stephen colbert is the best thing to happen to america since george washington ate sliced bread while signing the declaration of independence and thinking to himself "maybe women should have the right to vote.."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/24/stephen-colbert-hearing-v_n_737813.html

this should be proof enough..

today is typical. and im not sure i like it.

i woke up at exactly 1150, which is a plus because for the past week i have found it impossible to wake up before noon. ten points, amanda. after rolling out on the wrong side of the bed, i slapped on some makeup, my jean capris and my gray bow sweatshirt (a purchase i made because i wanted to wear gray sweats without looking as slobby as i feel) and headed out the door for weekly grocery shopping at walmart. after splitting the forty dollar bill with my sister, i went to lunch and split the twelve dollar bill with my friend. now that im home, im realizing what a day it has been. its exactly like my sweatshirt. gray, cheap and plain with a bow slapped on it to make it look special. scarily, i find a great similarity in my clothing choices and my life choices. ive become so comfortable with the ordinary but still, i attempt to make an effort with half-ass embellishments. its frustrating enough to drive me to make a statement and change into a super-hot outfit just to prove to myself that im not monotonous and boring but that would mean that i have to get up and put forth an effort and im just too tired. which proves my previous point. sigh.

in more lighthearted and light-colored news, FALL IS HERE!!!!!!! and if you didnt get the hint from the seven exclamation points, i love fall. its my favorite season. the entire landscape gets a major wardrobe change, the air gets electrifyingly crisp and the temperature begins its yearly plummet. i cant wait until that day when i step outside and immediately retreat back indoors to retrieve scarves and coats from my stockpile of winter clothes. some people find it odd that fall and winter are my favorite seasons because i love the cold. and not only do i love the cold, but i love being absolutely freezing. possibly because im naturally a warm-bodied girl, but more likely because being cold reminds me that im alive. the burning in my lungs as i inhale, the tingle of my skin as my goosebumps take over, the numbness in my face as i face the bitterly cold wind are all constant reminders that i am in fact living. there is no better constant nature-made reminder than feeling the un-feeling in my fingers and toes as they succumb to sub-freezing temperatures. god i love this time of year. another reason why i love the change of seasons is that it spices things up a bit. the monotony of the weather is broken and the world gets a wake-up jolt, something ive obviously been needing. not to mention that hot  chocolate and croissants creep into my diet alot more around the fall months. i should buy some panera stock now because i know im going to help drive it up with my frequent trips.

okay im going to silence my fingers now. no more typing amanda. im gonna just sit back, listen to music and put those olfactory senses to work as the enticing pumpkin pie candle scent fills the room.. aaaaah autumn.

--amandamcoughlin

eat stress love

its been a while since ive blogged. and to all my nonexistent followers, i apologize. but ive been busy. "with what?" the figments of my imagination may ask. and to them i say "shut up." because i havent really been busy. but it feels like i have been. theres been things going on lately that just seem to take up all of my time and definitely all of my energy. many family dramas, money troubles, and several insomniac-filled nights. but it feels like i have been.

but something that i havent been "busy" enough to do is read. ive been trying to read more lately because thats an activity that has proven time and time again to calm me. so two nights ago, i decided to calmify myself and plop down with elizabeth gilberts "eat pray love." her phrasing and word choices are fantastic and it really is a great read so far. theres a sentence she uses to describe her mom that i fell in love with. "to my eye, there is nothing that this woman can not do on her own." after reading that, i immediately paused my reading and thought to myself, 'that is exactly how i want to be viewed. i want my family, friends, and potential spouse and kids to think that about me.' so i halted my literature sesh and made a poster featuring my new motto and stuck it on my mirror. now everytime i get ready for the day, i see that quote and it inspires me to awe people with my newfound independence and spunky drive.

now that weve taken care of my new literature obsessions, lets move on to my others.

so my new musical obsession comes in the form of a man named ben rector. he is a god and i love his slightly gruffy voice, upbeat music and insightful/wise lyrics. ive been listening to him alot on grooveshark.com (by the way, amaaazing free music website) and favorite songs to date are the beat and loving you is easy. chchchchchchcheck it out. (yes i did count the ch's)

my new food obsession comes in the form of quesadillas. well, let me rephrase, quesadillas are by no means a 'new' obsession, just a resurrected one. and this resurrection rivals christs. i love america and everything but seriously, god bless mexico. day-um.

my new pasttime obsession is (brace yourself) exercising. alright now ill go get the smelling salts to revive everyone from their shock-induced faints. ive actually been running alot lately. just yesterday, i ran almost eight miles and ive been a frequent at the gym too. the elliptical and i have become acquaintances if not friends. were definitely not bosom buddies (no one will ever hear me utter the words bosom buddies pertaining to exercise equipment. in fact im shocked i even used it at all, i hate that phrase) but the fact that im going on a semi-regular basis is exciting enough. my vital organs are thrilled theyll be in operation for longer than thirty years and might i add that im excited about that too.

okay ive rambled on for a good page or eight so im gonna skidaddle. (im bringing it back, just you wait)

elizabeth gilbert and plate of chocolate chip cookies, i challenge you to a duel  prepare to be destroyed.

--amandamargaret