Happy Birthday Dad!

I love you Pete! Happy birthday! I hope you are having a great day. Love bear.

P.S. I'll try to update this soon with my ever growing knowledge. Finals week, gets the best of all of us.

Things they don't teach you in school

I've been in school for as long as I can remember. It was in these places of learning I was taught to read and write. The teachers instructed me to do math, learn all 50 capitals, and proper uses of the English language. I also learned to share, and how to find x.

But in my years of learning, I've also learned that finding 'x' won't help me if I have to change a tire. Conjugating Spanish verbs into the correct tense won't help me if I'm in Germany. And school can never teach you how to lose someone.

I am grateful to say that all of my loved ones are safe, but that is not that case for Tony Pauls' family. If you haven't heard Tony was a student at the University of Illinois who died this past weekend after being hit buy a drunk driver while he was walking home. It is a tragedy that has affected my friends around me who knew him.

This incident only makes me that more grateful to have my family alive and well. I've lost grandparents and other relatives, but I can't remember a time when it came as a shock like this. The only comparison I can make is to the loss of three Vernon Hills High School students this past year. That being said I was never close to any of them.

I never loved them like their friends did. Yes, their passings made me sad for the time. I thought of what their lives could be, and how tragic it was to lose them so young.

For some of my friends this is the first time they've lost someone. It is never to lose someone, but to have it happen so suddenly to someone so young.

Unfortunately even though I've gone through this, I can only offer to support to those who are grieving. They don't teach you how to move on after your world has been torn apart. Nobody tells you how to help those who need you. And even though people tell you to cherish the people in your life, we often take them for granted.

I know I am guilty of neglecting my family and friends, and I am lucky enough to have them in my life. My thoughts are with the Pauls family during this rough time they are going through.

I hope this serves as a reminder to everyone:

Never take anyone for granted. And NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE!

love, bear

Her Campus

So I'm going to a meeting tonight with my roommate Kenzie. It's for an online website geared at high school and college age girls. Hopefully it's something I can be good at. If so you'll see some posts linking you to my work :) Check it out

love, bear

Rule book

I don't have a set list of rules to surviving life, but if I did I would definitely add never EVER say 'it can't get much worse than this.' I really didn't think that today could get much worse.

I over slept for a class.

I'm still in an ongoing fight with a 'friend'.

And work was horrible. (As I got home at 1 in the morning bad; we lock our doors at 10.)

Things just kept seeming like they could only get worse. I can't begin to think of how many times I just wanted to cry. Instead I just had to laugh. I don't know how many uncontrollable laughing fits I had, but what can you do. I don't think Chipotle would appreciate it if I told their customers they should listen when I talk to them, get off their cell phones, or the amount of sour cream they are about to consume is going to end up in giving them a heart attack before they reach 30.

Laugh often: that should be another rule. You gotta laugh, because sometimes life sucks and everything that can go wrong will.

I called my mom ready to pack my bags and head home this weekend. I was just so mad at everything, but a lot of it had to do with myself. I can tell I've changed since high school. I just feel like I'm not as strong as I used to be. Nobody would dare tell me what to do in high school, but now I just go with the flow. I just haven't been myself for a while, and I'm just beginning to notice.

The truth was when I went to call my mom I was about to tell her I needed to go home this weekend. Then she said the magical word that only a parent could come up with: Will this really matter in twenty years?

She was right, but I wasn't about to admit it just yet. I had to say something cleaver.

"Well, maybe in 20 years my daughter will come to me with the same problem, and then I can give her some good advice."

We both got a good laugh out of that.

I think what I really need to do is do a little soul searching, and hopefully get my swag back.

I need to remember to trust myself. I never had that problem before, and I'm beginning do that again. Today, as I said earlier, was a horrible day at work. And I've been miserable there for a while, but tonight really put it in perspective: Being uphappy is not worth $8 an hour.

I had regrets about quitting, but now I'm realizing I did the right thing. I'll figure things out. I've gotten myself this far haven't I? I mean with help, but if I'm lucky I will always have a great family and friends to help me along the way.

