tuesday tunes.

Once in a while I just like to share some tunes I'm digging. This is one of those times. My challenge for you: Pick three below that you haven't heard. Give em a listen and let me know what you think! Then tell me some of your current favorite songs!

• P!nk and Nate Ruess, Just Give Me A Reason. I've owned the P!nk album since it dropped in September. And this was one of my favorite tracks on the very first listen. I literally cannot get enough of this song. It's one of those songs that I think about and have to listen to at least once a day. I know, I'm weird. But it's beautiful. Their voices blend together so well. It is sang so powerfully and passionately  the words are haunting. It's the perfect song.

• The Band Perry, Done. Who doesn't love an angsty country song? Does this not make you want to jump on a table and throw something at someone? The fast paced, angry tone of this song makes it a great song to belt out.

• Justin Timberlake, Mirrors. Confession Time: I've never really been that big of a JT fan. I know, I know. Even in my Nsync fangirl days, I was a J.C. kinda girl. I don't own a single Justin Timberlake solo album. But I'll admit that the new one, which I've heard via my roomates, is pretty good. And this song, Mirrors, is my favorite. I love when I hear it on the radio, I love singing along. It's beautiful.

• Iconca Pop, I Love It. Normally I wouldn't like this kind of song, but something about it just makes me feel like dancing, waving my arms up in the air and proclaim I DON'T CARE. It's an anthem for us 20 somethings, I believe.

• Imagine Dragons, Radioactive. Big fan of this band. This song is catchy, dark, soulful and passionate.

• Fall Out Boy, My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark. My inner 16 year old is in love with the fact that FOB has made a comeback! I don't think I'll ever outgrow my love for them, and I dig their new sound.

• Taylor Swift, 22. When I first got my hands on Taylor's album, Red, I HATED this song. I would refuse to listen to it and skip it whenever it came on. Now? I kinda like it. Damn you, pop songs! I still hate the way she sings it (she sounds like Avirl Lavinge on drugs) but I can relate to the lyrics and I'd be lying if I said I didn't dance around to this song. Plus, I love that Tay Tay so boldy sings out "You don't know bout me".

• Emeli Sande, Next To Me. I was introduced to Emeli's music a few months back via a coworker, and I'm hooked. Her album is amazing. This single is catchy and fun, her voice is wonderful. Check out her other stuff, too!

• Lady Antebellum, Downtown. I'm a big fan of Lady A and have been waiting anxiously for new music from them. Downtown does not disapoint. It's one of their more upbeat singles. It's sassy and fun.

• Phillip Phillips, Gone Gone Gone. I had my doubts about this guy when he was crowned Idol winner last season, but so far he's released two hit singles. This is the 2nd, and I adore it. I like the bluegrassy feel, I like the lyrics.

• Sara Barielles, Brave. I could just hug Sara for writing such a powerful anthem against bullying. you go, girl.

Colorful weekend

Note: Thank you to all who read and commented on my last post. It was an issue that hit home, and I had to speak out about it. I don't stand for bullying. That's really what the Abercrombie issue is all about. I could care less what sizes they carry, but the bullying is not okay.

Friends...this was a beautiful and colorful weekend.

I am low on funds right now, so I made quite sure to not spend a penny during the week and saved up all my cash for the weekend.  I knew it was going to be a big weekend. Luckily we had already paid for most of the things we did, so I really didn't spend much. This is the life of a 20 something, ya'll.

Friday we celebrated Lauren's birthday. Lauren is one of my two roommates and also one of my best friends. I met her six years ago through a mutual friend at a party. We hit it off right away and soon she was hanging out with Sam and I all the time. We became so close, in fact, that Lauren and I lived together the next year, along with our friend Jess. We've remained friends and live together now, too, along with Sam. It's like everything came full circle. Lauren is the funniest person I know. She can talk to anyone, she isn't afraid to be herself, she says what's on her mind. She's brave, she takes charge. She cares about people and will drop anything to help her friends. She's in love with the game of golf and with Justin Timberlake.

The three of us (Sam, Lauren, and I) had dinner at Champps, and then we saw The Great Gatsby. I've been anxiously awaiting this movie to come out. It is one of my all time favorite books. I saw the original movie in high school. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with the 2013 release. I can't compare it with the book, because if I do that, it's not nearly as good. So I will say that as a movie on it's own, it's incredible. The camerawork and creativity in the costumes and set design is outstanding. The soundtrack is flawless. The actors were wonderful. It's captivating  Lauren and Sam did not know the story and the movie kept their interest for the entire 2.5 hours. It's worth seeing, that's for sure.

