I'm back!!! And I've brought two lists!

After a very prolonged absence I am making a return. Just like the Fall TV shows!

The return of all my favorite shows and the premiere of new ones (more on this in a bit) aren't the only reasons Fall is my favorite season. So to celebrate my return here's a list...

Katie's List of Why Fall is the Best Season

1. The return of awesome TV shows
2. It starts to get colder
3. The beautiful colors
4. Leaves changing colors
5. Pumpkin everything
6. It's not so hot
7. Cardigans
8. Boots
9. Everyone else is in school and can't go to Seven Peaks while I'm at work
10. Annual caramel apple making
11. The smell of the crisp air
12. Th good smelling Autumn soap Brooke always gets
13. It's getting close to Thanksgiving when I get to go home and visit
14. Halloween and free candy/half off post-Halloween candy sales
15. My birthday!

Ok, now that I've taken care of the list of things I love about Fall, I will now compile my list of why I'm excited about Fall TV.

Chuck

I love Chuck! I'm so sad this is the last season and that it's not starting until the end of October, but I think it promises to be a hilarious one. If my sister's had finished watching the season, I would be able to say why I think it will be hilarious, but they didn't so I'll just leave it at THIS SEASON IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!

Bones

Again, I love Bones! Last season ended big and I've been waiting all summer to see what will happen.

Vampire Diaries

Ahh, my guilty pleasure... I don't know why I like this show, but I do. I don't know why I'm excited, but I am.

Psych

The new comer. I just recently watched the first 4 seasons of Psych on Netflix and I am a couple episodes into season 5 on Hulu, and it is freaking hilarious. And to make it better they're going to mention BYU in one of the episodes of season 6 because BYU smashed every other college out of the competition. Hopefully I'll be able to finish season 5 before season 6 starts, but if not oh well, I still love this show and eventually season 5 will be on Netflix.

New Girl

This one looks really funny and I think Zooey Deschanel is a crack up.

Pan Am

Maybe it's just the fact that this is fairly historical or that I am loving the ladylike clothes of the 60s right now, but I'm super excited for this one.

Hart of Dixie

What is with my obsession with cop and doctor shows? I really don't know, but this one looks promising.

The Secret Circle

Again, another one of my downfalls, drama filled, cheesy teenage shows (Vampire Diaries anyone?). Plus, it's got the girl from H20: Just Add Water in it, so huge plus right there.

Once Upon a Time

I'm already loving this one. And who wouldn't, it's about fairy tales in the modern day and it's from the same people who did Lost.

Community

I also want to start watching Community. I saw the paintball episode last season, and now it's just a matter of time before I'm hooked.

Oh boy. That's a lot of shows. It's going to be a busy year.

I feel like I'm suffering from the cruciatus curse!

In case you haven't heard JK Rowling recently announced this new web site. And that's all she did - announce it. It's been like a howler heard around the world. She hasn't giving any hints as to what its about or anything. But, this is from the lady who kept the secret of Harry's destiny for practically a bazillion years when pretty much the entire universe was bugging her to spill the beans, so it's to be expected.

I'm really hoping it's an encyclopedia of the Harry Potter world, a sort of Hogwarts: A History type of thing. Or at least something to that affect.

I've decided JK Rowling is very cruel. We're (and by we, I mean the collective Harry Potter fan community who stuck with Harry until the end) already beside ourselves waiting for the final movie, and then she goes and does something like this! Does she not realize that the anticipation is boiling over inside me like a potion down in Snape's dungeon? She should lose 100 points for this outrageous act.

On the other hand, I feel like I've swallowed a mouthful of Felix Felicis and am in the midst of the luckiest day/summer of my life! The final movie and a new website that promises to be as exciting as the Quidditch World Cup! A bazillion points to JK!

Gilmore Girlsesque

I feel like my life has been on fast forward the past little bit and that I haven't had time to think - let alone blog! So in keeping with my last couple posts, this one is going to also be a whirlwind of images, thought, and obscure references. Just like Gilmore Girls. Also I have cleaning checks tomorrow and haven't started my jobs yet at its 11:12 pm. But this is way more important than living in a clean apartment.