So here's to you:

Thank you so much for being there for me: catching me when I fall, and trusting me to do what I need to do. I can never thank you enough for reminding me to enjoy my life, and to have your support in everything I do. I am so fortunate to have all you in my life. You keep me sane, give advice, and remind to smile. You laugh with me and help me learn from my mistakes, but most of all you are here for me. That itself makes me feel like I am the luckiest girl alive.

love, bear

 I need to get this song, so on days like this I can just listen to it on repeat. I actually like the music video though.

Is it too early...

... for a New Year's resolution that is. Two years ago I decided to go vegetarian and run a half marathon. I did both because until losing ten pounds or taking up pottery. These were little things I had to do everyday to ensure I stuck with my goal. 

My New Year's resolution this was to not eat fast food. Needless to say I failed at that. 

So for 2013 I want to do this: 

I was researching races, and this really got me. 

'If you want to succeed as much as you want to breathe, you will be successful.'

Those words really stuck. Not only do I want to be successful in my life, but physically I want to challenge myself. This will surely be a challenge. 

I want to use this blog as a way to track my training. I want to have the people I love hold me accountable for my actions, and to be able to call me out should I let my training slip. 

I think this is it. It's time to get serious. I hope that my determination in the physical aspect of my life will help me mentally as well. 

Only time will tell.

love, bear

I now have two puppies

You all know Kelsey: my family's adorable, annoying, and incredibly old yellow labrador.

Here she is doing what she does best: lounging around the house.

But perhaps you haven't heard my family has rescued a new puppy.

He is a 3-4 year old terrier mix, and my parents have decided to name him Jack Daniels, after the Tennessee whiskey.

This is not a joke.

I haven't met him yet, but I am told he loves car rides.

Jack was rescued from a puppy mill where he was a stud dog, and spent most of his life in a cage.

I personally don't think he could've been adopted by a more loving family.

I can't wait to go home and see both my puppies :)

I only have four more classes and one test until I am done with accounting, and I have already made my $2000 to get in state tuition.

All that's left for me to do is to get my Missouri license and go to the office and make it official. Then I will be an official Missouri resident in the eyes of the University of Missouri, though I will always call Chicago my home.

I really don't have much else to say, but I would like to share this long quote with everyone. I stumbled across it today, and I thought it was very lifting.

‎"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou


Well I actually have a long day ahead of me. After all how does one fit homework, Magic Mike, and pool time in one day.

Love, bear

P.S. I realize that my last post was about how Kelsey was going to be put down, but as you can see that is not the case. She is still a puppy at heart, and has made a recovery from her fall.

Shocking News

I just recently got some sad news. Kelsey, my dog of thirteen years is going to be put down with in the next few weeks. Now, I'm not a very emotional person, and it is very seldom I cry. It is almost unheard of me crying in public, but that's what happened.

I called my dad today after reading a text asking me to. Little did I know what he had to tell, so I called him on my break. As he told me the news I felt myself holding back tears. To everyone else it might seem like I never liked my dog, but the truth is I love Kelsey. I love her and hate her at the same time.

I am going to miss her ruining my black outfits.

I am going to miss the nights I spent cuddling her and taking care of her because I couldn't sleep.

I am going to miss taking her to dog park.

I am going to miss brushing her.

I am going to miss taking her on walks and runs.

I am really going to miss everything about her.

I remember convincing my parents we should have a dog; I even went as far as to say I would pick up the poop. Of course I have yet to pick up a single piece (at least from my backyard).

I'm not going to lie: Kelsey was a pain in the butt. But she was our pain in the butt, and the house won't be the same without her.

There won't be as much dog hair.

It will be completely empty when no one's home.

All of her things will be gone.

It will actually be silent.

A member of our family won't be there any more.

I dedicate this post to the my favorite little puppy. I can't wait to see you when I get home.

Love, bear

Long Awaited Post

It's been a while since my last post, but sad to say not much has happened. I have mainly just been working out, laying by the pool, going to class, and working. I know I live a busy life. But over the past few weeks I have had some amazing triumphs.

I left my story waiting for hear from the journalism school, and after talking to my advisor I found out the sad truth that I will not hear from the J-school until early August. I would be lying if I said the agony wasn't killing me.

Staying on the subject of school I am doing great in my accounting class. I ended up getting a 91% on our first test!

Cute isn't it?

