A Few Things

Let me tell you something–being sad is exhausting. Distracting yourself from being sad is exhausting. If there was ever a time to "fake it 'til you make it," it's during a break-up. It's been getting better, but my brain is still a little foggy. For example: I thought I had dropped my ring as I was walking out of my apartment the other morning. I found it later on my finger.

So it really goes without saying that I need a few good things to focus on. Today is Friday and it's my day off, so we're already off to a good start, but here are a few more.

→ I just discovered there is a Juiceland a block away from my work (even though I've been at this branch for over eight months), which means I am now spending, like, $20 a week on smoothies. Totally worth it though. Nothing more refreshing on these warmer days than a smoothie and Juiceland is the best. There are tons of locations all over Austin (and one in Houston and Brooklyn), so stop by and treat yourself!

→ If you haven't watched the newest Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them trailer (though surely you have), it's very important that you do so. Try not to openly weep and/or yell during the revamped "Hedwig's Theme."

→ Save this one for when you need a good laugh.

→ I was finally able to download and listen to The Lumineers' new album Cleopatra today and it was so worth the four year wait. I bought tickets to see them in September and I'm even more excited now, which I didn't think was possible.

→ Augusten Burrough's Lust & Wonder was released about a month ago and I devoured it last week. He is one of my favorite writers and his newest memoir did not disappoint. Go snag a signed copy at BookPeople before they're all gone!

If you're going through a hard time and (mostly) faking it like I am, just keep in mind 1) you are never alone in this, and 2) we'll get there! Every day we're getting better at getting better. Have a great weekend, all!

-Maggie

Ups & Downs

Downsides:
● Due to inclement weather, I cannot go to Austin this weekend.
● This means I will not be able to see Matt Nathanson with Melany tomorrow night, which is something I have literally been planning for years.
● I definitely cried in front of the FedEx guy earlier.

On the bright side:
● My mom is the sweetest little peach and let me FedEx the tickets overnight, so at least Melany will still get to make use of her Christmas present.
● The FedEx guy pretended he didn't notice I was crying. Thanks, FedEx guy.
● I have the whole weekend to do all of the homework that certainly would not have been finished had I gone to Austin.
● Despite the fact that the weather is what is keeping me from Austin, I'm still loving the cold. I got to wear my winter coat today. And boots. And a beanie.
● Now my going to Austin in December solely to attend an Elf quote-along is justified.

-Maggie

Quick Update

Well, it is officially July, which means you only have two more weeks of listening to me say, "IT'S ONLY [insert time frame here] UNTIL THE BLOGGER FAMILY COMES." I cannot believe it is already July, honestly. These last few months of planning have flown by. Luckily, after this week, everything will be officially set–hotel rooms booked, t-shirts ordered, plans finalized. Then all I have to worry about is packing (which will be a sight to see, I'm sure, as I'll be gone for two weeks and I always overpack).

My sister was in town last week. One of the nights we went out shopping, to dinner, and saw Monsters University—A+, by the way. It was great to spend time with her. We've become great pals over the past couple of years, and I'm really glad we finally reached that place my mom always talked about (you know, where you actually appreciate your siblings and want to be around them sometimes). It took us a long time to get there (like, a really long time), but we eventually made it.

Lately I have been reading Harry Potter (but that's nothing new), textbooking, and watching ten episodes of Lizzie McGuire in one sitting. It's been nice to have days that I can stay in my room and do those things without having to worry about homework or class.

In other, more depressing news, I was in a wreck a few days ago. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but unfortunately my car took most of the damage. Poor Stinson. We're not sure what will happen with it yet, but in the mean time I've been given the smallest rental car in the world. (I should not complain about this. I should be just thankful that I was not injured and have means of transportation—and I am. But I feel like I'm driving a clown car.)

I hope you all have a great Fourth of July! And to my Blogger Family—see you very soon.

-Maggie

Give it a shake

Somehow, we are in the last week of June already. I don't know how these things happen. I guess what they say is true–time flies when you're having fun and school is not slowly draining you of your will to live.

With the first full month of summer coming to a close, I felt an Instagram Recap was in order (something I apparently only do during the summer). My summer has been great so far–filled with trips home, meet-up planning, seeing movies,* hanging out with best friends and new friends, pranks on coworkers, rereading Harry Potter, and a few margaritas here and there.

In a few short weeks, I will be shepherding twelve bloggers around Austin. It's going to be an adventure, to say the least. It has been quite the undertaking, planning this meet-up, but everything is pretty much set now. Just a few minor details to iron out, and it will all be good to go! I can't wait to see everyone again (and a few for the first time).

How's your summer going?

-Maggie

* Go see This Is the End. It's ridiculous and inappropriate, but so hilarious. The ending of the movie alone is worth the price of admission.