First of all, Elsa and Brian got married.

I'm still trying to get use to the idea. Elsa is the first of my close friends to get married, so it's kinda weird. I'm so happy for her and Brian, I know they're going to be very happy together. Now I can't wait until I get married so that we can be married friends together!

In other news, I have officially gotten my money's worth out of my Seven Peaks pass. When I bought it I was most excited about the unlimited access to the one water park in Utah Country and was thought eh about Trafalga. But now, I realized how mistaken I was to discount Trafalga! As part of the Trafalga pass you get unlimited games of laser tag, and on Friday night Brooke, Kelsie, Lauren, Seth, and I went and played 3 games of laser tag in a row. It was so much fun, our team won 2 out of 3 games, and the code names for the guns were awesome. For example, there was Princess, Reptar, Voldmort, Dumbldor, and many more. If we had paid for each of those games it would have been $18 each, but because of our amazing Pass of All Passes we did it for free! Brooke and I have decided that whenever we're bored we're just gonna go play laser tag!

Following the fun at Trafalga we headed over to Strawberry days in Pleasant Grove and walked around the carnival.

We had amazing strawberries and cream. It's the specialty of Strawberry Days. And now I can't wait until next year when I can have it again!

Doesn't it just seem like a carnival from Stars Hollow?! It was so much fun, and just another reason why I love Provo in the summer. Provo in the summer also reminds of The Sandlot. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Sandlot was filmed in Utah, but every once in a while I just have these feelings that if I walk around the corner there is going to be a dust pit of a baseball diamond with a bunch of little boys playing ball and putting the moves on the lifeguard.

I also found another new show that I have quickly gotten obsessed with. It's called H2O: Just Add Water.

Oh boy. That looks as embarrassing typed out as it sounds when you say it out loud. It's another Summer I Turned Pretty situation.

Anyways, its an Australian TV show about 3 teenage girls who turn into mermaids and have super powers. The acting is bad, the story is cheesy, and I love it! It probably has something to do with either my obsession with mermaids or my obsession for juvenile shows and books. It's on Netflix, so really if you have a spare 20 minutes, which could easily turn into 20 hours you should check it out.

Why do I avoid things like cleaning checks?!?!?!

They've done it again

First, McDonald's came out with $1 double cheeseburgers.

Then it was $1 Dr. Pepper's.

But, now they have done it again.

Two words. Rolo. McFlurry.

Did you get that? McDonald's now has Rolo McFlurry's.

And they are amazing.

What is McDonald's trying to do to me!

The Secret Garden

Bad news guys. I think I'm about to become as addicted to The Secret Garden as I was with Anne of Green Gables. Well maybe not quite as addicted, but close. 

I rented the DVD of The Secret Garden from the library and watched it last night. Growing up we always watched the 1987 Hallmark version that has Colin Firth as grown up Colin. (Did you realize Colin's name is Colin Craven, which is extremely close to Colin Creevey from Harry Potter? Quite the coincidence. But, I may also just be really weird and the only one who make connections like that.) Anyways, now I'm just itching to read the book again.

At the part in the movie when Mary finds the key to the garden, and sits on the bench as the wind serendipitously blows the vines away from the garden wall and reveals the locked door, I remembered something very important from my childhood.

One year for Christmas, Kelsie, got a copy of The Secret Garden from out grandparents. It came with an awesome key pendant necklace. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I wanted a key pendant necklace soooo bad. I would always ask Kelsie if I could wear it, and she would always say no. Because Kelsie was a stingy child who wouldn't share her Barbie's and Polly Pockets. I just remember being so jealous of Kelsie's key pendant necklace and nice, new copy of The Secret Garden. Especially because I had to read my Mom's old, falling apart copy.

Summer Reading List

Since I have officially began an eternal summer and I will be finishing Lost tonight (I have ONE episode left!) I thought now would be a good time to compile my preliminary summer reading list. I just saw on Facebook that the theme for the Provo City Library summer reading program is "Up All Night" which I am a huge fan of. Possibly because I often stay up all night reading and then make my way through the next day like a zombie. I really can't be blamed for this behavior. It's all my Dad's fault. He would take my books away at 11:00 so I didn't learn to self-regulate my reading habits. At least that's the story I'm sticking with.