I also discovered Urban Outfitters was having a free shipping weekend, and as a result I am now the new owner of high-waisted denim shorts. Two days after receiving my shorts I also got another package from Urban. My mom being the fabulous mother she is bought me the sky blue blazer I have been yearning for, and also surprised me with earrings to match.

In other news I also finally made $2,000 for in-state tuition! All I need to do is get a Missouri license and become a registered voter in the state of Missouri. This is becoming a successful summer.

Sadly, I thought I would have more to talk about, but I can't think of anything else. Well, time to make a list of things, and first on the list is to get a life!

Love, bear

Long time

I know it's been a long time since I've written. I've been quite busy, or at least I like to think so. It's kind of like my life has been so busy I haven't had time to write about it; I just have to live it. I finished applying for the journalism school (which I still haven't heard about). I ended my my spring semester, and am officially a junior. I also went home for a bit where I saw my family and friends.

I also start accounting tomorrow. But for the past few weeks I have been working, laying out, and working out. I guess you could say I am living the dream. Hopefully it will all be worth it. Well I'm beat. a 30 hour work week will do that to you. (Hey, it's a lot for me. I don't think I've ever worked this much!)

Love, bear

Life check

I know I've been M.I.A. for the past few weeks, but school and work is proving to take over my life. Hopefully after I finish my appeal packet for my major I will have more time to update everyone on my life. But until that day comes I will be working my butt off.

Love, bear

A missed calling

After successfully creating another meal I believe that I should've been a chef. For Easter dinner, Kenzie and I created a delicious portobello mushroom dish. I would love to go on and on about how great it is, but alas a woman's job is never done. Today was very proactive. I tanned for three hours, talked to my mother, got the mail, went on a run, helped Sarosh clean, made dinner, and now I am off to do laundry and finish my homework. So much to do, so little time.

If you are in the market for a new cook, you know how to reach me.

Love, bear

I know I've been lacking in post

Will someone please tell my teachers I have more important things to be doing than studying for their tests and doing homework for their classes? Like blogging. That is all.

Love, bear

Life check, please

Chipotle must be rubbing off on me.
I actually cooked something successfully. 

I can't remember the last time I pulled an all nighter. In fact, I'm sure that I haven't. That is right; never in my 20 years of existence have I stayed up for a full night doing homework. I think the latest I ever stayed up for school was until two or three in the morning to finish my final draft for my final paper in Freshman English. The paper was about the differences and similarities between Dr. Suess's How the Grinch Stole Christmas TV special and the hit holiday movie of 2000, The Grinch. 

It was the longest and hardest I had ever worked on a paper, and it showed. I know I got an A on it, but I can't remember the percentage. This brings me to tonight, or should I say early morning.

As you hopefully know, I have been working at Chipotle for about a month now. It has its ups and downs like any job, but overall I enjoy working there. EXCEPT when I have to close. Well, closing isn't that bad. I wouldn't mind it really if I was scheduled to close. I was supposed to work from 4:45 - 8:30 tonight, but the closer got sick. My manager Ryan asked if I could close, and I stated I had homework, but if he absolutely needed someone I would. About an hour later he informed my I needed to close.

Thus far have proved useless in combating caffeine. 

This would've been okay with me, if I hadn't saved all my homework for the next day to do after I got off work. Fast forward to 12:30-something. I had just made it back from work. I wasn't exhausted, but I didn't have the energy to do my homework. So I had the brilliant idea of making tea. Fast forward again, to 3:19. My homework is done, but now I can't sleep. The tea has me so energized I can't fall asleep. I have quite the delimma. I took a sleeping aid vitamin known as melatonin. It normally helps me go to sleep, but I have never taken it to counteract tea, and so far it doesn't seem to be working.

Alas, instead of laying in bed pretending that I will magically fall asleep I decided my time could be better occupied. So I'm doing things that need to get done. Unfortunately my room is already clean, and my laundry has been done (aside from the last two days). This leaves very few things for me to actually do to be productive.

I could go grocery shopping.

But that is dangerous, even though Wal-Mart and Hy-vee are still open I don't want to risk walking in the parking lot alone at 3:30 in the morning.

I could get ahead of my reading.

Which I probably will do after this if I can't fall asleep.

I could watch TV or movie.

