SWAG

Well, this summer has been one of the most relaxing summer's EVER!

I meannn, here's an example: right now, I'm sitting in a coffeshop drinking a butterbeer and writing a new blog post.

I love the idea of a coffeeshop. We don't have one in Gruver. It's a sham. I would be here all the time if I didn't feel the need to buy something so I'm not freeloading space.... I'm too poor to buy a 5$ drink daily...although this butterbeer is one of the best things i've ever tasted...i'm probably gaining 5lbs drinking it.....WORTH IT!

So, i really have no excuse for not blogging more this summer. I guess I've been too busy relaxing. But, I've had a lot of fun too! It's nice not having to be home at a certain time and doing the dishes on your own time rather than my mom telling me to wash them. Keeping a house up. It means more when it's yours rather than your parents. (i promise I still respect you mom and dad and your house!!!!)

And college station is so different during the summer compared to the school year... It's nice being here and having time to do the things that you don't have time for in the school year because your busy with...school...

As I think I've mentioned on my blog before, I started working at copy corner...oh the stories i could share. but, words wouldn't do them justice, so I'll keep them to myself.

I'm living with my big from phillies and one of my best friends, madeline, during the summer. Once school starts, alicia and lacey will join us.

One of the funniest things about this summer (besides my RAD job) is madeline's cat, Deaf kitty. He's special. and deaf. and funny. and grumpy, but still wants to be around people. He likes to meow a lot. He's really annoying, but he's also really sweet. And i love him.

cats are funny things. I went over to a friends, and their cat had these round eyes. Freaky. and skinny. when i went to pet her, she swatted my hand away. evil and freaky.

then, we went to austin, and leigh anne's aunt's cat is hilarious looking. when i need a good laugh, i look at this face:

Anyway, I've been doing some things!

I moved in. Started my job. Been hanging out with madeline. She has more friends, so we hang out with them. One night we played phase 10! We've also been hanging out with amanda from phillies. Going to layout by the pool with her. I'm the darkest I've ever been! and not one major sunburn. I got pink a couple times...

I've been to AUSTIN 3x this summer. I love that town. So awesome. I think I've been to atx more times than the average person who grew up 10 hours away from that city. mainly for sports. but this summer, i've gotten to go for FUN!

I went to see the been's because they were in town. Hung out with them, then went to the lake! where i learned to wakeboard AND waterski! also tubing was involved. It was so much fun. I don't have any pictures though.... : (

love that family.

then, madeline and i decided we needed to go because cstat was getting just a tad boring. So, being the spontaneous people that we are, we called up leighanne and spent the night with her. But first, we went down to 6th street for people watching...

fedora courtesy of madeline

I got more compliments on that fedora.... : )

Too bad we aren't 21, because there were a few places we were dying to go in, most memorable was a '90s cover band! so we sat outside and listened, dreaming to be a part of the green grass.

I've also seen a lot of movies this summer... you might have heard of one of them...Harry potter...? ha.

But i also went to see Bridesmaids! SOOO funny. I can't wait to buy it and memorize all the awesome quotes. loved that movie. then, there was friends with benefits. funny stuff. WAYYYYYYYYYY better than no strings attached, in case anyone was wondering. oh, and there was x-men. which surprised me. i actually really liked it! then, last week I went to see the change-up. gross. ew. barely funny. not worth it. oh, and stupid, crazy love. i love steve carrel and emma stone and ryan gosling. it should be a-mazing. but it fell short :( one surprise made it worth seeing...only once though..

amanda tried to make me go see mr. popper's penguin's and smurfs. (crickets) i didn't go.

"I'm so excited to see that smurfs movie!!!"-nobody

If you don't get that quote, then i feel sorry for you.

Then, I went home for a few days, saw the family... alicia came with me. It was fun. and guess what?! i get to go back in a week and a half!...then school..but shush!

oh, and my BIRTHDAY was the other day!

mustaches are in right now. apparently.