But anyways...here's my summer reading list:

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I've gotta get ready for the final movie!
2. Sense and Sensibility
3. Work and the Glory. I haven't decided if I want to reread the whole series or not, but I figure I'll decide as I'm reading it.
4. Secret Garden
5. Goose Girl and accompanying books that I don't know the names of
6. Mockingjay. Maybe. I want to see if it gets any better the second time around.
7. Undaunted. Actually I just want to finish this one. I still have about 100 pages somewhere in the middle because I NEEDED to know who ended up together at the end and may have skipped ahead...
8. The Healer's Apprentice. I really want to read this book, but I swear its impossible to find. So I may just have to order it from Amazon
9. The FitzOsbournes in Exile. I just saw this one on a library reading list and want to read it really bad. 

And we'll just start with that because my lunch break is over and I could go on forever.

Only one can live...

At open house in 6th grade my family went to the book fair. I've always loved stuff like that, you know, since I'm a problem reader. Well, I got this book there, it was called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Maybe you've heard of it?

I had seen my friends reading it at a class read and feed and thought it looked interesting so I asked my parents for it at the fair. At first my mom was hesitant, but finally gave in but said that my dad had to read it first.

And so began my obsession with Harry Potter. At times it has reached unhealthy proportions.

I think pretty much everybody knows I love Harry Potter, but I don't think they realize HOW much I know about it. I try to keep that on the DL. Because every once in a while when I slip up and people realized all the random facts and information I know about Harry Potter, I get really weird looks.

Anyways, to add to my weirdness, or coolness-depending on how you look at it-I saw the trailer for the very last Harry Potter movie today. And I got chills. I didn't even watch it with the sound (because I forgot my headphones today and the computers at work don't have speakers) and I got chills.

I'm such a weirdo.

But when the protective enchantments on Hogwarts start breaking apart and you know Voldemort and the Death Eaters are invading the school I just couldn't help it!

I've grown up with Harry Potter. I was 11 when I read the first book and 17 when the last one came out, so even though I wasn't trying to save wizarding-kind I could relate to Harry because we were the same age. And it seems so fitting that the final movie would come out the same summer I graduate from college. It's like we're passing into adulthood together, Harry and I.

Watch the trailer and tell me you don't get chills.

UPDATE: I just watched it again, but with sound. And it is AWESOME!!! I'm so freaking excited! Definitely got chills the second time around.

They took away my lanyard

Today was the last day of my internship. They made me turn in my lanyard. I was really disappointed.

Overall, my internship was an amazing experience. I learned a lot, met some great people, and had fun. I also really think it helped prepare me for my future career, whatever it ends up being...

Equally exciting as finishing my internship, I bought Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 on DVD today! I'm watching it right now and counting down the days until part 2 comes out!

This is amazing

Super cheesy, but I love it.

I'm almost a grown up

So, I'm graduating in 11 days.

Crazy, right?

That means I am almost grown up.

My government teacher in high school always called us "almost adults," and then when we were graduating he told us that we as we left high school we would really be adults.

I've decided that either he was wrong, or I was behind the times because I still don't feel like a grownup as I'm getting ready to graduate from college. I feel like I should still be playing with my Barbie's and taking my lunch to school in a purple plastic, Aladdin and Jasmin lunch box.

I definitely hope that what I was like as a 17 year old, high school graduate doesn't reflect true adulthood because if it does, we are all in so much trouble.

I've grown up a lot since I graduated high school. I think if I hadn't been there for the process, I would be convinced I was not really the same person.

These are some grown up things I have done in the past few days:

1. Applied for a job. A REAL job. That I'm really excited about.
2. did my homework the night before it was due right when I got home from work, instead of my normal routine of starting it in class the day its due
3. Finished my microfilm project almost a week before it's final due date
4. Went to 2 bridal showers
5. Got a phone call from the BYU Annual Fund asking me to give back to the school. Really? I thought they only asked people who have finished college and have real jobs! Which, I guess is just about to be me... But still, only adults get phone calls asking for them to give donations!

