334/365

One time when I was a little girl, I was playing in our dining room. It was just me and my grandmother in the house since my mother was working then. She was asleep in the living room and I had set my Barbies up on the floor. I remember hearing a scratch or something on the window and, being probably seven or so, I was scared and went to wake my grandmother. I told her that I'd heard a noise and thought maybe somebody was outside. She was slow to get up, probably knew there was no one outside but was going to check anyway. 

She walked over to the window. I remember the lights were out and I thought she'd probably need the light to see so I flipped them on. She whipped around faster than I had ever seen before, turning her dark eyes on me and saying: "Turn the damn light off. They'll see us in here." 

I remember that like it was yesterday... I wish I was seven again instead of trying to write an eight page paper in one night. Whoo.

catch you later,

Karleigh

"Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things." // unknown

333/365

You know, I really enjoy reading people's work. It's my job in a a group on campus and it's always fun to see what everyone thinks is worth writing/reading. I have to read a lot of that tonight...

I wish I was writing more here for you, but right now I'm kinda feeling stagnant. I'm tying up the loose ends of this semester, as I'm sure you are, and I'm a bit overwhelmed with the amount of work that I've put off completing. The next 48 hours are going to be pretty intense.

catch you later,

Karleigh

"Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together." // Elizabeth Taylor

332/365

I should write all about how much homework I've done today and how I get to relax now, because everything is done and ready to be turned in. Unfortunately, I cannot because that is a lie. 

In truth, I just ate a lot and watched All in the Family and took a few naps. I'm bad bad bad. 

Now, I'm praying for a turn around on this game I'm watching and then I'm going to bed. I cannot wait for Christmas holidays.

catch you later,

Karleigh

"Everyone I like stays the hell away from me." // Archie Bunker

331/365

It is officially time for the Christmas holidays. I'm always on the fence about when to put up Christmas decorations, but I feel like Christmas music is really for the entire year. Anywho, now that Thanksgiving is over, we can all bring out our wreaths, trees and fat pants. It's time to celebrate Christmas for real.

Can you believe some places are already getting their holiday snow? How amazing. Even the world knows that it is time to put on our hats and scarves and buy Christmas presents. 

Maybe I should stop watching old Christmas movies, they may be giving me too big of hopes for this holdiay season.

catch you later,

Karleigh

"There's no place like home for the holidays." // Perry Como

330/365

When I was a little girl, I said one phrase more than any other -- "I can do it." I was a very independent little girl at home, not so much in public but I always thought that I could do anything and everything by myself and it wasn't really until I reached eighteen that I realized that wasn't working very well for me.

There comes a time when most of us realize that, to live joyfully and to our full potential, we have to start with Jesus. And since I feel like I've tried to live dependently on Jesus, I want to thank Him for the things that I haven't always thought to thank Him for.

I'm thankful for the ten years I had with my grandmother. She taught me more than just how to make scrambled eggs or to make food for those in need, but that you can show love for people in many different ways. 

I'm thankful for my mother because she shows me what it means to be patient, to love unconditionally. Her work ethic inspires me daily.

I'm thankful for my friendships that have encouraged my growth in the Lord.

I'm thankful for the teachers that encouraged me to do what I love, to study English. I'm thankful for Itawamba Community College and Mississippi State University, because they've become like home to me. I'm thankful for the endless and awesome opportunities that I've had in school.

I'm thankful for my church, because my mother and I have made a home there. I get to spread the love of Jesus with the children in the nursery, which is sometimes the most rewarding part of my week.

And last, but certainly not least, I'm thankful for Jesus because with Him, I don't have to do it by myself.

catch you later,

Karleigh

"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest." // William Blake

329/365

So, I am cooking Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow and I'm pretty excited about it. I've done all of the pre-turkey day necessary things and now I'm getting excited to finish it all tomorrow. I'll let you know how it all goes.

catch you later,

Karleigh

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” // W.T. Purkiser

328/365

I'm going to be a bridesmaid in one of my best friends' weddings. I'm so excited!

catch you later,

Karleigh

“Every bride is beautiful. It’s like newborn babies or puppies. They can’t help it.” // Emme Rollins, Dear Rockstar

327/365

I went to Pilates class today, because it may be my new favorite way to exercise. I've done hip hop videos and classes and I like them. I've done yoga and I like it too. However, I always feel the most impact after my Pilates class. So it's quickly becoming my favorite. It's really nice too, to feel like I'm accomplishing something big at the start of the week. I'm sad that I won't get to go at all over Christmas, but I look forward to being really committed to it next semester.