Well, we've also spent a lot of time decorating our cute house. and I have to say, I've never seen so much swag in my entire life.

"W" is my favorite. First off, there's andy samberg, 2nd, office characters,  then, there's
 mattie and i in front of the cotton gin house....

Here's some more swag for you...presented by summer 2k11

and how could i forget my trip to shelby's during fourth of july?! (above)

However, this week has been boring. Madeline's living it up in chicago at lollapalooza. Jealous. So, I've been stuck with deaf. But don't worry. I've made my own fun! hanging with amanda. and making new friends at copy corner. FUNNN

anyway, that's my summer. full of swag.

Mischief Managed

"Because how often do you get to share an experience with an entire generation."

This quote was on twitter the other day describing Harry Potter. It's the truth. How often do you get to share an experience with an entire generation? There were world wars, the Beatles, Star Wars, and we have Harry Potter.

None of these can be compared to one another except for how they impacted an entire generation. Something we can all share and experience. 

For those of you who know me know that I am a Harry Potter fanatic. It's not really something I can explain. It's like the saying says, "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. And from the inside looking out, you can't explain it." That's what they say about the spirit of aggieland, and I'm applying it to Harry Potter.

Anyway, the final movie of the Harry Potter series was released a little under a month ago. And yes, I was one of the crazy people in line at the midnight showing. dressed up and everything.

Madeline and I dressed up in the theater.

I went as one of the weasley's (family of gingers in harry potter), and madeline went as a dementor (mythical creature that guards the wizard prison.)

Believe me when I say this, we were dressed down compared to a lot of people in that theater.

I saw soooo many sweet costumes. Completely legit. Even while I was in line for popcorn, I saw a fake wizard duel! It made me really happy. The fact that everyone was in the cinemark theater celebrating and waiting for the end of Harry Potter. An end to many of our childhood's. We all grew up with this kid. We are a part of Hogwarts just as much as the fictional characters.

One of my friends posted on twitter: "Harry Potter 7.2 was absolutely phenomenal. I'm still trying to absorb all the emotion that I'm feeling but I can now officially say "Mischief Managed" to one of the most important chapters of my childhood."

"So, whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home” – J. K. Rowling (author of Harry Potter)


Anyway, the movie started, and I'm pretty sure this was me:

Actually, I know that was me. I totally said that. tears, wand, and all.  : )

Anyway, the movie was EPIC! it was insanely great. not just as a harry potter movie, but as a movie in general. it's one of the best movies i've ever seen. I just can't describe it.

J.K. Rowling also said, "I don't believe in the kind of magic in my books, but I do believe in the magic that happens when you read a good book."

So, why is Harry Potter so magical? My uncle John sent me an article comparing Harry Potter to Christianity. And it's something my friends and I have discussed before. Anyway, if you'd like to read about it, here's a link: http://links.mkt3980.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MTgxNjg1MAS2&r=OTQ0MjI4MDYyS0&j=Mjk5MjUyNjIS1&mt=1&rt=0

please don't be under the impression that I think Harry is Jesus or anything! I just think that the reason Harry is so beloved, is because we, as human beings, crave this kind of thing. As Christians, we've been fulfilled by Christ, the only way. But for non-Christians, they're just looking for something to believe in, and Harry Potter has the same qualities...

Anyway, before the movie, I had this depressing anxious feeling. Harry Potter was someone who I'd grown up with. He's not a real person, but he's real in my heart. our hearts. I was depressed because my childhood was rapidly coming to a close. That's what the end of Harry Potter means to me. And what else was there to look forward to that was silly and childish?

Then, I was quickly reminded of the fact that there was an entire theme park dedicated to Harry Potter.

I can't wait to visit with my sister. There's so much there that I have to look forward to. EEEEEK!

Then, there's Pottermore. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but it sounds cool...? For a description, here's a video....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5DOKOt7ZF4

you'll just have to follow the link, because it won't let me embed.

Anyway, if you watched the video, only 1 million will gain early access to Pottermore before it's available to everyone. And guess who gained early access? ME!

