read me your favorite line

Since I was a little girl I have had one thing that I absolutely, positively, love unconditionally; reading. It can be a book, a magazine, a newspaper, as long as it contains words on a page I will enjoy it. I especially enjoy reading in the summer here in Chicago. While I do not consider the eastern most part of the city a "beach" as there is a) no ocean and b) no natural sand, I love the opportunity to sit on a bunkie and read while facing the water. This summer I will be tackling the following books:

1. A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
2. Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano
3. Poem's from the Women's Movement 
4. A Meaningful Life by L.J. Davis
5. The Story of a Marriage by Andrew Sean Greer

i hold these truths

There are certain things I believe in: Margaritas. Capitalism. The color black. And the fact that Zooey Deschanel is the coolest broad around.

That's right. Zooey Deschanel with her cute style, her sweet voice, her big ol eyes, and her quirky manner has proven herself to rightly sit on the top of my list. And by the way,  9 out of the 10 outfits she wears in the new cotton commercial, I would rip off her body to have as my own.

 "I woke up one morning and I just knew"

 "Knew what?"

 "What I was never sure of with you."

-(500) Days of Summer

day job?

lent began just a few weeks ago and for the first time in my life, i really couldn't decide what to give up. i almost always give up diet coke as it is self admittingly, my number one vice. however i spent the month of january in a constant fast; no dairy, no sweets, no white flour, no yeast, no alcohol, no caffeine, no meat, no preservatives, nothing processed, and most certainly no diet coke. i was in constant prayer for the first two weeks, asking for the strength to overcome temptation. eventually, it got easier. however on february 1st, i chugged a cup of coffee and ate an entire block of cheese like there was no tomorrow.

so now what? i just finished the most spiritual month of my life, and i have to turn around and start from scratch. the progressive catholic that i am, has decided instead of giving something up; i am going to make an extra effort to do more. go to mass every sunday, keep my mouth shut when my words won't be kind, give a resident an extra 5 minutes to talk even if i have a zillion other things to do. and in these ever so small offerings, i will be trying to improve the spin of the world.

LOVERS

I am not a huge fan of Valentine's Day, not for any other reason then when I have been one half of a couple, we spend February 14th much like any other day of the year, as it should be any other day of the year. Men should buy women flowers just because, and favorite desserts should be made just because they are favorite desserts. You should be willing to make grand, over the top gestures to declare your love every single day. And if you consider small doings to be annoying, or don't value the importance of "just because" then it is my most humble opinion that you should be single.

I don't get caught up in the 14th when I'm with someone and when I am single I don't pull the "I have nobody, I'm all alone" mostly because I'm not. I have four very best friends who are my Valentines all year. They send me little cards, they never forget a special day, and they have seen me at my absolute worst and still love me. We even end each phone call with an (often simultaneous) "LOVE YOU!"  We are rarely with in arms distance of each other, but when we are lucky enough to be together, we treat ourselves to wonderful dinners, lots of wine, and gifts for ourselves. It is, to say, the most successful long distance relationship I have ever had.

And this year, while I am fortunate to have someone wonderful in my life, I am THE MOST fortunate because he understands my relationship with these four women. He is respectful, and appreciates that when my cell phone rings, the television has to go on pause (even if it's the Olympics). He knows when I say "ok 5 minutes" that means the phone call will probably last 25. He is used to me referencing emails he was never sent, and memories he's not a part of. He loves these women not because he has met them, or grown to love who they are; he loves them because I do. And that is one of the many, many, many reasons I love him.

i do resolve

2010 has officially begun and for the first time in a very long time, I didn't feel like sending 2009 out with my middle finger in the air. I celebrated with some of my favorite people in the world, and as I am very excited to see what 2010 holds, I am a bit sad to say goodbye to a year that was full of firsts for me. My first full year at my job. My first year of living by myself. The first year I haven't actually thumbed my nose at the thought of a relationship. My very first time seeing my favorite band of all time. My very first trip to the far East. And the first time I am able to say that my life is very much my own.

2009 was also the first time I kept all of the resolutions I had made. Here is hoping it's not the last. Whether by stopping or starting certain behaviors, everyone makes these resolutions with the best intentions of keeping them. Some are a bit personal, but here are three that I would like to share.

1. I will try my very very best not to use plastic ware. Whether it's a knife and fork at lunch, or a coffee cup at Starbucks I will find the room in my very large purse to always have a reusable mug, knife and fork, Nalgene, whatever.

2. I will be fluent in Spanish by 2011. It is my mother's first language and I am (almost) 25. It's time I learned the language that is very dear to my heart.

3. I will travel to yet another distant far off place. Beijing was, to say the least, an eye opening experience. Their culture, history, and way of life left me speechless and quite frankly a bit embarassed at most things that are assocaited with being a "typical American." While I am most proud of my country and everything it has done, I belive that every once in a while we should be humbled at just how new to the game we are.