Aren't you so so happy that it's nearly Thanksgiving? Just one 8 o'clock tomorrow and I am home free. Thank you, Jesus.


catch you later,
Karleigh


"A new booty for Christmas." // My Pilates teacher.

326/365

Tonight, I will watch the AMAs and eat the last of my coffee ice cream. I'm so sad that I have school for the two days before Thanksgiving. I'm praying these last three weeks go by quickly for all of us.

catch you later,

Karleigh

“School should be the best party in town” // Peter Kline

325/365

I have to write something for church tomorrow and it's not going so well so far. I'll type it up for you tomorrow maybe.

catch you later,

Karleigh

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” // Anaïs Nin

324/365

You cannot beat time with family. Same time tomorrow, okay guys?

catch you later,

Karleigh

"After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relations." // Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance

323/365

catch you later,

Karleigh

"Now we've wasted each other's time." // Olan's Mom

322/365

Last installment of our Made in the AM review! Let's kick it!

Temporary Fix

Such a cool, rocky song. The first of the four deluxe tracks and I can really dig it. It's about... booty calls/one night stands and usually those really make for fun sing-in-the-car songs, if I'm being honest. Also, Harry moaning behind Louis's solo is a really... weird but nice feature. Favorite lyric: Feel you on my neck while I'm callin' a taxi, climbin' over me while I climb in the backseat

 Walking in the Wind

Not gonna lie, didn't love this one at first. However, the more I listen to it, the more I love it more and more. It's a really lovely... song that seems to be about maybe a person that's passed away. I can't think of better words to describe it that really really really lovely. It really is. Favorite lyric: If you're lost, just look for me; you'll find me in the region of the summer stars.

Wolves

A mega fun song to sing along to. I also didn't love this one at first listen, but I really think it's a cute song. It's apparently about "being at the club and seeing people eye up your girl and making sure they don't hit on her" -- I'm paraphrasing from what Liam said in the album review on their YouTube channel. Anyway, it's a cute little song, a fun one to sing along to in the car. The beginning sounds like "Build Me Up Buttercup" which I love. Favorite lyric: Your beauty could start a war, as you walk in the door. 

AM

The final song of the album and the album namesake, so I expected a lot from this song. And I wasn't disappointed. The lyrics are seriously so nice and it's also One Direction's first song to include a curse word... It's just "ass" but that's a pretty big change for them. I really love this song a lot; I think it is the best of the deluxe tracks and I think it is something that everyone in their 20s can relate to. We often feel deepest in the late night/early morning. I love it. Favorite lyric: Cause we don't know what we're saying
we're just swimming round in our glasses, and talking out of our asses, like we're all gonna make it or Feels like this could be forever tonight, break these clocks, forget about time

Home

Home was released on the Perfect EP and it's a gorgeous song. I wanted to include it because I feel like it is a companion to If I Could Fly. This song is so so so pretty and I really hate that it didn't make the album. It's a gorgeous one. Listen to it after If I Could Fly and tell me if you think they go together. Favorite lyric: Baby, we could be enough.  

catch you later,
Karleigh

"We would be nowhere without our incredible fans; we owe it all to you." // Louis Tomlinson

321/365

Another day, another One Direction review? Are you bored of these now? Well, there is only today and tomorrow. 

Never Enough

Definitely one of the most fun songs on the album, including a few funny noises and a great dance beat. It sounds very... 80s, I guess. I really enjoy this song, especially Liam's squealing at the back at the end. Snapping in music is also something I can get really into because it helps me keep the beat. I like this song a lot; I usually like to listen to it first. Favorite lyric: I don't need my love; you can take, you can take it. 

