The Summer of 2012, A Review

It's that time again... here's the 2012 Summer Review.

Best thing that happened: Stuart and I are together in the same city in the same house!

Worst: Beach trip

Best single day: Spending the day with Stuart going to the animal shelter, walking through downtown Waynesville, and eating at Bocelli's

Worst: Pick a day from the beach trip

New friend: Brandy, one of my staff writers, and Pauline!

Song of the summer: "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)" by Patrick Stump, the entire Trespassing album by Adam Lambert

Artist of the summer: Adam Lambert

Best day trip: Taking Kate and Seth to the WNC Nature Center; seeing the 4th of July fireworks at Lake Junaluska

Wish I had: gone tubing

Movie of the summer, DVD: Safe House, Machine Gun Preacher, Reel Steel, John Carter

Movie of the summer, theaters: Snow White and the Huntsman

Most proud of: Handling The Western Carolinian newspaper, mastering the Frisbee golf game in Wii Sports Resort

Could have lived without: upsets at the newspaper

Couldn't have lived without: Stuart's understanding

Loved: Walking through downtown Sylva and Waynesville with Stuart on several occasions, Nutmeg hysterically chomping on a cherry, playing tag with Sparta, getting away from that crazy landlord and moving to downtown Sylva 

Wished: Slowed down and enjoyed the little things, I could have gotten my security deposit from that crazy landlord in Cullowhee

Dreamed: about the zombie apocalypse

Surprised by: How well my relationship is with my grandmother now, needing to wear long pants in the middle of June and August

Appreciated: My family's support (those that did actually support me), Pauline's generosity and care

Hated: Family drama, not having cruise control in my Honda, the oppressive heat, not enough moments enjoying summer

Stressed over: Family drama, making the newspaper perfect, the newspaper's annual budget

Smiled at: Stuart bringing me Bojangles and flowers, Cherry Berry Chillers, Pauline's amazing ability to make me feel like the most loved person in the world, my aunt and grandmother's constant support, two silly beagles

Biggest change: Alcohol free, threw out my pineapple loveseat

To be continued: Finish my degree at Western Carolina University, continue to make The Western Carolinian an award-winning newspaper, cherish the little things in life, call my grandmother every Thursday

The Must List, July 22

 This week's Must List will take you out to eat, to your nearest book store, shopping at iTunes, and relaxing with sweet music.

1. "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia) by Patrick Stump
I cannot get enough of this song! Yesterday, I posted the music video, and since then I've downloaded the song from iTunes for only .99 cents and have been listening to it like crazy! I love it!!

2. Sunday breakfast at Hooper's
Hooper's is the replacement restaurant for Flat Iron... which basically means it took a different name in order to get more business. Stuart swears it's the exact same menu. Papa's Pizza tried the same thing, poor dears, and became Mike's. They're now closed. They barely lasted two months. Thankfully for us, Hooper's is open and has the most amazing sausage patties and the fluffiest pancakes known to man!! A trip to Sylva is in order just to try their amazing pancakes. Watch out though. Hooper's knows how amazing their food is, so prices are a bit high!!

3. Goodreads
Goodreads is a website dedicated to books and book lovers. You can rate, write reviews, talk about books you own, connect with your Facebook and Twitter, participate in giveaways, take quizzes, add friends to see what they're reading... If you love books, this is the place to be! This morning alone, I updated my progress in Ghost Dogs of the South and participated in giveaway contests.

4. Ghost Dogs of the South by Randy Russell and Janet Barnett
What an amazing book rich with stories of detail, true puppy love, and history!! Pick up this book today and never put it down! You will fall in love with each amazing tale of a dog that loved its owner so much that it either returned from the grave or protected him or her from the evil of the afterlife!! There was even a story about why cats and dogs hate each other that was set in a town just a few miles from us!!

5. 1940's playlist
Build yourself a playlist of music from the 1940's. It's relaxing music. It's dinner music. It's dancing music! It's sitting on the couch on a Sunday blogging on your laptop music!! Be sure to include:

• "It Had to be You" by Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest
• "As Time Goes By"
• "Autumn Leaves" by Nat King Cole
• "Come Fly with Me" by Frank Sinatra
• "Moonlight Serenade" 

6. Adam Lambert's Trespassing album
There are only a few songs I can't get into on this album. The rest are Adam Lambert GENIUS!! "Pop That Lock," "Cuckoo," and "Kickin' In" are fun, booty-grooving songs. "Underneath" is raw beauty and truth exposed through song. "Never Close Our Eyes" and "Better Than I Know Myself" have already become huge pop favorites! "Outlaws of Love" is the last track that will leave you wanting more... so you better buy the extended version!

Movie Minute: Patrick Stump - "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)"

This is one of the most beautiful, amazing music videos I've ever seen... and not because it has this insane dance sequence or it tries to be a mini movie with a plot line and celebrity guest stars. No, it's just real with real, outstanding talent from ordinary people. YOU COULD BE YOUR OWN SPOTLIGHT!!! So, rock out and listen!