"Well, sometimes love seems easy. Like...it's easy to love rain...and hawks. And it's easy to love wild plums...and the moon. But with people, seems like love's a hard thing to know. It gets all mixed up. I mean, you can love one person in one way and another person in another way. But how do you know you love the right one in every way?"

"I'm not sure, but I think you'll know. I think if it's the right person, it'll be better than rain and hawks and wild plums. Even better than the moon. I think it'll be better than all that put together."

if you're gone...

I have so many different thoughts running through my head right now, about different things.

I'm kind of frustrated...that a 56-year-old man can act like a 6-year-old girl. And that I always have to be the adult. Sometimes I just want to be able to relax, instead of being the one everyone piles their problems on and expecting me to fix it and handle it. I love that people feel they can trust me, because they can. I am always here to listen to anybody and help with anything. But it's just overwhelming when there's nowhere to put my problems and feelings.

I'm exhausted. The past few weeks have been insanely crazy.

But I guess, overwhelmingly, I'm just grateful.

Grateful for boys who are willing to take the time out of their day to do something they know you will appreciate. And to just do the right thing. And like to help people. Just because.

Grateful to have friends who understand. Friends who you have so much in common with--from taste in music to political opinions to craving the same thing when you're on your period to just being able to talk, but also a friend you can learn from. The differences just enhance the relationship.

Grateful for finding food that doesn't make me sick.

Grateful to have a car and to be able to go home Wednesday morning for Thanksgiving.

Grateful for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Grateful for my mom. And my step-dad. And even my brother.

Best Friends, Popcorn, and Books

It's November! So those are the three things I'm thankful for today.

Best friends: I love Lakshmi Sivaguru to freaking pieces. Ashton Horton is also a wonderful roommate. She sticks up for me when boys are mean and always makes me laugh with text message replies like, "Well, that's strike one for you-know-who."

Popcorn: I finally bought real popcorn today. With butter. And I must say, it was quite a yummy lunch, combined with a Diet Coke from the vending machine. And it's amazing I haven't even gained a pound in college yet. Of course it hasn't been a cake-walk. I just finished my workout, and I decided to do the hill climb on the elliptical. WOW.

Books: I am re-reading "The Time Traveler's Wife". And it's amazing. Here's my favorite part: "It's hard being left behind. I wait for Henry, not knowing where is he, wondering if he's okay. It's hard to be the one who stays. I keep myself busy. Time goes faster that way. I go to sleep alone, and wake up alone. I take walks, I work until I'm tired. I watch the wind play with the trash that's been under the snow all winter. Everything seems simple until you think about it. Why is love intensified by absence?"

What I love...

You feel like you're falling backwards,

Like you're slipping through the cracks,

Like no one would even notice

If you left this town and never came back.

You walk outside and all you see is rain,

You look inside and all you feel is pain,

And you can't see it now

But down the road the sun is shining,

In every cloud there's a silver lining,

Just keep holding on.

Every heartache makes you stronger,

But it won't be much longer and

You'll find love, you'll find peace

And the you you're meant to be.

I know right now that's not the way you feel,

But one day you will.

"One Day You Will" by Lady Antebellum (Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood)

Welcome to the Future

So I am watching "Country at the White House", some country special on GAC. It's Brad Paisley, and he is singing "Welcome to the Future." Before he started singing, he was talking to everyone, President Obama included, and it just made me think about what he was saying. I'm not the greatest fan of Obama, and that is the understatement of the century. But you really have to admit how far we have come as a country, even though everyone has beaten this fact TO DEATH.

We are so lucky to have what we have. I can call Lakshmi on the other side of the country, and I don't even think about it. Michael just sent me a few videos and I watched them on my mom's computer. We have TV's, computers, music, cell phones...it's so wonderful! I have an application on my phone that will give me instant scores from any game of every single sport that exists. And we still have this glorious country and great Constitution. We have so many things to be grateful for! It's pretty amazing.

Following Lakshmi's Example.....

So Lakshmi did this, and I thought it was quite entertaining. So here's my list of:

20 People I'd Marry In Half A Second
(note: this is in no particular order, except for #1)

1. Aaron Rodgers - This man has the most perfect arms of any human being on the planet. And he looks mighty fine in football pants. And he has gorgeous eyes.
2. Ewan McGregor - I have to agree with Lakshmi on this one.
3. John Krasinski - The closest thing to Jim, the perfect man.
4. Dermot Mulroney - Here's another movie: The Wedding Date. Yes, sir. I'd pay that man my entire savings.
5. Hugh Grant - Yes, I realize he's just a year younger than my mom. But WOW.
6. Colin Firth - I don't know why, but I seem to have quite a "thing" for distinguished, handsome, but hilarious British men.
7. Tony Blair - Again, yes, I know he's old. But something about him...
8. James Marsden - Another one I agree with Lakshmi...poor guy always gets passed over. :(
9. Chris Meloni - Maybe it's the whole cop/protecting people thing. And he's just hot.
10. Matthew Macfadyen - Mr. Darcy? I think yes.
11. Matthew Perry - Because what's better than a man who can make you laugh and look cute while he's at it?
12. John Corbett - He had me at "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".
13. Matthew Morrison - Will Schuester on Glee. Need I say more?
14. Jensen Ackles - Supernatural cutie.
15. Jared Padalecki - Supernatural cutie #2.
16. Gerard Butler - The Phantom AND cute guy from "The Ugly Truth?" Say it ain't so!
17. Dougray Scott - Handsome in "Ever After", but very attractive on "Desperate Housewives."
18. AJ McLean - The best looking Backstreet Boy.
19. Jesse McCartney - Not sure why, but he is one attractive guy.
20. Derek Jeter - It's just too bad he's a Yankee.

Fly Me to the Moon...

So there's this boy that's really nice...I just got a letter from him today. He is WAY too nice to me. I'm beginning to think I don't really deserve him being so great. I can't wait until July!

And Ashton and I are checking out apartments for next year. There's this really fun one with a fireplace. Yes, that's right. I said a FIREPLACE. It will be SO nice to have our own place.

So this whole "life" and "adulthood" thing is working out pretty well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HOANG! :)