Olivia

Another really great song! I love the Willy Wonka dedication in the middle and I feel like the word play with Olive/I love ya is really fun to play with. Harry said the song could be about anything, a place, a person, etc. And I feel that. I really love this song. Favorite lyric: This isn't the stain of red wine, I'm bleedin' love or The summertime, the butterflies all belong to your creation; I love you, it's all I do, I love you.

What a Feeling

Oh my Lord, Louis and Liam both said this song was inspired by Fleetwood Mac and if that doesn't call out to me then I am not myself anymore. The song is so neat and I still haven't learned all of the lyrics. I really love it though, definitely something that I feel is very neat and unique idea. I love 70s music so I'm totally digging this song a lot. Favorite lyric:Whatever chains are holding you back, holding you back, don't let them tie you down.

Love You Goodbye

A very neat, almost country sounding tune that I can dig. I really like this, even though the tune of it is very odd. I don't think it is really about breaking up so much as I feel like it's about leaving for a while. I know the lyrics are always up for interpretation and I feel that even in what seem like break up songs, you can read between the lyrics and find new meaning. It could even be about seeing an ex out and about and knowing it would be the last time. Never been in the situation myself, but I really like the song. And of course, Louis sounds amazing on this song as well. Favorite lyric: My heart's already breaking, baby, go on and twist the knife.

I Want to Write You a Song

The purest freaking song ever. Literally. I have nothing to say about this song. I love it; it's gorgeous and simple. Favorite lyric: Everything I need I get from you, giving back is all I wanna do.

History

A declared song for the fans before their hiatus. I really like the song. It's fun to sing along to and it's a nice beat. I really dig it. Favorite lyric: This isn't the end.

catch you later,
Karleigh

"We can live forever." // One Direction, History
 

 

320/365

I have somewhere to be in just a moment, so I'm only going to talk about two of the songs off of Made in the AM today. 

If I Could Fly

Inarguably, the best song off the album.  I really feel like this song is so so lovely and pretty. It makes you want to be in love and I feel like there is a tenderness in letting people see parts of you that you don't let other people see, like how you cry at certain commercials or get mad at people that hold up the line in the supermarket. Obviously, more emotional stuff. We aren't very readily handing out our opinions on politics, religion or civil rights, but we do when we care about people. We want to share our thoughts about things and how we feel. And this song is really lovely in talking about all of that. My favorite for sure. Favorite lyric: I think I might give up everything, just ask me to

Long Way Down

Another really beautiful song, with some really cool verse lyrics. My mom and I listened to this one a lot and I think it is really nice. Not a lot to say about it but I really loved it. Favorite lyric: We had a mountain, but took it for granted // We had a spaceship, but we couldn't land it

catch you later,
Karleigh

"So many years of education yet nobody ever taught us how to love ourselves and why its so important." // unknown

319/365

So for roughly seven hours Friday, I listened to One Direction's new album, Made in the A.M. To be honest, and I know I've said it before, this is hands down One Direction's best album yet. I was constantly floored by the amazing vocals, thrilling lyrics and old school sound. So obviously, we should take it song by song. I'm gonna break it in a couple of parts as well, since the album is quite long.

Hey Angel

A great song to start off the album. Lyrics are very real, relatable. I was pretty excited for this song when Harry Styles started teasing the lyrics on twitter, but it was unlike anything I expected. With a title like Hey Angel, I expected something slower and more longing/heartfelt but this was very catchy and almost poppy. I really like it. Favorite lyric: Tell me, do you ever cry when we waste away our lives?

Drag Me Down

Drag Me Down was the first single from the album and it truly pumped me up. It was a good single. I don't have too much to say about it, because we've all heard it. I like it but I do find myself skipping it on the actual album whenever I listen to it. Favorite lyric:   I've got a river for a soul, and baby you're a boat

Perfect

Another great single; poppy without being like anything the band has done before. A great single, I think, to bring in people who aren't the typical fan [read: teenage girls]. Music video is not that great to me and I'm not a huge fan of the song in general but it is catchy and fun to sing along to. Favorite lyric: I might never be the hand you put your heart in, or the arms that hold you anytime you want them but that doesn't mean we can't live here in the moment, 'cause I can be the one you love from time to time