Apparently I'm magical enough to enter!

I mean, please don't get me wrong. I'm completely obsessed with harry potter. But, I don't put all my hope and joy into it. I just really felt the need to clarify that!

Anyway, life goes on. But you should know that harry potter is real to my generation. "Of course it's going on inside your head, but why on earth should that mean it's not real."-Albus Dumbledore 

When he says this in the movie, I feel like he's speaking to my entire generation, not just to harry. It's the theme for any harry potter lover. It gives us comfort knowing that it wasn't all for nothing.

Well, I'm sitting here at Muldoon's typing up my first blog in a while, and I'm going to go order a butterbeer. ahhh the simple joys in life.

life and other stuff

Hey blogger followers of me!

So, life has been crazy. gosh darn it, i say that a lot. but guess what it is. and blogging is like WAAAAAy down on my to-do list. I want it to be at the top. but if it were, i'd have nothing to even blog about.

well, after finals, I had a crazy few days! I'll give you the rundown on how that week/weekend went....

Wednesday afternoon was my last final, then thursday I had a job interview and I had to be out of Callaway by 5pm. So Wednesday was spent packing, and that night was spent having one last night with my cstat friends! and making my sister something for her big race that friday and saturday!

Thursday morning, i had a job interview at Copy Corner. And let me tell you, i nailed that interview. All my preceding interviews (there were many) prepared me for this interview! Spoiler alert: i got the job. YAY! (huge victory)

So, thursday after I got all my stuff loaded in my carro, I headed to Austin to be with my family and friends to watch my beast of a sister run at the state track meet. she got two bronze medals, and broke two school records. She ran the mile and 2mile. Here she is on the medal stand after one of the races.

(she definitely got the gold medal for "most beautiful"....

Anyway, I had a LOT of fun in ATX. bought my first vintage dress. so that was fun.

I've also decided that american apparel is my FAVORITE store. but i need money and my bff madeline before i can go shopping there. everyone else thinks i'm weird for shopping there.

Then, we headed for G-Town, where i stayed for two weeks.

Let me tell you, those were the best two weeks. I got to relax and chill, no job, no school, basically no responsibility, and it was GREAT. just fabulous.

Then, I moved back to cstat. for good. for the foreseeable future, i'm here forever! I love my house! it's fabulous. It's blue!

So while here, I've started working. Madeline and I have cooked...A LOT! Because we're both too poor to eat out. (life of a college student)

I've also seen Bridesmaids three times. It's my new favorite movie. I can't wait to buy it and memorize every funny quote. Currently, the most relatable quote? 'help me. I'm poor." kristen wiig is a comedic genius. and one of my favorite's is hanging on my door. "do not come into my room, read my diary, and wear my clothes." HAHAHAHAHA it's just so great.

currently, I'm very happy being in college station. But I miss some of my best friends and family. like shelby and mattie.. i wish everyone i loved lived here in college station with me. THat would be the BEST. Then, I would only have to drive to Austin for great shopping experiences... i'm saving all my money for american apparel and urban outfitters. 

Not much else is going on. I went to one of the baseball playoff games with mads and her boyfriend and his friends.

And her cat deaf kitty...well let's just say it's marley in cat form. He's special. Lately, he cries constantly. I literally feel like i'm in the meow mix commercial.

and this is our first wall decor! it was a free coaster when I opened my case for Little MIss Sunshine. 

My mom and Nana came here this past week and finally moved in all my furniture! (i had been sleeping with mads and using an air mattress as our couch.) Anyway, they spoiled me rotten. It felt like my birthday and christmas had combined on one random day. And my uncle Rex was also here because his team was playing in A&M's team camp. So it was fun getting to watch some HS bball. I miss that about Gruver.

And last night, I put the final touches on my room. It's all fixed! : )

I have my own room! for the first time in my life. and it's kind of lonely.... i miss Shelley.  

Well, I love my job, my friends, and my house. Life is pretty good right now. despite being poor. But there's always worse. And I'm happy. : )

Until next time. 

