Day 23: Favorite movie? Nahh, favorite book

So I have two things to say before we kick off this post: Sorry for being really bad about blogging lately--life decided to attack me and it was a hectic few weeks for no real reason other than my teachers went nuts. And secondly, this post was supposed to be about my favorite movie, but I've already talked about my favorite movies, so another post would be redundant.

Now day 23 is about my favorite book. And trust me, it is a challenge in itself to pick one book.

I guess I can be cliche and say "The Bible!" but we all know that it's my favorite non-fiction book. Yes, all you non-Christians, NON-fiction. Aka, real. Not made up. True. Just thought I'd clear the air.

My favorite fiction book of all time goes to the Percy Jackson series. Okay, okay, so it's a series and not technically just one book. But I don't need your sass.

I have ranted and raved about my intense love for Percy Jackson many a-time on this blog, but those books are just too good to not be talked about. Laugh-out-loud hilarious, edge-of-your-seat intensity, page-turning mystery, burning-the-midnight-oil suspense. Like the hyphens? Anyway, the book combines Greek mythology with the modern world in a totally not-lame-or-boring way. With witty comebacks, frustratingly awesome cliffhangers, and a master plan like nothing else, Rick Riordan does an exceptional job with his first young adult series.

Also as I mentioned before, his new spinoff series is equally as amazing, the first one debuting this past October (The Lost Hero). Unfortunately, I have to wait another seven months for the next one (The Son of Neptune) to come out. If you've never picked up a copy of any of Riordan's books (just make sure it isn't in the middle of a series), I would highly recommend it.

Peace, love, Greek mythology.

Day 22: What's in my purse?

Oh gosh. Very good question. This is going to be funny.

Chunk of keys: Kenya keychain, WWJD key ring, A&M key ring, car clicker, car key, red velvet cupcake flavored hand sanitizer

Lame cell phone

Massive pink wallet

Vocabulary notecards

Old gum holder

"Jesus loves you" bracelet pack of assorted colors

Camera with a dead battery

Headphones

2 pens and a pencil my friend gave to me (thanks Ben)

Blow pop

Student ID

A bunch of trash...mostly receipts

Bloody (it's fake!) and half-naked Polly Pocket (just don't ask)

Gum packet with gum actually in it

iTouch

Change-filled driver license holder

Chapstick

Pieces of gum that have escaped the holder

Random pocket change

Just don't worry about it.

Day 21: My favorite picture of myself of ALL TIME and why

Fun fact: I'm not a fantastic picture taker. I'm not a great subject of a picture when I'm really trying to smile. Mostly I just try and take goofy pictures with my friends and avoid being serious if at all possible.

But this one I took at my senior picture photo shoot thing. You, blog reader, will be the first person outside of my family to see it.

Why do I like it? I don't know. I look like a model maybe? My other all-time favorite picture is of me and Tyson from Kenya, but that's been in a previous post. Go a-searchin' if you want to find it.

So yeah.

Day 20: Nicknames

I have several nicknames--there's a lot you can do with "Linley"--and I have several friends and family members to give me those nicknames.

Sissy--What Tanner called me for years.

Niney--My little sister couldn't say my name, so that's what she called me for a long time.

Ninley--An evolution nickname that came from Leslie. She was able to say the second L but not the first one. Very strange.

Nin/Ninster--They're pretty much the same thing. Nin is a nickname for a nickname and those came from my dad.

Sweet Ninster--My dad.

Sweet 'n' Sweet Ninster--Dad

Sweet 'n' Sweet--The final product. Now that's pretty much all he calls me.

Linners--Product of Kirstin, Haley, Meredith, and Shaylee.

Liney--That's what happens when I type my name too fast and that's what my friend Paige calls me.

Pippah--Tanner's strange nickname for me.

Amira--Long story. The things that happen in Kenya...Name courtesy of Mary Beth.

Linnerly--My dear friend Sarah

Now for my nicknames for other people:

Fafie--Tanner

Shaylee--Zaylee, Docta Zaugg, Humpercup (long story)

Kirstin--Kirsty

Paige--Tejjy, Tej, The Pummonator, PT, Pe-Te

Haley--Hales

Leslie--Bean

Tannah--Banana

Mary Beth--Tut Tut

Holly--Howwy

Parker--Jug Jug

Dad--Tick Tick

Mom--Mam Mam, Mudder

There you have it.

Day 19: Something I miss

I know this was my 3rd post in the past 20 minutes, but I need to get caught up! And now was the perfect time to get it done. So yes. On to the prompt now.

