HP Anonymous

Being such a Harry Potter fan, I really cannot help, but watch the Halloween marathon on ABC Family each night as they go through the series. This is becoming a real problem... I can't focus long enough to get my homework done. I've seen these movies SO many times that I have lines memorized that when I'm trying to read my textbook, I get distracted to mouth the lines. Then, I end up reading the same line in my textbook several times, and I'm not retaining any information.
Hi, my name is Katie, and I have a Harry Potter addiction. Send Help

Playing with the "Kids"

Dear Animal Lovers,
Why do we spend so much money on toys that we think our "kids" will love, but end up playing with for only a couple hours and then act totally bored again??
In actuality, they are completely content with regular household items to play with. My cat LOVES bags and boxes. I came home from the grocery store this afternoon, emptied the bag, and threw it on the floor to be thrown away. My cat instantly got inside of it and "lived" there for the rest of the night... until we played with him in it and he shredded it... He loves to sit inside open boxes as well, but the weird thing is he loves to sit on unopened boxes. We had a baby shower gift sitting in the kitchen for a couple of weeks and that was his favorite spot to sit (mind you it was a small spot for this large cat to nap on...). Naturally, my cats and dog love the laser pointer; it seems most animals do like "attacking" the light. My dog also loves to chase blown up balloons. I figured this out this past summer while trying to wrap my nephew's birthday present. I was curious if she would be afraid of the balloon (shes practically the size of a fully blown up balloon) or if she would play with it. Turns out, she LOVED playing with them. I found left overs tonight and between the paper bag and the balloons, the "kids" were having so much fun. Casually I look over at the toy box overflowing with dog and cats toys that get played with, but they REALLY enjoyed these simple household items. Typical "kids" playing with the wrapping instead of the toy.

The Start of my Bucket List

I've always thought of various things I want to do and say, "it's on my bucket list" but how many people actually write out a physical bucket list I wonder? I actually did start to in my little blackish-blueish book. For what ever reason the first three things to come to the top of my head are places I want to travel to. I've seen these places and to me they look beautiful (beauty is in the eye of the beholder... or something like that) Here's my top three places to travel to on my bucket list, straight out of my little blackish-blueish book:
1. Visit the UK: this is an odd reason, but it's because of the rainy weather they are prone to. Rain boots and raincoats are my shit. Oh and England is just beautiful. But specifically, I want to visit the Harry Potter Studios. Yes, I am a Harry Potter nerd. Have been ever since the 2nd grade (13 years ago?!). I went to the Orlando park when the original first open. Haven't visited the new extended park, but the studios tour sounds way more exciting than the park!!!
2. Visit Washington State: again, they have rainy weather.. rain boots and raincoats. Also, I love big cities, just have no desire to live in them so, I would like to visit Seattle and see all of the major sights. Also, correct me of I'm wrong, but Roloff Farm (TLC's Little People Big World) is somewhere in Washington state. I want to visit some fall and go pumpkin picking there.
3. Travel up or down the state of California: First off, I've never been further west than like Ohio, so I'm dying to reach western United States. Also, I want to hit up all of the major California attractions. LA - Hollywood, San Diego, San Fransisco - I was and still is a Full House fanatic, which was set in San Fransisco, but want to see all of the sights, that vineyard out that there I can never remember the name to because I always think of Martha's Vineyard (NAPA VALLEY! it randomly came to me..), and the state park with the huge trees (again IDK the name and it's just not coming to me)
Anyways that's the start to my bucket list. I hope I get the opportunity to do some of these!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

