to trust. Even as the reader, your alliances and feelings about various characters are constantly changing as new layers of the story are revealed. I especially enjoyed seeing how the characters from the different factions interacted with each other (since each faction is so focused on living out one particular trait) when they were forced to work together or attempt to understand one another, which something that they are unfamiliar with doing. I also like how the romantic side of the story is not overwhelmingly obnoxious. I feel like that often takes center stage in a lot of Young Adult novels and overpowers the plot which makes me annoyed. Thank you Roth for not putting a stupid love triangle in this series. There are a lot of twists and turns throughout this book (as well as sub-plots and changes in setting) which keeps things exciting, but can also become confusing at times so you really have to pay attention. There were a lot of good surprises, especially the ending, which makes me very intrigued about how this is all going to play out in the third book. Overall, Insurgent was darker and edgier than the first book which makes complete sense seeing as how that seems to be the natural progression of this plot. Another good read, enjoy. 

Book Club

In the sixth grade, I had to read The Giver for summer reading. Yes, I was the kid who actually did the required summer reading every year and really did read all of the books in their entirety, not just the SparkNotes. What can I say, I absolutely love to read and I will give any book a fair chance. I secretly loved summer reading because I discovered some of my favorite books that way and I actually enjoyed many of the books that were assigned to us. I'll admit, some of them were terrible and painful to get through, but I'm sure that I am a better, more well-rounded reader because of them. Then again, I'm an English major and literature nerd so I enjoy reading all kinds of stuff that normal people hate.

Back to The Giver...the summer before sixth grade, we had to read this book and it quickly became one of my favorite books ever. The whole concept of a dystopian society and the psychological impact that this type of environment has on human beings seriously fascinated me for some reason. I've never really enjoyed Science Fiction, but I was even more enticed by the genre when we had to read Anthem by Ayn Rand two years later. The dystopian theme has really been the only type of Science Fiction that I have ever enjoyed, and both of these books have remained favorites of mine to this day. I think that I am most impressed by this sub-genre because of the author's ability to create an intricately designed fictitious world completely from his/her imagination and then watch how the human characters adapt to or defy this environment. I think that this type of literature speaks volumes as to how culture and society can influence the human condition. Remember, English nerd over here...I just can't help but over-analyze everything I read...even teen fiction.

As you can imagine, I was super excited when The Hunger Games series came out because it reminded me a lot of the other dystopian books that I had previously enjoyed so much. It did not disappoint. Now, another young adult dystopian series has recently taken over our culture and I have decided to jump on the bandwagon.

Today I am sharing...

Here is a synopsis/review of the book from Amazon:

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the YA scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

My thoughts...

I read this entire book in one day. Yes, one day, start to finish. I just couldn't find a good place in the story to stop reading, so I kept going. Jared was shocked that I actually managed to sit all day and read a 487 page book. I don't know why he would be surprised, he's knows I'm a super focused speed reader when I want to be...especially when something is really good. This book was fantastic in one of those addicting, can't-put-it-down sort of ways. It was so good and I am very anxious to read the rest of the series. You can't help but love the main character, Tris. She's your typical independent, rebellious, take-no-shit kind of heroine (think Katniss from Hunger Games) who of course refuses to conform to the standards set forth by the dystopian society. You just have to root for her. One thing I especially liked about Divergent that is different from other traditional dystopian novels is that the characters have a choice about where they belong in the society. Typically, status and roles in these societies are assigned and the characters really have very few options when it comes to changing their fate. I like how the characters in this book have to choose where they think they belong and then live with the extreme consequences that come with their eternal choice. I can't imagine that kind of pressure. What if the path you choose does not turn out the way you thought it would? There's no turning back.

I can't wait to go see the movie version of this book, even though I know that the book will be better because it always is. Plus, I've heard that they changed the ending for the movie. Why do they have to do that crap? If the book is that popular, it's for a reason, so don't go changing important details. Duh.