But I ruled that out, because that really won't help me accomplish anything.

Or I could blog.

I obviously found this to be the most productive solution for the time being.

No more naps for this bear.

Besides, with my busy schedule how else would you know that I have given up snacking and naps for Lent. (Only 36 days left to go might I add!) I also successfully cooked eggplant! Along with that, I am only $1626.72 away from achieving the amount of money I need to make to be considered an in-state resident at Mizzou. Not too shabby considering I rarely ever broke $100 on any of my Delia's paychecks that I can remember (not counting holiday).

I guess my day could be much worse. After all the weather was beautiful, and I ended up getting such a good night's sleep last night that I slept through my alarm. I only missed one class, and the teacher said I could make up all the work in his offices hours. Sorry, mom. Won't happen again. And the great news? IT"S FRIDAY!

Three cheers for the weekend!

Love, bear

I'm twenty!

I still don't know how I feel about that fact. I've entered the third decade of my life. I officially feel old.

I remember when I was young and I never thought I would make it high school, and now I'm almost half way finished with college.

And 20 years old.

I think I'm going to start denying my real age now. It's normal to lie about your age once you hit thirty, but no one believes you then so maybe its better to start the lie early. One thing I will say about my second 19th birthday is that it was fabulous.

"Are you getting your drinks the same way you're getting your beads" - Pete
Kibby - "I sure hope not!"

I spent it with all my singles ladies (Katie, Margaret, and Annmarie) at Saint Louis University (SLU). But this wasn't any ordinary weekend visit. It was Mardi Gras. This made the time so much better. Most people hate having their birthdays overshadowed by big events. I on the other hand welcome large celebrations. Everyone is happy, and there is not mention of me adding another adding another year to my life.

It was a great time. We galavanted around town stealing beads from unsuspecting victims. The girls and I were even lucky enough to snag us some cute sEXy hats from Sigma Chi. The weekend was some what of a blur. There was a huge parade and countless hours of dancing at Lacledes.

Sorry for such a bad post. It's been a while, and I had to update.

Love, bear

P.S. For the record my friends and I are classy ladies, and never had to flash anyone for our beads. We simply said we wanted them, and got them ;)

P.P.S. All my single ladies... Put your hands up!

Time is ticking

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. There are only 5 short days until I turn 20. And I've just begun to realize how limited my teenage days are. After two decades of life I would say that I have accomplished a lot, but as I keep getting older is it possible to keep going at this rate. I don't think it is necessary to list everything I've done, but it makes we wonder about everything I still have left to do. My friend Kenzie had the great idea of blogging about every monumental moment that happens in your 20s. It would include things like getting married, having children, turning 21, getting your first real job, graduating for college. The whole idea seems very cool, and it only makes me more excited to go out and live my life.

But sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in a standstill, just waiting for life to begin. Thankfully I have some of the best friends to past the time with. One thing I'm really excited to be doing now is training Ashley to run a 5k. We started last night, and we looked pretty ridiculous doing all the form work. But it gave both of us a good laugh, and it feels really good knowing that I'm helping her achieve a goal. It also reminds me of this time last year.

I was training for my half marathon. It felt great to have something to strive for, and I also catch myself remembering how good it felt to run. I've been contemplating running another half marathon, but I keep stopping myself. I can still feel the pain sinking into my legs. I remember the burn in my lungs. The thoughts of all the good and bad plague my thoughts, and sadly it's the bad that is keeping me for committing. That's not good, considering I want to run a full marathon some day. Perhaps I will find the confidence, strength, and will to run it again. However for right now I'm not in the shape to run more than five or six miles. Maybe this is just the kick I need to get started, for the half anyway.

I am very excited to run the 5k that Ashley choose. It's called the Color Run. Check out the video. It's pretty cool.

Love, bear

Shout out to Mackenzie Bruce

She is taking J2150, a class I took last semester and finished her first assignment. Seeing Red photos. And because they look so cool, and I am a vain person I want to share them with the world. The Purpose of these pictures was to capture the color red. She used Sarosh and me as models, and I love the idea she took on the assignment. It was a fun experience too.
Love, bear

From D-day to B-day

It never ceases to amaze me how holidays get under my skin. Whether it be Christmas, Valentine's day, Arbor day, it doesn't really matter somehow I end up just wanting to crawl under a rock and wait for it to be over. So I hope it doesn't come as quite a shock when I say I am dreading my birthday.