To be honest, I don't miss anything. I'm not really nostalgic. I mean, I miss being innocent and not knowing half the things I know now (innocence is blissfulness) but that's corny and I don't think I can write more than that on the subject.

I guess, more than anything, I miss elementary school. Where things were simple and less dramatic.

I miss kindergarten where I got to nap. I miss recess. I miss playing kickball in PE. I miss pizza day Wednesdays. I miss choir practice on Wednesday nights at church with all of my friends. I miss the band my friends and I made up when we were cool 5th graders. I miss being a kindergartener and thinking 5th graders were the coolest people ever. I miss learning how to read. I miss the days where math was 1+3 and that was the hardest part of the day. I miss my teacher giving me a sticker and telling me to make a story about it. I miss thinking shows like Spongebob and Rugrats were hilarious. I miss Pokemon and how my brother and I watched it every day. I miss my feet not being able to touch the ground when I sat in my chair. I miss having issues getting on the swing because I wasn't tall enough. I miss being frustrated when the older kids broke the bridge on the playground. I miss it being socially acceptable for me to sleep with a stuffed dog every night. I miss ladybug hunting and dandelion blowing and tag playing.

And now I'm nostalgic. Thanks, 30 day blog challenge.

Day 18: Favorite place to eat

I love Mexican food. Actually, it's more like Tex-Mex. It's delicious.

My favorite restaurant is this place called Ole's. It's, I believe, a single restaurant--not part of a chain. My dad personally knows the owner (we go there that often) and I go there at least once a month. Everyone in my family has our favorites that we order and whenever I come home from college, that will be the first place I go. It's good and a family place and I just like it.

Tex-Mex. Nom, nom, nom, nom.

Day 17: Something I've been looking forward to

Well, there are several things I'm looking forward to. Prom, senior skip day, graduation, graduation parties, 86:12 mission trip to New York City, New Student Conference, Fish Camp, Impact, college, Parachute concert, the next day I get to sleep in...the list goes on and on and on. The possibilities to write about are endless.

But let's take step back from the chaos that is my life, shall we? Senior year can be put on pause for a moment. Let's be nerds.

I have an unhealthy addiction of fictional worlds. Why? Because they tend to be a lot more interesting and exciting than the bubble that I live in. But one of my favorite fictional dimension is the one of Maximum Ride. I know that I've ranted about this book series before (see "writing contest" for more information...sometime in March, June/July, and September is where you might find those) but it has been brought to my attention, by a very reliable source, that the series ends next year.

The Mayans were right: the world is ending in 2012.

And somehow I get the impression that that was James Patterson's plan the whole time. Clever man.

Basically, if you don't know the premise, there are these 6 kids who are 98% and 2% bird. That measly 2% plays a major part though. These kids have wings. They literally fly. The main character, Max, has been told that the saving of the world is on her (yes, Max is a girl) shoulders. The earth will experience a catastrophic something that will destroy the human race and it is Max's job to stop it. If she doesn't, in this world, the Mayans will be correct in their dire prediction.

In case I'm confusing you, I don't really think that the world is going to end in 2012--I'm just pointing out the irony.

Anyway, the second to last book is coming out on Monday (aka Valentine's Day) and part of me is amazingly excited for it and I know I'll stay up later than I should reading/finishing it. Don't judge me. I'm a book nerd. Anyway, I'm excited to continue the adventure, because it feels like forever since I cracked a book open just for pleasure. But, at the same time, the end of an epic journey is about to end right before my eyes.

I feel like these characters are some of my friends. I've been in their minds. I've watched them almost be killed countless times. I've watched them grow up. I've watched them save each other and fight and then save each other again.

The last book ended with a shock that left my stomach in knots for days. It was like a bad break up...everything reminded me of the book and I couldn't even look at it for days. It was ridiculous but that's just me. I'm character oriented and feel so empathetic towards characters. Even if the plot is awful, I still might like the book because of the characters. I'm just weird that way.

So that's what I'm looking forward to. A book that will probably make me cry.

Color me masochistic.

Day 16: My dream house

The title is fairly self-explanitory.

I want to live in a smallish town but close to a big city (smaller than 30,000). I want a fair amount of land. I want a pool. I want a huge porch and a huge yard to look out to from my porch. I want two stories so I can have a balcony. The kitchen and family room needs to be big and connected. I need a back patio near the pool. A game room for kids to hang out in. An office. A nice dining room. A place to maybe put a piano.

And there you go.

Day 15: Bible verse(s)

A few of my favorites. Or several of them.