Now, in direct contradiction to the grown up things I did, I'm only going to write about childish things I've done recently for the rest of the post.

I've watched 14 episodes of Lost in the past two days. I just finished episode 14 of season 3. And believe me, I was shocked about some of the stuff that happened. But, the thing that shocked me most was finding out who Claire's dad is. Blew my mind.

My other favorite part in the Lost episodes I've watched was when Sawyer started talking about Little House on the Prairie. Made my day.

I finally got the books for my final research paper from the library 4 days before the paper is due.

I have successfully avoided grocery shopping for close to 3 weeks. It's just so much work...

I just watched this week's episode of Vampire Diaries. You know my mind that had already blown up from finding out who Claire's dad is? Yeah, it got hit by a bazillion nuclear bombs at the end of the episode. My mind is now a nuclear waste land. And I'm expected to take finals this week. I don't think I have ever been more surprised and shocked about a TV show in my whole, entire life. I didn't even see it coming! And that is saying something, because I pride myself in being able to accurately guess what is going to happen next. I'm almost never wrong.

And finally, I let my room get to this point... (it looks way worse in real life)

Don't tell Brooke though! Or she might decide she doesn't want to live with me again next year!

Another Anne post

I'm sorry. I just can't help it.

Last night I was reading Anne of Avonlea and I just loved this paragraph.

"Anne had no sooner uttered the phrase, 'house o' dreams' than it captivated her fancy and she immediately began the erection of one of her own. It was of course, tenanted by an ideal master, dark, proud, and melancholy; but oddly enough, Gilbert Blythe persisted in hanging about too, helping her arrange pictures, lay out gardens, and accomplish sundry other tasks which a proud and melancholy hero evidently considered beneath his dignity. Anne tried to banish Gilbert from her castle in Spain but, somehow, he went on being there, so Anne, being in a hurry, gave up the attempt."

Even Anne's imagination knows Anne and Gilbert are perfect for each other!

All I know is that I want someone who will help me arrange pictures and accomplish sundry tasks. I could care less about laying out a garden because I would just kill it a few days after it was planted.

Personally, I think it's a miracle my roommates and I haven't killed Jess's bamboo - even though they're suppose to be impossible to kill. We would be the first ones to do it. Especially given the fact that we go weeks without watering it.

Anne thinks she wants a proud and melancholy husband. But her imagination has a different opinion, and know she needs Gilbert.

I agree with her imagination.

Katie's ultimate list of the best couples ever

Well the best couples from literature, TV, and movies that is. Naturally when it comes to best couples ever including real people, me and my future, yet to be determined, husband will take the heart shaped cake. (I really do have a heart shaped cake pan...no joke.)

Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder

He calls her Bess. She calls him Manly. Could it get anymore perfect? Why, yes it can. He drives through freezing weather with his Morgans, Prince and Lady, to pick her up from her school so she doesn't have to stay the weekend with the dreadful Mrs. Foster. And takes her on Sunday rides through the South Dakota prairie. And builds her an awesome house with a really cool pantry. Also, they're real people! So that just makes it even better. Oh how I idolize Laura Ingalls Wilder...

Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferris

While most people favor Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy (who I almost put instead), I decided that Elinor and Edward's relationship is way more up to my speed. Chances are this would totally be me. I can identify with Elinor. Which just makes it all the more triumphant when everything finally works out for them.

Ariel and Prince Eric

Aw, love at first sight. I mean it was fireworks the night they first saw each other. Not even the fact that she has a fish tail can keep them apart. They sacrifice so much to be together, I mean they have a whole ocean and a fat octopus between them. Plus they just look good together.

Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe

Oh, Anne and Gilbert, what else can you say. From the very beginning you know they are meant for each other, yet Anne is just so darn stubborn. And then Gilbert is so cute and charming with his good looks and Canadian accent. Then it looks like they'll be together forever and Anne crushes Gilbert's poor little heart. And when Anne realizes she made a mistake, Gilbert has the audacity to be engaged to another woman! It's all just so tragical. Luckily, they do end up together right after Gilbert is nursed back to health from the brink of death. If not, I would be forced into the depths of despair and therefore find it hard to believe that true love really does exist and make a vow with Brooke to always be old maids together.