Book Club

I haven't posted a book review here on the blog in quite a while now. Oh well, there's no time like the present, right? Over the past few months, I have not been doing a good job of giving myself time to read which makes me sad because I absolutely love to read. Well, I take that back. I have been reading, just not fun books. I've been reading articles about pregnancy, babies, reviews of products for babies, etc. It's literally taken over my life. Oye vey. I promised myself that I was going to get back into reading for pleasure, and lately I have finally had the time to do so. Thanks to my insanely swollen pregnancy feet, I have to take time out of each day to sit down, elevate my feet and relax. This is not something I am good at. I especially hate propping my feet up, it makes me feel so antsy and trapped. However, I have found that the only way for me to successfully relax is to read while I do so. It keeps me distracted enough that I forget that I'm antsy and that I want to get up an move around. So now for an hour or two each day, my swollen feet get some relief and I get to enjoy some quality reading time. Win win.

I have finally finished a book that I have been trying to read for a little while now, which is the one I am reviewing today. This book has saved my swollen feet and forced me to sit down and relax.

Today I am sharing...

Here is a synopsis/review of the book from Amazon: 

Marriage can be a real killer. 

  One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn. 

   On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? 

   As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

   With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

My thoughts...

To say that this book is a psychological thriller is quite an understatement. It is dark and suspenseful in ways I could never have dreamed in my wildest imagination. It keeps you guessing and analyzing every single minute detail with the turn of each page. However, just when you think you have it figured out, each new twist in the story is more shocking than the last. There are so many clues and finite details to figure out the meaning and significance of and just when you think you have accomplished that, you find that those details simply cover up an even deeper meaning. I can't even begin to fathom how an author could write with so many complicated layers as Flynn did in this book. The main characters, husband and wife, are so complex and manipulative that you don't know whether to trust them, like them or hate them. My opinion of them changed constantly throughout the book. Just when I thought I had pinned down that character's personality or motive, another detail came along and changed my entire perspective. The story just became more intense and complicated as you peeled back each layer. I never in a million years could have predicted the ending of this book. In fact, when I first read it, I actually hated the ending. Then, the more I thought about the ending, the more I realized how brilliant it was. It's actually very difficult to articulate my reaction and comprehension of this book without spoiling it. Let's just say that when I came to the end and closed the book, I just sat there. Mind blown. This book turned out to be nothing like I expected, which is what I loved about it.

High Five for Friday

Happy Friday friends! It's time to dish about my week with a little High Five for Friday goodness. Have a great weekend, start getting your liver nice and conditioned for 4th of July next weekend :)

1. I bought myself a new phone case since my ghetto one that I bought off Amazon was falling apart. I always get a cheap phone case and then I end up having to replace it every couple months. Alas, this time I decided to treat myself to a Lilly Pulitzer phone case. It's just more ME anyways :)

2. Last weekend, my mom and I were in Chattanooga, Tennessee for a family friends' baby shower. I wrote a whole post about it here. Congratulations Jen and Chad!

3. My sister-in-law, Melissa, took me horseback riding. Read my post about it here.

4. I have developed quite the obsession with the movie Pitch Perfect. It's getting a little out of control. In fact, it's playing in the background as I write this blog post. Feel free to judge me.

5. My mother-in-law has been staying at my house and I have been taking care of her for the past two weeks since her knee replacement surgery. This week she had the staples taken out of her knee and now she can go home and get back to her puppies! I'm very happy that she is feeling so much better now. Yay for recovery and progress :)

For some extra joy here on this beautiful Friday, a little Luke Bryan goodness. You're welcome. Swoon. 

Book Club

Sometimes we all just need a good laugh. We need to read something trashy and hilarious, something that allows us to escape our troubles and simply entertain us. My best friend and I are notorious for reading a vast variety of materials. We are both obsessed with owning paper copies of books (screw you Kindle), and lots of them. The 3rd bedroom in my house has three 6-foot tall books shelves filled with books. And on said bookshelf, I might have a copy of the Bible, next to a copy of Ernest Hemingway (I own every book he has ever written, so he shows up a lot in my personal library), next to a copy of Harry Potter. I don't discriminate, I read everything. There is a time and a place for every type of literature. Right now in my life, I am in the mood to read something mildly inappropriate and laugh out loud funny. Alas, a care package arrived in the mail from my best friend with some books she has recommend for my current state of being. Which brings me to the fine piece of literature I am sharing today...