I've done some thinking, and I'm just not ready for my teenage years to be over. So much can happen in a decade, and frankly I'm not ready to join the 'real world'. I would much rather not celebrate my birthday, and continue living my ever-so-fabulous 19 year old life. Unfortunately, the theme of my life seems to be never getting what I want. I know I'm beginning to give off the spoiled brat persona, but the truth is that I am thankful for everything opportunity I have been given. I will be the first to admit that I live a very charmed life, and I am very lucky to have the life that I live.

That being said I don't find happiness in the material things that I have been given. Every Christmas I get wonderful presents, but I would trade it all for a day without any presents just 'being' with my family. I put the being in quotes because I want to stress that it would be just that. I know I give the vibe that I can be very difficult, but the truth is that for me to truly be happy just takes the people around me just being happy themselves. I loathe the requirements that seem to plague the holidays. I wish people would take me seriously when I say "I don't want any presents!" Whether it be for my birthday or Christmas, I would just much rather people give me the gift of being able to be how I want.

I think that concept is difficult for people to grasp. It sounds completely selfish; I just want to be able to do what I want for that day. But in reality it means the world to me to be able to do so. I hate the planning and month's worth of effort that goes into planning these occasions. I can't tell you how many birthdays, Christmases, or other holidays that I can remember being miserable. For one reason or another  something makes those days complete unbearable.

While my whole hermit approach hasn't been supported much anyone, I still attempt to just be on these days. This year I thought that I had devised the perfect plan. I will be going to St. Louis the weekend of my birthday. It would be perfect. I would get to see my friends (the five) that I haven't seen in since November. The best part would be that everyone would be celebrating Mardi Gras that weekend so it would be almost as we just by-passed over my birthday. It would be like the day never happened. But like all plans that are made regarding the holidays something was bound to go wrong, I just hadn't anticipated it would be so soon. A college friend of mine recently told me how she felt like she was being punished because I wasn't going to be celebrating my birthday here.

For the record, I told everyone that there was "no way in hell I would be staying in Columbia for my birthday," after the tragedy of last year.

I seriously meant that. There is really no need to go into the details, but for background knowledge I will say that my 19th birthday was not a happy time. It involved several of my friends getting completely intoxicated leaving me to take care of them. Eventually I got so fed up with them that I went to Sara's dorm to escape the madness while they continued galavanting around Greek Town. Everyone was so hungover the next day that no one wanted to go out and celebrate my actual birthday, which was alright with me because I didn't exactly want to see any of them let alone talk to them. I gave them the silent treatment for a good 6 hours before I had my first breakdown at school and bawled my eyes out.

It only cemented the inevitable in my brain: I absolutely, positively, hate the holidays.

They bring up so many emotions that are too painful for me to imagine. I believe that these feelings of animosity began with the death of my grandpa. He died just 22 days after my tenth birthday, but my parents could see how much it upset me to visit him in the hospital that they didn't force me to go. I think the last time I saw him was Christmas. Every holiday after that was overshadowed by the fact that he would never be there to experience my life with me. I try never to dwell on the past, but it hard not to when the past leaves scars on your heart. You can't simply hit the delete button and erase all the memories you had with that person; just like you help but notice what you can never physically share another moment with that person.

I can't be certain, but I think those looming thoughts put me on edge around the holidays. I think it makes every little thing that goes wrong seem like the sky is falling. After every special occasion seemed to go from bad to worse I started believing in the curse. I'm sure you've heard the saying if you believe it, it will happen. Well my life seemed to be just that. "Fun-filled" holidays turned in battle fields. I would pick fights with just about anyone without it registering that I caused them.

It seemed like things were starting to turn around for a while, but then my family experienced another painful death in the family. My grandma died my junior year of high school, unlike my grandpa I had grown very close to my grandma. Out of all my grandparents, she was the one I was closest with. Losing her only 10 days before Christmas makes it very hard for me to cheerful around that time of year. Unlike my grandfather, I think of her pretty much every other week. I constantly find myself wondering if she would be proud of who I am today, and I find myself thinking if I would be different if she were still here today.

