“Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere.”

Title: Quote by Jean Rhys

First, let me say how angry I am that it is July 30th. How we've gotten to this point where summer is nearing the end and we are beyond half way through the year, I just have no clue.

Now seeing as I have 1 month of freedom before school takes over my entire life, I need to get in everything now in the next 31 days that I will not be able to. One of these is reading. I love to get wrapped up in a book but if I really get into the book, finishing it is all I want to do, making homework impossible to do.

So this means I need suggestions. I want to stock up on some books and get my reading on asap. I'm currently looking forward to this book:

August 24th, Peeta & I will be reuniting. I plan on spending the entire day with him so don't bother contacting me. ;)

Now besides this book, I want to make a list of some good suggestions and I'm hoping y'all can help me out!

Let me know what you are reading/have read so I can get my reading on!

Word-Filled Wednesday {12}

♥

"Can't Take The Effect & Make It A Cause"

Title: The White Stripes - "Effect and Cause"

So if you've talked to me over the last few/many months, you will know that my phone has a mind of its own. It may have full bars but it decided when it wants me to send/receive text messages or even send/receive calls. Awesome right?

Not.

I've been holding out for my 2 year contract to be up so I could go and upgrade my phone, which isn't until September. Unluckily, my phone has been getting worse and luckily, at&t apparently lets you upgrade after 1.5 years (so says the sales guy).

After debating back and forth on what I wanted/could afford, I finally broke down last night and off to the at&t store we went. Now I've officially entered the world of smart phones.

Meet this beauty. Why yes, I am a proud owner of a iphone 3Gs.

Why yes, I'm still geeking out over it.

I'm in phone-love. This girl is beautiful.

I just need to name her yet.

Before heading out to get the phone, I spent time googling iphone cases, because of course I needed something cute. So after purchasing the phone, I ran straight over to hot topic to pick up this:

It's pink and it has a cupcake! Hello Kitty was the bonus. How could anyone resist that bow!

So I spent all evening figuring out ringtones and trying to get use to typing on a touch screen (it's still a challenge!) but I'm starting to get the hang of it, slowly!

I haven't downloaded many apps yet.

First one? Tetris. I needed it in my life.

So tell me, do you have a smart phone?

What are your favorite apps?

Guest Posting!

If you are looking for me today, I did my very first guest post over at the lovely Ashton's blog while she is exploring France.

Head over there for some of my favorite funny sites!

Happy Thursday!

"I Love You More Than Yesterday, But Not As Much As Tomorrow"

If you know nothing else about me, you'll know that my world pretty much revolves around one person. Anyone who knows me knows how proud I am. & anyone who knows her, understands it is warranted.

Today my not so little Princess is celebrating her 7th birthday.

Family Beach Trip, August 2009

I can't even attempt to explain where 7 years went. Weren't we just celebrating your 6th birthday??

This time 7 years ago, I was sitting in a hospital. At this point I was up for almost 22 hours. I would never have known that I would not be going to sleep that day and be awake for a grand total of 35 hours. But to know I was the second family member to meet her beautiful face, it was all worth it.

Sleepover, November 2009

She makes me proud.

Every single day.

She's excelling in every subject and loves Math most.

Vito couldn't be happier.

Christmas Day, 2009

Her laugh is infectious and her smile radiates.

She loves to make silly pictures, I've taught her that art.

Sleepover, February 2010

Her goals and ambitions in life right now are to be like her mommy or be a babysitter.

Her favorite color is blue, like her daddy's, and like her eyes.

Sleepover, June 2010

She's passed 1st grade and never wants summer to end.

She hates getting up early and would like in flip flops if she could.

Every time we are in the car, she asks for the fun singing song, in which we blare "Don't Stop Believin'" the Glee version and sing at the top of our lungs. On repeat.

Yes, she is obviously related to me.

My Birthday, May 2010

My Princess is growing up. Even though I'm sad (read: I cried in the Hallmark store trying to find a card) that she is growing up too fast for my liking, I'm even more proud and curious to see what the future holds for her and where her path will lead her.

Happy Birthday Pookie Princess.

Thank you for teaching me life is worth living and for showing me happiness.

You will now and forever be my cuddle bug.

Loving you always,

Essa

Fill In The Blank Friday {6}

It's Friday, which means Fill in the Blank from Lauren's blog. Feel free to join in and link up over on her site!

1. A very nostalgic place that reminds me of being a kid is a little theme park called Knoebels. My grandfather use to take us camping there each year.

2. If someone really wants to show me how much they love me show that they pay attention, not only to the things I say but things I don't. I know people are not mind readers but I am not one to spell out everything to people. If you pay attention, you'll know.

3. Lately I've been wondering a lot about mine and Vito's future and what we will do once we graduate in 302 days.

4. When it comes to saving money I am I'm pretty good if I have a set thing I want. Like a vacation. Other than that, I like to shop. Vito's the saver, I'm the spender.

