Why is Shakespeare so confusing?

Elated. I found some free poetry books on the Kindle (which probably sounds really nerdy….but hey! Whatever!)  I used to be really into reading but as I got older I stopped reading as much. One of my resolutions is to read more so this is me trying. Anyways, I got one book with some of Emily Dickinson's works, a Shakespeare book, and one that has a variety of poems from American poets. I read two pages of the Shakespeare book last night before my Kindle froze. I found it a little ironic. It was as if the poor Kindle couldn't even handle the complexity of Mr.Speare. Those two pages were so confusing, to say the least. The guy's writing is so beautiful and witty but utterly confusing. I wonder if he even understood what he was writing! Anyways, because my Kindle froze, I had to Google how to reset it and, long story short, I fell asleep. I eventually fixed it the next day. I'm a little scared of approaching Shakespeare again (for me and my Kindle's sake). I don't completely dislike him. I can handle him if I have an interpreter by my side.  If you're thinking about reading Shakespeare here are some tips:

• You might want to keep a dictionary by your side or a list of Shakespearean terms
• Read it before you go to sleep so that you fall asleep faster.
• Read. It. Slowly.
• Be prepared to spend more time reading it than you would on a regular book.

Reading Shakespeare also gets me thinking about how much speech has changed since then. Romeo, in Romeo and Juliet, says “Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.” when his eyes fall on the beautiful Juliet. People obviously do not speak like that anymore. Today's version of what that would have sounded like goes something like this... "That girl's so hot!!!!"

Wow….how lovely. Don't you think?

 Overall, Shakespeare isn't horrible, but his writing sure is confusing. Well, wish me luck and pray that my Kindle doesn't breakdown again.

~Amanda

My Love/Hate Relationship with Facebook

Having a Facebook account can have it's pros and cons. At times, the cons greatly outnumber the pros. Allow me to rephrase that: Most times, the cons greatly outnumber the pros. I've considered deleting my account and ridding myself of the addictive social-networking tool once and for all, but I just can't seem to do it. I've traveled to different places around the world and Facebook is the best thing that helps me stay connected with the people I've met on my adventures.

But nevertheless here are my pros and cons of Facebook...

Con: reading the posts where people feel the need to post every detail about their day. I love reading about every single itty-bitty detail of their "absolutely fabulous" day. (notice my sarcasm)

Pro: Facebook is the perfect tool for keeping up with friends.

Con: Game requests. I have to admit that I was terribly addicted to Farmville a few years ago. I don't know if it was the kaleidoscope of colors or the mesmerizing music that seems to hypnotize you into wanting to play it more and more and more. It's a trap! Don't fall for it! But, for those of you who have unfortunately fallen victim to the enslaving games, please don't send me requests. I don't want to be in your mafia or send you a cow for your marvelous, little farm.

Pro: Sharing my photography on Facebook is easy and all of my friends can see my pictures!

Con: Those cryptic status updates that make you want to push someone down the stairs. We've all heard those statuses that are purposely directed to one person. "I hate you for what you did." Who do you hate? Why do you hate them? Then when someone asks them what's wrong they reply simply with "I don't want to talk about it." or "Inbox me.". HA! Well, I didn't realize this was a private matter! 

Pro: Facebook reminds me of my friend's birthdays. Man...I'm so bad at remembering birthdays. Thank you Facebook!

Con: Political battles. Thank goodness the election is over because the time during and shortly after the election was pure madness. Pure madness I tell you!!! Some people think it's their job to convert people to their political party. Every argument is pretty much the same. Person A says something about politics. Person B disagrees with Person A. Person A argues back about why he/she's right. And the rest of the alphabet are watching the debate as they're glued to their computer screens eating giant tubs of popcorn.

Pro: Facebook allows me to stay connected with friends, share and view pictures, chat, and keep up with events all in one place.

Con: Anything starting with "Like if…". Grrrr…..

