Day 10: A picture of you taken more than 10 years ago

So cute & smiley there with my puppy!

Day 9: a picture you took

I've always liked this one--it's taken from the rambling path that cuts through a hillside farm, with a lovely view of Bath. I love how these cows live in such close proximity to this gorgeous, refined Georgian spa town...

Day 8: A photo that makes you sad

Whenever I see soldiers returning home to their loved ones, I get teary. I don't consider myself terribly patriotic (although I'm more patriotic now that I've been abroad), but there's something so touching & sad about soldiers coming home. It makes you think about the impact on their families, on themselves, on the 'enemy' and their families, and really think about why they've been gone in the first place. It all seems so unfair.

Day 7: A photo that makes you happy

This picture just says "I have arrived." I'm living the dream, traveling solo in Europe, speaking Italian, my hair looks good, I'm going sleeveless in public (which is a huge thing for me, and shows how much more confident I am now), and I'm just thrilled to be in Florence. It's a long way from the fat, shy girl in baggy t-shirts & jeans at Stanwood Middle School.

Day 6: Whatever Tickles Your Fancy

Facebook.

It's an addiction, yes, but it's also a great way to send out group messages, share funny articles or youtube videos, and keep somewhat in touch with people I only sort of care about...

Who are these people and why are they on my Facebook? They fall into 3 general categories:

1) Old school
We went to elementary/middle/high school/college together. Can't delete them, because we've known each other so long...Yet I haven't seen them in years. I've never met their spouse and/or kids, but I've looked at so many pictures that it feels like I have. Some of their kids are funny-looking, and it's only because we're not "real life" friends that I can admit that. (I'd never say that about a close friend's kids, even if it were true!)

2) Entertainment
Some people are just hilarious, and even if we're not actually keeping up with each other, I keep them on my Facebook just because they post great stuff. Sometimes they're trying to be funny (i.e. posting a great YouTube video, a quote from a movie, an article from The Onion, etc.), but sometimes I'm just laughing at them. Case in point: a girl from high school who I wasn't really friends with--she requested to add me and the only reason I keep her around is because her posts are unbelievably stupid.

3) Good intentions
There are people in my friends list who I keep meaning to message & catch up with--classmates from study abroad, former co-workers, former teachers, etc. I never really do it, but I wouldn't want to delete them--that would be admitting defeat and resigning to the fact that we're not really friends anymore.

And who do I actually delete? People who post Glenn Beck talking points as updates. That's what it takes to get removed from my friends list ;)

Day 5: Favorite Quote

"A leader is a dealer in hope"--Napoleon Bonaparte


Like all the best quotes, this one says a great deal in a concise little statement. I love the concept of hope, especially hope beyond reason (aka faith) like Napoleon had.

Update

I really haven't had much to update about since I've been back on the Island. Kelly & her fellow blogging friends have been passing this around...after mocking it at first, I think I'll do it, just to have something to blog about :)

30 Days of Me! (which is a silly concept, because these blogs are always about me...)

Day 1: Your Favorite Song
Day 2: Your Favorite Movie
Day 3: Your Favorite TV Show
Day 4: Your Favorite Book
Day 5: Your Favorite Quote
Day 6: What ever tickles your fancy...
Day 7: A photo that makes you happy
Day 8: A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9: A photo that you took
Day 10: A photo of you taken over 10 years ago
Day 11: A photo of you taken recently
Day 12: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13: A fictional book
Day 14: A non fiction book
Day 15: A Fanfic
Day 16: A song that makes you cry (or get choked up)
Day 17: An art piece
Day 18: Tickling Fancy Day
Day 19:Your Day in Great Detail
Day 20: A Hobby of Yours
Day 21: A recipe
Day 22: A Website
Day 23: A Youtube Video
Day 24: Tickling Fancy Day
Day 25: Your Day in Great Detail
Day 26: Your Week in Great Detail
Day 27: Your Month in Great Detail
Day 28: Your Year in Great Detail
Day 29: Hopes, Dreams, and Plans for the next year.
Day 30: Final Tickling Fancy Day...

I'm going to back-date it a bit and do 4 today, because I want to have it all done in June.

1. Favorite Song: Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" seriously does put me in a better mood no matter what. It's optimistic and bright and just classic. Wish it hadn't had that recent Glee-inspired comeback, though...that made it cheap.
According to my iTunes, my most-listened-to track is Brendan Benson's "What I'm Looking For"...it's more my typical style, singer-songwritery stuff.

2. Favorite Movie: "Love Actually". Yes, it's a Christmas movie, but I watch it year-round. First saw it in French, and liked it even then, when I didn't understand the dialogue.

3. Favorite TV Show: "The Daily Show" is definitely my favorite--the one filming I'd want to see if I were in NYC, and the one show I'd want to get interviewed on (for any reason).

4. Favorite Book: Really tough, this one. I used to always say "The Catcher in the Rye", and yes, it is great, but my tastes have changed over the years. Now it seems too depressive and juvenile, just like another old favorite, "The Bell Jar."
I've always loved the classics, like Austen & the Brontes--my favorites of theirs are "Persuasion" and "Wuthering Heights", respectively. For an entirely different mood, I love Hemingway & Steinbeck, too. (This is why I have so many books...)