"A Wife of Noble Character"--Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!!!!! This post is written during study breaks, and while I have time throughout the week of Mother's Day! So, bear with me if it happens to be a little fragmented. Here's a picture of my mom!!

while taking this picture she probably threatened me saying that if it ever ended up....blah blah blah. and i told her i deleted it, but hey. i lie sometimes. and then disobey my parents. and now she's going to kill me for posting this picture. But, hey maybe she shouldn't be so camera shy. because out of my thousands of pictures. this is the only picture I have of her. Also, this is payback for the valentine's day card she gave me: (paraphrased) go spend your own money on yourself. xoxo-mom..... Talk about a SAD (singles-awareness day) day.

Well, I talked in my last post a little bit about my Bible Study. Well, in this Bible Study, we've also memorized "A Wife of Noble Character"--Proverbs 31:10-31. Which makes sense, because we are studying women of the bible!

Sidenote: if you have time, watch this, because it's great. And it talks about wanting to be drenched in Proverbs 31 towards the end, which is awesome because that's what this post is mainly about....



Anyway, if you haven't read "A Wife of Noble Character", I've posted it below:

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ “Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

If you'd like an explanation of these verses (which I highly suggest reading) here's the link: http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/homefam/prov31.htm

Anyway, each week we would memorize two more verse. And this past wednesday, we had to say the entire passage by memory.

So, every week while learning new verses, it would make me think. You see, this passage is great, because it's written in a form that tells a story. It's really easy to relate it to modern times. And each week, one person would come to my mind. every time.

And since it's mother's day, I guess y'all should know that I have one of the best mother's in the entire world. And it's because she is a wife of noble character. And i j/ think y'all should know that. Maybe you know my mom, maybe not.

I usually tease her quite a bit on here, posting pictures of her mangled foot and comparing it to Frankenstein. But, in reality, she's really great. And I'm not going to explain it, because I don't think a whole lot of explanation is needed. So, I lied. again. I have a really good picture of my mom. So here it is. (in case you can't tell. She's the one in the middle)

Well, I consider myself very blessed to have such a great mother. And I'm really sad that I can't be home on mother's day. But, the bright side? I get to see my family in ATX in less than a week to see my beautiful and talented sister run at the state track meet!!!! What better circumstances to see my family?? I can't think of any. (Besides me winning a grammy for my awesome singing abilities...*cough* sarcasm & wishful thinking *uncough*)

Well, my mom may have given me a SAD valentine's day card, but i'm giving her an awesome Mother's Day e-card. And I'm going to share it w/ you. Caution: put down your drinks, and any other objects that might ruin your computer. (prepare to laugh your butt off)

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Well happy mother's day to all the wonderful mother's out there. And Happy Mother's Day to my many "mothers". You know who you are. I love you all. xoxo-KTG

100 aka ONE HUNDRED

I could've gone on for a while w/ the aka's...for example, aka cien.

Well, I don't know if you've guessed yet, but this is my 100th blog post!!! Crazy huh?!

This is the post that once you've posted, you know you've made it as a blogger. (no, don't laugh. I'm serious. DEAD serious.) okay...i can't keep a straight face anymore.!! i'm just kidding!! (but this really is my 100th post...the rest of the stuff i was just being..idk what the word is)

Well, last night i posted my 99th blog post and my next post will be my 101(st?) post! But, I assume you know how to count if you can read. So, this whole paragraph is completely pointless.

Anyway, on to more serious business. In my 100th post, I wanted it to be of a more serious quality blog post. This can't be just another post about my daily life, music, or even what colors I happen to like/dislike.

No, my cien blog post must be a good post. Something more philosophical. (Even though I tend to stray from philosophy...)

So, today in church, it struck me. I would share what all God has taught me this year. The stuff that actually matters in this life. The pastor/preacher/minister (I'm not exactly sure what we call him...but I'm pretty sure it's beside the point of this serious blog post) was talking about the end times that's discussed in Revelation. He was talking about the rapture of the church and the seven years of Tribulation.