Pro: You can keep up with what's going on in other people's lives. I can keep up with people that are undergoing surgery so I can pray for them. I can motivate someone who's new resolution is to be more active. I can see what movies and music my friends like on their profiles.

Con: People trying to add you on Facebook that you don't even know. What gave you the impression that I want to be your friend on FB? I don't even know you! You could be a psycho serial killer who wants to brutally murder me in my sleep!  Weirdos…

Pro: You can express yourself.

My conclusion is that Facebook is the perfect tool for keeping up with friends, but it has its obvious cons! But all joking aside, I think it's clear that I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook (and I know I'm not the only one). What do you like and dislike about Facebook?

~Amanda

The Pros and Cons of being short

I'm about 5 feet tall and I weigh (whoops...temporary memory loss). I've always been short and it's never really something that I've hated about myself. I embrace my compact size. But, some days, being tiny can have it's disadvantages.

Con: Finding pants that aren't too long. 

Pro: Dressing up as a Hobbit is as easy as pie. (I have no idea where that untrue expression originated. "Easy as pie." Pie is not easy! Have you tried making a pie? You have to make the dough and chop up whatever you're going to put in it...then sauté whatever you're going to put in it and and…well you get the picture.)

Con: People mistake you as an arm rest. Oh if I had a nickel for every time someone put their arm on my head I'd be rich.   

Pro: People in the grocery store never ask you to help them reach something on a higher shelf.

Con: You have to ask people to help you reach something on a high shelf.

Pro: No one can ever find you in hide-and-seek or sardines. I love playing hide-and-seek for exactly this reason! One time I hid in a dryer and no one was able to find me. Another time I hid behind a bookshelf. Yes...behind it.

Con: Sometimes mistaken as a child. Whenever I reply to someone's question of "How old are you?" they always say "Really? You look a lot younger!". This happens every time without fail.

Pro: You could pass for a child's admission at the movies until you were 13.

Con: Your seatbelt hits your face.

Pro: Being in the front row for all group pictures! (this can double as a con)

Con: When people try to pick you up. *glare* (Dear tall people, please stop trying to pick us halflings up. We will bite you.)

Con: Being stuck behind someone with a huge head at the movies. (maybe if I kick his head he'll let me get away with it because I look like a child)

Pro: Being a natural expert at limbo.

Con: Hugging someone much taller than you can be really awkward.

Pro: You look younger.

Con: finding shoes small enough for your feet that don't light up or have Dora's face plastered all over them.

Con: the childhood days of being called "shorty" and "chicken little". But maybe that was just me.

~Amanda

10 things to do when you're waiting for something to heat up in the microwave

1. Do some lunges. Do some squats. Do some push-ups. Get a quick workout in.

2. Run around the house screaming "It's alive!! It's alive!!" Remember to flail your arms wildly above your head for maximum effect.

3. Eat some cheese. Cheese is good.

4. Organize the fridge. HA! Just kidding.

5.  Watch a cute animal video on YouTube. You know you want to.

6. Press your face up against the microwave window. (that may or may not be bad for you)

7. Google "things to do when you're waiting for something to heat up in the microwave".

8. Scream "SPIDERRRR!!!"and  jump up on the counter. (This only works when there's someone else in the kitchen.)

9. Do the macarena. Everyone loves the macarena.

10. Sit on the ground and pretend to meditate. Say "Ommmm….ommmmm…". Then when someone walks by you and asks you what you're doing tell them that they're distracting you from your "inner peace".

~Amanda

The 9 Annoying Types of People at the Gym

These are my observations at the gym and my perspective on things. It's meant to be taken as a joke so please don't take anything the wrong way. Enjoy...

The Narcissist

 These guys do something as small as 5 push-ups and then run to the mirror and flex their biceps to asses the "progress". It doesn't work that way sweetie. Sorry.  These guys roll up their sleeves, pull up their shirts, wink and nod in satisfaction at what they think they see. We all know those guys that spend more time admiring themselves in the mirror  than actually exercising.