There is so much talk going about Domestic Violence as October is in support of raising awareness. Many people often choose a specific cause, that may or may not come close to their heart, to support. In addition to other causes I feel are important, I support domestic violence victims (women and men). It is truly unfortunate, but domestic violence has such high statistics. For instance, 1 in 4 women will have been abused in some way (mental, physical, emotional, sexual, financial) before they are 18 years of age. Let's just take a moment to let that number sink in... 25% OF WOMEN UNDER 18 YEARS OLD ARE ABUSED.
Recently, I have read a book called, "Conversations with Jean." The general premise being that the mother of Jean, both real people, is writing out the timeline of conversations between the two while Jean and her (former) husband are going through the divorce process. Now, how does this relate to domestic violence? Jean (real person) was abused by her husband, Bill - thus causing the divorce. The most important part of this book is that Jean never reported Bill putting a single hand on her or her children. He was emotionally abusive and monetarily controlling. Too many people hear about domestic violence and think beatings and bruises. Jean was a very caring and fair person to everyone in her life, but especially to Bill throughout the divorce, and in the end Bill still murdered her. The unique thing about this book is the fact that the real life journal of Bill is printed between conversations Jean and her mother had. Bill had kept a journal, documenting his inconsistent thoughts about Jean. One moment they were about how he loved and missed her, and then the next was about how he'll get his revenge and murder her someday (even began plotting it).
This is story is just so inspiring because of the different kind of abuse it portrayed. There was nothing physical going on, but she still is dead in the end. She was always so careful; following rules with the court system, showed up at her meetings timely, took extra care of her self and children by hiding in secrecy, carrying an emergency phone and life alert necklace, but in the end she was still murdered. Domestic Violence awareness is so important an I think this book helps spread the severity of domestic violence in general, but also gives that shock factor that domestic violence is not always physical. "Conversations with Jean" is an easy and fast read with all of the information. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is so important to get the domestic violence information out any way possible.

My 90's TV Values

I ended up taking a nap on the couch today, falling asleep to Boy Meets World. All I remember (I don't recall dreaming anything) is that when I woke up, I had an epiphany that a lot of what I learned was from the 90's sitcoms I watch growing up, such as Boy Meets World and Full House. Now that they are on re-runs, I can see the lessons they subliminally taught kids. I remember specifically, there was a Full House episode whether either Stephanie or Michelle had an issue in school about not having a mother.Instead of the family focusing on how sad her death was, they reinforced that the other people in the house (Joey and Uncle Jesse) loved the girls just as much, as well as talking about how other families are different with only having a mother or the kids being cared for by grandparents. This is a hot subject right now in my world because the teem mothers I work with are already worried about how their six month old child is going to respond to the explaining the situation with their child's father to their child someday (many of the girls are no longer with the father someday). Anyways, here's what I've learned from the TV shows I watch as a kid growing up:
1. to be non-judgmental and accept those as they are
2. It is really important to be a good friend because you may be the only positive person in that person's life, giving them the strength to be successful in life.
3. The hard hitting truth that there are children who are so advanced that they are intellectually and developmentally in different stages in life, and this is so difficult to actually cope with however there are not enough services to fulfill their needs.
4. Life is tough, but you can survive it, you just have to figure out positive ways to cope with the difficult situations.
(P.S. here's the interactive part. Guess which sitcom (Full House, Reba, Smart Guy, and Boy Meets World) corresponds to which value. This is so hard because its so subjective and I'm the one and only subject to the tive)

MY LITTLE BLACKISH-BLUEISH NOTEBOOK

The other day, I was reflecting on how much I have come to enjoy regularly blogging. I always preferred writing assignments over anything else; test, homework sheets, or projects. I would say that writing is definitely my passion. i remember as a 5th grade student sitting in English Language Arts class and thinking, "this is so much fun! I want to be an English teacher when I grow up!" Later in life, as I got more self conscious of my self and my choices, I thought being an English teacher was lame. I would say that I had an identity crisis through out high school and into college. Although I find psychology interesting, it was never a passion of mine, that I should have taken on as a major. I would say that I'm lucky I figured out that psychology wasn't for me early on, but instead figured out that a potential career path always in the back of my mind was social work (where I am currently). However, up until this past summer, did I realize I really love writing and everything encompassed in writing. I love books, reading, the smell of books, grammar, the though process behind writing, telling a story in different ways. I am grateful that I figured out who I am, and am not afraid to express myself verbally. Many people don't get blogging. I actually haven't told many people about this hobby of mine. My husband knows and two of my college friends know of it, but I have never actually shown them any of my posts. Whether or not they decided to investigate into this little world I created for myself is their decision.
Anyways, I decided to expand my love for writing beyond these late-night-what-ever-thought-came-to-my-mind-write-about-it posts. I bought a journal for the first time in years. As a kid I tried out several 'journals' and 'diaries' but they were always a fail because I tried to write about fake stuff like I saw on TV shows. In this 'adult' journal I decided to make it my own personal, private place to hold thoughts and ideas, whether or not they formulate a blog post, IDK. This journal itself generated this blog post. It took me back to my childhood up until college my (as described above). Also, I didn't just want any old journal. Normal I am dirt cheap, but I spent $17 on a little hand-sized notebook. I went through all of the notebooks my school bookstore had and I wanted to find something that represented me/ my taste. I got something simple, little vague floral detail on the front, but the background is black (my favorite color) with like a subtle slate metallic blueish to the floral detail. It is me, and it is going to be all about me. Cheers to new beginnings, and doing what you love.