It was a fun night out with my gals. I am so happy to be living with my two best friends and creating such precious memories. There are many more to come.

Saturday morning came early. Sam and I were up at 5:30 to get ready for the Color Run. We did the color run last year on my birthday, so I sort of knew what to expect. Sam's friend Patrick picked us up and we made the trek to Ypsilanti. We were there in plenty of time, which is a blessing because we were closer to the starting line. 15,000 people participated in that 5k yesterday, and they were releasing us from the starting line in wave of 1,000. So it was a relief to be some of the first.

The Color Run advertises itself as the "Happiest 5k on the planet" and it really, truly is. If you're gonna do a 5k, choose the color run. As you run/walk the course, there are stations where volunteers throw colored corn starch on you. The goal is to get as colored as possible. Everyone has a smile on their face as they make their way through the color stations. Music is blaring. Little kids giggle and tag along their parents. It is so fun you forget that you're running 3 miles.

The best part about the color run is the finish line. When I crossed I made my way through the crowd and found my friends. We headed to the stage area where runners are gathered with extra color packets. After a countdown, everyone throws their color packets into the air, creating this incredible dusty rainbow. That is when you get the most colored. We stayed there for about an hour, going through the "Color blast" three times.

Here is a picture of myself, Sam, and our friend Julie, all colored.

When we decided we were colored enough, we headed home. Sam and I took turns showering to get the color off our skin and hair. It comes off pretty easily, although blue seems to be the toughest. I still have blue on my feet and legs. Then we settled in for some nice long naps.

That night, Sam, Lauren, our friend Krystin, and I headed downtown for the Tiger's game. We met up with some other friends there, as well. It was freezing. It's not supposed to be that cold in May, but we were huddled up under hoodies, fleece jackets, and blankets, and we were still freezing. The Tigers were not playing very well, but we had fun anyways. It was Sam's first Tigers game. We cheered for our boys and people watched. Made friends with a Steve Carrell look a like. Laughed a lot.

We left in inning 6, when the Tigers were down 4-1. We very, very quickly walked back to our car. When we got there I noticed that the parking lot attendant was the same was when we pulled in. She must have been freezing, sitting there in the dark and cold. I had some extra hand warmers in my pocket, so I gave them to her. I hope they did her some good.

This is Lauren, myself, and Sam at the game

After we left, we went to our favorite coney island to grab some food since our food/sleep schedule had been so off. Then we headed back home to sip on some wine and settle in. We laughed so hard, just making silly jokes and sharing stories and pictures. I laughed so hard my face hurt. My ears burned. Just thinking about it now makes me laugh again. I love those nights. I love these friends.

Today, of course, is Mother's Day. I know we should celebrate moms all year, but I like having a special day to spoil them. I've been blessed with a wonderful mother. Here's what I wrote earlier on facebook about her:

My mom is the first person I want to talk to when I have a bad day. She is full of wisdom and humor. She understands my anxieties and calms my fears. She loves her children ans grandson and each and every student that she has taught. She wants nothing but the best for all of us. She's a Notre Dame fanatic. She cares deeply. She is a friend to many, often a rock for those in need. She's her mothers daughter. She is passionate. She is the very best.

I meant every word of that. My mom is a 2nd grade teacher (and has been for many years). The love and passion she gives out to those students and families is absolutely beautiful. I have witnessed, again and again, people coming to her in need of support and my mom so willingly lending out that support. She is one of my best friends and an amazing woman.

To celebrate today, we had a family brunch at my sister's house. This is my sister's very first mother's day, and she hosted a lovely brunch. It's wonderful to witness my sister as a mother, learning about her little boy and growing each day. She already is a great mom, and I know she will only continue to be the best mom to little Ryan. He's one lucky dude.

And now, it is Sunday evening and for the first time all weekend I don't have anywhere I have to be until tomorrow morning. My bones hurt, my muscles ache, my cheeks are wind burnt, and my eyes are heavy. But my heart is full. I loved this weekend. I love the people in my life, and I love my life.

Fat Chicks Don't Want You, Either.

Hey...Mike Jefferies..

Yeah, you. 