The Squawkers

People on the phone. These people jabber on about nothing in particular on the phone while trying to make sure that everyone within a 300 foot radius can hear them. Nothing can block out the sound. Turning up your music doesn't always do the trick. You are doomed and forced to listen to them ramble about they ate for the past 3 weeks.

The Overly Curious

These people will be on the treadmill or elliptical next to yours and peek at your machine to see your time and how fast you're going. This actually happened to me twice this morning. Let's focus on our own workout shall we?

Machine-Hogs

  We've all seen those people that stay on one machine for like a half hour. They primarily sit there people-watching. They do 10 reps, rest for 5 minutes, and repeat. Your clothes will be out of style by the time it's finally your turn.

The Contagious Ones

People that go to the gym when they're sick should really stay home. Coughing all over the equipment is gross and could get other people sick. I go to the gym to exercise and not to catch the bubonic plague thank you very much.

The Oblivious

These people will get on the treadmill right next to yours when there are 10 other empty ones. Do they do it on purpose? (sometimes these people double as the Overly Curious identity above)

The Conversationalists

 When someone is on a machine near me and their friend comes along and they end up having a long, loud conversation. This mostly happens with women in my gym but guys do it too (just not as obnoxiously) All you hear is "Ahhhh!!!!....OMG really?....He did what?....No way!....Omg…Omg…Omg…ahhhh…I know right?...I love coming to the gym and getting physically fit….I love doing like workouts and like zumba…ahhhh!!!!!" Their vocabulary also is made up of the newest gossip.

The Divas

Wearing too much make-up at the gym…..ugh. Then when they have too much makeup on it ends up melting off their face and making their eyes look depressed.

The Future Chiropractor Patient

The people that are clearly doing an exercise wrong and you know they're going to break one of their limbs sometime within the week. They look like they're breaking the laws of physics and using the equipment in ways that really should not be used.

Overall, I think we've all encountered these different identities when we've gone to the gym. I am in no way trying to offend anyone. I'm just pointing out the different people that I see at the gym. Hope it made you laugh. What annoys you at the gym?

~Amanda

College...majors...and headaches

       Oh college…a subject that has frequently popped up in my mind lately. Let me rephrase that: Oh college…a subject that has frequently forced itself into my mind lately. 

      Thinking about college is bittersweet.  Freedom, excitement, independence. But then comes the subject of what to study. I was asked when I was little "What do you want to be when you grow up?". "A veterinarian" was my reply, but at that age I couldn't quite pronounce the word correctly. I thought I had it all together. Being little, you can make up your mind about something and not feel even an ounce of regret or wonder as to why you chose that or if it's the best option. You didn't have to think about money, work or time.

      Nowadays I'm frequently asked what I want to study. My answer? "I don't know." Every person reacts to that answer differently. Some say that it's okay to be undecided because I have "plenty" of time. Some just nod mechanically. And others don't really react. They just stand there as we both wait in an awkward silence so intense that people passing by feel uncomfortable. Being undecided can be stressful. Whenever I encounter someone who has it all together I can't help but roll my eyes. Why? I have no idea. Maybe because being undecided is just part of the ride, and having it "together" doesn't necessarily mean you have everything figured out. (No offense to those of you who do have it together.)

      Trying to find the right major is confusing (to say the least). You find yourself thinking more and more about what you're good at. If I could make listening to music into a career I'd be set. If the FBI hired people to Facebook stalk others then I'd be first in line for an interview. Is there a job where I can shop with other people's money? Can I be an expert chocolate taster paid by the hour? Do amusement parks hire people to test if their roller coasters are fun enough? When it comes to realistic jobs I have a hard time trying to image what occupation could be right for me though. But as they say, I have "plenty" of time. Right? And what about the SAT's? Don't even get me started on that...that shall be another story for another day.

~Amanda

Hot Air Balloon Festival

I hope you enjoyed the pic!
~Amanda