It's Tough Getting Older

Seems that nothing is black and white anymore
Shades of gray and I feel the weight over my shoulder
It's tough getting older
I always thought that I knew where I'd wanna go
But now I'm here and I find that I'm still getting colder
It's kinda tough getting older

- from Older by Colbie Caillat

It's tough getting older. I know as a young twenty-something, I shouldn't be saying this. I thought college was difficult at times - oh, delusional past self, how much I could teach you. 

A Post For Bookworms Everywhere

At least I've read Fahrenheit 451

I am a bookworm, in case you hadn't figured it out yet. I do have a deep, dark confession to make though: I am also a book hoarder.

Okay, probably not so deep and dark, but hey, I had to get your attention, right?

I purchase books with the intent to read them cover-to-cover right away. New books are enticing and I prefer to own books rather than check them out in the library. I need to be able to make pencil marks in the margins of my favorite passages!

I think I need to spend more time at the library instead of bookstores. Now my problem is that I don't have enough bookshelves.

My books are stacked on the floor around my room. My poor books, without a proper home on a shelf. But hey! The floor is better than a box, right? Some people I know (names will not be revealed to protect individuals from bookworm wrath everywhere) tried to convince me to put some of them in a box. IN A BOX. Not happening. Ever.

Let's face it: I collect books. I basically own my own library filled with books I have and have not read. I stopped counting how many books I have after I reached the 100 mark. Many books have stayed with me throughout the years.

How often does it actually happen when I do finish books cover-to-cover immediately? Not as often as I'd like. Here are several examples of books yet to be finished:

1. A Song of Fire and Ice series by George R.R. Martin

I purchased this series in December of 2013. The boxed set was on sale at Barnes & Noble for members and I had a store gift card, so they practically paid for themselves. I just started reading book one, A Game of Thrones, last week. In July. Seven months after acquiring them. Since then, they have sat on the floor in my room gathering dust. In my defense, each of the 5 novels in this series is roughly 800 pages (or more). What was a girl to do? I needed long chunks of time to make any progress in reading them!

Stitch Fix

Yes, I know today's post is a little out of the norm of what I usually write. I'm classifying fashion as a cultural post, okay?

For those of you unfamiliar with Stitch Fix, it is an online styling service that sends you clothing and accessory items at times you schedule. Here's how it works:

1. You sign up and fill out their style profile. This includes everything from your sizing, to what you can afford to spend, to personal preferences regarding your fashion taste.
2. Based on your preferences, a stylist at Stitch Fix assembles a kit of five items that are sent to you. It's a surprise, so that's what makes it fun.
3. Once you receive your Fix, you try everything on, keep what you like, and send back anything you don't like. You confirm payment online and send a note to your stylist about the quality of your Fix and what you'd like to see change for future Fixes.

Easy. You don't pay for anything upfront - yes, you enter payment information upon signing up, but you don't actually pay until you decide what (if anything) to keep.

So, without further ado, I present my Stitch Fix items.

1. 41Hawthorn | Bryan Short-Sleeve Open-Front Cardigan

This is a basic layering piece. While I have similar items, I don't have anything like it in white. White is a good neutral, so I'm looking forward to wearing this over many different casual tops.

If not now, then when?

When I started this blog in April of 2013, I had big plans for it. I saw it as an opportunity to take a baby step back into something I love: writing. Eventually, however, my timeline and goals pertaining to this blog fell through with my justification that I would do it "someday." 

We always say that "someday" we're going to get something done or accomplish that dream. I am no exception to this. Someday, I am going to write a novel. Someday, I am going to get my graduate degree. Someday, I am going to take a road trip on Route 66.

You get the idea. 

Cowboy Boots vs. Vans Sneakers

It is a life post again, fellow bloggers! Today's post has an education focus, because I'm a teacher who is currently having teaching withdrawals. I hope you aren't getting too bored of my ramblings about nerds and Zumba class. Never fear though, for today is about neither! Today I am going to write about [wait for it]...

...shoes!

Now just hear me out. I swear this is not some materialistic post about shoe shopping. If I'm being completely honest, I dislike shopping for shoes. I have difficulty finding anything comfy, or cute, or that actually fits my feet without giving me blisters.

One Zumba dance step at a time...

Since I am still working on my culture posts, I am once again going to write about my life. Today's post will focus on what it means to accept help and how it affects our (perceived) independence.

Since setting up a story-telling format is the easiest way to present personal anecdotes without confusing the content of the blog, I once again present a case study:

A Case Study, or Why I'm Taking Zumba Classes

I like to think that I'm a helpful person. If someone I know is going through a rough patch, I will take them out for coffee and listen to what is going on in their life. If a friend of mine is moving to a new housing residence, I will clear my weekend to help them move boxes. If a colleague is struggling with how to use the copier at the office, I'll take the time to help fix the paper jam.

Nerdhood? Nerdom? What DO you call it?

Normally I use this blog to write about culture, books, and general insights. I'm going to switch gears a bit. Today I'm going to write about... [insert dramatic theme music of your choice here]

...my life.

Exciting, I know! You can hear about all my crazy adventures and daring escapes from death! I'm like a regular Sherlock Holmes, out saving the world and all that jazz!

Just kidding. And yes, I really did just use the phrase "all that jazz." What of it?