Life Lessons!

I feel like a lot has happened in the last week alone. Last week could be compared to an emotional roller coaster. Looking back on that emotional roller coaster of a week, here are a few things I have learned…
1. Life gives you the sourest of lemons, and you choose what to do with them. I choose to garnish them on a glass of vodka.
2. It is okay to give yourself a break and choose to give up, but where do I draw the line? I often want to give up on everything that seems to get too hard for me…
3. Recognize what makes you happy. Sleep, cats, hoodies, blankets, books/bookstores, nostalgia, my husband, our future, traditions.
4. Do stuff for you. Even if it messes up your schedule… it’ll be worth it in the end.

I LIKE MAKING LISTS

I left my cyber life momentarily for a real life and now I'm all kinds of out of whack!
I went to bed super late, throwing off my sleep. Now all I want to do is lay in bed engulfed in pillows and fuzzy blankets with Gilmore Girls and The Fault in our Stars on repeat. I am dying for a Timmy Ho's coffee (Please comment if anyone knows what I'm talking about). It has been put on the before-work-agenda. I feel the need to make up for my lack of internet presence. I've already Twitter stalked, Instagram stalked, and Facebook stalked. I'm working on the blogging part as I type... I missed my late night (midnight) comedy sesh on Comedy Central or with SNL. Most of all, I missed the part of my night snuggling and talking with my husband. He works a crazy schedule with odd hours, so unfortunately, he was not able to join what other 21 year olds do on a Saturday night. On the other hand, I have a really fun night with friends celebrating my best friend's birthday.

Who Is Nellie Bly?

Being a women who loves to write, I was so inspired when I saw an episode of Mysteries at the Museum with a segment on a late 1800's female journalist.
The episode was based off of her debut article in the New York World newspaper. After several times of being turned away from other newspapers, Nellie finally landed a project getting the behind the scenes of a nearby insane asylum on Blackwell's island. She admitted herself to a women's home to first convince them she was crazy, the home sent her to be evaluated by a doctor, who finally sent her to Blackwell.
During her 10 day stay, the suspicions of Blackwell were confirmed immediately. Patients were fed rancid food, beating were daily, and neglected. Nellie took advantage of speaking with patients as much as possible and the most shocking part of her research was that there were many people just as sane as Nellie was.
Her article was a huge hit, and even sparked an investigation! She went on and wrote a book called, Ten Days in a Mad House.
I just think Nellie Bly is so inspiring because she held onto a passion of her and made her way into what was typically a man's career. Also, she recognize a vulnerable population and advocated for their rights and freedom. What is even more amazing is that I would expect female empowerment a few years later than the late 1800's, but Nellie advocated for her own creative freedom, while helping others have their voice.

I have irrational fears...
1. I was sitting at a red light, waiting for it to change, when I see a women crossing the road. She is wearing a deep forest green/ brown scarf, but I didn't realize it was a scarf until she got close enough. I got really scared because I thought she was just walking around with a huge snake around her neck. I got so anxious because she was so chill walking around with (not really) a snake. IDK!
2. I get so anxious sitting at an intersection where I clearly have a red light, but no one is moving so I feel like I should move. Obviously I don't, but like I said it makes me so anxious... IDK!
3. In general, disappointing people. I'm always told not to take things personally, but I don't think that's my problem. For the smallest things, such as someone just asking if they can talk to me, I freeze up and get so nervous and end up thinking about the conversation constantly... IDK!
Hi, I'm weird, socially awkward, and full of all kinds of irrational fears.

P.S. Yay over 400 pageviews! I honestly still don't know what that really means, but if it means what I think it means... Yay!