childbirth + the bachelor + the smith westerns

i only added this photo to validate this as a legit blog post. ha.

I've mentioned this before, but I am so afraid of childbirth. I love kids, I can't wait to have my own someday, but... umm... childbirth is just gross.
I remember watching the birthing video in freshman health class (as a sophomore), and I cried like a baby, and all of the freshman made fun of me. The teacher pulled me out to the hallway, and gave me the 'baby' talk. She asked me why I cried, and I said, that was disturbing." I still stick to that. She said that I would change my mind someday, and I'm just not sure if I will. I honestly cannot stand the thought. I am obviously still open to it, sense I intend on having a baby someday. I just hear so many different stories of childbirth; I hear that once you get an epidural, you don't feel a thing, and then sometimes I hear that even though you may get an epidural, its still the most painful experience. I don't know. I'm just scared.

I'm not discrediting childbirth as a beautiful experience, because I am sure it is. I will be the first to admit that I read birth stories obsessively like they're drugs, and I always cry. No matter what. I'm just scared of what my own experience will be like.

In other news, I just watched The Bachelor. I hate to admit that I love this show as much as I do, but seriously now. It is so great. And it is THE only reality tv show that I am willing to watch. So that means its awesome. I want Emily to win. She's hot. Chantel is more emotional than I am. And Ashley... why is she even on the show? I didn't know dentists were allowed to be on this show. Haha :)

Going to see The Smith Westerns tonight with the boyfriend! I'm pretty excited. :)

xoxo Haley

catch up day.

It is so dreary outside. I'm watching The Blair Witch Project. And its not even 9 am yet. I'm surprised I'm awake.

I need to play catch up with my blog challenge!

Day 7: Favorite movie.

I have 3.

Gone with the Wind. Requiem for a Dream. Wristcutters: A Love Story.

I actually think I'll watch Gone with the Wind today.. I'm excited. I haven't watched it in 2 years, maybe..? :)

Day 8: A Place you've travelled to.

New York City... sigh.
I want to live there.

Day 9: A photo of your best friend.

I have a lot of best friends. But Blake is the one I hang out with the most these days :)

He's so cute :)

xo Haley

Day 6: a picture that makes you happy.

Here are few... :)

finding photobooth photos that Breigh's taken on my mac.

jammies night with my boyfriend. we watched

the real housewives of beverly hills marathon:)

this puppy. even though he's not mine :(

this little boy is my favorite! and i get to see him tomorrow:) :)

(click to enlarge) a top search on google: "why does my mom turn me on"

i'm leaving for st. louis tomorrow with the papa, brother, and boyfriend. its my uncles 40th birthday so we're having a big family dinner to celebrate. i'm really excited. :)

p.s. have you heard about this giveaway?? mega cool. i want the hello kitty hat :)

p.p.s. dear college, stop sucking, love haley.

p.p.p.s. don't forget to email me if you want to help with my english project!

xo haley

help help help!

Day 5: Your mood in a song.

I can't define my mood today in one song + it feels like Spring in Springfield today, so I've been listening to my unofficial Spring playlist in my car (with the windows rolled down. It. Is. Wonderful). So, here are a few songs I've been listening to a lot in the past few days:

Rococo - Arcade Fire

I Feel It All - Feist

Bang Bang - Dalida

Another Day - Angus & Julia Stone

Also: I have a request. In my English class, we have to write a research paper defending our definition of art (this paper is so my thing, it's not even funny). I defined art as something that can greatly impact the course of someone's life; art has the ability to define someone as a person. Here is where you come in. If you agree with me, which I think my definition is fairly broad and probably fits most of you that read my blog, tell me in the comments, or email me (ehaleytyson@gmail.com) how you think this is true. Basically, defend my thesis. Give me reasons why you think art can define someone & their future. Be creative! I won't use any names, and I'll most likely end up sharing it on this blog as soon as it is completed, so you wonderful readers can see how you helped! :) Thank you so much!

xoxo Haley

my parents are cooler than yours.

day 4. my parents. they are probably the coolest people i know.

i love them a lot.

and yes, my dad always makes that face when my mom makes him take pictures.

lets see. about them: they met when my mom was in high school, and my dad had already graduated. my old music teacher said that she remembers my dad waiting patiently after school every day for my mom to get done with choir practice. they got married when she was (almost) 19. and had me a year later. we've been lucky that my mom could stay home with us for 16 years. but, as soon as my youngest brother got to 2nd or 3rd grade, i think she got bored with staying home all the time, so she now works for the elementary school in my town. my dad is pretty awesome. he likes to take me to see movies at midnight (cough, twilight), and he and i share a rather infinite love for band of horses. we saw them in october, and are going again in april. we're pretty stoked. but my parents are awesome. way too cool for their own good, actually.