Ella and Prince Char

Ella Enchanted is probably one of my most favorite books in the history of the world. Right up there with Harry Potter and the Little House books. When Ella saves Char and breaks the curse, its like anything in the world is possible. Plus, they wander through an old castle and slide down banisters. Talk about a pretty sweet date.

A vow

My obsession with Anne of Green Gables is still going full force. I just finished reading the book yesterday, checked out Anne of Avonlea, and am now watching the movie again. Also Brooke and I talk about Anne all the time.

One of mine and Brooke's favorite parts in both the book, and the deleted scenes of the movie is when Anne and Diana are at the Christmas party talking to Reverend and Mrs. Allan. Anne tells them that her and Diana are seriously considering making a vow to each other to be old maids together for ever.

The look that Diana gives Anne is priceless. Its just a look of total and utter disbelief.

And then Anne sees Diana's face and says, "Diana's not completely convinced yet."

Obviously Anne fails and breaks the vow.

Its totally ironic, too, because Brooke and I made a vow to not be old maids together.

Kinda joking, yet totally serious.

Another one of my favorite parts is when Anne is talking to Matthew about how Ruby Gillis wants a string of beaus who are all crazy about her, but Anne wants one beau who is in his right mind.

I couldn't agree more with her.

Tylenol

Today I dusted my desk.

Everything on it was covered with dust.

Except my Costco size bottle of Tylenol.

Katie to Tylenol is like Dr. House to Vicodin.

Anne Girl

I'm watching Anne of Green Gables right now. I love Anne of Green Gables, its probably one of my favorite stories of all times. Anne is just so fun and lovable, and says so many great things you just can't help but love her.

Like tragical. That's one of my favorite words that she uses.

I also love how adamant she is about the spelling of her name. I guess I can commiserate with her because my middle name is Anne spelled with an "e" and people always ask which way I spell it. It seems like everyone else who's middle name is Anne spells it without the e. And according to Anne spelling it with an e is "so much more distinguished" and personally I think it looks more complete with the e.

The whole part with Anne and Gilbert is so funny too. Anne is so mad at him for when he called her Carrots. I love how every time Anne makes eye contact with Gilbert she sticks her nose in the air and turns around, and the whole time you can just tell that Gilbert is madly in love with Anne. Really I don't know how Anne denies Gilbert - he is so attractive...

Also Prince Edward Island is so pretty. I love the lighthouses on the coast and the open fields that Anne and Diana run through. Wouldn't it be so cool to live there?

But one of my absolute favorite parts is at the beginning with Anne's window friend Katie. Mostly because the friends name is Katie and her name is Anne, which is my name, Katie Anne. Plus Katie lives in a perfectly beautiful window world that Anne wishes she could visit.

The idea of kindred spirits and bosom friends is another of my favorite parts. I have definitely had kindred spirits and bosom friends in my life. They're the ones that make the biggest impression in your life and the ones that you remember always.

I learned a new word tonight

I try and get the school newspaper everyday. Not because I like to know what's going on around campus or in the world, really, I could care less about that. What I love about getting the newspaper is the crossword puzzle.

I usually don't finish the crossword puzzle, but I can usually make a dent in it. I let them pile up in backpack until its twice as heavy, because that way when I get bored there is always a crossword to work on. One of my goal in life is to be good at crosswords and be able to finish most of them, except the really hard ones.

Monday's puzzles are always the easiest, so naturally they're my favorite. I almost have today's finished, I only have 6 letters left, but staring at them was making my brain hurt. After dinner Brooke, Elsa, Brian, and I were working on the crossword.

(By the way, Elsa and Brian got engaged on Friday!!! They're getting married in Salt Lake on June 10th!)

Elsa and Brian were working on one copy, and Brooke and I were working on the other, and we were trying to finish before the other group did. I really like this crossword. One of the clues was "Disney Mermaid" which of course is Ariel, who is my favorite princess and one of my favorite movies. We actually did really good, and I felt really clever a couple times. But there was one letter that we could not figure out!