Infinity

Great song that I think needs more recognition. It's very catchy and fun to sing to and I think very relatable in places. It's hard to talk about songs that you've listened to for a while, but I really think this is one of the really great songs -- not the best but. Favorite lyric: And now I'm one step closer to being two steps far from you, when everybody wants you

End of the Day

To be honest, I could listen to this forever. This is so lovely and so... it makes you want to be in love I think and I find that quality in songs very nice. Poppy and fun. It sounds like two songs put in one and somehow it works in a way that you wouldn't think it would. I really love it. And truly, if anyone ever said that Louis Tomlinson's voice was the weakest in the band then they were sorely mistaken. Favorite lyric: All I know at the end of the day is you love who you love, there ain't no other way

catch you later,
Karleigh

I might never be the hand you put your heart in
Or the arms that hold you any time you want them
But that don’t mean that we can’t live here in the moment
‘Cause I can be the one you love from time to time

"I live for you / I long for you." // One Direction, Olivia

318/365

I wanted to review the new One Direction album today but I feel like my heart is too heavy for the people of Paris and Lebanon. Both places suffered from terrorist attacks yesterday and they both need our prayers and thoughts.

catch you later,

Karleigh

“For Lebanon to have any future, gotta adopt a resolute policy v/s terrorism. Whoever plots against the land should bear the consequences.” // Ziad K. Abdelnour, Ending Syria's Occupation Of Lebanon: The U.S. Role

317/365

I really don't want to leave Chicago today. I'm quite sad about it. 

But I am excited because One Direction's new album, Made in the AM, is out today.

Go buy it.

catch you later,

Karleigh

"I don't need my love, you can take it." // One Direction, Never Enough

316/365

I made it to Chicago and managed to park my car without any wrecks in the ca-razy traffic. I'm writing today's blog the night before, because I estimate that tomorrow will be pretty busy. I didn't ever tell you, I guess; anyway, I'm in Chicago for a poetry masterclass which is pretty cool.

My class was this morning; I'm sure it went well. I'm praying it does anyway.

catch you later,

Karleigh

"…You have such a February face, // So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness…" // William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

315/365

I'm off on my Chicago adventure! I'll chat with you guys tomorrow!

catch you later,

Karleigh

"And at once I knew I was not magnificent, hulled far from the highway aisle, jagged vacance, thick with ice, I could see for miles, miles, miles" // Bon Iver, Holocene

314/365

I'm leaving for Chicago tomorrow so I've been doing a ton of life admin slash last minute paper writing the last two days. Not much to tell you today, except that One Direction's new album comes out on Friday and you should buy it so that when I review it, we can chat about it.

Also, not as sore as last week from Pilates -- consider that a personal accomplishment. 

catch you later,

Karleigh

"Baby, let me love you goodbye" // One Direction, Love You Goodbye

313/365

You know how I talk about like... being alone and going to do stuff alone is really cool? I really believe that. I think that you should be assured in yourself enough that you don't have to call a friend for back up so you can go eat your dinner. However, I can admit that it is really hard to sometimes go out and do stuff alone because you don't really know what you're doing or it's an unknown situation. I went to a yoga class alone last week and I was super nervous about it but I was okay.

And I felt awesome after, so don't be afraid to do stuff by yourself even if it seems scary.

This is a peptalk for you but also for me.

catch you later,

Karleigh

"And when the city's sleeping, you and I can stay and keep on dreaming..." // One Direction, End of the Day

312/365

 

"You’re a beautiful combination of stardust and ocean waves, 

you are human and it’s okay to mess up."

catch you later,
Karleigh

"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” // Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

311/365

I have a huge problem with the quote in that picture. The idea that you don't have to actually put in any effort to make your relationships last is ridiculous. Do you know what happens if you are constantly waiting for people to call you without ever reaching out to them?

They aren't going to call you.

We all get busy. We forget our friends for a few days sometimes because life can get a bit hectic. It's hard to make our relationships last. People care about you even if they don't write two-page texts about how amazing your laugh is or how funny you are. They miss you even when they forget to text for a while. They want you around but sometimes it's hard for us to say stuff without feeling stupid for saying it.