:)

xo haley

blog challenge + bieber fever part two

day three: first love.

lets see. my first love. Jesus, cheesecake, Snookie... they all showed me the true meaning of love. But this boy is by far my favorite.

We like to watch To Catch a Predator together. That's real love.

speaking of To Catch a Predator... Blake and I know each other so well. We both put pictures of Chris Hansen on our Valentines Day cards to each other. How sweet.. :)

And speaking of Valentines Day... I AM IN LOVE WITH JUSTIN BIEBER. I'm not even kidding. I've totally, like, for real style caught Bieber Fever. He's the cutest boy in the whole world! Besides my boyfriend, of course.

xoxo Haley

day 2 + valentines day + bieber fever

day two is lame.
so i found a different one.

the highs and lows of the past year.

*i graduated high school/started college

*i got my driver's license (only 3 years late..)

*i got my first tattoo

*i've been able to spend the past couple of months with blake. its been the best.

the only "low" i can think of is july/august. but i don't want to talk about that.

happy valentines day!

i hope its a great one for you.

2 years ago, colby and i went to st. louis to see Spring Awakening on valentines day, and then last year we went out to dinner, so this is my first valentines day in a few years without him. but, as he reminded me, i am staying the night with him after my date tonight, so it really isn't a valentines day apart. i love my best friend :)

i'm so stoked for tonight though: blake and i are eating at nonna's (my favorite. and emjay's), and then seeing Never Say Never. Justin Bieber is like... God. In pre-teen form.

i'm excited!

xo haley

p.s. i love you!

30days.

my blogging habits are very poor these days.

now that i don't have to blog for english, i don't really have a reason to post something every single day.
i have a desire to, but i'm just out of ideas.. i thought about doing another 30 day challenge.. Colby is doing one right now, and I've done one in the past.. but I thought it would be something fun to do, what with the incoming of new followers here and there.

so i think that is what i shall do. i tried to find one different from the one i did before, but all of them out there are basically the same. so, if you feel like you've heard all of this before: a) i am sorry, b) please don't stop following me. haha :)

so, here goes. day one.

a recent photo/intro/15 facts

1. my name is elizabeth haley, but i go by haley. half the people in my family go by their middle names. its a trend. ha:)

2. i absolutely hate touching people if i've just gotten out of the shower, or the pool, or anything like that. yuck.

3. i have a permanent retainer on the back of my two front teeth.

4. my favorite movie in 6th grade was Gone with the Wind. i watched it every night for a year.

5. my boyfriend and i are addicted to To Catch a Predator.

6. i can't stand sweet tea, but i still drink it upon occasion.

7. i recently gave up on vegetarianism, which only lasted a 1.5 months. the day after "quitting," i ate a big mac. siiiick.

8. i am the oldest of the 4 kids in my family. i am also the only girl. 3 younger brothers = problems.

9. i can't brush my teeth with hot water. that's just gross.

10. speaking of hot water, for a month or two, i was terrified of taking baths/showers with hot water (i had taken a bath, and my water was way too hot, and i passed out). i'm not scared anymore though! :)

11. i'm about to turn 20 and i live at home. its a great feeling.

12. i work at a tea room, and i work for the sweetest woman alive.

13. i got really depressed the day that Starbucks told me they could no longer put gingerbread flavoring in my chai tea latte.

14. there have only been 2 movies that have really, really scared me in my entire life. "Shattered Lives" is about demonic clown dolls that convince a little girl to stab her mother to death. that was a life ruiner. and "Paranormal Activity 2" only scared me for one night, but that was the worst night of my life. About halfway through the movie, I started crying and shaking and couldn't stop. it was awful.

15. i know every single word to every single song on Kanye West's new album. every. word. i'm proud of this.

xo hay.

you should join the fun and do a 30 day challenge too:)

3o Days of Truth: Day 19: views on religion.