Today I'm sharing...

Here is a synopsis/review of the book from Amazon: 

After winning Southern women's hearts with her SEBA bestseller Bless Your Heart, Tramp in 2000, Rivenbark has penned a new-and equally sidesplitting-collection of essays, offering Northern and Southern sisters alike a woman's "take on those irksome little yuks in daily life." Although she warns certain readers (Yankees, namely) that they may need a Southern lexicon to decipher her folksy, down-home prose style, Rivenbark's focus on familiar topics like family, relationships and child rearing should appeal to most females, regardless of geography or age. Marked by a feisty, sarcastic tone and tempered with plenty of cries of "yoo hoo" and "Well, shit," even chapter titles (e.g., "Stop Watching Your Plasma TV and Start Selling Your Plasma: How to Become Honest-to-Jesus White Trash" and "Here Comes the Bride: Let's Just Get 'Em Hitched Sometime Before We See the Head") don't escape the author's wry humor. The most mundane situations become laugh-out-loud scenarios. When, for example, Rivenbark is confronted by the "Pre-School Nazis" and intimidating "granola moms" at her four-year-old's school, she admits asking her daughter to lie about what she had for breakfast (a foil-wrapped breakfast bar instead of the required "scrambled eggs, a bowl of real oatmeal-the kind you have to cook on top of the, uh, you know, stove-two slices of whole wheat toast and a glass of soy milk"). Rivenbark is a hoot, and her book will be best enjoyed while listening to the Allman Brothers Band and eating "a plate of, what else? collards and cornbread."

My thoughts...

I loved this book. I literally laughed out loud throughout the entire thing. If you are truly a Southern lady, you need to read this book. Her observations and witty sarcasm are so spot on, honest and no-holds-barred that you can't help but laugh because you know that she is so right. Warning to all you Yankee folk out there, you probably will find this book trashy, stupid and offensive so better to not waste your time. This book is written as a collection of essays so it is quick and easy to read at any given time. It is a perfect read from your beach chair or your couch with a glass of wine (perhaps some Boone's Farm?) in hand. Don't worry, when you finish this one there are plenty more where that came from. Rivenbark wrote a whole series of these books, complete with even more hilarious and inappropriate stories and titles as this one. 

Weekend Shenanigans

This week is officially the start of my summer vacation. Technically I have to go to work today and tomorrow to pack up my classroom, but the children are already gone so I don't really mind being there. It may be Monday (which we all hate), but today I am going to focus on the only two positive things about Mondays. #1: I get to link up with Sami and share my weekend with y'all. #2: A new episode of The Bachelorette tonight, which means tall glasses of wine and group texting with my girls :)

For the past 3 years, we have started a new girls' tradition in my family. Each year on the weekend that I get out of school, my mom and I drive south and my aunt drives north to meet up at the beach for the weekend. The first two years we stayed in Vero Beach, but now that my mom has a condo in New Smyrna Beach, we went there this year. 

Lunch at a fun restaurant right on the beach - Chases on the Beach

We had a fabulous weekend lounging on the beach and relaxing. Can't wait until next year!

This was the perfect way to begin my summer vacation! Have a great week :)

Weekend Shenanigans

I would hardly call my activities this weekend anything remotely close to "shenanigans", but alas here we are linking up anyways. I hope that everyone had a fabulous first weekend of June. Of course it is already hotter than Hades and raining here in Florida, but June means that school is almost over so this girl is beyond pumped.

This weekend I...

Had a girls' night out with the ladies of my church small group! We had a fun little happy hour at Yes, You Canvas! painting these lovely masterpieces. 

