This Really Long Post Should Make Up for the 5 Day Delay

So I finished Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives. To be honest, this is the first self-help book I've ever read, and I think it was a good way to start. The author gets straight to the point about a lot of relationship issues and is really quite blunt. I feel as though although a lot of the issues were completely irrelevant in my life, it did actually help. So! If you ever need someone to just tell it like it is, I'd suggest this book.

Anyway, I'm moving onto Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Actually, I already started, but I'm only at the part where Ron shows up in the flying car, so it's basically the beginning.

This past weekend was my sister and stepbrother's grad party, so I was at home. It was nice, and I got a lot of free food to take home, but the best part was after everyone was basically gone. My stepbrother, Ryan, had his friend Patrick over, and my sister Shelby and I were watching HP and the SS with them. Patrick, not an avid HP fan, kept asking questions, and Ryan and I kept answering. He was like, "How do you know this?" It was kinda funny to me.

So I got a couple of those makeup how-to books I mentioned before from the library. I went through The 5 Minute Face and Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy (the makeup artist from What Not to Wear) and Makeup Masterclass by Jemma Kidd. They had some really good tips. I have big brown eyes and pale skin, and I never really knew how to flatter my eyes without looking goth or sickly. I used some of the tips today, and I think it looks pretty good! I kinda wish I owned the books myself so that I could go back and look at the tips whenever I want, but this way I can make a note of my favorite ideas and not have to spend a dime.

Next weekend, I'm going to Chicago with my dad, stepmom, and Shelby. We're going to visit my grandma and uncle who live there, as well as be tourists and see the museums and everything. I'm pretty excited. The last time I went to Chicago, I was in junior high. Although, I have to admit, I would rather be going with friends instead of my parents. I feel like it'd be awkward if a group of cute guys walked by and I was standing next to my dad. Oh well, I need the vacation.

So I was talking to my friend Katie over the weekend about taking a camping trip next summer. We got to talking about Chicago and random plans, etc, when she mentioned that it would probably be better if we invited some of our guy friends to come with us because her parents might not let her go if it's just girls. Katie, like me, is 20 years old. And her parents might not let her go without some guys to protect her. Seriously. This is an example of the way that I feel a lot more mature than my friends from back home. I don't even have to tell my mom about when I'm taking trips, and I shouldn't have to because I am an independent adult who can handle and take care of herself. Now I understand being concerned about what could happen to a group of innocent, naive young girls in a new town, but the girls we'd be going with carry and know how to use knives. Also, there would be at least 5 of us, and I feel like a guy wouldn't try to rape all of us at once, you know? I just thought that it was ridiculous that although she's an adult, Katie's parents are still basically in charge of her life. This is why I'm glad I went away to school.

So I have recently decided that Amazon is my new best friend. I've had this box of manga and novels I haven't read in years sitting in my parents' basement ever since I left for college, and my stepsister suggested that I sell them on Amazon. So I ended up putting about 30 books up for sale and 5 hours later I sold one! I know it's just one, and I only made about $2, but still, it's money that I could use. I'm really hoping to sell a few more and maybe have a little extra cash laying around. That would be nice for a change.

I've been really interested in fashion lately. I really want to get some good, awesome pieces for school, like skirts, dresses, blouses, cardigans, blazers, flats, boots, and cute necklaces. I also want to learn how to wear a belt around my waist and a scarf around my neck and hopefully catch up with that trend. Sadly enough, I'm probably going to end up emulating Shelby, who has the cutest fashion sense of anyone I know. I also want to get a real makeup tray and some new nail polish colors. I feel like reinventing my wardrobe and look yet again! Hopefully I'll be able to get some money through my books and my resale clothes. Gah, I wish I wasn't a poor college student!