Its almost funny - Lydia wrote about this very topic yesterday. And it seems, she and I share the same views.

As a Christian, I want to share my love for God; I want people to visibly be able to tell that I am a Christian, I want to lead a life that will one day be a good example for my kiddos.

As a Christian, I should have this passion to share Christ's love with others. And don't get me wrong, I really want to. I have a passion for people who don't know about God. But I also know that there is a time and a place for things like this. And I also can tell when someone doesn't want to hear it, I don't go off continuing to shove my religion on them.

A lot of what Lydia said, I agree with completely. So just go read her blog :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 30: picture of something.

Yesterday after school, I decided to take the long way home. It was so beautiful. The weather was absolutely perfect. I appreciate days like this, especially when the weather lately has been so dreary and cold. Is it too soon to say I am ready for spring? :)

...this is the part where i ramble a whole bunch.

So in the past few days, I've gone into freak out mode. I have realized, I don't know what I want to do with my life. I don't know what kind of career I want. Over the past few years, I've changed my mind so many times (I mean, seriously. I wanted to be a mortician at one point. GROSS). Some days, I still want to work for a magazine doing page layouts. My days in yearbook really sparked in interest in that. Other days, I want to plan weddings. Why? I don't know. I've been to like, 2 weddings in my life and one of them was for my best friend's grandma & her new husband (sexy Rexy! So many jokes came from that weird, weird wedding). But anyways, I have an interest in weddings. I have a huge interest in all things handmade. I like to bake. No, I love to bake. I have so many different passions. I just want a career out of all of these loves that I have.

I was having a conversation similar to this the other day with Colby, and we both decided we just want to move. Get away from this small town we've lived in our entire lives, and just go. Me, to New York, Colby to London (with cutie little Blake. Blake spent the spring semester studying in London, and it seems that he left his heart there. I'm jealous). I so badly just want to live. To not have a set career, or even a set home. I just want to go and travel. Experience all these different places and cultures. I want to have kids and raise them to be well educated, cultured kids that have an appreciation for all things creative.

I used to want the cookie cutter, perfect wife/perfect mom life. Sometimes, I think it is what fits me best. They always say that you turn out to be like your mom... My mom was just that. She stayed at home for nearly 17 years before getting a "real" job, my junior year of high school. I appreciate everything she did when she was a stay at home, and always hoped that I would be half as good of a mom as she is. But in the recent months, I've found myself drifting further and further away from that ideal. Maybe this is just my independence I'm finally gaining. Or maybe I'm just getting antsy and I'm ready to leave Missouri. Who knows. I sure don't.

good morning:)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 29: 3 wishes.

These are very silly wishes. But this is what I want riiiight now:

1. Someone to get one (or both) of these cuuuuute puppies.
2. to move to NYC asap. I watch all these silly movies that are set in the city, and I just get insanely jealous! I miss New York beyond belief. I can't wait to go back.

3. to go see Warpaint in a few weeks when they come to Missouri. But alas ... I am not. I'm going to see the new Harry Potter at midnight. :)

(the Undertow video was directed by ultimate girl crush Shannyn Sossamon, who was the original drummer of Warpaint. in love in love in love)

30 Days of Truth: Day 18. I think: views on gay marriage.

I don't really know how I feel about this topic, actually.

Based on religious belief, I shouldn't be ok with gay marriage.

My best friend is gay, so obviously I don't have a problem with gays. But gay marriage is an iffy subject for me. Because I'm just really apathetic about it. I probably should have an opinion about it.. but I don't. Ha.

Most amazing giveaway ever? Yes, I think so:

I'll probably win, just saying.

:)

xoxo Haley

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 28: something that stresses you out.

School. I really underestimated how stressful community freaking college would be. I really, really dislike OTC, and can't wait to transfer. My parents want me to wait it out another year before making the move to Southeast, but ... I really don't think it's worth it. Laaame.

30 Days of Truth: Day 17: A book that has changed your views on something.

I'm not sure if this book changed my views on much, but it has definitely been very influential in my life as a reader.

I first read The Giver when I was in 4th grade. I was 10, I think. I have read it at least 4 times in the past 7ish years. Every so often, I just have to read it again.

