influence & arrogance.

I don't have children so it maybe a little out of line for me to post something like this. However, it's my blog and here in this little corner of cyberspace, I say what I choose. You typed in the URL so you can deal with it. The more media I encounter, the more I am forced to wonder: what the hell is going on in today's world of stars, professional athletes, and "role models"? I remember being about eight years old and thinking Michael Jordan was a stand up guy/basketball player, Whitney Houston was truly talented, and our political leaders were doing the best they can. The way this scene has evolved truly scares me for several reasons. I have to wonder about the impact these individuals have on children today. It sometimes makes me wonder what I will do to keep my own children from being influenced by those a-listers that don't necessarily set the best example. For example, I hate the Los Angeles Lakers, but it is not this extreme dislike that causes my intense hatred for Kobe Bryant. His arrogant style and poor sportsmanship are just two of the characteristics to think of him as someone I'd rather never watch play basketball again. Also, what the hell is going on with Lindsay Lohan? What happened to that sweet little peanut from the remake of the Parent Trap? It's truly sad to see the way fame has changed from a little ginger bean to a dark haired crack whore. I am also choosing to group Miley Cyrus with her. Call me crazy, but Miss Hannah Montana seems to be turning into quite the little skeeze and definitely not someone I'd want my little girls listening to or aspiring to be. The stars that steal the limelight in today's world seriously concern me and it seems as if fame is becoming more toxic everyday. Perhaps the largest disappointment is the way these so-called stars are not limited by their adult caregivers that society dares us to call "parents". Michael Lohan, Billy Ray Cyrus, and whoever the hell Jessica's Simpson's dad is JUST NEED TO STOP. They feed off their children rather than putting a stop to their destructive ways, something that makes me wonder how some individuals are ever permitted to reproduce. I long for the day when the world will once again be filled with inspirational figures rather than underage criminals/drug addicts as role models. I only hope we don't have to go through a complete and utter hell before this happens.
xoxo.
Morgan

we'll always be best friends, whether you like it or not.

The other day I was sitting at work and these two girls came in. I could tell they were having a girl's day and they were definitely what we could call BFF. It really got me to thinking. I have never been a huge socialite. I prefer sticking close to a few people and developing a strong relationship with them rather than "spreading the love" among a few hundred friends. I really don't have a best friend. The best part of this is that I'm totally okay with that. I feel like the several individuals that I do have in my life that could begin to qualify as a best friend are outside the criteria for what society would allow. In simple terms, best friends aren't supposed to be family members or significant others. Well guess what? SCREW YOU, SOCIETY. I'm breaking the rules. This blog is all about MY best friend and the reasons for which I list her under that title.

1. Eating breakfast for dinner isn't weird.
2. Driving two hours to sit in a decent movie theater and watch a good chick flick is totally worth it....every single time.
3. Age is just a number. You determine how old you are by how you feel.
4. Along with #3, you are NEVER too old to accomplish your dreams. (i.e. running marathons)
5. Parents prepare you to have confidence in your own decisions and know that whatever you decide, they will support you.
6. Shopping means you get a prize. If you keep grandpa in line at lunch, you get two.
7. You might find one great friend in this world and you might be about thirty years old before that happens.
8. You can like hip hop/rap music no matter how old you are.

Thanks for being my best friend, Mom. You're stuck with the job so I hope you enjoy it :]
xoxo. Morgan

Nuggets of My First 20 Years: Inspired by Chelsea Handler

Lately I have been absolutely consumed by two things: a need for sunshine and Chelsea Handler's latest masterpiece Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. Not only is the funniest author I have come in contact with since Jen Lancaster, but she speaks the truth no matter how profane or hilarious it might be. She also has a show on late night E! called Chelsea Lately, which if you haven't seen, I would highly recommend it. On this show, Chelsea provides 30 minutes of crude, lude humor along with her panel of roundtable comedians and her faithful assistant, Chuy. This little ball of charisma just so happens to be a hispanic little person (see oxymoron) or in Chelsea's words "a sweet little nugget". In honor of Chuy's literary efforts and my 20th birthday which just so happens to be today, I have decided to create a list of 20 of some of the most interesting/funny/valuable "nuggets" of information I have gathered over the last two decades.