Dance was always my art form y'all...never painting. But a little painting, great friends and some wine always makes for a good time. 

Jared and I found a brewery right down the road from our house. Apparently, it has been there for about a year and a half and I never even knew about it!!! It's a great local dive and needless to say, I already love it. Guess I know where I'll be spending my summer :) Mile Marker Brewing

Have a great week! Only 4 days of school left for me until glorious summer vacation!

Friday's Letters

Happy March and Happy Friday my loves! Today, I am linking up with Ashley for Friday's Letters. Have a wonderful weekend!

Dear March, Thank you so much for finally arriving. I am so sick of the cold, winter, it getting dark at 6:00, having to wear sweaters, and being pale. This girl is ready for some springtime!

Dear Oreos, Why are you so delicious? You're making me fat. Rude.

Dear Good News Church, We were so excited to officially join your membership this past Sunday. We can't wait to get more involved and become more a part of the church family.

Dear Flock, Thank you so much for inviting us to be a part of your small group. We had such a wonderful time at our first meeting this week. Thank you for welcoming us with open arms and bringing us into the church family.

Dear Disney, I can't wait to see you again tomorrow! It has been way to long since my last visit. I am so excited to drink my way around EPCOT tomorrow :)

Dear Snapchat, Thank you for keeping me entertained and making me laugh when I am having a bad day.

Dear Mommy, Congratulations on winning your big "hero" award at work! (In case y'all weren't already aware, my mom is a baller at her job) I'm so proud of you and very excited that you are being recognized for all your hard work. I am also sorry for mentioning the award on the blog because I'm sure that you weren't planning on telling anyone because you don't like attention  We'll too bad, your daughter is proud of you and I'm telling everyone :)

Dear Phi Mu sisters, Every time I get on Facebook, I see that another one of you is doing something amazing and it makes me so proud to be a part of such an outstanding sisterhood. I can't wait to celebrate Founders' Day with my Alumnae Chapter at our luncheon on Sunday. LIOB

Dear Husband, I am so proud of you for getting your MBA. I know that it sucks right now because it is so much work and it takes away from the time we get to spend together, but it will all pay off in the end. Also, thank you for taking me to Disney tomorrow! Love you, xoxo

It's Ok Thursday

I am kind of in the mood to vent/rant today. Readers beware. Perhaps that is why I decided to link-up for It's Ok Thursday. Sometimes we just need to say "screw it" and let it all out.

It's ok that I schedule my entire Monday night around watching The Bachelor live.

It's ok that I drink multiple glasses of wine while watching The Bachelor. 

It's ok that I have absolutely no desire to go out or do anything on a Friday night.

It's ok that I am perfectly content sitting at home alone reading a book. (hmm, so I realize that I'm starting to sound like a crazy cat lady hermit now)

It's ok that I get really frustrated when I have no control over a situation.

It's ok that I hate exercising.

It's ok that I can't listen to the song "I Drive Your Truck" by Lee Brice because it makes me think of my dad and I start crying. Every. Single. Time.

It's ok that I get really mad when people do stupid things at work. I mean seriously, how hard is it to just do your job and do it correctly?

It's ok that my sister-in-law, Erika, and I snapchat an excessive number of photos back and forth to each other all day long.

It's ok that I am 25 (almost 26) years old, I've been married for almost 4 years and I don't have any kids yet. Get over it people and leave me alone.

It's ok that I own an outrageous number of Tervis Tumblers. I literally drink everything out of them.

It's ok that the most exciting thing in my life right now is the fact that Jared and I are going to Disney on Saturday!

It's ok that I don't care what my hair looks like at work because those extra 15 minutes of sleep in the morning are a much better use of my time.

It's ok that I am burnt out on my job and this is only my 4th year teaching. How do those 30+ year teachers do it? God bless them.

Wow. That was a wee bit angry. I'm sorry guys. Thanks for letting me get all that venting out though, I feel so much better :) Tomorrow is Friday. Thank you Jesus.