The story is set in this "perfect" town (very Pleasantville-ish to me, everything is black and white, with zero color, and everyone is practically perfect), but throughout the book, you realize this town is not perfect at all. The government is all for what is called "Sameness" in which everyone is the same; the have predetermined careers that are given to them at a certain age, they have rules to follow, and everyone is completely void of emotional depth.

The central character, Jonas, is presented with the job of being "The Giver" who is there to aid the government in any decisions that may come up. The previous Giver teaches Jonas of the town before "Sameness" and presents him with a much larger world outside of his own. Jonas experiences feelings of true happiness, pain, love, etc.

I'm not sure why this story affected me the way it did, but I have loved it for many, many years. It is definitely one of the most influential books in my life.

I was put in charge of getting all of the winter clothes put away - I was super angry that I had to do this at first, and then I happened upon a pretty, pretty quilt in the bottom of one of the boxes. Holy cow, I was so in love with it.

I immediately put it on my bed, and I really can't wait to go to sleep tonight because of it. It has the most perfect fall colors and its just.. pretty. I'm in love. ♥

Oh! And there's the owl pillow I got at Funtiques a while back for 5 bucks. Best. Ever. It says, "Gee, but I'm lonesome."

I also found this too-cute crochet baby jacket in the box, too. I'm not too entirely sure of why it was in the Winter clothing box, but... I'm so keeping this. Haha:)

other silly things from my week:

we had an assignment in my Safety & Sanitation class to eat a buffet and "observe" what was going on at the buffet and such. Well, my partners (2 dudes I hardly know) and I decided we weren't going to eat at some gross buffet, so we chose Hemingways in Bass Pro. Yup. Seafood all the way. We also noticed there was absolutely nothing wrong with the way they were operating the buffet, so now we have nothing to write our paper on. Haha. But, while at Bass Pro, we decided to get a picture of me with the bear to prove that I have been in Bass Pro (no one in my class believes me). Best photo ever. I absolutely love Red Velvet being 2 minutes away from my school. I can see that making quick trips over to RV for Bubble Tea between classes is going to become a very bad habit. I love it.

Have a happy Sunday :)

xo Haley

P.s. I watched The Room last night. Verdict: So. Effing. Retarded.

But I loved it so much I watched it again this morning.

:)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 27: pets.

Really, I don't have any pets.

My dad has a fish, we call him Freddy. But that's it.

Over the years, we've had fish, hermit crabs, and 2 dogs. My first dog was Wallie (because we got him at Walmart). He got really, really big, and we had to get rid of him. He was growing much faster than the kiddos in the family.

Our second dog was Sam. He was a chihuahua. For the most part, the entire family really disliked him. So after a few years, we gave him to my 6 year old cousin. Her dad let Sam out one day, and Sam never came back. Too bad.

30 Days of Truth: Day something. I don't know: something you could live without.

- caffeine.

- a guilty conscious.

- college.

Tonight, I'm watching The Room with one of my friends.

I. Am. Stoked.

I have been hearing about this movie for over a year now, and I finally decided to put it higher up on my Netflix queue .

:)) have a good night.

-haley

P.s. whip yo hair.

I have a lot to say today.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 25: iPod shuffle.

So, here are the first 10 songs that played on my iTunes with shuffle on. All are very good songs:)

1. "Tiny Circle" - Wolf People

2. "Fever Dreaming" - No Age

3. "Live to Tell the Tale" - Passion Pit

4. "The Wolves (Act I & II)" - Bon Iver

5. "Always Where I Need to Be" - The Kooks

6. "Atlas" - Fanfarlo

7. "Take on the World" - Wavves

8. "Always on My Mind" - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

9. "To Be Alone with You" - Sufjan Stevens

10. "Peach, Plum, Pear" - Joanna Newsom

30 Days of Truth: Day 14: a hero that has let you down.

I can't really think of a "hero" that has let me down. I've never really had a hero character in my life.Other than God.. and he's yet to let me down.

