Well, this week has been crazy. Aside from battling procrastination (which is an hourly battle, let me tell you...) I have had to do school, been doing some side jobs, and have been busy doing regular work too! Hehe! It's all good. I like to be busy. It's tiring, but I figure I'll sleep when I'm dead. I'm also sort of not excited about today's challenge, but here it is:
Day 2 - Least Favorite Book in the Series
Book 2 for sure (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). I have never liked book 2 as much as I like the others. I can't really put my finger on why. It is just...not my favorite at all.
Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this weekend. I have an awesome wedding to go to, and it's exciting. :) Anyway, have a great weekend and I'll see you on the flippity flop!
I know. I'm late. If you know me at all, I am usually. However, I can honestly say that this time I was legitimately busy with school and work. Anywho moving right along.
LET THE HARRY POTTER CHALLENGE BEGIN!
Day 1 - Favorite Book in the Series Whoo! Hitting it hard right out of the gate, huh? This is a super tough question. I totally love the entire series, but I think probably book 4 is my favorite (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire).
The tri-wizard tournament is such a great platform to introduce the scope of the wizarding world. Plus, I really think that it is the first time Harry feels the weight of who he is and what he is capable of for the first time in the series. I love the Hermione/Ron dynamic in the book and how Ron is incredibly jealous of Viktor Krum, but cannot admit it. I just really really love the book and think it's super fun.
As I'm thinking about it, I also enjoyed the fact that it was sort of before Harry started brooding over the fact that he has to save the world. It's still a semi-innocent time for him in that he is just emerging out of his naivete into a world that is much darker and intense than he expects. I also loved how long it was. This was the first SUPER long book in the series and I just couldn't/can't get enough!!!
My favorite line from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is...well, I have a few. Here is the one I found the funniest:
"Muggle women wear them, Archie, not the men, they wear these," said the Ministry wizard, and he brandished the pinstriped trousers. "I'm not putting them on," said old Archie in indignation. "I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks."
Here is the most inspiring:
"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."
And the most quintessentially Hogwarts:
"By Gryffindor, the bravest were Prized far beyond the rest; For Raven claw, the cleverest Would always be the best; For Hufflepuff, hard workers were Most worthy of admission; And power-hungry Slytherin Loved those of great ambition."
I'm not sure if I told you that I am a part of Pottermore. It's super fun because you get a wand, and you get sorted into a house... IDK. Maybe I'm just a huge nerd... ;) Anyway, I was sorted into the Hufflepuff house. At first I was OUTRAGED. Seriously. How could I be in Hufflepuff when I was so OBVIOUSLY a Gryffindor? I mean, really? C'mon Jo Rowling. Hehe.
However, after doing some reading on Hufflepuff on and off the Pottermore site, I realized that I am a Hufflepuff. Here is some light reading on the Harry Potter wiki on what Hufflepuffs are: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Hufflepuff
And Jo (aka J.K. Rowling...did you know we're on a first name basis?) herself said this of Hufflepuff House:
"This may surprise people, but it is the truth...In many, many ways, Hufflepuff is my favorite House. Here's my reasoning, bear with me. There comes a point in the final book where each House has the choice whether or not to rise to a certain challenge, and that's everyone in the House. The Slytherins, for reasons that are understandable, decide they'd rather not play. The Ravenclaws, some decide they will, and some decide they won't. The Hufflepuffs, virtually to a person, stay, as do the Gryffindors. Now, the Gryffindors comprise a lot of foolhardy and show-offy people, that's just the way it is, I'm a Gryffindor, I'm allowed to say it. You know, there's bravery, and there's also showboating, and sometimes the two go together. The Hufflepuffs stayed for a different reason; they weren't trying to show off, they weren't being reckless, that's the essence of Hufflepuff House. [...] I can only say to you, that I would not be at all disappointed to be sorted into Hufflepuff House."
I hope I'm not coming off as defensive. I merely want to educate you on Hufflepuff House...which is actually why I love Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire the most...because it is the only book that has a Hufflepuff in the spotlight--Cedric Diggory. :) Growing up I had the HUGEST crush on him. Yes, he was a bit thick...but he was loyal and had integrity. Way to represent Cedric.
So, that's it for today. I'm not sure if the Harry Potter Challenge will be a daily thing, but I am going to try to post when I can (or more accurately when I remember...sorry!). For now, I leave you with a little bit of my own magic. :)
Anyway--how have ya been? Hopefully your New Year has been incredible so far. Mine has been good...there has been foreshadowing for how tough this year will be for me, but I look forward to it. I think I've come to the conclusion that I operate at my best when there is a little adversity going on.