"The LORD is indeed going before you, He will be with you, He will not fail or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

"I will praise You, Oh LORD my God, with all of my heart I will glorify Your name forever." Psalm 86:12

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"But you, Oh LORD, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Psalm 87:15

"...as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our sins from us." Psalm 103:20

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

"Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution; He will come to save you." Isaiah 35:3-4

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20b

"Accept one another, then, just as Chris accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7

"For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more having been reconciled, shall we have saved through life!" Romans 5:10

"But God demonstrates his own love for his in this: While we were still sinners, Chris died for us." Romans 5:8

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:1-2

"Therefore, if anyone is in Chris, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" 2nd Corinthians 5:17

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." 2nd Corinthians 12:9

"I have been crucified in Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself to me." Galatians 2:20

"Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself himself to somebody else." Galatians 6:4

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us..." Ephesians 5:1-2a (I have a whole post dedicated to the book of Ephesians)

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Ephesians 6:18

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 4:23

"Don't let anyone look down on your because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." 1st Timothy 4:12

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

"You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." James 2:19

"A body without a spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen." Revelation 22:21

I love the Bible.

Day 14: A picture of me from a year ago--how have I changed?

Okay, so this is kind of a nasty picture of me. Sorry. A year ago was February 6th, 2010. I liked my hair curly-ish but couldn't figure out how to do it well. I still hadn't really figured makeup out yet. I was still unsure about my life in general. I was insecure in my appearance, my personality, and my faith.

Thankfully, most of this has changed. I like my hair straight, for one thing. I hope you can see that I'm very solid in my faith as a follower of Christ. I'm slowly figuring out the science of makeup. I think I'm pretty and love myself just the way I am (cornball, I know, but it's true). Naturally, I have my "Ugh, I'm not that pretty" days, but that's a quick fix--I just look outside. And if the God who made the earth made me, then what do I have to gripe about?

So that's me a year ago. Ta-da!

Day 13: Goals

This is an obnoxiously broad topic that has about a million different ways it could go. Goals for education, goals for family, goals for...life. So I'll do all of the above. And more. Stick with me, because this will be a long and scatterbrained posted.

1. Make someone laugh every day

2. Notice something new about God every day

3. Be a published author

4. See A&M play in a major bowl

5. Get married

6. Have a kid named Jesse

7. Go to Italy and eat spaghetti there

8. Go back to Kenya

9. See Ben Rector in concert

10. Be a middle school English teacher

11. Be friends with people I wouldn't normally be friends with

12. Lose 5 pounds before prom

13. Keep in touch with my friends from high school and make a ton of new friends in college

14. Laugh every day

15. Blog almost every day

16. Be as much as an A&M fan as possible

17. Find new music that few people have ever heard of

18. Read the Bible every day

19. Be exempt from all my finals

20. Continue to love reading

21. Be a better cook

22. Not lose things so much

A lofty list, I know. But what can I say? I'm ambitious. Generally.

Day 12: Something I don't ever leave the house without

There are many, many things I don't leave my house without.

And I don't want to be cliche and say "my cell phone is my life" because it isn't. And it's a lie if I say "I don't leave without my keys" because I forget my keys all the time when I'm not driving. I'll walk out of the house without my iPod and I'll leave without putting on shoes. Sometimes I even totally space out and forget deodorant. But that's only on bad days.

So, to answer the question, I don't ever, ever leave my house without my Kenya bracelets. I mean I obviously used to because I didn't have one before July of 2010. But I wear two every day now and my wrist just feels extremely weird without them. They are a reminder of the 17 days I spent across the Atlantic ocean. They are a reminder of how God continues to make waves in my life. They are a reminder of how hard I laughed and how hard I cried with some of my closest friends. They are a reminder that I actually saw wild elephants with my own two eyes.

One looks like the Kenyan flag, which is black, red, and green and has a tribal shield on it outlined in white. The other one is made out of mosquito netting and has two red beads that keep it on my wrist. They make me feel comfortable and make me rem

ember Kenya.

So that's what I never leave the house without.

Dear cold, GO AWAY. Most sincerely, Linley.

Oh my gosh. So far, February is off to a terrible start. Why? Because I can't go outside without fearing for my fingers and my buttocks. I'm afraid my fingers will freeze off if I don't put gloves on and I'm afraid I'll slip and injure my rear end. Valid fears, I assure you.

