Travel/Map Related Etsy Loves of the Week

Stick on wall decals aren't nearly as cool on cement block dorm rooms, but I'm sure I could find somewhere for it. Actually, it's so expensive that it would be more likely I would just save it for whatever apartment I end up in next year. 

I only own one wine glass, so it's not as though I'm in huge demand for wine glass charms, but they are cute. 

It's a map of New York City, as a bracelet cuff. Clever. I just picture this being really helpful to some lost heroine in a coming of age novel. 

Are compasses in? If not, they should be. I would really love to wear one and look like a fashionista rather than a boyscout. 

This is just awesome. It reminds me of the huge world atlas I had when I was a kid. 

It was so nice to be reunited with my roommates again, after months of separation! It seems insane that the last time we saw each other we were still in the apartments, and that will never happen again, but such is life. It always surprises me how every year, my close circle of friends changes dramatically.

Catching Fire

The more I watch "making of" videos for the first movie, the more excited I am for the second. The second one has a different director, so we'll see, but the first one was honestly the best movie adaptation for a book that I've ever seen. Way better than Harry Potter, even.

Trying to keep busy with other books until November. Why can't I live somewhere that would allow me to go to a premiere? That would be the coolest thing. Bucket listed.

Divergent -Veronica Roth

“Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”

Dear 18 year old Paige,

1) Stop panicking about college. Freshman year will suck, and you will be fine anyways. Spend lots of time in the English department and make friends there. Don't hide in your sorority.

2) Mom and Dad are not perfect. They'll figure it out on the way, just like you will. Just keep being an adult, and know that they'll work it out sooner rather than later. Be nice, though.

3) Don't buy a bunch of crap for your dorm. Just because you live in a dorm doesn't mean you have to run out and buy all the plastic shelves at walmart. Just take the essentials, and buy what you need when you get there. Do bring a microwave.

4) Knock it off with whatever you think you should be doing with boys. Trust me when I say- you are always more interesting and do more interesting things when you aren't worried about a boyfriend. It's time to expand on the list of things to be passionate about. Try travel, and writing. You'll like those just as much.
                        4a) Don't let boys buy you pets. Seriously. Just don't.

5) Recognize that everyone has problems, and yours are not any more special or painful. That isn't to say that they aren't legitimate, but they are not excuses to feel better than anyone else. Or to allow for unkind behavior. Get your shit together sooner than later, then help someone else with theirs.

6) Give up crying sooner. I promise you, there are maybe 3 or 4 times really worth crying until you turn 21. There are a lot better ways to cope, and you don't need the validation or attention. If you must cry, don't do it in front of people. Learn to take care of yourself.

7) It wouldn't hurt to get up a little earlier and put on some makeup while you watch the news. Drink some orange juice while you do it. These mornings are infinitely more therapeutic than you would expect.

8) Don't go to the high school stereotype party. Or go, but don't hold any alcohol. Or just stay in the house. Actually, ignore all that. Just save up a lot of money beforehand, and resolve yourself to tell mom and dad sooner.

9) Stay healthy. Recognize that your sugar addiction is going to be an issue your whole life, but the sooner you start to fight it the better. Be kind to yourself. Don't be afraid to go to yoga alone, you'll love it.

10) Remember to find time to do the things you did in high school that you loved. In 3 years, you'll be sad you didn't take more pictures, and shocked to realize your music taste has steadily declined.

Mini-Vacation

“We should meet in another life, we should meet in air, me and you.”

Boo, viruses

It is amazing how once your computer starts to fall apart (both on the outside, and from inside) it all goes downhill at an alarmingly fast rate.

I'm doing my best to combat all the damages, but it looks like I might have to bite the bullet and buy a new one earlier than I had originally anticipated.

Boo.

Book Hangovers:

A very real, powerful thing.

It's no secret, I'm moody. They give it a name- Manic Depression- and they treat it, but it mostly comes down to me having a hard time keeping my moods under control. If I were still a teenager it might be tragic and worthy of a one-season-tv-show. As it is, it's mostly boring and kind of a pain to deal with, both for me and other people.

One of the things that sets it off, more than anything, is withdrawal from a fictional universe. Doesn't have to be a book series, occasionally it's a TV show. But the part where I have to say goodbye to the characters and admit that none of it will continue is rough on me. If I didn't have cool friends in high school, I would have probably grown up to be one of those people that dress up and act out all their favorite books.

When I was little-- maybe 2nd or 3rd grade, I can't really remember-- my mom found me crying out of frustration, because I couldn't turn into a red-tailed hawk. I was so involved in my Animorphs series, that I completely lost control of what was reality. It goes beyond having an imagination, into a dangerous hopefulness that will ultimately lead to disappointment.

Obviously, I'm not sitting in my room crying that I'm not in the Hunger Games. Everyone's heard the joke:

Harry Potter fan: I want to go to Hogwarts!
Chronicles of Narnia Fan: I want to go to Narnia!
The Hunger Games fan: Nope, I'm good.

But I still get sucked in, and spend a day being in a weird mood. In some ways, it's a good thing. It helps motivate me to do things I always said I would do, like practice shooting again, or get in better shape, or learn nature survival. But there's always that balance that I struggle to keep.

I'm already feeling better than I did this morning, after reading the trilogy in 3 days and rewatching the movie (and the trailer for the second movie at least 4 times). But it does take some consideration, that at some point I became a person that was more attached to books, and more sympathetic to characters, than I am to real people.

I need to get my shit together. Moral of the story, reality checked.