I am turning 29 this year which happens on the 29th of March. People call it your star year or golden year or whatever. I think with all the stress and craziness that I can foresee that something incredible will come of it.
One of my resolutions this year is getting better at journaling my life. I am doing this in a couple of ways: through and actual journal--yes, these still exist; through an app I Kickstarted called 1 Second Everyday; and through this blog.
Last year I feel like I was not as positive as I could have been on this thing. Most of my struggles in the last year have been personal in nature, and I have used this as an outlet for sure. However, THIS YEAR I am planning on taking it to the next level. You all take the time to read what I have to say, so I will make sure that it is fun and quirky...just like I typically am!
Moving right along...
If you know me at all, you know that I love to read. I get VERY involved in the storyline. I don't know if "involved" is really even a strong enough word...but I can't think of anything else yet. So, like Harry Potter... I LOVE Harry Potter. I wish Jo Rowling could write that story forever. It doesn't even have to be books either. Like Dr. Who. I started watching the more recent seasons... I freaking LOVE that show man. Anyway. Harry Potter. I am literally addicted to it. I love it more than life. I am a part of this cool website called Pottermore--which actually perpetuates the story and creates a more robust imaginary world surrounding it (like I needed it)...but yeah. Love it.
SO--a part of this year is going to be a 30 Day Harry Potter Challenge. :) You guys get to actually see in real life how crazy for the books I am and why. ;) I am pretty serious about it, so there may be philosophical stuff going on... IDK yet. I'm not sure where it will take us, but know this--it will be amazing. I'll start it tomorrow, but here are the days if anyone wants to follow suit:
30 DAY HARRY POTTER CHALLENGE Day 1 - Favorite Book in the Series Day 2 - Least Favorite Book in the Series Day 3 - Favorite Character Day 4 - Favorite Villain Day 5 - Saddest Moment Day 6 - Favorite Professor Day 7 - Least Favorite Professor Day 8 - Favorite Subject Day 9 - Least Favorite Subject Day 10 - Favorite Shop in Diagon Alley Day 11 - Most Beautiful Character Day 12 - Most Missed Dead Character Day 13 - Favorite Book Cover Day 14 - Favorite Tri-Wizard Tournament Challenge Day 15 - Rate the Houses From Most to Least Favorite Day 16 - Favorite Animagus Day 17 - Favorite Unforgivable Curse Day 18 - Favorite Horcrux Day 19 - Favorite Deathly Hallow Day 20 - Funniest Moment Day 21 - Most Emotional Moment Day 22 - Aspired Quidditch Position Day 23 - Favorite Patronus Day 24 - What You Think Your Patronus Would Be Day 25 - Favorite Dursley Day 26 - Favorite Wand Day 27 - Favorite Magical Ability (Animagi Transformation, Metamorphmagi, Parselmouth, Flying, Seer, Appartion and Disapparition, Legilimency and Occlumency, Veela Charm, Magical Resistance) Day 28 - Favorite Death Eater Day 29 - Favorite Portrait Day 30 - Favorite Spell
You know...even though I am 28, I still feel like people treat me like a kid most of the time. I know that I am still really young, but I also think it's because no one really knows how old I am.
That's actually fine with me because it makes the moment when I feel like an "adult" much more poignant and important to me.
Here are some things that make me feel like an adult:
• When I walk into the post office to check my mail
• When I have a 4 digit balance in my bank account
• When I see young kids around town and think, "I remember when I was that young."
Well, I think I've officially crossed the threshold into adulthood. Why, you ask?
I bought a house.
Hehe. I know, right? There is a pretty long story involved, and eventually I may tell it to some of you. However, it ends with me buying a house and finally feeling like I've earned my adult card. :) (Does calling it an "adult card" instantly disqualify me??? ;))
Anyway. I'm way excited about it! It feels like I'm finally moving forward with my life! It's scary at the same time...it is a really big responsibility. BUT, it feels good. I like knowing that I have a place that's mine. AND I like knowing that if I need to, I can take care of my family and that I have a place for them. It's empowering.
Beyond that, I leave for vacation in two weeks.I'm way excited. It should be a great one. FB me or call if you want to see me! :)
I've been thinking a lot about the purpose of life. Not in a general sense, but for me personally. My brothers keep telling me that being single makes me self-centered. ;) I don't know if that is true or not, but this is my blog. I think I'm allowed to focus on me. :D
Anyway.
I was watching the Holstee Manifesto again wondering to myself, what is my passion? What do I love to do? Why am I here?
Sometimes I feel like there was a class on how to live life that I somehow missed. You know when you feel unmotivated and do the bare minimum just to get through? I feel like that has been me for the past 10 years.
How do you discover your passion?