And it just made me so excited about when Jesus comes back. That's the ultimate thing to look forward to: eternity w/ our Savior.

It's really been bothering me lately that I don't share what all God does in my life. I guess I'm shy when it comes to my relationship with Jesus Christ, which should be shared, so others will see who works in me.

So, as my hundredth blog post, I really want to share w/ all about what God has been teaching me.

I guess the first lesson I learned has to do w/ Proverbs 3:5-6. In case you don't know what verse I'm talking about: "Trust in the Lord w/ all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

I've heard that verse all while growing up. I mean, I was in Bible Drill. That verse is GRILLED into my brain. But, I never truly understood what it actually meant. Ya, I knew that we're supposed to trust God no matter what happens, and give him glory..(dot dot dot)....

However, it was during the first of my first semester while here at a&m, and I started to realize what the author of this verse meant. You see, I wasn't doing so well in school (you know how rocky the beginning is..) and my future started to become hazy. "What is it that i really want to do.?" "What if I don't make the grade I want in this class?" Just a lot of questions started to pop in my brain.

But, God did something pretty amazing. He surrounded me w/ a group of girls who poured their wisdom into me. From their stories, I started to realize how much God is in control. He has a PERFECT plan for our lives, and there's nothing we can do to screw it up.

WOW. pressure off.

There's just something God asks of us. To trust in Him. and Him alone. and to give him the glory. And if we do that, my future's taken care of. God is in complete control, and I can rest assured that He has a perfect plan for my life.

Okay, I was going to look in my journal to see what else I learned, but it turns out the journal I have from last semester is missing. I forgot that I lost it when I moved back to cstat after winter break....So, I'm going to move on to this semester.

WOW. sorry this is so long. but I have a lot  to let out....

So, I joined this new Bible study this semester. This girl in Phillies w/ me leads it, and it's probably been the biggest blessing during this semester.

We studied women of the Bible. Studying the well-known Esther, but we moved on to "lesser" women such as Tamar.

To read the full story of Tamar, read Genesis 38.

What I learned from all these women (and actually all people in general, whether they are in the Bible or not) is that God's power is Sovereign. (one that holds supreme power)

God can work through any one of us. No matter how imperfect we are. Tamar was a woman who prostituted herself in order to follow God's path. --The moral of this story is not that prostitution is okay. A little backstory of the time which this story was set in: rules were different then, and what Tamar did was not wrong. No matter how sick it might sound.

You see, no matter how big our sins are, God is bigger. And if Tamar wouldn't have prostituted herself, she wouldn't have had the kid that was the ancestors of Jesus' lineage.

Women of the Bible are so inspiring because they were so restricted (in law and sin), yet they still showed God's sovereign power. Habakkuk 2:4 describes that righteousness was only used for people that was used by God for His plan/purpose...

Some sidenotes: one of my favorite worship songs from this semester is "Our God" by Chris Tomlin. The bridge chants: "And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.? And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.?"--then, a few weeks ago, I found this verse Romans 8:31 that states, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" It was just so cool to have Biblical reference..... I mean...it's just powerful...


Another sidenote: something else the pastor/preacher/minister talked about was the fact we are God's people. And the spiritual warfare that's going on right now, isn't between God and Satan. It's between God's people and Satan. God is showing that His power is greater than Satan's by using His people to show His glory. If His glory can be shown through imperfect Humans like us, then who could ever stop the real thing?!


UPDATE: I just saw this picture on facebook and had to add it : )

Okay, now on to my next (and final) lesson that I want to write about...oh crud...i've forgotten....GOT IT!


Forgiveness.


Vickie's (our chaplain in Phillies) final talk was about forgiveness. This is something that I struggle with on a deep level. It's something I started to pray about about a year ago. So, basically, I'm going to share my notes w/ you guys. with my own reflections. 