5. I'd prefer being barefoot over wearing any type of shoe any day!

6. I wish I knew how to make clothes. I've never touched a sewing machine in my life but I see other people make sure beautiful things. I wish I could do that too.

7. I'm just waiting for the answers as to what the future holds.

Happy Weekend Loves!

"Human Skin Can Be Hard To Live In"

Title: Seabear - "I Sing I Swim"

So it's been 6 weeks since I wrote about changing my life style to become more healthy and to work on loving myself more. Since it's been so long, I thought I should update y'all.

It's been a long road already, which I expected.

Gym

I've been going twice a week.

I only missed 1 week.

50 minutes of cardio and just last week I've started to add in (slowly!) weights.

This week I have even worked out at home so that makes 3 nights this week.

Next week I'm going to start walking with a girl friend 2-3 times a week on top of going to the gym. I'm most excited about this. I've always heard it is fun to exercise with others. A is the girl part of Vito & I's anniversary twins. She is getting married in 303 days (uhm hi, same day as Vito & I's graduation!) so she suggested we get to walking!

Weight Loss

I wish I could tell you I know how much I've lost but I can't.

I had a scare this week. I haven't been weighing myself at all. When trying to lose weight before, I'd weight myself every day and become obsessed with the number on the scale which is such a bad and incorrect way of judging my progress. I've avoided it until this week when I decided to weigh myself on Tuesday morning. Bad idea. I hit my highest weight ever. I was confused and angry and frustrated that I've been working out and gaining weight. Vito was convinced it was water weight but I knew it couldn't be. Wednesday morning I weighed myself again, up 4 lbs from the day before. I broke down. Like seriously. I knew this couldn't be right. After pulling myself together I decided to move the scale 3 feet and try again. Magically, I went down 13 lbs. Now my scale is dead. Vito says it is for the better. I'm estimating I've lost about 5lbs. I'll take what I can get!

Calorie Tracking

I said I was going to do this from day one.

I just started on Tuesday (in response to the number on the scale incident). I'm using: http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/

It's the best. Everything is in there. I think their exercising calories are way off but I don't really pay any mind to them. I can track my food and exercise easily. I'm really struggling with this. I'm not sure how many of you have ever tracked calories but it is insane. Even if you are not currently trying to lose weight, track your calories, just for one day. Your eyes will be opened by all the things that go into your body and the ridiculous amount of calories that accompany the yummy foods out there. The past 2 days I've gone well over my allotted amount but I'm trying to work on it. Slowly.

Water

This part I've aced. At least during the work week. I guzzle down at least 2 liters of water during my 8 hours at work and more when I get home. Aside from 1 cup of milk with breakfast and a cup of coffee when I get to work, this is all I drink. I feel better with water, more hydrated!

So that's what's going on with me!

Tell me how your journey to healthy is going!

Word-Filled Wednesday {11}

Thanks for all the love on my blogiversary post! & thanks to those of you who played along and answered the questions. I love learning more & I will start drafting the posts you've asked for soon!

Until then, please love this Word-Filled Wednesday with me.

♥

"Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes"

Title: Rent - "Seasons of Love"

365 days

That's how many days have past since I started this little blog.

Today is my 1 year blogiversary.

I can not believe this little ol' blog was started 1 year ago with a silly little post. I now look what my blog has turned into and I'm amazed. I started blogging because I was reading so many other blogs like weddingbee and the busybee, I thought I should start one too. I would have never thought my blog would have evolved into what it is now.

I'm so thankful for my blog. It's truly a place I turn to to write anything that is on my mind.

I'm thankful for all the opportunities it has given me.

Like making oodles of friends that cover the span of the USA and even to other countries across the world.

Like jumping on a plane to cross the country and having the change to meet 4 amazing ladies who are beautiful inside and out.

Like when I pour my heart out and receive so many kind and encouraging words.

Like having friends who send me cards for my birthday or presents out of the kindness of their own heart.

Like having daily conversations via text/twitter/emails about everything and nothing.

It amazes me how beautiful, supportive, and accepting the blogging community is on an every day basis and I wish everyone could experience the things I have and make friendships the way I have. So thank each and every one of you for reading my blog and leaving comments and creating friendships.

I love every single flippin' one of you something fierce.

Now enough with the mushy gushy stuff. I've thought about what to do for this big post and many ideas came to mind but being an indecisive person, it was hard to come up with something. So I decided this time around, I want you to tell me about yourself. I've spent an entire year telling you about me, let's change this up a bit!

I found this idea over at Jenna's blog and decided to try it out here! So here is a few questions, feel free to fill them out!

Age?

Location?

Why you started blogging?

How long have you been blogging?

Likes?

Dislikes?

Something quirky about yourself?

Favorite place you've ever traveled and why?

Favorite food(s)?

Something you'd like to know about me or see something in my life (This is a chance to ask to see anything. My room? My shoes? My closet? My mom? Jewelry? Things I collect? My past birthday I never blogged about? You name it, I'll answer/do a blog post.)

Anything else you'd like me to know about you?

Word-Filled Wednesday {10}

♥