#20: Ricky Martin may or may not have been the last person to know he is gay.
#19: It is never a good idea to play beer pong with hard alcohol. There's a reason it's called beer pong.
#18: Dogs can eat anything from paper napkins to cans, but NOT shellfish.
#17: Telling some to "drive safe" is relatively pointless. I mean it's not like you are going to say "please drive excessively fast and use road rage as often as possible".
#16: No matter what they tell you, never let your older sisters cut your hair.
#15: As time goes on, it seems like corporations are cutting more and more corners. For example, McDonalds' Happy Meal toys used to be gender specific. No more.
#14: Whoever invented the Furby was seriously disturbed.
#13: Dumb is not entertaining (see The Amazing Race 15).
#12: People who think Twilight is outstanding literature need to be slapped.
#11: Don't take life too seriously. Nobody makes it out alive.
#10: If you can't keep a pet alive, please do not reproduce. If you can't keep a plant alive, we have bigger problems.
#9: Cereal should be a food group. You can thank my mother for this.
#8: If you have enough time to learn how to play Halo or World of Warcraft, you need to get a job, a significant other, or both.
#7: Beauty magazines will usually make you feel like there is something wrong with your appearance.
#6: College is not a place for drama, slacking, or your small children.
#5: A religion should fit you. You don't have to fit that religion.
#4: Metal does not belong in the microwave. Just trust me here.
#3: If you don't shit, you die. Thanks for the advice, Daddy-O.
#2: Ames makes the best shovels.
#1: I'm 20? I used to think I'd be dead by now.

xoxo.
Morgan

my life in a shoebox.

so far this week has been fairly easy going. it's spring break starting tomorrow [thank the lord almighty] and even though i'm not going anywhere, a few days off school always finds a welcome place in my thoughts. fred also found out that he will be getting his job back with orem city at the beginning of april. he is so excited. i never knew someone could get so thrilled to throw asphalt, but he sure is. other than that, the weekly recap is pretty simple:

t.v. - loving survivor: heroes vs. villians and chopped [on the food network]
weather - awesome today :] hope it stays warm
apartment - very clean actually. i love when fred cleans :]
luck - i found eleven dollars outside the education building yesterday. ka-ching!
my car - clean on the outside and filthy on the inside. i have a moral obligation against cleaning/vacuuming it in the freezing weather.
on my ipod - swollen members, the john butler trio, priscilla ahn, and death cab for cutie
my blog - new layout. same me.
excitement - can't wait to see my mother dear on friday. love spending time with her. love catching chick flicks with her. love....her.
to do list - fill out my scholarship application for next year and do my math homework. yuck.
hmmm? - hoping i did well on my math test.

here's to warm weather over the next few days. i am so excited for a pretty relaxed week and weekend. be happy & believe in peace ♥

xoxo.
morgan.

Great Romances of The 20th Century: Quotes on L-O-V-E

I'll admit it. I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. There's just something about a movie that makes you believe in the way love should be. I guess we all know love isn't REALLY like that all the time, but it is a beautiful thought. So here. Eat your heart out.

"I'm not saying it's going to be easy. It's going to be really hard and we're going to have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you....forever....you and me....everyday."
-Ryan Gosling as Noah in "The Notebook", 2004

"All I know is I want to stay here with you as long as I possibly can and I need you to tell me that I can."
-Channing Tatum as John in "Dear John", 2010

"Dear Holly,
I don't have much time. I don't mean literally, I mean you're out buying ice cream and you'll be home soon. But I have a feeling this is the last letter....because there is only one thing left to tell you. It isn't to go down memory lane or make you buy a lamp because you can take care of yourself without any help from me. It's to tell you how much you move me, how you changed me. You made me a man by loving me, Holly. And for that, I am eternally grateful... literally. If you can promise me anything, promise me that whenever you're sad, or unsure, or you lose complete faith, that you'll try to see yourself through my eyes. Thank you for the honor of being my wife. I'm a man with no regrets. How lucky am I? You made my life, Holly. But I'm just one chapter in yours. There'll be more. I promise. So here it comes, the big one. Don't be afraid to fall in love again. Watch out for that signal, when life as you know it ends. P.S. I will always love you."
-Gerard Butler as Gerry in "P.S. I Love You", 2007

Blah, Blah, Blah.

Okay so first of all, I obviously suck at this blogging thing---partly because my life is not that interesting and partly because I forget about my blog until see something about blogging on Facebook. Hence the reason I'm here now. Nevertheless, nothing exciting has happened recently in my life so if you are reading this, here is a list of randomness for your viewing pleasure. Now quiet, you.

