You

You. Yes, you. I am writing this for you.

I know you are reading this. And I want you to know I am writing this for you. No one else will understand. No one else knows. They think that this is for them. But it’s not. I am writing this for you.

I want you to know, life…it’s hard. Every day can be a challenge. It can be a challenge to get up in the morning. To get yourself out of bed. To put on that smile. But I want you to know, that smile is what keeps me going some days. You need to remember, even through the tough times, you are amazing. You really are.

You should be happy. You are gorgeous.

I know that the weather might not be perfect. You might have to turn your back to the wind or feel the cold nipping at your nose. But you know what, at least you are there to feel it. At least you can enjoy the sun’s warm rays on your face. Or that cold February wind biting at your cheeks. You know what that means?

You are alive.

Everything will be okay.

I found this on lettersillneversend.com

So, thank you to whoever wrote it. I really needed to hear that. 

<3 Anika

ANNA & THE FRENCH KISS

Hey, all. Um...so my blogging track record hasn't been awesome lately. I should be better. I want to be. I WILL be. Right? Uh huh.

Anywho, this is just a short one. Wanted to pay homage to an INCREDIBLE book. Seriously. I love it so much, I have on more than one occasion considered making it legal. Make an honest book out of it. Or something... *looks around awkwardly*

So...yes. ANNA. It is greatness. Page after page after page. Awe. Some.

LOVE.

This is the story of a girl named Anna from Florida who, for her senior year of high school, is sent to Paris, France, by her father. And she DOESN'T want to go. Crazy, right? But she has a maybe, almost, could-have-been boy/friend and she has this awesome job working with said boy, and...yeah. Getting uprooted for the most important year of high school isn't easy. But she goes, she meets a boy. Etienne St. Clair. Not just any boy. An ENGLISH boy. Who is technically an American. Confusing...but AWESOME. But it's complicated. Of course. And it happens in the most romantic city in the world! And...yeah. I just can't even describe it right. 

The writing is just so effortless. Stephanie Perkins has completely captured the teenager in all of us. The uncertainty, the dialog, the feelings...all of it. I seriously can't wait to read it again. And the rest of her upcoming books! She is amazing. 

The Genius.

Not only is the book entertaining, but it's educational. Yup. Some vocabulary terms I learned.

                    Callipygian: having well-shaped buttocks

                    Meretricious: alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry

See? Very useful in everyday conversation. Especially when you can use the 1st covertly in...mixed company. ; )

And a few of my favorite quotes:

           “His friendship alone has strengthened me in a way that no one 

else’s ever has. He swept me from my room and showed 

me independence. In other words, he was exactly what  I needed. 

I won’t forget it. And I certainly don’t want to lose it.”

“How many times can our emotions be tied to someone 

else’s--be pulled and stretched and twisted--before they snap? 

Before they can never be mended again?”

“Boys turn girls into such idiots.”

“I wish for the thing that is best for me.”

“Meretricious. Showily attractive but cheap or insincere.’

Yes. Amazingness. Really. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Seriously. Okay. Now go read it. 

Mmkay?