Happy Birthdays to Me

As I've mentioned before, last year my birthday was terrible. I believe that, as a general rule, that shouldn't be allowed. Birthdays should always be, at the very least, good days. Really, birthdays should be awesome. You've survived another year–you haven't been hit by a car or become victim of some previously unknown disease. You're not dead yet! That's a cause for celebration, people. But I digress.

My birthday this year definitely made up for last year. For starters, it lasted five days and as if that wasn't enough, I got to see my parents, went out with friends from work, and spent the bulk of that time in my favorite place.

My birthday was on Tuesday (the ninth, in case you want to mark your calendars for next year). My parents were on their way to Albuquerque for my dad's knee surgery, but they stopped in Lubbock to see their favorite child. Although they could only stay for lunch, I was very happy to spend a little time with them. They also brought me presents, which included glass tumblers and rainbow shot glasses. Parenting: You're doing it right.

Since I was leaving for Austin the next day, I hadn't planned to do anything else on my actual birthday aside from homework, but I soon abandoned that plan. Abby came over for a bit and we made sugar cookies, but since she is more responsible than me she eventually left to actually do her homework. I continued to decorate cookies. Then around eight o'clock I realized how incredibly sad it was that I was decorating cookies by myself on my 21st birthday.

(To preface this next part, I should bring you up to speed on a few things. There is a girl I work with, Kiera, who I've recently developed a huge friend crush on. The only problem is I don't know how to let someone know I want to be their friend without being incredibly creepy about it, which is a large part of why I have made no friends in Lubbock. Kiera and I had gone to IHOP a few days before, but at this point in time, I was still worried I was going to scare her off with my intensity. Okay, back to my birthday.) I knew that Kiera was working in the fuel station that night, so I called and asked, "How creepy would it be if I brought you a cookie?" For some reason, she didn't think it was creepy. I think she was just being nice.

Anyway, this all led to Kiera taking me and another coworker, Gabby, to a bar for my first official, legal drink. The three of us talked and laughed a lot, and it was really, really fun. I am quite proud of myself for making friends, which is a sad commentary on . . . me. Really, it's not that impressive considering I've worked at United for over a year now. Besides, this is something most people figure out in kindergarten. Come on, Maggie.

The next day, I flew to Austin. Yes, flew. My usual seven hour drive turned into a forty-five minute flight, and now I can never go back to my old ways (except, obviously, I have to as flying is expensive even when it is within the same state, which really makes no sense to me, but, again, I digress). Since I got to Austin before five instead of after ten like I usually do, Melany and I were able to see Two Door Cinema Club in concert. They were fabulous. They played every song I hoped they would, and it was such a fun concert. Concerts in general are just a good time.

Thursday night Melany, Michelle, Britny, and I went to a Clue Quote-Along at the Alamo Drafthouse, which was an absolute blast. It's always fun to be surrounded by people who love something just as much as (or more) than you do, and that was made even better by the delicious burgers and a specialty drink called the Mrs. Peacocktail.

Afterwards, we walked down to Peché, an absinthe bar I've wanted to try since our unsuccessful attempt to "casually bump into" Team StarKid two years ago. First I tried a gin drink with creme de mure, which was pretty good, but then I decided to try an absinthe drink and was severely disappointed. Something you should know about absinthe is that you will not like it unless you love–and I mean love–black licorice. The first sip is okay, but the more you drink it, the stronger the taste and smell of licorice become until it's unbearable. Then it just doesn't leave you. Once Melany and I got back to the apartment, we had to burn the taste out with copious amounts of Julio's salsa. I'm just warning you.

On Friday we went thrift shopping in hopes of finding furniture for our apartment, but were unsuccessful. We did get to meet one of the other Maggies from the Blogger Family though! We didn't get to hang out for very long and I'm sure mine and Melany's bickering probably scared her, but it was nice to finally meet her. Later that night, Melany and I went to an eighties dance party at Barbarella, which was, honestly, not as fun as it was supposed to be, but that was probably my fault. What was lacking Friday night was made up for on Saturday when Britny, Melany, and I marathoned all four Scream movies. It was a hilarious and incredibly chill way to wrap up a busy weekend.

In conclusion, I am incredibly spoiled and blessed and thankful for the people that made this birthday one worth writing a very long post about. It really was the best.

-Maggie

Melany Turns 21

This past weekend, KaCee and I made the drive to Austin to celebrate Melany's birthday. Last year, the four of us* had terrible birthdays, and vowed that that would not happen this year. Even though Husmann wasn't able to come this time, we still had a great weekend (and Husmann will definitely be there for the next trip because it is partially for her birthday).

When we got there Friday night, Melany was still out with her family, so we picked up Britny and went for our traditional meal at Magnolia's. Every time I go I get the Prima Dora omelette (avocado, cheese, covered in sour cream sauce) and a short stack of whole wheat chocolate chip pancakes, and every time I think it can't get better than last time but IT CAN. Magnolia's never disappoints.