"When you rack up a debt, you owe someone something. someone always pays that debt. forgiveness is about our reaction to that debt.....When you forgive, it's a covenant. (it's not forgetting, because we can't) it's an hourly commitment):
---initial decision to NOT collect on the debt that others owe you
---when we forgive, we commit that we don't expect payment. (I don't have to retaliate...)
---bitterness is a poison that we drink & expect others to die
---when someone owes a debt, we hold onto some bitterness-so we need to let go of that burden
---when we let go, it brings us closer to the Lord"----all Vickie's words...

So, when I forgive someone, it's about letting go of the bitterness. And that bitternes is when I expect a payment for a wrong that they've committed against me. So, when I stop expecting a payment for a sin that someone's sinned against me, that's when I let go of the bitterness.

All semester I've been praying about how to let go of the bitterness so I can truly forgive my debtors (the Lord's prayer)...The Lord delivered by speaking through Vickie. And even though it's still a learning process, I at least have an outline that I understand and can follow.

Currently, I'm texting my mom. This is how our conversation goes (paraphrased):

Mom: what are you doing?
Me: Blogging
Mom: I thought you'd be studying
Me: this is more important :)
Mom: I know you're kidding, right? :)
Me: No I'm serious. This is important.
Mom: Ok, good night, love you......

And so, I hope you know that I am completely serious about everything in this post. God has worked miracles in my life this year! I've come to realize that He's the #1 priority. I'm not here at Texas A&M to just  get a degree. I'm here to serve Him. And although I fail time and time again, my hope is that one day I can serve Him even through my many weaknesses.

I think that's mostly what's been on my heart. Thanks for letting me share. : )

kinaaaaa grannis+some other great music=blog post

So, I'm not going to update you on my life just yet...first, I feel the need to update you on the wonderful music I've been listening to!!!!

First off, I finally updated the amazon mp3 widget. It was slowing down the process of actually viewing my blog, so I had it removed for a little while. But, now it's back up! So, take a look and browse/listen to what I've been listening to.....

Next, this first artist I'm going to discuss is WAY overdue. The Civil Wars. Download Poison and Wine. It's a must. Their new album, Barton Hollow, reminds me of a mix of artist. First, it reminds me of Bethany Joy Galeotti, because it has a mix of that folk in it, then it reminds me of Enya, because it has some of the awesome vocals. However, it really reminds me of back when I was younger and one of my favorite movies was Anastasia. The song "Dance Me to the End of Love" reminds me of the song, "Once Upon a December",  from the animated movie....Both songs are just so beautiful....

Download: Poison & Wine and Dance Me to the End of Love (Bonus). You won't regret it.

Next up: ISLAND PARTY artists. 

So, this year, I had the pleasure of going to Island Party. It's this free outdoor concert that a Christian Fraternity here at Texas A&M puts on every year.

Hailey, Me, Alicia, Wendy, Rachel, and Madeline at Island Party

we got there early, so not many people were there at the time of this picture, but by the end of the concert, that place was packed.

So, first, we got to hear the stellar Johnny Stimson, who happens to be a fellow aggie : )
His music was so fresh and happy. So, my advice? DOWNLOAD ALL OF IT: Johnny Stimson

Then, the next artist that struck me was The City Harmonic. Their music was so AH-mazing. I was seriously in awe. It was majestic. And on that note, you must download: Manifesto.

Aaron Gillespie was also there, but I didn't get to hear him play because my friend Kristen was having a CD release. And you've heard me talk about her music before, but her album is now available on ITUNES!!!!!!!!! and if you don't take my advice on anything else, please check her music out. Because she's one of my best friends, and I want to give you the opportunity to say, "ya, I knew about her before she was famous." Anyway, here's the link to download her music on iTunes: Kristen Stever--Hearts Collide.

Then, the last artist to go on was GUNGOR. (grammy nominated by the way!!!!) And they are one of the most interesting awesomely amazing bands I've heard in a while. First, you must download: Beautiful Things. It'll do wonderful things to your soul. Here's a video to entertain you guys. Yes, they sing this next song as a worship song at their home church. How cool is that?! (GOD IS LOOOOVE)

Anyway, you should know that all the bands that I mentioned associated with Island Party are Christian (and Kristen too!) So, if that gives you more incentive to download them, there it is! (Encourage and support your brothers and sisters in Christ!)