Book Club

I am currently re-reading one of my all-time favorite books. Which really speaks volumes for this book because I have read a lot of books in my time. A lot. It's an American classic and I am sharing it today on Book Club because I feel like every American adult should have this book on their must read list. I know that classic literature is not everyone's thing (even though it is my thing since I was a Lit major in college), but I promise this one is actually enjoyable to read.

This week I'm sharing...

Here is a synopsis...

In 1922, F. Scott Fitzgerald announced his decision to write "something new--something extraordinary and beautiful and simple + intricately patterned." That extraordinary, beautiful, intricately patterned, and above all, simple novel became The Great Gatsby, arguably Fitzgerald's finest work and certainly the book for which he is best known. A portrait of the Jazz Age in all of its decadence and excess, Gatsby captured the spirit of the author's generation and earned itself a permanent place in American mythology. Self-made, self-invented millionaire Jay Gatsby embodies some of Fitzgerald's--and his country's--most abiding obsessions: money, ambition, greed, and the promise of new beginnings. "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And one fine morning--" Gatsby's rise to glory and eventual fall from grace becomes a kind of cautionary tale about the American Dream.

It's also a love story, of sorts, the narrative of Gatsby's quixotic passion for Daisy Buchanan. The pair meet five years before the novel begins, when Daisy is a legendary young Louisville beauty and Gatsby an impoverished officer. They fall in love, but while Gatsby serves overseas, Daisy marries the brutal, bullying, but extremely rich Tom Buchanan. After the war, Gatsby devotes himself blindly to the pursuit of wealth by whatever means--and to the pursuit of Daisy, which amounts to the same thing. "Her voice is full of money," Gatsby says admiringly, in one of the novel's more famous descriptions. His millions made, Gatsby buys a mansion across Long Island Sound from Daisy's patrician East Egg address, throws lavish parties, and waits for her to appear. When she does, events unfold with all the tragic inevitability of a Greek drama, with detached, cynical neighbor Nick Carraway acting as chorus throughout. Spare, elegantly plotted, and written in crystalline prose, The Great Gatsby is as perfectly satisfying as the best kind of poem.

~ via Amazon.com

If you have never actually read this book before (I know we were all supposed to read it in high school), I highly recommend it. And if you did actually read it in school, you need to read it again. As an adult, you will have a completely different perspective and take-away from this book. Promise. I have read it probably 8+ times and every time I read it, I find something new that makes me enjoy it even more. Then again, I'm a literature nerd, so of course I love this book. It's short (only 180 pages) and exposes the glamorous, yet darker side of the American Dream. Just read it. You won't be disappointed.

And in case you weren't already aware, they are making a new film version of this book and I'm pretty excited about it. Good 'ole Leo DiCaprio has been cast in the leading role as Jay Gatsby, which I think is going to be amazing. You better believe I will be in the theater on May 10th to see this movie.

Sunday Social

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Even though I could care less about the either team that is playing today, or the NFL in general, this is a bittersweet moment. Good bye football season. While I am super excited to have my weekends back and I will admit that by now I'm a little sick of football, it's always hard to say good bye. However, the first game of the 2013 college football season is on August 30th, so feel free to start your countdown now :)

In other news, I'm linking up with Neely today for Social Sunday. So grab a beer, kick back, relax and enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday!

This week's questions...

1. If you were stuck on an island what are the two material items you would want to have?
A buck knife so that I could kill and clean animals for eating. (Obviously the redneck girl inside of me is answering this question) And something I could use as a filter to clean water for drinking.

2. What are two TV shows you’d watch over and over:
Friends (even though I've probably seen every episode) and Say Yes to the Dress (I absolutely cannot believe some of the hideous wedding dresses that these girls pick out)

3. If your house was on fire what two things aside from family, pets, etc would you grab? 
My box of pictures/scrapbooks/photo albums and my box of stuff from mine and Jared's childhood

4. What are your two most favorite articles of clothing? 
Jeans and t-shirts (once I become a stay at home mom, I'm never putting on real clothes except when absolutely necessary)

5. What two movies that you saw in the past year would you recommend to us?
The Vow (so sad, but amazing) and The Hunger Games (can't wait for the next one!) Pretty much any movie that comes from a book is something that I am going to go see.