It's these very thoughts that many people try to avoid, or never admit to, but I constantly think about. Perhaps this is why it so hard for people to understand my feelings, not just about holidays, but even in life. It is so easy for me to throw myself into something reckless and to write it off as living with no regrets. If I could live in one spontaneous moment to the next I would be in nirvana. When it comes to planning my life sometimes I feel like I'm in hell. You never know what the next day will bring so why plan ahead. I believe that if you live in the moment you really feel everything, and that by doing what you want will ultimately lead to a happy life. What I'm saying obviously does not hold true to everyone, but it's how I hope to live my life. I don't want to come off as selfish, but at the end of the day all you will ever completely have is you. Life changes in a heart beat, and it is too short to go around trying to please people.

This brings me to the point of this blog. On my birthday, whether or not I choose to acknowledge or celebrate it, I can do whatever I want. This is my day. I am allowed to be selfish, and should not have to take crap from anyone. This means I will do what I want. And what I want to do is go to STL, and forget my birthday ever happened. If this idea seems radical and selfish, well it's my day not yours.

Love, bear

P.S. If you by chance are reading this you can regard this post as permission to ignore me on my birthday. You can also take this as a sign that I do NOT want presents, or anything else birthday related. So don't stress yourself out. The greatest gift anyone can give me is the gift of nothing.

D - day

I am not a festive person. There are very few holidays that I enjoy, and of that list I still dread celebrating them. If you thought I hated Christmas you haven't seen me around Valentines day, or as my friends and I cleverly renamed it D-day.

I cringe at the thought of couples having another excuse to show their public displays of affection. Why is this day so commercialized anyway. One shouldn't wait for a day to show their love. If you ask me the whole holiday is a scam created by Hallmark to make a profit.

That might sound cynical, but what do you expect from a girl who has never celebrated Valentine's day with a boyfriend. That's right I have pretty much been single for the last 19 years. After all I've never had any serious boyfriends. Usually my perpetually single lifestyle doesn't bother me, but every year like clock work, only four days before my birthday I have all my single girl swag crushed by the pink and red aisle in Target.

Thankfully this year my single friends and I have devised a plan. It involves staying in eating our weight in candy and watching violent slasher movies. Festive I know. The only thing I hope now is that I don't work. Nothing screams single loser like working at Chipotle on V-day.

Love, bear

More like the Bermuda Triangle

Fueled by anger, determination, and maybe one too many cups of tea I can finally say I finished my reading for my American history class tomorrow. It took me 8 full hours of concentration, and I for one couldn't be more proud of myself. You might be wondering why I decided to read it all last night, and well into the wee hours of this morning. Well, it's not like I really chose to do it.

I ordered my book from Amazon. I saved like $5 or something, but ended up sacrificing valuable time waiting for the The Triangle to find its way to my apartment. It arrived the same day Zach did, so needless to say I didn't read the book until after he left. I take full responsibility for bad time management.

That being said someone needs to take full responsibility in writing one of the worst planned out books I have ever had the displeasure of reading. The Triangle: The Fire That Changed America by David Von Drehle might have been a New York Times Book Review Notable Book, but I disagree with that statement.

The critics comments rave of the amazing story of the "long-forgotten tale", and I did enjoy learning the history behind the Triangle factory. To give you a better idea of what the book is about I have taken the liberty to type out the summary on the back of the book:

'In one of the most honored books of the year, David Von Drehle transports us to a beautiful spring day in March 1911 when 146 workers - most of them young immigrant women - lost their lives. Employees had just begun preparing to leave the Triangle shirtwaist factory in New York's Greenwich Village when a fire broke out and within minutes consumed the building's upper three stories. It was the worst disaster in New York City until 9/11.'

No where in the summary does the story warn you of the seemingly endless back stories of characters in the book that don't add anything to the story other than worthless pages. While some might find it interesting to read the back stories of immigrant workers who died as well as how the corrupt lawyer came to be they have no place in a novel. I understand this book was based off history, but there were many parts of the book that were pointless to the actual story.

The Triangle factory was located on the
8th, 9th, and 10th floors of the building.
Back then fire crews could only successfully
fight a fires from the 6th floor and below. 