Last, I want to expose y'all to the greatness of Kina Grannis. Singer/Songwriter of the year (according to Sirius/XM radio).

I first heard about her last year, because Tyler Hilton posted a video with her, and they sang "I believe in You". So, I looked her up, but didn't give her much of a chance. I became hooked on "Message from your Heart". 

Then, this year, my roommate, Shelby, posted that she was on a Kina Grannis kick. So, since I know OF this Kina girl, I decide to look her up again and give her another chance. And, immediately I become hooked on "People". 

Then, I hear this gem ("Strong Enough"), and it immediately becomes a Top 25 Most Played song in my iTunes library. I still can't get enough of this song!! It was on repeat for about 2 weeks. So, check it out!

Then, I found out that she was coming to texas!!! So, my friend Kristen and I decide to go see her in Houston at the House of Blues!! She was just precious!!!!! She signed my cd too!!

Anyway, it's safe to say that I am now hooked on her music!! There are no words to describe how much talent she has! 

But, for my older audience, I'm embedding an older song that she covers. One of my favorites. And she definitely delivers.

Anyway. Download her stuff, because she's talented and super nice. Download it here: Stairwells

Anyway, the new widget has a little bit of all the artists I talked about! Also, Kate Voegele's new album drops May 17th, so I'm super excited!! Plus, she's coming to TX this summer!! EXCITEMENT!!

Also, note that  I changed the name of my blog to "Just another Bla(h)g". I mean, really, all I'm doing on here is BLAH BLAH BLAH....plus I stole that cute idea from kina's blog! I'll add the link to her blog on my links section.

Note also: I added a widget that allows you to subscribe to my posts via email! So, please sign up if you'd like!!! You'll get an email each time I post on this lovely site!!

ϟ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: It's Awesome

So, this is WAY overdue. But, what can I say, I'm a full time student. With priorities. And a life.

First note the awesome lightning bolt in the title. (That's Harry's scar..)

But, in November, I went to the 3 a.m. showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part1. Why in the world would I go to the 3am showing of that movie? a) because it's awesome 2) because it's awesome and III) because I missed the midnight tickets before they sold out, then bought the 3am tickets, then they ended up opening every other screen for midnight, so I could've seen it at midnight w/ the rest of us nerds in the world, but alas, I fail.

Anyway, my friend Kristen (who is almost just as big a nerd as me) "sacrificed" and watched it once at midnight w/ her quidditch team. (that's right, she was on the quidditch team) and then turned around to watch the 3am showing w/ me. Now, that's dedication. and because Harry Potter is awesome.

it's 3 in the morning, i hope you'll forgive my appearance...

Despite being sleep deprived, I managed to stay awake till 6am when the movie was over. Again, I state because Harry Potter is awesome.

Nerd confession: if I haven't already stated before on my blog before now, I, Katie Gibson, have read the first book in the Harry Potter series ten times. ten. and the others I lost count how many times I've read...also, you should know that my sister is just as big a nerd as i am (actually more so.) so, here's a picture that you can enjoy. : )

why? you might ask...because HARRY POTTER IS AWESOME!

anyway, the movie was so good that I saw it twice. I would've seen it more, but i have a life. and little money. So, i had to cut myself off.

Anyway, the trailer for part 2 came out wednesday.  And I'm super DUPER excited, yet I'm really sad, because once this airs for real, Harry Potter is over. And that's just sad. It's something that defined my generation. I'll probably bawl like a little baby after part 2, even though it's supposed to be awesome because (SPOILER ALERT) Harry kills, no destroys He Who Must Not Be Named.

However, for your viewing pleasure, I have embedded the awesome trailer right into this post. you are welcome.



remember: only one can live while the other survives.