We had all of the letters for both of the intersecting words, but we could not figure out the last letter. It was very frustrating. Both Brooke and I went through the entire alphabet several times but none of the letters completed both words and made sense with the clues!

So finally Brooke and I broke down and Goggled it.

The across clue was for a R&B singer from the 60s whose first name was Marilyn, and the down clue had to do with bumming a cigarette.

Marilyn's last name is McCoo. We kept thinking it could be McGoo or McBoo, but both of those seemed just plain weird. Not that McCoo is normal...

But the really interesting thing we learned was the answer to the down clue. The answer was CADGE. According to dictionary.com cadge means "borrowing without the intention of returning." I feel so much smarter knowing that word. Like I could graduate tomorrow just because I know a word like cadge.

I'm also determined to start using cadge in everyday conversation. For example, "Can I cadge a piece of gum from you?" And then people will hear me and think, "wow, that girl is so smart, that was such an obscure word!"

I have a problem

They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. The only issue here is that I don't want to recover because I like my problem.

My problem is that I watch TV shows.

Well more like occasionally I find a new series that I like and then I obsess over it. I watch ever episode, one right after the other, until I have watched every episode available.

This becomes an issue when silly things like school and work are a part of my life. Sometimes all I would rather do is watch the next episode of my new obsession series.

Freshman year was when I first came down with this problem. The show was The Office.

"Bears. Beats. Battlestar Galactica." Enough said.

I had never seen The Office before I came to college, but it was the cool thing to watch it, so of course I did too. Soon I realized that I loved The Office. I commenced to watch every episode until I reached the current ones. Now this wasn't such a big deal because I think The Office was only on like season 3, maybe. So it took me 2 weeks, tops.

It wouldn't have been so bad if this is where my problem had stopped. But nooooooo. It only got worse.

Every once in a while I get introduced to a new TV show and then I have to see every single episode. Its all I think about. Its the only thing I want to do. I even start to dream about the TV show (this is due to the fact that I get way to involved in the characters. Once I had a dream with the characters of Chuck, Vampire Diaries, and Bones all in it. It was crazy.)

I've done this with the TV shows

Chuck

Probably my most favorite show of all time. I own the first 3 seasons on DVD and watch them regularly. It is AWESOME.

Bones

Bones actually might be tied with Chuck for most favorite show ever. Temperance Brennan is my hero. If I could handle blood and guts, I would be her. You might not guess this, but you can learn a lot from Bones - at least I have...

Hawaii Five-O

I don't know why I love cop shows, but I do, I just can't help it!

Vampire Diaries

We'll just call it a guilty pleasure.

Nikita

My last obsessive TV show. I can't wait for the new episodes to start.

And probably several others that I can no longer remember. I obviously have a problem.

My newest TV show obsession is House. I love this show so much. I don't know what about it that I love, but I just do.

I just finished season 1. Currently season 7 is airing. That means I have 5 1/2 seasons to watch so that I can be current. I may not surface for a while.

With that said, I'm off to start season 2!

I'm a problem reader

I read a quote today that I loved. It was by Emilie Buchwald and it said,

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."

I have loved books ever since I can remember. I am almost always reading a book and have read almost every day since the second grade.

My parents call me a problem reader. Which to be fair, my whole family is full of problem readers. It must be a genetic condition. All growing I continually got in trouble for reading too much. It was common to hear "Put the book down!" in my house. I also got my book taken away several times because I wouldn't stop reading it.

While we were growing up my parents read to my siblings and I all the time. My mom read series of books to the whole family, and every day we would listen to a chapter or two. She read us The Work and The Glory, Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites, Harry Potter (I was notorious for getting these books taken away. My dad would come in at 11 at night and take it away from me), Little House on the Prairie (I wanted to BE Laura Ingalls Wilder. I also totally checked this series out from the BYU library and read it), and countless others. My mom started reading the Little House series to me when I started kindergarten, and then I listened to it again when Kelsie started kindergarten and then again when Karlie started kindergarten. That's probably why I love the Little House books so much.

I saw my parents reading often when I was growing up too. Parents are the ones who introduce us to books and show us the fun in escaping to new and exciting worlds. Emilie Buchwald really had it right when she said children get a love of reading from their parents.