These flashbacks of the former lives of characters would've been better suited it the author would relate why their backgrounds were so important to the story. He did do this for one of the characters, but after reading the book it didn't make since for the other 20. Von Drehle would lead you off into one direction and then abruptly stop and begin another story that is no where near relatable to the one he had just ended. It seemed as though the author lost reasoning behind his stories just like boats and aircrafts mysteriously vanish in the Bermuda Triangle.

I will say that I was impressed by the descriptions he used when telling the story, but he used too many pointless descriptions. He would also proceed to repeat himself often with information that wasn't vital to the storyline.

I also would like to take this time out point out another flaw to the summary on the back cover. While the summary and title of the book give the reader the impression the story will be mainly about a fire it's not. In fact, the first one-hundred or so pages has nothing to do with flames. It provides the history of the industry, which I'll admit is important only 24 pages were actually devoted to the fire itself. The other 224 pages consisted of the history before the fire and the worker strikes leading up to it as well as the hearings, fallout, and reform that took place after that. Oh and let's not forget about 112 of those pages include useless backstories that should be reserved for a more appropriate book where the stories will have more meaning, instead of a novel.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend the book for anyone to read, however I do believe that everyone should take the time and research (or at least google) the Triangle fire. I found the history behind it quite interesting. Perhaps I might even write a little summary of my own after some sleep and time to relax.

After scanning the opening of the book for some information just now I would like to tell every DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! The first page opens with a story that has no direct relevance to the story itself. The author already begins to plague the book with five characters who are not only unessential to the story line, but cloud the reader with details that confuse the reader from the start.

I agree with the Bob Woodward. The book does cover "an amazing, long-forgotten tale," and that this is a part of history that needs to be told. But that doesn't mean David Von Drehle should be the one telling it.

Love, bear

P.S. When I say that the back stories are not important/relevant I mean that they are not important/relevant to the novel. The victims of the fire suffered a terrible fate, and each of them is played an important role in changing laws to create safer work enviornments. There stories are very important for the history aspect of the Triangle fire; they just don't hold any significant merit to the novel itself.

Firsts to lasts and everything in between

Today not only marks my first day of work, but it also marks the last day I will spend with Zach for a long time.

Zach came to Mizzou on Thursday. We started his trip with some food from D. Rowes. I figured it was the perfect place to eat. Not only was it a Columbia restaurant, but my roommate Stevee also works there. She wasn't working when we went in, but it was still fun to show him where she works. Let's not forget the food there is pretty good too. We went to Whiskey Wild that night, and made it home in time to catch a few zzzz's and be ready for class tomorrow.

Zach, Stevee, and I went to class. It was pretty cool having him in all my classes, and I think he had fun seeing how different our schools are. I mean for one our campus is like 4 times the size; not including our off-campus housing.

We went out that night to a party. It was pretty fun, and everyone had a great time the only problems was the it started snowing, and then it started getting icy. People were slipping everywhere but only Ashley managed to fall.

After a late night out I got ready for my first day of work, and it wasn't that bad. I made a few mistakes, but it wasn't awful. And I didn't cry. I go back tomorrow, so I guess that means it's time to hit the hay.

Love, bear

Picking up zach

That's right. Zach will be here for the next three days. Yay!

Love, bear

This has got to be the good life.

I say that now. I can't remember feeling this good in a long time. I have a new job that I start tomorrow. I just arrived back from an amazing trip to Australia. And school has started off on a very good note. I can't help wondering when will it end.

My guess is Valentine's Day. The one holiday devoted to couples professing their love to each other. Kill me now.

Well, until then I plan on living it up. I'm actually very excited for my best guy friend to come visit me this Thursday. Yes, Zach will be in Columbia to celebrate Australia Day with me. I really can't wait. But for now Sex and the City is calling my name.

Love, bear

P.S. I'm sorry. I know that I haven't been updated this blog very much. I'll try to be more adamant about that and more detailed in my postings.

First day of 2nd semester

It's always an interesting day. There is so much potential. I don't know if I've ever had a better first day than I did today. Not only did I only have one class, but I also got an interview for a job at Chipotle. I hope I get it. My old roommate Ashley works there and it should be fun. I also finished my paper that I have due for Thursday already done. I would write more, but I need to get up for a 10 AM class.