Like Electricity Through Our Veins

________You know those people who intensely ride their bikes along busy roads where it is most likely deemed unsafe to ride in the first place? And usually end up causing these little traffic slow downs that could cause an accident? And irritate drivers ever so slightly since the drivers have to go around them, timing it just right so they don't smash into another car?

________Yeah, well...

________Those cyclists are kind of what I aspire to be. How fun would it be to just roam on the open road with nobody but yourself and an endless sea of black asphalt? Your bike is a stallion: it is brave, strong, and controlled only by your movements. The wind all up in your hair, blowing it around like it just don't care. Your favorite music is strumming in your ears like a thousand jellyfish tentacles being strummed as if they were instruments. Yes. You heard me. Jellyfish guitars. A whole quartet of them, positioned side by side, swaying along with the undulating sound waves of your mp3 player. Okay, now I'm just spewing out a bunch of crap. I should just end this awful simile before it gets too out of hand.

________But seriously, I do want to continue with my bike rides for pretty much the rest of my life. It seems to be the only thing I can go back to and still enjoy. Ever since the time I rode my first bike (a magical sky blue one that had tinsel flowering from its handlebars), I was hooked on it. Recently, I heard about this thing called a "century ride," which is basically where you ride your bike 100 miles with occasional stops along the way. It sounds sweet, and I want to be able to finish one of these century rides one day.

________So, citizens-- what's something you aspire to do or be?

Dress: New York & Company
Cardigan: Targét (ohoho)
Tights: We Love Colors
Heels: Jeffrey Campbell
Necklace: Altr'd State, from brother
Bracelet: vintage, from Nami
Sash thing: idk I think it's one of my dad's old ties

The Pumpkin Spice of Life

________I'm quite proud of myself right now. You see, all of the pictures above were taken using the manual function on my camera. Yesterday, I took a photography class and learned about the wonders of aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and other little camera tidbits that were once another language to me. I must say that it was quite helpful, and it's amazing that I can use the manual function now and not end up with a picture that's either pitch black, blurred a schizophrenic shade of green, or tinted a cold blue. They're not perfect, of course, but they will get there, I hope!

________That grilled chicken sandwich was my first successful manual shot; it is a sandwich of knowledge, a sandwich of power, and a sandwich that symbolizes sweet victory (and of course, tender deliciousness). That special sandwich has laid the foundation for all of my future photography sessions. The sandwich is what made me. It is what created me.

________Of course, all good things must end, and the sandwich did end because I was terribly hungry. Ah well-- it was nice while it lasted. I will never forget that sandwich. Now, I'm just going to have to work toward taking even better pictures with my camera, all while keeping Mr. Sandwich in mind.

Sweater: Forever 21
Skirt: Forever 21
Tights: Charlotte Russe
Clog heels: Charlotte Russe
Necklace: Altr'd State, from brother brother

Prepare for Takeoff!

__________I'm feeling a bit like a flight attendant today. Maybe it's the chevron earrings, the jacket details, or the fact that my hair is done up for the first time in Ali blog post history (this might constitute a trend, you have been warned). Whatever it is, I feel the need to tell everyone to buckle their seat belts and prepare for a plane journey that's chock-full of wind turbulence.

__________I haven't eeeever worn this dress in an outfit post before, which is quite a shame since it's such a lovely lovely shade of fuchsia and ever so flippy and floppy. You see, I have this habit where I don't want to wear something new until I've documented it in an outfit post... is that... strange? I am pretty sure I'm the only one who does it. It's like I want the new-ness of it to shine on in an outfit post before I can experiment with it again. Now that's it's worn though, I am excited to do things with it!

Dress: Modcloth, gifted
Blazer: Forever 21
Heels: Ross or TJ Maxx idk they're ancient
Earrings: Charming Charlie's

Oh Deer!

_____I was playing around last night and ended up with this quick little doodle. I like the idea, but I think it could have come out a lot better. Also, my poor yellow marker has officially reached the end of his lifespan. Rest in peace, O yellow marker-- you served me well!

A Little Slice of Sunshine

_____I do like this jacket that I recently bought. It's quite comfortable and I feel like it looks a wee bit expensive, even though I got it at Charlotte Russe for quite an affordable price! Plus, it's actually a color-- it seems to be hard to find any pops of color lately! Maybe it's just me.

_____So, since many bloggers have been writing about what they've accomplished or done in the last year, I feel that I should as well (even though I have been rather inactive on the ole bloggy this past year)! I actually feel like I have done quite a bit...

• To start, I've lost about 18 pounds since June and I am very happy and proud of that! I started running/biking daily and eating super healthy (it's okay, I won't feel bad if you've been following me and didn't notice a thing-- that just means I was doing a good job at covering it all up. My mom is the only person who has noticed anyway lolol)
• I had my Senior Art Show, went to prom with a lovely friend, graduated-- all that good high school senior year stuff!
• In April, we took a family trip to North Carolina and even went on a Segway Tour with this cool tour guide dude named Wes. Also, we stayed at a goat farm, but unfortunately never saw any goats because the owners were jerks very much to themselves. The goats were a lie!
• I started college at the University of Alabama; subsequently, I have finished my first semester (with all A's, hoorah!)
• I learned many sayings from the wise Honors Calculus teacher that I had last semester:

"Can you have two shadows facing the sun? No, no. Ghosts have no shadow. He has no shadow, he is not a real man."

"This problem is very spicy. For such a spicy dip, you must tip the waiter."

"When I get old, my face is not smooth. When you are one year old, you can take any derivative."

"The forest is very dangerous; you must find the mathematical light."

_____Now that you are filled with much wisdom, you, too, can start this year off right!

Jacket: Charlotte Russe
Dress: New York & Company
Tights: Christmas giftie, TJ Maxx
Booties: hand-studded/DIY