Relationships are not one-sided. It's a mutual decision. And if you miss someone, don't forget that you also have a phone and can call them too.

catch you later,

Karleigh

“When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are.” // Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life

310/365

I cannot believe it is so close to Christmas. We are officially in holiday season. 2015 has actually felt like the longest year ever. I've been a lot of places and experienced some really awesome things. I mean... this year has been really good for me and in some ways I'm sad for it to be so close to the end.

On the other hand, I'm quite excited for 2016. I'm sure we will all experience a few hardships, a lot of laughs. And we'll be blessed many times. I'm so thankful for this experience, writing this blog I mean.

I feel like you guys have been a really positive part of 2015. It'll be hard to move on without you in 2016.

catch you later,
Karleigh

"You cannot use someone else’s fire; you can only use your own. And in order to do that, you must first be willing to believe you have it." //  Audre Lorde

309/365

Do you wanna know how to make it through college and feel good about it for the majority of the way? Do you wanna know how to pass your classes and make your teachers really like you? Do you wanna know how to prevent crying over a chemistry textbook at three am?

Well, I have the answer for you.

Go to class.

If you go to class, it shows your teachers that you care. It motivates you to do well and it helps you find friends that can help you when you aren't doing so well. It keeps you up to date on assignments. It will help you pass 85-90% of the time.

So, go to class tomorrow and thank me for it later.

catch you later,

Karleigh

“I’m a man of leisure. That’s because I have an English degree and can’t get a job.
” // Jarod Kintz, At even one penny, this book would be overpriced. In fact, free is too expensive, because you'd still waste time by reading it. 

308/365

Tonight, I stumbled across some posts about Essena O'Neill and her Let's Be Game Changers movement. If you haven't heard about O'Neill before, then let me fill you in: she is an "instafamous" nineteen year old girl working to increase knowledge on the damages of social media to young girls' self-esteem and concept of the word "sexy." A good few of O'Neill's photos show her in expensive gowns or bathing suits that make her appear much "older, sexier." O'Neill's platform is geared toward raising awareness of the damages of social media.

A lot of the time, basically whenever you go out, you can see so many people on their mobile phones. 90% of the time, we are just scrolling through Tumblr, Twitter or Instagram to see what everyone is doing while we wait in line at Subway. And what do we end up doing? Wishing that we had that person's life. Don't lie; I'm extremely guilty of this. Everyone is. She's not wrong in her claims to leave behind the idea of "#goals," because your goal should not be to be another person.

Your life goal should be to be the best version of yourself that you can be. Everyday, that is what you wake up to do, to work on. I think that O'Neill's idea is fabulous. I think that drawing attention to the endlessly-traveling, gorgeous-all-the-time, making-bank girls and guys that we see on Instagram and realizing that their job is to be like that... is important. 

Nobody has a flawless life; not even the people with 10k likes on their Instagram pictures.

catch you later,

Karleigh

"Social media, especially how I used it, isn't real." // Essena ONeill

307/365

I was such a huge fan of Harry Potter when I was younger. I remember when the first movie came out and I went to a good few of the midnight movie premiers. It was such a nice series that really focused on friendship, good vs. evil and all that fun stuff. 

I miss Harry Potter a lot now; it was always a nice new thing to look forward to and to plan for. I read them all the way through two summers ago and it was so nice.

Maybe I'll read them again sometime soon.

catch you later,

Karleigh

"It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities." // Albus Dumbledore

306/365

Tonight I went to a Pilates class and then a hip hop class and even though my muscles already feel ache-y, it was probably the best thing that I've done in a while. You know how sometimes you get in a funk for a while, and it takes trying new things to get you out of it? Sometimes you have to do new things and even if you don't like them -- and if you do; I loved that exercise class -- you got out and did something new. Doing new things is good for you; so go try new things.

catch you later,

Karleigh

“You know how creative people are, we have to try everything until we find our niche.” // E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

305/365

Your thoughts are very powerful. And the thoughts that you have, that you give power to, control who you are and how you act. So be careful what you think and to which thoughts you give power. And remember that you always can change your thoughts about things -- it's hard, but you can do it.

catch you later,

Karleigh

“The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.” // Marcus Aurelius, Meditations