Saturday morning we slept in, watched an awesome Alicia Silverstone movie called The Crush (go watch it–thank us later), ordered a pizza, and were lazy most of the afternoon. Eventually, we got dressed up to go to dinner and a comedy club called the Velveeta Room with Melany's sister, Michelle, and Britny. Afterwards, everyone headed back to Melany and her sister's apartment for a sleepover. It was a really great night involving Apples to Apples, cookies, and a lot of girl talk.

On Sunday, KaCee and I took our sweet time leaving Austin, as usual. It gets harder to leave every time. Good news is KaCee and Britny are officially getting an apartment together this summer, and I already know I'll be there in December. I get closer to home every day.

-Maggie

P.S. Listen to this song and be happy.

* Melany, KaCee, Husmann, and I

You're already home where you feel love.

Last weekend I was in Austin for my friend Mary's bridal shower. As I have mentioned many times, the drive to Austin is a good seven hours. I usually drive it by myself, but this time KaCee and Husmann joined me. I didn't even have to drive! I expected the trip to fly by since I had more than audiobooks to keep me company, but it was brutally long as it rained pretty much the entire way.

It was nearly eleven when we finally got to Austin and met Melany at Magnolia's (one of my favorites–if you hadn't noticed that I eat there every time I go to Austin) since the three of us hadn't eaten dinner. The next day we put on lipstick, slipped on some heels, bought a vacuum, and went to Mary's shower. The four of us plus Britny were asked by Mary's other friends to tell stories of "high school Mary," which was very fun. It was great to see everyone's reactions when we told them of all the weird things Mary used to (still) does, like spray Febreze in her hair when she didn't have time to shower.

Later that night the four of us plus Britny and Melissa went to see The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which was absolutely perfect and emotionally scarring. I usually don't cry in public places, like a movie theater, for example. I can usually hold it together pretty well, but I cried throughout the entire movie. I may have still been crying in the car afterward. What I am saying is this: Go see this movie as soon as you can, but definitely don't go alone. If you go without your Melany, you will be in the fetal position on the theater floor by the time the credits roll.

We didn't set any alarms and slept in on Sunday, which was nice because we were exhausted, but not because we had to leave as soon as we woke up. Leaving Austin never gets any easier. It has had my heart since my eighteenth birthday when Melany and I stood on her brother's balcony, looking out at the downtown lights and listening to the sound of the highway. There is just something about it that feels right.

Each time I go, my love for the city grows. It's a nice reminder that all of the work I'm doing now isn't for nothing. People ask me why I'm taking so many hours in school, why can't I just stay one more semester, why I want to move to Austin–because it makes me happy. There is no better reason than that.

I hope, if you haven't yet, you find the place that feels like home. You may have never lived there, you may have lived there your entire life, you may have only visited once–that doesn't matter. The point is that you get there as soon as you can. Do everything you can to get home.

-Maggie

Summertime

After being threatened by Shelby, I decided it was time to actually finish this blog that I've had sitting in my drafts for the past few weeks. I meant to write it during my three weeks off before summer classes started, but I was busy reading (for fun! Oh, what a wonderful thing) into the wee hours of the morning and sleeping until noon.

One of the very best things about being out of school* is having time to read. Right now, I'm reading This Is How by Augusten Burroughs and The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot. I (finally) finished Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer a week or two ago, and it was really wonderful. I rented the movie a couple of days ago, and for the first time ever, I liked the movie more than the book. But I think I liked the movie more because I read the book, if that makes any sense. It's a complicated thing, but both the book and the movie are beautiful, so just go buy them.

When I'm not reading, I'm rewatching the Sex and the City series (which only gets more fabulous as time goes on) or listening to one of the fifty new albums I've downloaded recently.

The great thing about pre-ordering something on iTunes is that you often forget you've done so, and then it's a nice surprise when you receive an email (or three) stating that your songs are ready for download. This was the case for John Mayer's Born & Raised, the deluxe edition of Regina Spektor's What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, and Sara Bareilles's EP Once Upon Another Time. All three are fantastic (as I knew they would be, which is why I pre-ordered them).

Other things I will be listening to nonstop this summer include Charlene Kaye's Animal Love (which is so deeply fabulous that it's difficult to understand why she isn't famous yet), Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros' Here, and TalkFine's Lesser Known Hits (also known as the band that includes the incredibly attractive Clark Baxtresser).

Speaking of Clark and Charlene, Apocalyptour was superb. It is remarkable how much better it was than the SPACE Tour, and the SPACE Tour was amazing. The arrangements were fantastic (good on you, Clark), their voices improved so much, and it was hilarious. Team StarKid keeps saying they're not sure whether or not they're going to release a DVD of this one, but they better be bluffing because I need to watch that every day of my life. Also, I managed to meet and get pictures with Charlene, Clark, Lauren Lopez, Brian Rosenthal, Julia Albain, and Jim Povolo, as well as everyone I got pictures with last time. It was a good night.