I have never worn Abercrombie. I always thought the whole idea of that store was sexist. Plus, I'm not the kind of girl who wanted to spend $40 on a t shirt.  So don't worry, I've stayed far far away from your little store. Which is what you want, since I am a "fat chick".

Let's talk about what you said though, shall we?

“In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids,” he told the site. “Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely. Those companies that are in trouble are trying to target everybody: young, old, fat, skinny. But then you become totally vanilla. You don’t alienate anybody, but you don’t excite anybody, either,” he told Salon.

Well sir, guess what? Even though I'm a "fat chick", I was also a pretty freaking awesome kid. I had a ton of friends and I was on student council. I had, and still do have, a great attitude- or are fat chicks incapable of having a great attitude, too? 

You're right. I don't belong in your clothes. I don't WANT to belong in your clothes. 

Your hatred for "Fat Chicks" is actually kind of amusing. You act like we have a disease or something, and if we dare even look at your clothes they will burn. 

Another quote- “He doesn’t want larger people shopping in his store, he wants thin and beautiful people,” Lewis said. “He doesn’t want his core customers to see people who aren’t as hot as them wearing his clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like they’re one of the ‘cool kids.’”

Apparently you don't know this, but big girls can be beautiful, too. You're just afraid to see that and to admit that. Society tells you thin is beautiful, so that's what you believe and what you are preaching. Sir, you've got it wrong. 

In an age where kids are killing themselves left and right over bullying, are you proud of yourself for being so cruel? For picking and choosing who can shop in your store? No fat chicks allowed, but hefty male athletes pass the test, because they are considered "all american". You are an adult. Your job is to STOP the hate, stop bullying, be a GOOD example to our kids. But instead you are spewing out hate, simply because you have decided that fat chicks can't be cool, and therefore they can't wear your clothes.

So, Mike, good luck to you and your little store. I'm gonna be over here, being the cool kid that I am.

And to the rest of the world, do what you want and buy clothes wherever you please, just stop words of hate from leaving your lips. That's all I really care about.

I know people will read this and call me bitter and I may even get some hate myself for being overweight. And to you I say: Hi, I'm Megan. I know I'm overweight, so you don't need to point it out. Am I 100% happy with my body and myself? No. Is anyone? But I sure do know that I'm a much better person than Mike Jefferies. 

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Say A Little Prayer For You

This story happened a few weeks ago, but I decided to wait until after the A-Z challenge was over to share it on my blog. Enjoy.

 

It was just a normal day at work. I had music softly playing in the background while I tackled my To Do list one item at a time. But then my personal phone started buzzing. A co worker's name popped up on the screen. For a split second I though about not answering it. Not that I didn't love chatting with her, but I was in the middle of entering a report. But then I figured if she was calling my personal phone, something may be wrong.

I'm so glad I answered that call. On the other side of the line was my friend's voice. Shaken. Panicked. In Fear. A member of her family was in the middle of surgery and my friend was worried they weren't going to make it through. I could hear her voice cracking as she asked me to pray. She then admitted she's never asked anyone to pray for her before...but she didn't know what else to do.

After offering her as much comfort as I could, I hung up, took a deep breath, and prayed. And then looked online for "surgery" prayers, changed the words to one and sent it to her in an e-mail. I also asked two of my other coworkers, both spiritual people, to pray with me.

For the next hour or so I prayed for my friend and her family. An hour later, she sent me a message that her family member was out of surgery and doing okay. Relief.

I share this story to tell you that sometimes we need each other. And it's okay to ask for help, and for prayers. I keep thinking what if my friend had not called me? She would have let it stew inside her brain and her nerves would have been totally shot. But she felt comfortable enough coming to me and saying "I need help". I was proud of her. That takes courage. It's not always easy to reach out to your friends when you need them.

I take my role as a Christian pretty seriously. When someone asks me to pray for them, I do my very best to make it a point to actually pray for them. It's what we are called to do. And you don't even need someone to ASK. You know how sometimes, someone will just randomly come to your mind? Take that as an opportunity to pray for them, or send them positive vibes. They don't have to know that you did it...but you'll know. It's a reminder that we are all connected for a very special reason, and that our duty is to be here for one another.

I wish you all a very happy, blessed weekend. My best friend, a coworker and her best friend, and myself are headed to the Taylor Swift Concert tomorrow night. We are going all out, because, well, why not? So if you see 4 gals in their late 20's decked out in red and glitter, that's us.