Public bathrooms are generally gross, the only redeeming factor being the words scribbled on the wall. I find the jokes, confessions, questions, responses, thoughts etc. written on stall doors and walls to not only be amusing but inspiring.

Do you prefer to stand while everyone is sitting, or sit while everyone is standing?

The responses, and the comments on the responses, leads me to spend more time than I anticipated in a smelly toilet cubicle.

The freedom to be honest without retribution means people can say and confess things they wouldn’t normally. It means they can be candid and even sometimes witty.

You see, everyone sounds wittier when they are writing on a bathroom stall.

This freedom would be much different if we could identify who wrote it, who made such a statement. Maybe the answers wouldn’t be so funny, maybe they wouldn’t be written at all.

So why am I writing about bathroom stalls?

In many ways my blog is my very own bathroom stall wall, on which I can write the silly musings of my mind, questions I ponder, and confess things I wouldn’t tell you in real life. In many ways I sound wittier writing on a blog than in real life.

Like the walls of the stall, the words written here won’t always make sense, the answers not always logical and the whole thing seemingly gross and useless. But there is nothing I would rather waste time on than pondering on the wittiest thing to add to my stall.

I have a lot of dietary restrictions, I am a very picky eater, and if I get salad I want the dressing on the side.

However this isn’t the main reason I don’t like to eat out. No it isn’t because I am lactose intolerant and they only have (cow) milk shakes. In fact it isn’t because of the enoumous amount of calories and sodium in a single appetizer. And no it isn’t because I am cheap.

Perhaps frugality has a little to do with it, but the biggest reason is that I would much prefer to do something else with my time and money.

Sitting at an overpriced cafe nibbling on croissants while sipping on a foamy latte sounds about as appealing as listening to Adam Sandler read. Sure it doesn’t require a lot of work on my part,  but it most certainly isn’t fun.

This means that often times (not always) when I do go out it is because of other people-  because friends, family or people I just met, persuaded me to go out to eat.

Now this doesn’t mean I don’t like to go out or eat, I do. I love spending time with people, I love biking, I love shopping and would even be up for a trip out to a museum or a karaoke place. I enjoy going places, I just prefer to eat at home.

The joy of cooking your own meal far surpasses the ease of purchasing it.

Whenever someone offers me to go out and eat, I usually resist it thinking of all the dresses, shoes and even makeup that I could buy with that money. Also considering the twenty one questions I will have to ask the waiter about the menu.

 ”I’ll pay” they say, thinking it is because I want to save the $8. But my hesitation isn’t because I wish to con people into paying for me or because I don’t like you, no it is because I could really use some more blue eyeliner and that milk shake doesn’t help me to achieve that goal.

Oddly enough I have been feeling lonely this winter. I say oddly because I am hardly ever alone and have enough amazing friends to fill my time and life. I have thought that maybe I need a hug or someone to chat with, but I have done that and nothing changed. I still feel lonely, so I decided to make a list.

Here are five reasons you (and I) are feeling lonely this winter.

1) Pride and Prejudice. I have watched this movie so many times that I have lost count. This movie, and many other like it, is the main reason I am feeling lonely. Once you learn about Mr. Darcy all you can hope for is the day you will find yours. Especially when it is dark and cold, and your world seems to be spinning, you just want a Mr. Darcy to hold your hand and remind you that it will all get better in time.
Solution: Stop watching period dramas, romantic comedies and anything Jennifer Aniston is in. Those types of movies only leads the heart to grow delusional and sad, which combined only leads to odd feelings of loneliness.

2) Valentines Day. I think all humans have an internal clock for valentines day. Once January 14 roles around we all become hyper aware of the thing happening in a month, and those of us who are single become hyper aware of our situation. After all who doesn’t want the option of spending dollars on dinner and a teddy bear in the name of love.
Solution: Stop thinking about valentines day and instead think of February 15, when your friends with boyfriends share their chocolate with you.