And of course while I ponder things about life, it comes to love. When will I find love? People say that I just need to stop looking and things will happen on their own. That manifesto says that once I start doing the things I love, that love will come looking for me. What if I don't know how to do that?
You know, I blame my parents a lot in this blog for my issues. But I was thinking about it the other night, and my parents aren't really to blame. I mean... I know that there are some things that I am still trying to work out with them. However, most of my emotional damage has come from abusive "friends" (using the term loosely) that I allowed to treat me terribly. One group of people in particular seems to be at the root of my issues, and instead of leaving it in the past (where it belongs), I perpetuate it through current friends...even if it isn't in their nature to be that way.
I was reading This Article that my friend posted on his facebook wall (Be aware, it swears a lot...). I was so surprised at how many of these habits apply to me. The funny thing is that very little of my issues stem from my parents. Most of it is from those abusive relationships with associations with extended family and" friends."
I didn't fully realize this until I talked to one of my brothers about it. He and I talked for a while, and he said that although he understood my issues, he couldn't relate. That's when it all came together. My issues aren't from the family I was born into. They come from the family I chose.
That really hurts to admit...because for all those years...for all that time...I chose to be in those relationships. I chose to be insulted, belittled, stepped on, and basically made to think I wasn't worth anything. I chose to feel that way. Yes, those people took every advantage they could over me to make me feel bad, but I stood there and took it.
Why do people do that? Why to we stay in abusive relationships? Even in the aftermath of everything that went down, I still can't answer that question. What I do know is that I'm ready to put an end to it.
Yesterday I was reading a blog post over on Fat Girl PhD, and she said something that stuck with me: "when things are all good on the inside, it’s obvious on the outside too." I don't think that I have been "all good" in a long time, but it's about time I changed that.
I deserve to be happy.
I deserve to be healthy.
I deserve to be successful.
And most of all, I deserve to be loved.
It has taken me a LONG time to come to this point mentally and emotionally, but it will all work out. I know now that I have to make it happen. It won't be easy, but I know that I'm ready for a change. I'm going to take it one step at a time. It's about time for a Karyn Comeback.
****Realized I never published this...not really sure where my head was at when I posted it, but I figured I should post it. :)****
It's so funny to see how relationships change over time… and by funny I mostly mean sad and confusing.
Oh, I guess I should let you know that when I have emotional instability, I laugh. I just find it easier to hide my emotions under a smile. People don't bother you if you are smiling and laughing. I can deal with my issues and I don't have to bother people with my problems.
Well, I guess you all don't get that luxury…since I have decided that I need to vent all of my frustrations and well… everything else on this blog.
Lucky you!!! :)
Anywho… I have been ruminating on my friendships this week, and it feels like most of them are in a stage of dissolution. It's pretty sad…especially with all of the HUGE changes that are happening in my life, but I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles. The ebbs and tides of life are so interesting and often times confusing. I ask myself why I care, but the truth is that I am compelled to care. I love my friends, and I want them to be happy.
I came across an article today about dysfunctional families and the effect they have on people.
As I read it, I felt like someone was talking about all of my problems and telling me why I act the way I act and do the things I do. It was scary…and truthfully, it made me feel relieved. I'm not as crazy as I thought. There are reasons why I am the way I am. It's an interesting article, and I encourage you to read it. It has made me realize that I need to break the patterns of dysfunction and be better…not only for me, but for my future family.
Since I'm blogging, I may as well do the next challenge day, so here it is.
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
Hmm. That is tough. I think the hardest thing I have been though as of this moment was what happened with my mission call. It took all I had to pull myself back together, and I'm not 100% sure I'm entirely over it. I try everyday though, and I think that is what counts.
Anyway. I'll keep you all updated on developments in my life. Thanks for caring…and for reading. :)
I have so much on my mind right now, but there isn't really any way for me to say any of it. I'm sorry it has been a while since I have posted. I've been a bit busy. Don't give up on me! I'm still here.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
#1. Reading. I LOVE reading!!! :) It relaxes me and helps me to get a mental break from life. :)
#2. My friends. My friends are seriously the BOMB.com. I totally love them. They know how to make me smile and just forget the DRAMA! :)
#3. My family. I FREAKING LOVE MY FAMILY! :) For real…I miss having them nearby. They are so funny and loving and just…IDK. Amazing! :) Esp my nieces and nephews. I don't think that I ever really appreciated the unconditional love that little kids give until my brother's kids came along.
#4. Music. Me and music…it was meant to be. <3
#5. Probably giving to others. I know… CHEESY! ;) But, it's totally true. I love doing things for people. back rubs, cooking, cleaning, even just giving compliments. It makes me happy to know that I can make the people around me happy.