So recently I rediscovered my love for several musicians and bands. It's funny how you can hear a song from three or four years ago and be affected by it in a whole new way. Here are my ten songs that made my week:
#1 "Empty Apartment" By Yell owcard
#2 "AM Radio" By Everclear
#3 "Float On" By Modest Mouse
#4 "Fallen" By Sarah McLachlan
#5 "Drops of Jupiter" By Train
#6 "White Houses" By Vanessa Carlton
#7 "Vienna" By Billy Joel
#8 "Sympathy" By Goo Goo Dolls
#9 "Hear You Me" By Jimmy Eat World
#10 "Follow You Down" By The Gin Blossoms

Here is a video for you to watch as well. It's from 2006 documenting "The Night Commute" sponsored by Invisible Children. I'm a huge supporter of this cause.

12 Reasons

Okay, so I'm a slacker....but we already knew this. This is extremely late so you'll have to forgive me, but I've been thinking of posting this for the last month or so ha ha. October 1st was Freddy and my one year anniversary. I know what you're thinking. We're cheesy. You're right. More than a celebration, it's kind of a landmark for us. It symbolizes how we've grown together and all the issues we've overcome in the last year. Basically, he's put up with me for 365 days and I wanted to recognize that :] so here's a post with 12 reasons as to why I love dating this boy.

#12: Humor. If you've ever seen us together, you can tell that we love to laugh. Fred has the best sense of humor and he is always able to crack me up, even when I'm upset, which is quite the feat. I love it that we are able to tease each other CONSTANTLY and end up in giggles.
Example - Me: Oh my heck Full House is on!
Freddy: Isn't that show from like the 80's or 90's?
Me: Yes and I love it!
Freddy: Oh yeah I used to love it too....and then my dad got a job.

#11: Intelligence. Fred is extremely smart and he remembers the most random facts. I love it that we are able to intelligently debate things :]
Example- We watch Cash Cab as often as possible and he usually beats me. He even knows what different types of sharks look like and what distinguishes them. Ahhh my dream boy :]

#10: Dedication. He recently stopped going to school so that he could work full time in order to help support us. He doesn't mind getting up early or doing the dirty work (such as cleaning the bathroom or taking out the trash which I REFUSE to do).
Example- In a matter of three days this week, he has worked close to 36 hours.

#9: Honesty. It took us a long time to get there, but we're pretty good at telling each other EVERYTHING now. He's pretty quick to share, even with things that I'm not sure I really wanted to know.
Example- The other night I was walking down the hall to put some laundry away and....
Freddy: Morgan stop.
Me: Ummm why?
Freddy: Just stop.
Me: Okay....
[about five minutes pass with me standing in the hallway]
Freddy: Okay I'm done.
Me: What are you talking about?
Freddy: There was the biggest spider I've ever seen in my life on the bathroom door.
Me: Sick!
Freddy: And it's the third one I've killed this week!

#8: Talented. Fred is such an awesome musician. I can't tell you how often I'm watching TV and I hear him messing around on his guitar in the other room....and how awesome it sounds.
Example: Ask him to sing "Our Song" By Taylor Swift for you :]

#7: Friendly. I can't tell you how easily this boy makes friends. It seems like everyone likes him, whether it's the clerk at the grocery store or one of our neighbor's kids that is playing outside.
Example: The family that we share our duplex with has a little boy that sits in the window and waits for Fred to come home from work so he can yell "Hi!!!!!" out the window.

#6: Romantic. He's always got little sweet ideas up his sleeve, whether it's sending me white lillies for no reason (my absolute favorite flower) or calling just to tell me he loves me.
Example: I have a whole folder full of notes that he leaves me, mostly just to say hello and I love you :]

#5: Stylish. Okay, so I admit it's a problem when he sometimes takes longer than I do to get ready to go out, but he always looks great :]
Example: If he doesn't like the way his hair looks after he does it, he puts a hat on.

#4: Helpful. He's one of the only guys I know that will fold laundry, cook, do the dishes, vacuum, and make the bed. I have to admit....I kinda like it :]
Example: Last night when I came home from work, he had nearly all the laundry done and he was unloading the dishwasher.

#3: Thoughtful. He's always doing things that I don't even ask him to, just because he knows it will make my day.
Example: At least once a week, he brings me dinner at work just because he wants to see me.

#2: Patience. He never gets upset with me. He is always so willing to listen to anything I have to say. Even when I start getting worked up and I can hear the crazy coming out of my mouth but find myself unable to stop it, he sits there and takes it. Bless his soul.
Example: I once got really upset that he bought a new pair of shoes without asking me and he took full blame for it, apologized, and made me dinner.

#1: For being my best friend. I have to say I'm extremely lucky to be in love with someone I get along with so well. We're so comfortable together and it's so easy to talk about anything with one another. I guess I just want Freddy to know how thankful I am for him being in my life, for being my best friend in the whole world, and for being the guy that I've always dreamed about.