Zooey Deschanel's tips

for dealing with sad friends (awesome).

I love following her blog. She may not post often, but when she does, they are gems.

"'Well I woke up this morning

and diagnosed a very early case of happiness.

'Never heard of it,' he says.

'It's a rare disease. I caught it just before the neighbors woke.'

'Is it contagious?'

'Don't you have it yet?'

...I told him that I loved him and that I'd always love him and I felt like a child who throws a centavo into a fountain and then she has to tell someone her most extraordinary wish even though she knows that the wish should be kept secret and that, in telling it, she is quite possibly losing it. He replied that I was not to worry, that the penny could come out of the fountain again and again and again."
-Let the Great World Spin, Colum McCann

"I never wanted

anything from you
Except everything you had
And what was left after that too, Oh!"
-Florence + the Machine, Dog Days are Over

"Outside, there were two tickets

in the window of the Pontiac - a parking fine, and one for a smashed headlight. It was enough to almost knock me sideways. Before I drove home to the cabin, I went back to the window of the bar and shaded my eyes against the glass, looked in. Ciaran was at the counter, his arms folded and his chin on his wrist, talking to the bartender. He glanced up in my direction and I froze. Quickly I turned away. There are rocks deep enough in this earth that no matter what the rupture, they will never see the surface.

There is, I think, a fear of love.

There is a fear of love."
-Let the Great World Spin, Colum McCann

"That's one of the advantages of being an adult.

You get to act like a kid anytime you feel like it."
--Jack Taylor, "One Fine Day"

A pretty great weekend at home

It's President's Day weekend, and instead of partaking in all of the mattress sales that are happening right now, I decided to drive home to Wheaton for the long weekend. On the whole, things haven't been too exciting, but it was a nice change of pace, and I always like spending time with my family.

I even got to see my grammie, who seems to be doing SO much better now that she's doing dialysis. She's alert and more herself in general - something she hasn't been in a long time.

Otherwise I did this and that all weekend, and now it's time for me to get ready to go back. I got a book on tape (Jodi Picoult's Change of Heart...it's our next book club book) to listen to on my way back. Hopefully that will help pass the time quickly! I also am keeping my fingers crossed that the rain/snow/wintry mix stays away so I can get back to Ames safely!!

"What do you want?

You-you want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey, that's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon...Well, then you could swallow it. And it'll all dissolve, see. And the moon beams that shoot out of your fingers and your toes and the ends of your hair...Am I talking too much?"

Joe's hints for easy beat boxing:

Dear Bradley University,

No I do not plan to donate any sum of money to you this year, or for many years, because all of my money is going toward paying off the four years I spent at your institution. But thanks for the address labels!

Yours sincerely,
Melissa

Happy Valentine's Day

a day early, because I will probably forget tomorrow.

...even when I have someone to share Valentine's day with, it's still my least favorit holiday ever.

Can't stop listening:

Finally. :)

I'm feeling really great about things. :)

Nicest note ever from one of Hallie's friends in LA:

"Kimpossible-

It was very nice meeting you. If there was a single quality I wished to instill in all women with beautiful noses, it would be the ability to immediately and appropriately recall previous jokes - you are an expert at what those of us who dabble in whimsical intelligencia call WIT.

That said, your short visit was hysterical and utterly funtastic. Not that you need to hear it from me, but please come back any time. The pleasure would be ALMOST entirely ours, except that I think it's reciprocal. :)

-Harry Doggins"

This made me laugh so hard. Apparently I look like the human version of Kim Possible (the cartoon)

I already miss California and have posted my pictures on Facebook if you want to check them out.

Southern California

was wonderful and amazing. I will post more about it soon, but I am still recovering. :)

Dear pending snow doom,

I am worried. There's no snow falling, and there will only be a little that falls between now and noon and then you're set to unleash your wrath on Central Iowa. I would ask that you please reconsider. Like I mentioned to Inclement Weather yesterday, I would also forever be in your debt if you allowed me to get to L.A. in one piece and on time. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours respectfully,
Melissa