Winter is already my least favorite season. I'm required to wear long sleeved shirts and wear a jacket and layers and socks and gloves and pre-heat my vehicle and shiver and ache and spent countless hours in front of a fire and/or heat dish. Then there's the constant fear of school being cancelled which messes up your whole week. The cold wind bites at your nose because nose covers aren't socially acceptable and makes it all red and runny. And your eyes get watery and your makeup runs. You have to put on so many clothes and your hair gets all static-y, which is extremely unattractive and irritating. When March comes around, I'm practically crying with joy. Because in March, you can start wearing short-sleeved shirts. And the first day of spring is in March. And the first day of spring means that it's warm outside. At least, for us Texans.

When this mother of storms hit the US, I was groaning. Just last weekend, I was in my Nike athletic shorts and a t-shirt, eating a snow-cone and getting a pre-summer tan. Life was good. And then Monday night comes along and totally wrecks everything. Sleet and rain and ice start being spit out by the sky because the sky doesn't want all that. What it doesn't realize is that most people down here don't want it either. So, as I assumed, school was cancelled for Tuesday. Then the temperature doesn't rise above freezing on Tuesday night. CISD calls it, saying that there's no school on Wednesday. On Wednesday, the temperature doesn't get higher than 21 degrees. Ice is still covering the ground. So at around 5:30 on Wednesday, CISD closes school for the third day in a row and says there will not be school on Thursday. Now, there's still a chance for snow on Friday and temperatures won't get above 33 degrees. Meaning that there's still a solid chance that school will be cancelled on Friday too.

One day of no school is fine. Whatever. I'm a senior, so it doesn't really bother me. Two days is kind of a lot. Three is a lot. But four? Four days home, doing a puzzle and watching the news? No thank you. But I think that they, if the roads are still nutty, still might close her down for the rest of the week. Like I said, the temperature won't rise above freezing more than a degree on Friday. And the low for Thursday night will be 19 degrees with a chance of "late snow showers". My opinion? 90% chance I'll have a one-day week at school. I don't like it but I think that's really what will happen, especially considering the 40% chance of more snow all day on Friday. A cold six-day weekend is what I'm probably looking at right now.

I hate this. I hate being cold. Send me to Florida or the Bahamas or Hawaii PLEASE. Just get me out of this cold mess. ANGST.

Day 11: Favorite TV shows

Okay. You aren't allowed to judge me. That's our deal that you and I are going to make. I tell you my favorites shows and you don't judge me. Okay. And they aren't in any particular order.

1. The Bachelor. D-R-A-M-A. And, this will sound heartless, but I don't watch it because I want to see Johnny and Sally fall in love and get married. Nope, I watch it because I love the cat fights, the backstabbing, and the rejection. I mean really. What girl or guy wants to put themselves through that? I watch it for entertainment, not because I'm emotionally invested in it.

2. Survivor. That show is just so INTENSE. Plenty of drama, but I watch it for the thrill. I wish I was strong enough to do live off of rice and fish for 39 days.

3. Castle. This is one of my two shows with actors and actresses. Richard Castle shadows homicide detective Kate Beckett for his book series and together they solve crimes. I love it.

4. CSI. The original--not NY or Miami. I love all the characters and the murder and I like trying to figure out the whodunnit. It's intense and mysterious and awesome.

5. The Amazing Race. Talk about stressful. These show will literally keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole season. Eleven teams of two race around the world doing ridiculous tasks and getting very little sleep.

6. American Idol. An American favorite. How can you not like it?

That's my TV.

Day 10: Something I'm afraid of

Right now, I'm afraid of a lot of things. So don't be freaked out by this long list. I warned you.

1. A&M changing their mind after they see how badly I did on my math placement test and not letting me attend the school.

2. Not being able to find a place to stay at the New Student Conference in June

3. Not knowing when it's time to sign up for Fish Camp and Impact (A&M's Christian fish camp)

4. Getting lost on campus

5. Not knowing what classes to take

6. Not having any friends

7. Not getting involved

8. Having awful suite mates

9. Not making any friends

10. Becoming a fat lard and gaining the freshman 15

11. Flunking out because the classes are too hard

Yeah. You can say I'm scared to go to college. I know it will be this great adventure and once I get everything figured out it'll be awesome. But getting everything figure out is just terrifying. I feel like I'm drowning in deadlines.

So here's a pettier list of things that scare me:

1. Snakes. Snakes, snakes, snakes.

2. Compound fractures of bones

3. Being on the highway and missing my exit

4. Running out of gas on a busy road

I'm a scaredy cat. Meh.

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." --Deuteronomy 31:8

Okay, okay, God. Got it.