High Five for Friday

Thank the Lord it is Friday. I know this was only a four day work week, but it seemed like the longest four days ever. By the way...January is almost over? When did that happen? Oh well, just means we are closer to spring! Yessss :)

Here is my Top 5 for this week...

1. We got to hang out with some of our amazing friends over the weekend. Friends who live here in Jacksonville and friends who came to visit from out of town. It was great spending time with them. We are so blessed to have the best friends ever.

2. I decorated my house for Valentine's Day! I actually don't care for Valentine's Day as a holiday at all, I think it's pretty stupid...however, I do like pink and hearts so I still decorate for it :)

3. My intern started teaching all of our classes completely on her own this week. While it is very challenging for me to give up control of my classroom, I love having my freedom.

4. We had an Executive Board meeting for our local Phi Mu Alumnae Chapter and made a lot of great progress! I love being our Chapter President and I'm pretty sure that I will probably be a Phi Mu officer in some capacity for life. LIOB

5. Two of my favorite Phi Mu ladies celebrated their birthdays this week. My best friend, Casey, turned 26 on Wednesday and my great grand-little, Lizzy, turned 23 yesterday!

Have a great weekend!

High Five for Friday

Happy Friday my loves! Today was a teacher planning day and we have no school on Monday, so I am in an especially good mood today :)

Here is my Top 5 for this week...

1. I was asked to serve as a judge for the Greek Awards at the University of North Florida here in Jacksonville. So for two evenings this week, I interviewed the amazing student leaders of UNF's Greek community in order to choose the Top 10 Greek Men and Women of UNF. This was truly an awesome experience. Listening to these students speak so passionately about their experience in Greek Life reminded me of how fortunate I was to have been able to take part in that same experience. It really made me realize that so much of who I am today is owed to my ongoing experience with Greek Life.

2. Jared and I finally made it back to church on Sunday. We have literally been out of town almost every weekend since August, so we had not been to church since then. Football season, hunting season and the holiday season pretty much run our lives from September to January. It felt great to be back!

3. The 2nd grading period is officially over, which means we are half-way done with this school year!

4. One of my dear friends surprised me on Monday by sending me flowers at work! It seriously made my day. Thanks Heather! Side note: I have had surprise "just because" flowers sent to my classroom twice so far this school year, both times from girl friends. Let's just say I have pretty awesome friends :)

5. Jared made me breakfast for dinner on Tuesday night. Waffles, yum. I felt like I was back in the sorority house, which made my night. Nostalgia. Back in college, Phi Mu would randomly serve breakfast for dinner and I loved it, which is kind of ironic because breakfast is my least favorite meal of the day. However, for some reason eating breakfast foods at dinner time just makes them so much more enjoyable.

Have a fabulous weekend!

High Five for Friday

It has been a while since I linked up with Lauren for her weekly High Five for Friday post. This week seemed to go on forever, so I am ecstatic that it is finally over. Therefore, we are celebrating the end of this week with my Top 5...and a glass of wine of course. 

Here is my Top 5 for this week...

1. I got my new teaching intern for the spring semester this week. Hallelujah! Having an intern makes the next 15 weeks of my life pretty amazing. Thank you UNF College of Ed students!

2. I have been doing so well with my New Year's Resolutions thus far! Even though this was a long, exhausting week, I did not have a single drop of alcohol. I even went out to a dinner/planning meeting with my Phi Mu Alumnae Chapter and did not drink the entire time. I am so proud of myself, in fact, that I am rewarding myself with a glass of wine tonight :) Don't worry, I'm not breaking my own rules because Friday night isn't considered part of a "weekday" in my book; anything after 4:00 on Friday is the weekend.

3. I got to hang out with my Phi Mu sisters from my Alumnae Chapter on Wednesday night at a restaurant I love, Speckled Hen. We planned out some great events for spring and enjoyed a girls' evening out.