3) Your Room/apartment. Winter means cold, and snow, and frigid temperatures and putting on three layers of clothes just to walk to the neighbors. So you don’t. You sit in your room listening to pandora “Love Songs” radio station and stalking friends on facebook.
Solution: Get out of your room/ apartment. Stop listening to John Mayer, put on all three sweaters and spend the evening with your friends not facebook.

4) That couple. You know the one that has matching hats and who always seem to be sharing a cup of hot cider in the coffee shop while you are trying to catch your friends up on how you get through the long nights. That couple that never seems to be cold since the proximity of their bodies to each other means scientifically they are always warm.
Solution: Get hot cider and matching hats with a friend. If you can’t beat them, join them.

5) School. Is school harder in the winter? Some would argue that professors get meaner when the temperature drops below 20 degrees, and therefore assign all that reading just to spite you. Also after winter break and being with your family it can seem very lonely coming back to school– which unlike your mother never surprises you with pancakes for breakfast.
Solution: I don’t have one yet, school can be a downer.

These girls are killing me, with these beautiful copper and black dresses and the burnt orange eyeshadow. I have been eyeing this picture for a while, and though I can’t remember the source or the name of all the models I can assure you these women are amazing (and every where).

My favorite is the youngest, and most gorgeous, Nyasha Matonhodoze:

Now only if I could find that dress she is wearing and the eyeshadow!

Midnight Games

We aren’t sure where we are, or where we are going
He follows the wind, as I search for a map
We exchange knowing looks
Uncertainty in our eyes.

Being so talented, I expected the same class and beauty seen in her designs from her on the red carpet. However these expectations have never  been met and she has in fact dashed all hopes I had in her being some kind of a fashion icon. Each time I see pictures of Rachel Roy all I can think is, wow she has such a beautiful face but WHAT is she wearing?

I hoped that at least she would wear some of her own designs or a designer who had some sense of style (maybe Michael Kors would be willing to help her out). While her designs are no Donna Kara or Alexander McQueen she has made a name for herself, being a step above Banana Republic and being pretty and all.

Now before I analyze her red carpet fashion endeavors, I visited her website to ensure that I had not mistaken her for some other Rachel who was a designer. While her Rachel Roy collection is quite a disappointment, the Rachel Rachel Roy (couldn’t she think of a more creative name) proved of some value. I particularly liked the Writer’s Block jumpsuit and the collection of outerwear.

Now having verified that she does infact have some talent and that she is able to put pieces together I am all the more confused by what she wears out.

Evidence #1

Perhaps the most concerning thing I have ever seen Rachel or any other designer wear is this 1970′s grey pajama outfit. I mean I don’t get it, was she going to slumber party? And the glasses, and the purse, with heels. This is unforgivable. Her whole outfit screams K-mart couture, and is something you would find middle age suburbanites wearing to bed. I believe it was at this moment that I realized she needs a stylist.

Evidence #2

The picture that motivated me to write this post. This isn’t the worst thing that Rachel has worn, infact it isn’t that bad of an outfit– until you get to the white shoes. The white shoes plus the strangely gold cross necklace is what takes this outfit from cute to confusing. I don’t get the shoes, actually I don’t think I have seen pointed white heels since early 2002 and as for the necklace it looks like something out of a forever 21 jewelry sale bin. All of this from a woman who calls her self a designer!

One of these days I am going to write her a letter, asking her to fire whoever dresses her and stop showing up in public looking like she has been shopping at JC Penny.

So today when I couldn’t focus anymore, instead of sleeping or leaving I wrote several short poems. I am not sure that any of them are actually good, but I will share one.

Your voice lulls me
softly into a trance,
sleep calls as you speak-
always with such finesse
laughing, like a honest man

The Christian life and Christian community is not easy, it takes time, but it is so worth it!

From God’s Word:

Galatians 6:7-9 (KJV)
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.“