In other, more exciting news:

Lil Wayne has been released from jail, yo. I thought about wearing my Lil Wayne shirt in honor of this awesome day. But decided against it. And then, my friend Rolo suggested that everyone skip class in honor of it. I think that is a satisfactory solution to celebrating his release, right? ITS WEEZY BABY. (ok, I'm done being ghetto now)

My favorite "photoshoot" I've ever done, e.v.e.r. was with one of my close friends, Jordan. She lives in Chicago, I'm a month older than her, but she graduated a year before me, and she has a cool boyfriend named Tony. Life is pretty grand when she's around. These photos were taken on December 31, 2008... So almost 2 years ago. Time has flown by. My hair was also ridiculously short 2 years ago.... and I'm cutting it again soon. :) (all photos by Anna Kicker)

Enjoy your lovely day. It is beautiful outside!

:)

Haley

I can't think of a clever title for this one.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 24: Something you've learned.

Let's see.. I've learned that I can't please everyone. I've tried really hard for the longest time, but I've come to terms with the fact that I can't do it. No one can.

I've also learned that I really, really love sleep. I seriously need like 8 or 9 hours to get through the day. Crazy talk.

30 Days of Truth: Day 13: A band that has gotten you through tough times.

Oh gosh - I don't know. I've been into a very wide range of music throughout my young life. In junior high, I was way into creepy rock music. My Chemical Romance & Green Day were my bands. Hahaha. Oh, how things change.

Nowadays, I listen to a lot of CocoRosie & Best Coast when I'm feeling down (they cheer me up instantly). And occasionally Modest Mouse when I'm in need of just noise.

Woody Allen love: I don't know why I waited this long to watch Woody Allen films. But, nevertheless, I'm actually glad I did. I don't think I'd have the same appreciation for them then, that I do now. I watched Hannah and Her Sisters last night...

I absolutely loved it. So good. So, so good. It made me miss New York so much (but then again - what doesn't make me miss that city?)

And right now, I'm watching Annie Hall. Every time it comes on TV, I always intend on watching it, but I never do. And finally, a friend had me completely convinced to give it a shot. So.. I'm watching it right as we speak.

So far, I like it. But I must say that Hannah and Her Sisters is better. But then again, I haven't seen all of Annie Hall yet. So, we shall see.

And tonight, I'm going to clean up my room, make some tea, and settle in to watch Whatever Works. Another Woody Allen film. Goodness me, I can't get enough. :)

Ohh, Woody Allen. :)
x0. haley.

Compliments, New York (again), and Biscuits.

30 Days of Truth: Day 12: Something you never get compliments on.

Is it bad that I can't think of anything? I don't mean that in a bad way. Its just the only thing I ever get compliments on is my eyes, and there's nothing else I feel should be complimented - if that makes any sense. Ha.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 23: Favorite vacation.

How many times can one person talk about New York City?? I can't say enough about this city. Really. Highlights included...
the Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park.
Strawberry Fields, in Central Park, as well. Central Park, in general. Haha:)

Taking a text-break with my aunt while waiting on the grandma to finish reading every single informational sign at the Statue of Liberty. Although visiting the Statue was cool, it was extremely boring. I would've been just fine looking at it from land, instead of waiting 2 hours for a 15 minute ferry ride out to the island, and then another 2 hours just "looking around," and eating chili cheese fries. Boring.

The Pants Party:

Never in your life have you seen a more amazing giveaway. For real.

Look for yourself. It is awesome. Danielle reallyyy knows how to put on a good party.

Anyways... the point of blogging about this, y.o.u. can win a handmade journal by me! :) So, go to Danielle's blog, look at all the amazing prizes, tell her what you'd fill a pool up with (I would definitely choose alfredo sauce. is that weird?), check out everyone's shops/blogs, and win.

This is an EPIC giveaway.

playing catch up

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 21: picture of yourself.

This is one of the more recent photos...

Day 22: Favorite city.
I will always love New York. and someday, I will live there.

30 Days of Truth: Day 10: Someone you wish you didn't know.

....I'm going to skip this one.

Day 11: Something people compliment you on the most.

My eyes & smile. Always. I also hear that I look like Mandy Moore..? I don't see it.

This is an old picture of me - almost 2 years old. But I love it - and my collarbones. Haha:)

Halloween!

I never ever do anything special for Halloween. Generally, it is my least favorite "holiday." But this year, I went to a fuuun costume party with some friends (Colby was Frankenstein & Blake was a mummy. It was just about the cutest ever). Lots and lots of fun :)

I hope your Halloween was a fun one too:)

-haley