4. I worked the concession stand at my school for the girls and boys basketball games on Thursday night. I absolutely adore watching my former students play sports. They get so excited when they see me at their games and I really enjoy interacting with them outside of the classroom setting. Watching them excel at something that is so much fun for them and makes them happy makes me so proud to have been their teacher.

5. All my TV shows came back this week! My husband and I have a lot of shows that we like to watch together and so many of them premiered a new season this week. My DVR is nice and full, and I am ready for a relaxing weekend. The best show of this week was probably the premiere of The Bachelor (don't worry, I didn't make Jared watch that with me). You can read my review of the episode here. PS - I can't believe that I am considering The Bachelor to be one of the best things about my week...who am I?

Fill in the Blank Friday

It has been forever since I linked up with Lauren for Fill in the Blank Friday. So here we go...

1. My best quality is my height. I am 5'10" and I absolutely love it. I have been 5'10" since the 7th grade and back then I hated it because I was so much taller than everyone else my age. However, now my height is my favorite physical attribute. I wear heels all the time and don't think twice about it. It makes me feel like a super model :) 

2. One of my less flattering qualities is that I am really lazy. If no one is coming over to my house, I'm not going to clean it. Unless I am going to be at an event where I might want to take pictures, I'm not going to do my hair. If it wasn't for my husband, I would never cook a meal. I would just eat snacks or frozen microwave dinners for every meal.  

3. I'd rather be on vacation in a cabin in the mountains.

4. Something I have been challenged with lately is letting go of things I can't control. I am constantly worried/upset/stressed out by things that happen in life which are completely out of my control. There is nothing I can do about it, so why freak out? I am learning to just let go and leave those things up to God.

5. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving! This is one of my favorite holidays because it involves football, delicious food, quality family time and no work! 

6. A super random factoid about me is that I despise all things spa related. I just can't relax long enough to enjoy them or justify wasting money on them. Massages are the worst. They make me so stressed out and uncomfortable. I would rather have dental surgery than get a massage.

7. I want to spend my Friday night eating Pizza Hut, drinking pumpkin beer, and watching a movie on the couch with my hubby.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday y'all! I'm linking up with Jamie again for her weekly What I'm Loving Wednesday post.  Sorry this post is a little delayed today, but I hope everyone had a great day.

This week I'm loving...

I'm loving this 4-day work week since we had Monday off! It makes the week feel like it is flying by :)

I'm loving that Thanksgiving is next week. I can't wait to have a little time off of work and hang out with my family. Plus, Jared and I are hosting Thanksgiving this year at our house and I am so excited because it is one of my favorite holidays.

I'm loving my Phi Mu family. My great great great grand-little Kate was just elected President of our Phi Mu chapter at FSU and I am so proud of her. I was elected President of our chapter 5 years ago and now she is President. It must run in the family! Love you Kate! LIOB

I'm loving that volleyball season has come to a bittersweet end. We finished the season 6-6 and I am so proud of my girls. I was a little apprehensive about coaching at the beginning of this year, but I am so glad that I did. This has been a wonderful experience that I will surely never forget.

I'm loving that our first quail hunt of the season is this weekend. This will be our first time hunting since my dad passed away so I am sure that this will be a very emotional experience for me. Hunting was something that he taught me how to do and something that we always loved to do together. I know it's kind of an odd father-daughter activity, but I loved those moments we shared together in the woods.

I'm loving that my grandparents are moving back to Jacksonville this weekend. They have been living in South Florida since I was in high school, but I'm glad that they are going to be up here closer to us now so that I can see them more often.

I'm loving the Mayo Clinic for taking care of my brother. Whenever his Crohn's Disease is being more than its normal pain in the ass (literally), they always take good care of him and I am so very grateful to them for that.

I'm loving my 45-minute commute to work. I know, that seems like a weird thing to love. However, I love it because it gives me plenty of quality alone time everyday to think.