In other news, Melany and I have decided to kick it early-2000s style and actually use our email accounts. We are having way too much fun with it, but are also really impatient and keep texting each other to see if the other has gotten the email yet. Our plan is to eventually compile all of these e-mails into what will surely be a bestselling book. So just keep your eye out for that in the near future.

-Maggie

* I am taking summer classes, but it doesn't really feel like I'm in school. Probably because I'm only taking three classes, and one of them is yoga** and one is a freshman level sociology. I'm also taking Spanish (MY LAST SPANISH EVER, PRAISE), but even that hasn't gotten too difficult yet!

** This is kind of off-topic, but I just have to tell you this because it is literally the stupidest thing that has ever happened to me: My yoga instructor has NEVER TAKEN A YOGA CLASS BEFORE. I shit you not.

April 7: Seven on the Seventh

Seven Books I Hope to Read Soon:

1. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
2. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
3. Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman
4. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
5. Not That Kind of Girl by Carlene Bauer
6. Between the Bridge and the River by Craig Ferguson
7. How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo

Seven Books I Think Everyone Should Read:

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
2. Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs
3. One Day by David Nicholls
4. Plan B by Jonathan Tropper
5. Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos
6. Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot
7. Paper Towns by John Green

Seven Books I Want to Buy Eventually:

1. P.S. Your Cat Is Dead by James Kirkwood
2. Anthropology of an American Girl by Hilary Thayer Hamann
3. You Know Who You Are by Ben Dolnick
4. Starter for Ten by David Nicholls
5. 20 Under 40: Stories from The New Yorker
6. Publish This Book by Stephen Markley
7. Disaster Preparedness by Heather Havrilesky

Seven Movies I Have Seen A Million Times

1. Elizabethtown
2. The Emperor's New Groove
3. (500) Days of Summer
4. Across the Universe
5. Love Actually
6. When Harry Met Sally
7. The Devil Wears Prada

Seven Shows That Never Get Old

1. How I Met Your Mother
2. Glee
3. Will & Grace
4. Friends
5. Sex and the City
6. Modern Family
7. Doctor Who

Seven Songs I'm Digging Right Now

1. "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men
2. "Hummingbird Heart" by Charlene Kaye
3. "Up From Below" by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
4. "Some Nights" by Fun.
5. "All the Rowboats" by Regina Spektor
6. "Five Years Time" by Noah and the Whale
7. "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Goyte featuring Kimbra

Seven Musicals I Need to See Live

1. Wicked
2. Rent
3. Spring Awakening
4. Chicago
5. Mamma Mia
6. Anything Goes
7. Les Misérables

-Maggie

Oh, fudge. Except I didn't say fudge.

We're halfway through our second viewing of A Christmas Story and my parents are asleep on the couch. They asked to let them nap for thirty minutes and now, two hours later, refuse to wake up. Zak went to bed around eight, which is odd, but I'm not complaining. Meanwhile, it's making Emmy very restless that my parents haven't started wrapping yet. She keeps messing with the fireplace bellows, despite the fact that my mom wakes up each time and threatens to burn all of Emmy's gifts.

By some brilliant stroke of luck, not only did I not have work today, but I don't work the two days after Christmas either, so I drove home last night after my shift and don't have to leave until Tuesday! (Of course, they have me scheduled to work thirty-four hours in the four days remaining in this week, but I'm going to be rich, so it's okay.)

It's nice to be home. I missed my family and Schnookums (a.k.a. the best, cutest dog ever in the world) who is curled up next to me as I type this.

Since I've been gone, my parents have taken out the wall between the living room and Emmy's room and added a fireplace, so Emmy is in what was my room. It doesn't bother me that I don't have a room at home anymore, but I do really miss my bed. Alas, I shall have to wait until I get an apartment to be reunited with it.

In other Christmas-related news, the Blogger Family did a Secret Santa gift exchange, and I got mine from the lovely Lizzie on Wednesday.

I was bouncing around as I read the letter and looked through everything. She not only gave me a magnet of my favorite picture of Joey Richter (complete with speech bubbles), but a collage of James McAvoy, a bracelet, and a great mix CD.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love the Blogger Family? I really, really love the Blogger Family.

In true Maggie fashion, I sent out my package way later than I was supposed to. A combination of my general procrastination and starting a new job set me back, but it is chock-full of stuff, so hopefully my person will come to forgive me in time.

Well, I must go to bed now because SANTA is coming soon, so Merry Christmas to everyone! And Happy Hanukkah! And other holidays!

-Maggie