For a few months now I have been wanting to get into reading. My sister was always the reader. She had a huge collection of books and at one point even wanted to be a librarian (thank goodness she came around and chose physical therapy for a career). I was always more hands on and go-out-and-do. Nowadays I’m still pretty hands on but I would like to read more. Not just blogs and magazines but actual hard books! Now, I don’t like the idea of resolutions because they usually end up being broken so instead I will call it a good old fashioned GOAL! My goal is to be someone who reads!
For Christmas I was gifted some money that I received before the holidays so naturally I used it to buy other gifts. My father and Grandfather enjoy books so I made my way to Walden books for gifts. While I was there, with Peace Sign actually, I decided that I would purchase a book for myself as well, to ignite my goal! I chose “Eat, Pray, Love” after hearing such great things about it (and no I have NOT seen the movie yet). As I was checking out the woman at the register said “did you know that all our books are buy 4 get 1 free?” At first this didn’t interest me but I had a quick shift in thinking. Why get one book for myself when I could get three?! So back into the stacks I went. I took me a while to really find things I knew I could commit to reading but I did.
I wasn’t able to start any until after the holidays so when I decided that it was time to begin my goal I chose the lighter of the books I bought.
Chelsea Handlers books are the best. I have adored her as a comedian and love her show on E! so when she started writing books I was all about it. I used my opportune moment at the bookstore to buy her third book that I hadn’t read yet. It was a great starter book to warm me up.
Unlike her first two books, “Chelsea Chelsea, Bang Bang” isn’t focused on her sexual escapades and mishaps. It’s more a collection of stories from her childhood up to the last year. A lot of which involve her now ex-boyfriend Ted, who is also the CEO at E!, and her quirky family. It’s as though you were sitting across the living listening to Chelsea tell the stories to you personally. There are even a few candid photos that certainly enhance the stories.
I know it’s not a Pulitzer Prize nominee but if you want an easy and very entertaining read I highly suggest this book. It will literally have you laughing out loud so try not to read it in a library or any other place that requires your silence. If you have read it, spread the word. If you haven’t read it, try and get your hands on it and let me know what you think. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
happy reading! xoxo
I’ve been thinking very much lately about how I let people influence me. Some in good ways, some in bad. I tend to be easily influenced which is something I’m just now admitting out loud.{epiphany}
While in my sophomore year in college I met a girl (who for all intensive purposes we will call, Jezebel). Jezebel was the type of girl who is magnetic. She never had a shortage of friends who wanted to be around her or men who were interested in her. It was almost like a spell she put on people. I was one such person. I wanted to be her friend and her to be mine. And that’s exactly what happened. For the next 4 years we were almost inseparable. We had our tiffs like people do but managed to get over them. She knew all my little quirks and “isms” and, as cliche as it sounds, we actually did finish each others sentences. Well, things didn’t quite work out for Jezebel and I. True colors were shown and they were not colors I liked. Now I look back at those years with a new perspective. I think about the things I did or changed about myself because of being friends with Jezebel. More of them bad than good. I’m not proud of it.
On the other side of the coin, there are my friends who influence me in the best of ways. First I’ll talk about one of my oldest friends, who we will call Peace Sign. Peace Sign and I have known each other since 8th grade and are closer than ever. There is no one in my life that I giggle more with. It can’t even be helped. Just being around her fills me with joy and love and any hard exterior I have up immediately sheds itself. I can be my silliest, most innocent self with her. Peace Sign is contagious in her unwavering belief in true love. For a long time I didn’t really think that being in love really existed but she makes me feel that it is out there and it’s attainable! She’s a wonderful influence and I love her dearly.
Secondly, I will talk about a friend who I haven’t known for very long but am clearly a kindred spirit with. We will call her Green Goodness. I don’t know if I can put Green Goodness into words for anyone to really grasp her effect on people. She emits the kind of good vibes that can fuel an acre of wind turbines! When we are together I suddenly feel like I can change the world in a day. It’s the strangest thing and it’s slightly addictive. She is one of the most genuinely nice and good people I know. Like with Peace Sign, whenever I’m hanging out with Green Goodness I feel like my truest self. I don’t have to change who I am or pretend to be someone I’m not. It’s joy and happiness in it’s purest form. I adore her and our times together.
I think everyone has their own Jezebel at some point their life. It’s hard to realize it in the moment, but if you do part ways with him/her take a look back at your time together. Learn from the experience and you will know how to avoid him/her in the future, or at least keep them at arms distance. On a happy note, there are people like Peace Sign and Green Goodness out there and they are SO worth your time and love. When you find them, nurture and cherish them and never be afraid to tell them about their great influence on you.
