I've been seeing this post around a bit lately, and I liked it. I had planned to write one for you today, and then sort of changed my mind, and then my friend Jenna sent me and the girls an email saying that those were actually her posting plans for Thursday, and she would like us to please join her. So here we are.

I like to think that I keep things real on this blog, and seriously--I try to. But there are a lot of random things about me that just don't fit into my everyday posting, and so you might not know them. So here we are...again.

If you really knew me, 

...you'd know that I am such a morning person. I love going to bed early and I love nothing more than waking up with the sun, drinking a cup of coffee, and looking out the window before the day begins.

...you'd know that I say I'm done with my master's degree because I finished my thesis, but really, I still have to edit a bibliographic essay and I'm just so tired of the whole thing that I felt like I needed a little break.

...you'd know just how much this new job means to me. I had no idea what I was going to end up doing for what feels like a very long time now, and now I have this desk and these co-workers and this responsibility that I care so much about already.

...you'd know how good I can be at holding a grudge, and how hard I try not to. In high school and the beginning of college, I could really write someone off without even thinking twice about it. Now, I try to let go in a way that's a lot less severe, which seems to work out better for everyone.

...you'd know how much I love to run. CrossFit was fun. It's not really fitting into my schedule anymore. And that feels okay to me. I am so excited to make time for running again.

...you'd know that I am a very anxious person sometimes. I have lots of irrational fears that don't feel so irrational to me.

...you'd know that sushi is still my favorite food, Paleo or not. It reminds me of being in high school, having lunch with my friends, caramel lattes, and getting my nails done.

...you'd know that I absolutely cannot keep my bedroom organized for long.

...you'd know that fall is my favorite season and that after July 4th, I start to hallucinate that the air is getting cooler and smells like leaves until October comes. I wear jeans before it's appropriate and start to sweat, upset that it's only August.

...you'd know just how quirky I am. I talk in weird voices and laugh all the time and I am always hungry.

What about you?

I came across this beautiful series last week, and I was so smitten with the theme that I had to throw my two cents in.

I'm approaching my twenty-fourth birthday this September, and these past few years have taught me a thing or two.

[In the old apartment with old hair, reading Old Friend from Far Away, taken March 2011.]

+ Learn to let go. There are only so many things that you can control. Do what you can with those and just let go of the rest. Life is too short to be stressed out about things that you just can't do anything about.

+ You are too old to allow anyone to make you feel badly about yourself. Don't waste any more time on someone who consistently makes you feel like crap. Just move on. You're a grown-up! You deserve good people in your life.

+ You are too young to settle. Mediocre friends, a job you hate; anything that breeds negativity. Get rid of it.

+ Don't you dare feel bad about feeling good about yourself.

+ You are capable of feeling grief that you never thought was possible. Someone will probably dump you. People will die. Life will change, and you will freak out about it. You won't know how to deal with it, and then one day, you will.

+ Figure out what works for you and do it. The way you work, the way you eat, the way you deal with stress--just find out how you manage life the best and do it that way. Don't worry if it's not the way other people do it.

+ Just be nice. Stop judging. People are going to blow your mind sometimes, but you have no idea why they do what they do. Even if you're pretty sure, just stop and focus on bettering yourself instead. Pointing out someone's flaws doesn't make you any less flawed.

+ Someone else's success doesn't make you a failure. Get over it.

+ You truly get what you give. Work hard, laugh hard, love a lot, have fun, and really take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.

+ Forgive, and then forget, dammit! Let go of the grudges. Move on with your life.

+ There is truly no limit to what the power of thinking positively can do for you. Visualize what you want from your life and focus on that every day. Inspire yourself with your thoughts and good things will follow.

+ Just love yourself, unconditionally. No explanation needed.

I tried to write an introduction to this post, but I can't seem to do it justice. So without further ado, I give you my boyfriend.

Hello, boys and girls. Rob here.

I was asked to take a minute out of my time to comment on what it's like to live with the Freckled Italian herself. Although she has many adorable qualities, it can be quite creepy to sleep next to Megan sometimes.

What comes to mind when you think of a horror movie? Do you think of small, pale children murmuring nonsense coupled with maniacal laughter in the middle of the night? Well, that's just a reality for me.

Megan often laughs and murmurs in her sleep. I've learned how to take advantage of the situation, so I ask her questions about what's so funny or what she's saying. Here are a few of the most recent conversations we've had while she was deep in her dreaming. (By the way, she never remembers any of these).

Megan: It's already in it.
Rob: What is?
M: The stuff is already in it.
R: What stuff?
M: I already put the stuff in it!

M: It...it just bothers me. I don't know. I just don't get it.
R: What bothers you?
M: It's just a little button!

Perhaps a Pinterest inspired chat:
M: It's so ugly.
R: What's ugly?
M: Her pins! She just has such ugly pins!

M: Naked cats.
R: What?!
[she laughs, a lot]
M: Naked cats. Just some puppies or somethin? Like a cappucino. I remember watching the puppies.

And then, sometimes I get these one-liner beauties:

"Beans!"

"Extra energy beat!"

"The kids are buried over here."

PS from Megan:
This is just a fraction of the things that I say when I'm asleep. Rob actually writes a lot of them down when they happen. He's agreed to grace this blog every month or so with some hilarious sequel posts! Also, I am awake as I write this.